china- how to speak to a supplier

Alibaba.com is a great place to buy resale items, group buys and samples.

What is a sample? A sample is one of anything.
 Even if the company isn't selling samples young can still buy them if you know how to speak with a business.

Tips.
Always say hello and I look forward to your reply.
Always speak in a simple way so the sales person can understands you (most don't speak very good English so unless you speak mandarin Chinese speak simple.

I recently spoke with a company that sells gaming laptops on alibaba .
they immediately wanted to know how many I wanted to buy.
 This didn't work for me since if I was going to buy for resale I wanted to actually judge the quality of a sample.

First i ask so it's a conversation not a demand.

"Hi, can I order a sample to see if it meets my standards."

Then I tell them that they decided to allow a sample by asking not if but how much. Specific questions and no "the" because it doesn't exist in Chinese.

"How much will laptop cost?
How much will shipping cost?"

bottom line
Sometimes you can get a free sample but most of the time you will have to buy it and pay for the shipping.
The sample will cost less then store price but more then wholesale.

good luck!

Free business advice

Every town has a town hall, in that town hall is a lawyer that you have the legal right to use! (you pay his salary through taxes), ask him any questions about starting a business (after you have an appointment). Another thing that's at town hall is a meeting for business minded people (depends on the town), if that didn't convince you then you need some motivational training. Good luck!

Some more advice

Give it your all!
I've updated and will continue updating this blog with a new post every day.
To become successful you should work hard or smart for instance instead of spending a lot on the legalities of starting a business just use leagalzoom.com the smart but inexpensive blog posts.

To run a successful blog

Running a successful blog requires:
Writing about a passion (mine is business)
Daily or weekly new posts
Images in every post
No ads until you make it
A webpage for your blog (working on it)

Don't get a loan
Many business's have attained greatness by working both hard and smart, with little more then meager living  expenses.

Stop being afraid of the unknown and the future
I'v almost died over a hindered times, I've been in 8 car accidents.  Just a dangerous life, the point I'm trying to make is "if the pros outweigh the cons then go for it!

A business can be started with 300-100 dollars

I knew one guy that started a programming company (biggest in the US now) with very little money, the company is now worth ten's of millions.  Some optional things  are worth a  hell of a lot if you actually do them.

Free legal help and advice from town hall in any city 
The town hall in any city has a lawyer, financial help and seminars, go to city hall    and get the advice and help you need to start your business!