Samples - do you charge for them?

[Skye]

Until this week I have not had to produce a physical sample of any item before a customer orders it. They rely on me to match the colours in their artwork. My price list reflects this.

I have been approached by a local organisation who want to see actual samples before ordering anything - 5 different items, in each of two designs.

How do you handle this? Do you
- charge for samples?
- charge for samples, then refund if an order is placed?
- charge a one-off set up fee?
- not charge, seeing it as part of doing business?
- do something else?

PM me with your answer if you prefer.

Thanks
Skye

[logobear]

10 samples is taking the piss a bit .... but it does depend on potential order size.
samples do produce good will !

I would just make a single sample in most cases, and only if i have to.

Beware the person who asks for a price for 200 off, then only wants 6 today ... and expects the 200 price!

[webtrekker]

Beware the person who asks for a price for 200 off, then only wants 6 today ... and expects the 200 price!

Yeah. The infamous 'Bait & Switch' con!

Why not print a few samples with your watermark over them? That will enable them to see the quality of the print but render the samples useless otherwise.

[Paul]

charge and refund when full order placed.

[carolm1a]

I would offer the option. 1 sample of 2 designs - they can see the standard of your work from that or, charge a discounted rate and refund against an actual order.

They could potentially be going out to 10 different companies with the same request....voila, they dont need to pay for anything, they have the amount they required

[Earl Smith]

charge and refund when full order placed.

Thats what I do. Only if I know the customer would I do it for free and only then just a couple of pieces.
This time of year I will sometimes make a sample of a Beanie for a customer after they have ordered something else. Quiet often I will get an order for the Beanies so its worth doing for free. My best example was one beanie for a KrafMaga club and over the winter they ordered 78 beanies. Sometimes worth the small expense.

[pw66]

I would produce one sample of each image, to proof the colours and artwork. two different items.

The danger of producing 10 samples is that they get touted around the industry to get a better quote.
Another problem with sampling is that the job could end up being micro-managed by the end user. They could be shown around a meeting where everyone in the room makes a 'constructive' comment ( often just to hear the sound of their own voice). You could end up with an unworkable 'spec sheet' for each item.

[socialgiraffe]

I charge for samples regardless. But I think it is standard in my sector due to how many people need to sign off on products.

If I were to venture outside my sector then I would do the following (which is pretty much how others on here have suggested)

I charge £XXXX per sample including delivery.
I refund the full cost of the sample if the order is above the value of £XXXXX

If they are not happy with this set up they either do not believe in their product or they are not wanting the amount they are suggesting.

In my instance I charge £15.00 sample and then refund if over £250.00 total order value excluding VAT and delivery

[GoonerGary]

It would wise to charge especially for unknown customers, otherwise you'll be wasting your time.

If the customers have ordered before, goodwill keeps them returning. I did the 'only 6 items' for the price of 36 at wholesale cost. A month later they spent £1000 on mugs.

Sometimes it is prudent to do a sample for your own benefit. No point in printing 100s of mugs if, "The colours are a bit dark compared to my computer" Can you redo them?

[Skye]

Thank you to everyone who has replied.
Plenty to think about & decisions to make.

Thank you
Skye