Let’s be honest for a minute. Nothing kills the vibe of a winning product faster than poor quality or snail-speed shipping. One bad customer review or unexpected delay can snowball into refunds, low ratings, and a whole lot of stress. And if we’re trying to run a serious dropshipping business (one that’s built on trust, speed, and satisfaction), we just can’t afford those kinds of surprises.
AutoDS knows that better than anyone else. That’s why they’ve rolled out something we’ve all secretly wished for: the Sample Order feature.
With this new tool, we can finally test products before listing them. No store sync required. No waiting for a customer to take the hit first. Whether we want to check the product quality, see how it’s packaged, or confirm how fast it gets delivered, Sample Orders let us take full control of what goes into our catalog.
Think of it as giving your business a backstage pass before the big show. You get to see the product in real life, troubleshoot potential issues, and move forward with confidence. Let’s check the new feature out.
AutoDS Sample Orders let us test products before selling—no store sync needed, just choose a product and ship it straight to ourselves or a customer.
It’s a smart way to check quality, packaging, and delivery speed to avoid complaints, refunds, or store performance issues.
Orders are handled through the Fulfilled by AutoDS system, with full tracking and automation, just like regular orders, but invisible to customers.
To use it, we need the Auto Order add-on active, at least one connected store, and products in USD supported by FBA.
What Is a Sample Order on AutoDS?
A Sample Order is exactly what it sounds like: a test order we place directly through AutoDS, without linking it to any store like Shopify, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. It’s a game-changer for dropshippers who want to try before they sell.
Until now, placing an order through AutoDS required syncing it from a selling channel. But now, we can just create a sample order straight from our product list, drafts, marketplace view, trending page, or even print on demand. Just pick a store (any active one), fill in the shipping info, and boom: you get to try out the product yourself or send it to a customer as a sample.
Use cases? Plenty. Maybe we’re launching a new collection and want to check the product’s real-life vibe. Or maybe a VIP customer asked to test something before placing a bulk order. With sample orders, we’re covered.
Benefits of Using AutoDS’ Sample Orders
Blindly adding items to our store without knowing what we’re really offering is a gamble we don’t need to take anymore.
The Sample Order feature is a smart, strategic move that helps us build a stronger, more trustworthy brand. Here’s why it should be a permanent part of every dropshipper’s toolkit:
- Product Evaluation. Ever wondered if that viral TikTok product is actually worth the hype? Now we don’t have to guess. Sample orders let us feel the fabric, see the packaging, and test the product before making it part of our lineup. It’s a reality check before we hit “publish”, and it helps us avoid low-quality listings that lead to complaints, returns, or worse.
- Customer Assurance. Sometimes, a potential buyer just needs that extra push. Sending a sample can turn a maybe into a yes, especially for bulk orders, influencers, or long-term clients. It shows professionalism and confidence in our products without adding a layer of risk. It’s a powerful trust builder, and in e-commerce, trust equals conversions.
- Streamlined Process. And, of course, here’s the best part: it’s all automated. AutoDS handles the sample order just like a regular one: fulfillment, tracking, and updates are included. No messy follow-ups, no manual input, and no store disruption. It’s like having a mini test lab built into our dashboard; low risk, high reward, and totally seamless.
How to Create a Sample Order on AutoDS
Creating a sample order might sound technical, but trust me, it’s smoother than your favorite one-click checkout. If you’re testing a product for yourself or sending a sample to a curious customer, AutoDS makes the process simple and fast. Let’s check the step-by-step process.
1. Where You Can Order From
You don’t have to dig around to find the feature. AutoDS added the “Create Sample Order” button across multiple pages, so it’s always just a click away. You can start a sample order from:
- Products List
- Marketplace
- Drafts
- Handpicked Products
- Edit Product Page
- Sourcing Detail Page
- Trending Products
- Print on Demand feature
Yep, it’s pretty much everywhere you’d want it to be. If the product supports sample orders and meets the requirements, the button will be there, ready to go.
2. Order Process
Placing a sample order is super straightforward (and honestly, kind of satisfying). So, here’s how it goes:
1. Select the Store: Start by choosing which of your connected stores to use. Even though the sample order isn’t linked to a store, this helps AutoDS apply the right default settings behind the scenes.
2. Pick Product Variants and Quantity: Need the black hoodie in size L? Or maybe you want to test two units instead of one? Choose the exact variant and how many samples you want—it’s all in your hands.
3. Enter Shipping Details: Next, add the full name, address, zip code, city, country, and phone number for whoever’s getting the sample. Be precise and use only Roman characters—AutoDS (and the shipping carrier) will thank you for it.
4. Decide Whether to Include Shipping Cost: There’s a checkbox that lets you include the shipping fee in your total. If you leave it off and the product does have a shipping cost, the order could fail. So if you’re unsure, just include it and keep things moving smoothly.
5. (Optional) Customize Advanced Settings: Want to limit max shipping days? Add a price cap? Convert tracking numbers? You can do all that in the Advanced Settings section. It’s optional but gives you more control over how the order gets handled.
Once everything’s ready, hit “Create” and AutoDS will take it from there. If something’s missing, just hover over the button: you’ll get a little nudge telling you what needs fixing.
3. Advanced Settings Explained
This section is totally optional, but it’s a powerful move if you want more control.
- Tracking Conversion: Choose how you want AutoDS to handle tracking numbers (especially helpful for synced stores with delivery policies).
- Maximum Shipping Days: Set the latest delivery date you’ll accept. Orders that exceed it may be marked “On Hold.”
- Max Buy Item Price: Set a price cap. If the cost goes over this amount, AutoDS won’t process the order.
- Include Shipping Price: If disabled, and the item includes shipping fees, the order won’t go through, so enable it unless you’re sure it’s free shipping.
- Prime Only (Amazon Only): Make sure you’re only getting Prime-eligible products if speed matters.
- Hide Advanced Settings: Once everything looks good, collapse this section to keep things tidy.
⚠️ Important: These settings only apply to the specific sample order you’re creating. They won’t change anything in your store’s global settings. So go ahead and customize freely without breaking anything.
What Happens After You Place a Sample Order
So, you’ve clicked “Create”; congrats! Your sample order is officially in motion. But what actually happens next?
First, you’ll find it in your Orders Page, sitting right there with the rest of your orders. But don’t worry, you’ll know it’s special. It comes labeled with “Created from Sample”, so you can easily spot it at a glance. Oh, and have you noticed that the “Sell ID” fields are empty? That’s normal. There’s even a little tooltip explaining it’s not linked to any selling channel.
From there, the order goes straight into the Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA) system. That means it’s automatically processed, shipped, and tracked, just like a regular order. No need to chase anything down or manually update a thing.
You’ll still get all the usual updates, like shipping status and tracking info, so you know exactly where the sample is at all times. It’s the full AutoDS experience, minus the connection to your store.
And that’s important to remember: sample orders don’t sync with your store. They won’t show up in Shopify, eBay, or wherever else you’re selling. They’re invisible to customers and completely separate from your sales data, so no fake stats, no confusion, and no impact on your store performance.
Important Notes & Requirements
Before we start firing off sample orders left and right, let’s hit pause for a sec and make sure we’ve got all our ducks in a row. There are a few things you need to have in place, and a few things this feature doesn’t do. Knowing both will save time, stress, and “why isn’t this working?” moments.
✅ What You Need Before Ordering
There’s not a ton of prep work involved, but there are a few boxes that need to be checked:
- Auto Order Add-on activated
This one’s non-negotiable. The Sample Order feature runs on the same automation system as regular orders. If you don’t have the Auto Order Add-on turned on, you won’t be able to place anything. (AutoDS will gently nudge you with a warning if it’s missing.)
- At least one active selling channel
Even though the sample order won’t show up in your store, the system still requires at least one connected channel (Shopify, eBay, Facebook, etc.) to unlock the feature.
- The product must be in USD
The feature is only supported for items listed in U.S. dollars. But don’t stress; the system will automatically gray out sample order options for any products in other currencies, and you can easily switch to USD when needed.
- Supported by Fulfilled by AutoDS (FBA)
Not every product on the platform is eligible. To place a sample order, the product has to be part of the Fulfilled by AutoDS system. If it’s not, the sample order button simply won’t show up (unless you’re in the Marketplace, where it always appears, even if the product isn’t eligible).
❌ What It Doesn’t Do
Let’s bust a few myths before they start spreading:
- It doesn’t affect your Sold Quantity or stats
Sample orders are kept completely separate from your store data. That means no boosts (or weird dips) in your “Sold” numbers, product metrics, or store reports. It’s like they’re in a private sandbox. - It doesn’t show up in your storefront
Your Shopify or eBay store won’t reflect sample orders. These are 100% internal—great for testing, invisible to customers. - It doesn’t have Sell IDs
In the Orders Page, you’ll notice blank Sell Item and Sell Order ID fields for sample orders. That’s totally normal. Hovering over them will reveal a tooltip reminding you that these orders weren’t created through a selling channel.
And remember: if you don’t see the “Create Sample Order” button where you expect it, don’t panic. The product probably doesn’t meet the requirements. You’ll still see the button in the Marketplace view (even for ineligible products), but in other sections, it won’t appear unless the item qualifies.
Limitations & System Behavior
Now, let’s talk about the fine print. Nothing wild here, just a few important rules and quirks to keep in mind so your sample order experience is smooth from start to finish.
- Only USD-compatible suppliers are supported: That’s the rule (for now).
- Currency warnings in Marketplace: If you’re browsing a product in a different currency, the sample order button will be grayed out. But you can switch to USD to make it work.
- Low balance? You’ll be notified: AutoDS will flag it if your wallet doesn’t have enough funds, but you can still proceed once you top it up.
- No sourcing or product editing: For now, sample orders don’t support product sourcing requests, and you won’t be able to edit the product from the Orders tab. (The Edit button will be greyed out.)
- Special eBay behavior: If the order is linked to an eBay-connected store and you move it to “Cancelled,” you won’t see the usual confirmation pop-up. Why? Because sample orders don’t actually exist on eBay, so there’s nothing to cancel there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I order a sample?
To see what your customer will get! It’s a great way to check quality, shipping speed, and packaging before adding a product to your store.
Can I order a sample without connecting to a selling channel?
Nope. You need at least one connected store on AutoDS, even though the sample won’t actually go to that store.
How do I order a product sample on AutoDS?
Just find the product (in your Marketplace, Products List, or Drafts), click “Create Sample Order,” choose the store, fill in the shipping info, and you’re good to go.
Is ordering a sample the same as selling a product?
Not at all. Sample orders don’t show up in your store, don’t affect sales stats, and are marked clearly as “Sample” in your Orders Page.
Conclusion
AutoDS Sample Orders might seem like a small feature, but don’t let their size fool you. They pack a serious punch when it comes to building a smarter, more reliable dropshipping business.
In just a few clicks, we can test-drive any product before it ever reaches our store. That means no second-guessing, no crossing fingers, and no unexpected complaints down the line. Essentially, we’re not just guessing anymore; we’re making informed decisions that protect our brand, boost customer trust, and help us scale with confidence.
So go ahead! Use this feature, play it smart, and test before you list. And make sure every product you sell is one you’d be proud to receive yourself.
