How to Create and Manage Sample Orders

Introduction

AutoDS enables users to create Sample Orders directly from multiple product and draft views. This feature allows you to send product samples to customers or yourself for evaluation before committing to full-scale sales.

In this guide, you'll learn how to:

• Initiate a Sample Order from various pages.
• Understand the prerequisites for using this feature.
• Navigate the order creation process.
• Troubleshoot common issues.

Benefits

• Product Evaluation: Test product quality and shipping times before listing them in your store.
• Customer Assurance: Provide samples to potential customers, increasing trust and conversion rates.
• Streamlined Process: Utilize AutoDS's automation features to manage sample orders efficiently.

 

Prerequisites

Before creating a Sample Order, please make sure that:

• Currency: The product is listed in USD.
• Supported Suppliers: Sample orders are only available for suppliers supported by Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA).
  👉 Learn More:  Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) service
• Order Processor Add-on: You must have the Order Processor Add-on enabled. Without it, attempting to create a Sample Order will prompt a modal suggesting its activation.
  
• Add sufficient balance: To allow AutoDS to place orders on your behalf, make sure your account has enough balance. This amount will cover the full cost of purchasing the product from the supplier, including the item price and shipping fees (if included).
  👉 Learn More:  Fulfilled by AutoDS balance
• Add Auto-order credits: These credits enable the automation of the sample order, including the automatic fulfillment, conversion, and updating of tracking information.
  👉 Learn More:  What Are Auto-Order Credits and How Do They Work?
• Supplier Settings Order Automation:
  
  For AliExpress and Amazon US only:
  You must enable both options in the Supplier Settings:
  ✅ “Process orders using Fulfilled by AutoDS”
  ✅ “Automatic Orders (requires a buy account or Fulfilled by AutoDS order management)”
  ❌ If both options are not enabled, and you don’t have a buyer account, the order will stay in Pending status.
  → You’ll need to manually change it to Send to Auto-Order after enabling automation.
  
  If you enable only the second option “Automatic Orders (requires a buy account or Fulfilled by AutoDS order management)” and have an active buyer account, the Sample Order will be placed using your buyer account (not FBA).
  
  For other supported suppliers (not Amazon US or AliExpress):
   • Even if no options are enabled, the system will place the Sample Order using Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA).

 

Place a Sample Order using your buyer account

If you want to place a Sample Order using your own buyer account for Amazon US or AliExpress:

1. Enable only the option on the supplier settings: “Automatic Orders (requires a buy account or Fulfilled by AutoDS order management)”

2. Save the changes.

3. Create the Sample Order.

4. Go to the Orders Page, change the status:
   ➡ From “In Order Progress” → “Pending”
   ➡ Then to “Send to Auto-Order”

 

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Step-by-Step Guide

Access Points

You can initiate a Sample Order from the following pages:

1. Marketplace → Product Details Page
2. Marketplace → Hand-Picked Products → Product Details Page
3. Marketplace → Trending Products → Product Details Page
4. Print On Demand → Product Details Page
5. Drafts → Drafts List
6. Products → Products List
7. Products → Edit Product
8. Sourcing Details Page

Click the "Create Sample Order" button on these pages to begin.

Sample Order Creation Process

Store Selection: If multiple stores are connected, select the desired store. The chosen store's settings will apply to the order.

Step	Section	Details
1	Order Details	- Image and Title: Displayed automatically and cannot be edited. - Attributes: Select the relevant product options (e.g., size, color) if applicable. - Supplier and Warehouse: Displayed automatically and cannot be edited. - Quantity: Enter the desired quantity (default is “1”). - Item Price and Total: Automatically calculated based on product and shipping costs.
2	Customer Information	Fill in all fields using the Roman alphabet only and avoid abbreviations. Mandatory fields: First Name, Last Name, Address Line 1, Country, State/Province, City, Zip Code, Phone Number. Note: Incomplete or incorrectly formatted data may result in order processing errors.
3	Advanced Settings	Customize how the order will be processed (store defaults can be adjusted per order): - Tracking Conversion: Select if you want AutoDS to convert the tracking number. 👉 Learn More: AutoDS Tracking Conversion: Compare and select the best option - Maximum Shipping Days: Define the maximum number of days allowed. Products exceeding this timeframe may be marked as On Hold. - Max Buy Item Price: Set the highest price you’re willing to pay. Orders above this amount will not be processed. - Include Shipping Price: Enable if you want shipping cost included in the total price. ⚠️ If disabled and the product has shipping fees, the order will fail. In that case, send the order to Auto-order on the Orders Page. - Prime Only (Amazon suppliers only): Limit purchases to Amazon Prime items for faster delivery and benefits. - Hide Advanced Settings: Collapse this section to simplify the view once all settings are confirmed.
4	Finalize Order	Click Create to submit the order. If required fields are missing, hover over the Create button to view what’s incomplete.

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Possible Issues & Workarounds

Issue	Solution
Missing Order Processor Add-on	If you attempt to create a Sample Order without the add-on, a modal will prompt you to activate it. Activate the Order Processor Add-on before creating a Sample Order.
Insufficient Balance	If your order total exceeds your AutoDS balance, a warning modal will appear with a link to load more funds. Add funds to your AutoDS balance through the Billing & Balance page before completing the order.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need the Order Processor Add-on to create a Sample Order?
A: Yes. The Order Processor Add-on is required to create and process sample orders. If it isn’t active, the system will guide you to purchase it before proceeding.

Q: Are Sample Orders connected to my selling channel?
A: Sample Orders are processed independently. They don’t synchronize with your selling channels or appear in your store.

Q: Do Sample Orders affect my store’s sales statistics?
A: Sample Orders are excluded from sales metrics. They don’t count toward dashboard statistics or product-level metrics such as “Sold” or “DWS.”

Q: Can I select which store settings apply when creating a Sample Order?
A: Yes. If you manage more than one store, you’ll be prompted to select one before creating the order. That store’s advanced settings will apply by default, but you can adjust them in the order form.

Q: What happens if my balance or credits are not enough to complete a Sample Order?
A: The system will display a message with a link to add funds or credits before you complete the order.

Q: Can I change the store after starting a Sample Order?
A: It depends on where the order was created. From Marketplace, the store can be selected or updated. From Drafts or the Products page, the store is fixed and cannot be adjusted.

Q: How are Sample Orders displayed on the Orders page?
A: They appear with empty “Sell Item ID” and “Sell Order ID” fields. Tooltips will explain that these orders are not linked to any selling channel.

Q: What happens if I try to leave the Sample Order page before completing it?
A: A confirmation modal will appear, asking if you want to leave the page, helping you avoid accidental loss of progress.