Frequently Asked Questions
Here are straight answers about free samples, reviews and the card on file.
For Shoppers
How do I become a product tester with SamplePact?
Just sign up for free on our product tester page. The form takes three short steps: you pick the product categories you'd like to test, tell us a little about yourself, and choose the kinds of reviews you're happy to write. Whenever a brand's campaign matches your profile, we'll email you an offer.
Is free product testing really free?
It really is. The product and its shipping cost you nothing, and there's no fee to join. The only time you'd ever pay is if you accept a product and then keep it without posting your review or sending it back by the deadline, in which case you'd pay the product's regular price and that money goes to the brand that sent it. Your rating and what you write never affect whether you're charged; the only thing that counts is whether you posted your review, or sent the product back, by the deadline. Taxes may apply to products you receive, and the reviewer terms explain more.
Who can sign up?
Anyone who's 18 or older with a US shipping address can join. Sign-up asks for your ZIP code and state so brands know where they'd be shipping.
Can brands see my review history?
Brands can see how many brands you've reviewed through SamplePact, along with the preferences that matching relies on: your categories, the review formats you'll do, and whether you create social content and on which platforms. Brands never see your ratings or whether your reviews were positive or negative.
For Brands
How does product sampling with SamplePact work?
You tell us about the product, its retail value, how many samples you'd like to send, where you ship, your target customer, the review format and the review window. We'll match shoppers who fit, or you can approve each one yourself. Then you ship the product, and each shopper posts a review on your site by your deadline.
How do I get reviews on Shopify with SamplePact?
Shoppers post on your Shopify product pages through the review app your store already uses, such as Judge.me, Loox, Okendo, Yotpo or Stamped. SamplePact isn't a review app and doesn't replace yours. Just tell us which app you use on the early-access form, and before your first campaign we'll confirm that it accepts reviews from SamplePact shoppers.
What does it cost?
Brands pay SamplePact a fee for each campaign, and we'll publish our prices before launch. You'll see the fee for each campaign and approve it before that campaign starts, and requesting early access is free. Beyond our fee, your only other costs are the samples themselves and shipping them to each shopper.
Reviews and Disclosure
Do I have to give a good review?
Not at all, so just write what you actually think. Brands agree to publish every review regardless of rating, and no brand can ask you for a certain star rating.
Where are reviews posted?
They go on the brand's own website, usually right on the product page. Reviews go on the brand's own website only, and never on Amazon, Google or any other store or review site. Each offer tells you exactly where to post.
Do brands have to publish negative reviews?
They do. Every brand agrees to publish every review it receives through SamplePact, whatever the rating, and without editing it.
How do reviewers disclose the free product?
Each review says the reviewer got the product free, for example: "I received this product free through SamplePact in exchange for an honest review." That's what FTC guidelines call for, and brands agree not to remove it.
The Card on File
Do I need a card to sign up?
You don't. Signing up is free and doesn't ask for a card, and you'll only add one when you accept your first product.
When would I be charged?
Only if you accept a product and keep it without posting your review or sending it back by the deadline, in which case you're charged the product's regular price. Your rating and what you write never affect whether you're charged; the only thing that counts is whether you posted your review, or sent the product back, by the deadline.
Can I send a product back instead of reviewing it?
If you'd rather not review a product, you can send it back instead. It can come back in any condition as long as you return the whole product, and you pay the return shipping. Ship it with tracking to the return address in your account before your deadline, and you won't be charged once the tracking shows it's on its way.
When does my review window start?
Your review window starts when the package is delivered. Brands choose a window of 7, 14, 21 or 30 days, and you'll see the deadline on every offer.
What if my product arrives late or damaged?
Once campaigns start, you'll have a "Report a delivery problem" button in your account, and one tap lets both SamplePact and the brand know. Your review deadline pauses while it's being sorted out, and you're never charged for a package that never arrived. If a package is lost or arrives damaged, the brand will either send a replacement, and your review window starts again when it's delivered, or cancel the offer so you don't owe anything.
What if I think I was charged by mistake?
We'll always email you before a charge, so you'll have a few days to show us your review or your return tracking, or to report a delivery problem, first. If you still think a charge is wrong, email hello@samplepact.com within 60 days and tell us which product it was, ideally with a link to your review or a screenshot of it. We'll look into it and get back to you within 10 business days, and if your review was posted on time, you sent the product back in time or your package never arrived, you'll get the full amount back within five business days of our decision.
Privacy
What do you collect when I sign up?
We collect your name, email, ZIP code, state, age range, the categories you want to test, the review types you'll do and whether you create content for social media (and on which platforms). Gender, follower count and your Instagram and TikTok handles are optional.
Do brands see my details?
Brands won't see anything until campaigns start. After that, they'll see your reviewer profile, which is your first name and last initial, the categories and review formats you chose, whether you create social content and on which platforms, and how many brands you've reviewed. Brands never see your ratings or whether your reviews were positive or negative. A brand that ships to you also gets your shipping details.
Do you sell my data?
We don't sell your personal information to anyone.
More Help
If you can't find what you're looking for, email hello@samplepact.com or use the contact formand a real person will get back to you. Shoppers can also read the product tester page, and brands can read the product sampling page.