Foreign trade sample follow-up strategies and management skills

In foreign trade business, the follow-up and management of samples is one of the key links in promoting transactions. From sample production and delivery to subsequent follow-up, every step is crucial. The following are some strategies and management tips for following up on foreign trade samples.

Sample delivery strategy

1. Sample fee and shipping fee will be charged together

Adhering to the principle of collecting sample fees and freight together will help screen out customers with high integrity. Customers who are willing to pay sample fees and freight should be given a high degree of trust and committed to establishing long-term cooperative relationships. For customers who are unwilling to pay fees, their willingness to cooperate and credibility need to be carefully evaluated.

2. Free samples and freight sharing

In some cases, it is possible to provide free samples but require customers to share part of the shipping costs. This approach not only reflects the company’s sincerity but also avoids bearing excessive costs. In this way, long-term relationships can be established with multiple clients.

3. Double refund strategy

Adopt a double refund strategy, that is, provide customers with free samples and bear the freight, and return double the sample cost after the customer places an order. This strategy can effectively attract customer interest and encourage them to place an order as soon as possible.

Notes on sending samples

During actual operation, you also need to pay attention to the following points:

• For customers who are unwilling to pay any fees, their willingness to cooperate and credibility should be carefully evaluated to avoid falling into a fraud trap;
• When customers require payment on delivery, they must ensure that the customer places the order in their home country to avoid possible legal risks;
• For customers who require samples to be sent to China, sample fees should be insisted on to protect the company’s interests;
• Always pay attention to market dynamics and customer needs, and flexibly adjust sample sending strategies.

Sample management and tracking

Send sample notification

When sending samples, customers should be notified in a timely manner, including sample details, waybill number, delivery time and estimated arrival time, etc. In addition, the sample proforma invoice should also be attached, and the customer should be asked to confirm it after receiving the sample.

Express tracking

Enter the official express website and enter the express tracking number to track the sample. Ensure that samples reach customers smoothly.

Sample feedback

Ask customers for feedback on samples via email within a week of receiving them. You can communicate from aspects such as raw material price fluctuations and exchange rate trends to strive to get orders as soon as possible.

Sample cost processing

For samples of low value (such as small gifts, stationery, etc.), it is not recommended to charge sample fees. However, for products with higher value (such as electrical appliances, high-end clothing, etc.), you can consider charging them together with shipping costs and refunding them when the customer orders reaches a certain amount.

Conclusion

Sample follow-up and management are important links in foreign trade business. Reasonable strategies and practices are of great significance in promoting business cooperation. Through the strategies and precautions shared above, I believe that foreign trade salesmen will be able to handle sample delivery issues more skillfully in actual work and win more business opportunities for the company.