Ordering Samples & Verifying Factories
A practical guide to quality assurance before bulk orders
Hi, this is GreenFrog Seoul.
In our previous post, we covered how to find factories on 1688. Now that you've shortlisted a few promising suppliers, what's the next step?
It's ordering samples.
"The price list looked good — can't I just go ahead and place the order?" No. Absolutely not.
Over the past seven years, we've seen dozens of cases where someone skipped samples and went straight to a bulk order — only to lose their entire investment. Today, we'll walk you through the entire process from requesting samples to verifying factories and inspecting quality.
1. Why You Must Always Order Samples First
Product photos on 1688 listing pages and the actual product can be completely different things.
Common Problems
- The photos look premium, but the actual product feels like cheap plastic
- The color is completely different from what appeared on screen
- Dimensions are off by 1-2 cm from the specifications
- The finish is rough or there's a strong chemical odor
- Packaging quality is far below expectations
2. How to Request Samples — Do It Right
When requesting samples from a factory, you need to be specific. If you just send "Can I get a sample?" you'll get whatever they feel like sending.
Essential Items in Your Sample Request
- Exact product specifications (color / size / material)
- Quantity (typically 1-3 pieces)
- Shipping address (your local address or your agent in China)
- Payment method for the sample fee
- Whether OEM / customization is needed
Sample Message (Chinese)
你好，我想先订购样品测试质量。
产品：XXX（附图）
颜色：黑色 / 尺寸：L
数量：2个
收货地址：韩国首尔（或中国深圳代理）
请问样品费多少？运费怎么算？
如果后续下单，样品费可以抵扣吗？(Hello, I'd like to order samples first to test the quality. Product / color / quantity / shipping address specified, asking about sample fee and shipping cost, and whether the sample fee can be deducted from the bulk order.)
3. Sample Pricing — What's a Fair Range?
Sample prices vary wildly from factory to factory, but here are some general benchmarks:
| Product Type | Sample Fee (vs. Unit Cost) |
|---|---|
| Off-the-shelf (in stock) | 2-3x the unit cost |
| OEM / Custom | 5-10x the unit cost + tooling fees |
| High-value electronics | At or slightly above unit cost |
Shipping is extra (typically $25-55 to most countries via DHL/EMS).
Watch Out For
- Sample fee suspiciously low (at unit cost) — they might be offloading old stock
- Sample fee extremely high (10x+) — they may only care about selling samples, not bulk orders
- "Free samples" — rare but possible; they'll usually still charge for shipping
4. What to Check When Your Sample Arrives
Don't just open the package, glance at it, and say "Looks fine." Use a checklist and go through every item systematically.
Essential Inspection Points
- ✅ Appearance — Does it match the listing photos? Any scratches or foreign particles?
- ✅ Finish — Paint quality, seams, stitching
- ✅ Odor — A strong chemical smell can indicate hazardous substances
- ✅ Functionality — If it's an active product, test charging, connectivity, and all features
- ✅ Dimensions — Measure manually with a ruler (should be within ±0.5 cm of specs)
- ✅ Weight — Too light usually means hollow or flimsy internals
- ✅ Packaging — Is it adequate to prevent damage during transit?
Additional Checks for Electronics
- ✅ Are the components compatible with your market's certifications (CE, FCC, UL, etc.)?
- ✅ Charging safety (overheating / overcharging)
- ✅ Does the actual waterproof / dustproof rating match the claimed IP rating?
5. Factory Audits — Visit at Least Once If You Can
Even if you're happy with the sample, visiting the factory before placing a bulk order is the safest approach.
What to Check During a Factory Visit
- Is this actually their own factory? (Brokers and trading companies posing as manufacturers is extremely common)
- Production line scale and number of workers
- Whether a quality control (QC) system is in place
- Recent production records and client references
- Key equipment brands and age
Alternatives If You Can't Visit
- Virtual factory tour — Request a live video walkthrough via WeChat video call
- Sourcing agent audit — A local specialist visits the factory on your behalf and provides a detailed report
- Third-party inspection (QC) firms — SGS, Bureau Veritas, or local QC companies
Key Takeaways
- Bulk ordering without samples = gambling. Always start with samples.
- When requesting samples, be clear about specs, quantity, shipping address, and whether the sample fee is deductible.
- A fair sample fee is 2-10x the unit cost. Too cheap or too expensive are both red flags.
- Inspect every sample with a checklist covering appearance, function, dimensions, and packaging.
- Verify supplier credibility through a factory visit, virtual tour, or agent-assisted audit.
GreenFrog Seoul Can Help
From receiving samples to factory audits, in-production inspections, and final pre-shipment QC —
we handle the entire process and deliver photo/video reports in English.