Introduction
Sample orders allow dropshipping sellers to test products directly from suppliers before listing them in their stores. This feature helps you verify product quality, evaluate shipping times, and build confidence in your inventory decisions. With AutoDS, you can create sample orders from multiple product views and manage them efficiently through automation.
In this guide, you will learn how to initiate sample orders from various pages, understand the prerequisites for using this feature, navigate the order creation process, and troubleshoot common issues.
Benefits of using sample orders
Sample orders provide several advantages for your dropshipping business. They allow you to test product quality and shipping times before listing items in your store, which helps you make informed decisions about your inventory. Additionally, sample orders enable you to provide product samples to potential customers, increasing trust and conversion rates. The AutoDS automation features streamline the sample order management process, making it quick and convenient.
Important: Ordering a sample through AutoDS is a quick and convenient option, but keep in mind that you'll be responsible for covering the full cost of the product and its shipping. AutoDS simply places the order on your behalf with the supplier.
Prerequisites for creating sample orders
Before creating sample orders, ensure your AutoDS account meets the following requirements. Each requirement plays a specific role in enabling the automated sample order process.
Currency requirement: The product must be listed in USD. Sample orders only support products priced in US dollars.
Order Automation: Sample orders are only available using the automation Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) service or Auto-order full automation and its supported suppliers.
How to create sample orders
Sample orders can be initiated from multiple locations within the AutoDS platform, providing flexibility for your workflow. The creation process is straightforward and follows consistent steps regardless of where you start.
Access points for creating sample orders
You can initiate sample orders from the following pages in your AutoDS account:
AutoDS Marketplace: Product Details page.
Hand-Picked Products: Product Details page.
Trending Products: Product Details page.
Print On Demand: Product Details page.
Drafts page : Drafts List.
Products List.
Edit Product page.
Sourcing: Sourcing Details page.
To begin creating a sample order, click the "Create Sample Order" button on any of these pages.
The image below exemplifies how you can locate the "Create Sample Order" button on a Product Details page.
Sample order creation process
The sample order creation process consists of four main steps that guide you through configuring your order details, customer information, and automation settings.
Important: If you try to leave the sample order creation page before completing it, you may lose your progress. A confirmation pop-up will appear asking if you want to leave the page. This helps you avoid accidental loss of progress and ensures you complete the order creation process.
Step 1: Store selection
If multiple stores are connected to your AutoDS account, select the desired store for the sample order. The chosen store's settings will apply to this order, including default automation configurations and advanced settings.
Note: From the AutoDS Marketplace, you can select or update the store.
From Drafts or the Products page, the store is fixed and cannot be adjusted after starting the order creation process.
Step 2: Configure order item details
The Order Item section displays product information and allows you to configure specific order details.
Field | Description |
1. Image and title | Displayed automatically from the product and cannot be edited. |
2. Attributes | Select the relevant product options such as size, color, or other variations if applicable. |
3. Supplier and warehouse | Displayed automatically based on the product source and cannot be edited. |
4. Quantity | Enter the desired quantity for the sample order (default is 1). |
5. Item price and total | Automatically calculated based on product cost and shipping fees. |
Step 3: Enter customer information
Fill in all fields under the Customer Information section using the Roman alphabet only and avoid abbreviations to ensure successful order processing.
Mandatory fields:
First Name
Last Name
Address Line 1
Country
State/Province
City
Zip Code
Phone Number
Important: Incomplete or incorrectly formatted data may result in order processing errors. Ensure all information is accurate before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Configure advanced settings
The Advanced Settings section allow you to customize how the sample order will be processed. Your store's default settings apply automatically, but you can adjust them for each individual order.
Setting | Description |
1. Tracking conversion | Select whether you want AutoDS to convert the tracking number to a format compatible with your selling channel or tracking service. Tracking conversion helps provide accurate tracking information to customers and hides supplier identities when needed. |
2. Maximum shipping days | Define the maximum number of days allowed for shipping. Products with shipping times exceeding this timeframe may be marked as On Hold, requiring manual review before processing. |
3. Maximum buy item price | Set the highest price you're willing to pay for the sample order. Orders above this amount will not be processed automatically, giving you control over unexpected price increases. |
4. Include shipping fee | Enable this option if you want the shipping cost included in the total price calculation. |
5. Prime only (Amazon suppliers only) | Limit purchases to Amazon Prime items for faster delivery and additional Prime benefits. This option only applies when ordering from Amazon as the supplier. |
6. Hide advanced settings | Collapse this section to simplify the view once all settings are confirmed and finalized. |
Learn more about tracking numbers, tracking updates, and tracking conversion here.
Important: If you disable Include shipping price and the product has shipping fees, you must manually send the order to Auto-Order from the Orders page after the initial failure.
Step 5: Finalize and create the order
After configuring all settings and entering customer information, click the Create button at the bottom of the page to submit the sample order.
The sample order will be sent to automation based on your settings configuration and will appear on your Orders page for tracking and management.
Tip: If required fields are missing, hover over the Create button to view which fields are incomplete and need attention.
Sample order characteristics
Sample orders have unique characteristics that differentiate them from regular customer orders. Understanding these differences helps you manage expectations and workflows effectively.
Sample orders and selling channels
Sample orders are processed independently and do not synchronize with your selling channels. This means sample orders won't appear in your store's order list and don't require listing the product on your selling channel before ordering.
Important: Editing the product is disabled for sample orders. The Edit Product button in the Orders tab will be greyed out, since these products cannot be edited after the sample order is created.
Sample orders and eBay
If your sample order is connected to eBay and you move it to Cancelled status, you won't see the usual confirmation pop-up asking if you'd like to cancel it on eBay as well. This is because sample orders don't actually exist on your eBay store, so no cancellation is needed on the selling channel.
Sample orders and dashboard statistics
Sample orders are excluded from sales metrics and do not count toward your AutoDS dashboard statistics or product-level metrics. This means sample orders will not affect metrics such as "Sold" or "DWS" (Days Without Sales) on your Products page. This ensures your business performance data remains accurate and reflects only actual customer orders, not internal product testing.
Sample orders on the Orders page
Sample orders appear on the Orders page with empty Sell Item ID and Sell Order ID fields. Tooltips will explain that these orders are not linked to any selling channel, making them easy to identify among your regular orders.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need the Order Processor Add-on to create a sample order?
Do I need the Order Processor Add-on to create a sample order?
The Order Processor Add-on is required to create and process sample orders through AutoDS. If this add-on is not active when you attempt to create a sample order, the system will display a modal prompting you to activate it before proceeding.
Learn how to enable the Order Processor Add-on here.
Can I change the store after starting a sample order?
Can I change the store after starting a sample order?
It depends on where the sample order was created. From the AutoDS Marketplace, you can select or update the store during the sample order creation process. However, from Drafts or the Products page, the store is fixed and cannot be adjusted after starting the order creation process.
What happens if my balance or credits are not enough to complete a sample order?
What happens if my balance or credits are not enough to complete a sample order?
If your order total exceeds your AutoDS balance or if you do not have enough Auto-Order credits, the system will display a warning message with a link to add funds or credits before you complete the sample order.
Are sample orders connected to my selling channel?
Are sample orders connected to my selling channel?
Sample orders are processed independently and do not synchronize with your selling channels. Sample orders do not appear in your store's order list on platforms like eBay, Shopify, or Amazon. This means you can create sample orders without listing the product on your selling channel first, and these orders will only be visible within your AutoDS Orders page.