Can I get samples before placing a large order?
Yes — VUELUXE supplies sample mirrors for verified trade accounts. Samples are charged at cost, not provided free. The sample cost is credited against the first order if placed within 60 days. For large project orders (50 units or more), a sample mirror with full compliance documentation is standard practice before the project order is placed.
Why samples are charged rather than free
VUELUXE does not provide free samples for a practical reason: LED bathroom mirrors are bulky, relatively high-value goods that cost real money to source, package, and freight. A free sample policy would be exploited — samples would be requested by buyers who have no genuine project in view, and the cost would be absorbed across all other trade accounts. Charging at cost means samples are requested by buyers with genuine intent, and the credit mechanism ensures that buyers who proceed to order are not penalised for having properly evaluated the product.
For builders and designers who do have a genuine project and need physical product evaluation before committing, the cost-of-sample arrangement is standard and reasonable. A single mirror at cost is a minor line item relative to a 30 or 50-unit project order.
Who should request a sample
Samples are most valuable in three situations. First, a first-time VUELUXE buyer who has not ordered before and wants to inspect build quality, finish, and light output before committing to a project quantity. Second, a designer or architect who needs to confirm CCT match against a specific tile, stone, or cabinetry finish for a high-specification project. Third, a builder or developer placing a large order (50+ units) where the cost of getting the specification wrong is significant — a sample review before the full order is placed is straightforward risk management.
Samples are less necessary for buyers who have ordered a specific VUELUXE model before and are reordering the same specification. In that case, the product is already known, and a sample review does not add new information.
What the sample includes
A VUELUXE sample order consists of the mirror unit plus the standard documentation pack: a cut sheet for the model (dimensions, wattage, CCT, CRI, IP rating, weight, fixing diagram), the RCM/SAA compliance certificate, the IP44 test report, and the wiring installation guide. This gives the buyer not just the physical product for review but also everything needed to assess compliance, present the specification to a certifier, and brief the electrician on installation requirements.
For large project orders, having the compliance pack reviewed before the project order is placed can surface any issues — for example, a certifier who requires a specific test report format — before 50 mirrors have been ordered and delivered. It is considerably easier to resolve a documentation question with one sample unit on hand than after a full project delivery.
The 60-day credit window
The sample cost is credited against the first order placed within 60 days of the sample invoice date. The 60-day window is intentionally generous — it covers the typical timeline from specification review to project order placement for most builder and design projects. If your project timeline extends beyond 60 days from the sample date (for example, a development still awaiting planning approval), contact VUELUXE to discuss whether the credit period can be extended. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The credit applies to the first order only, and it applies to the project order that the sample was requested for. If a sample is requested for Project A but the first order placed is for an unrelated Project B, the credit still applies — VUELUXE does not require the credit to be used on a specific project, only within the time window.
Custom and non-standard model samples
For project specifications requiring a non-standard model — a custom size, a finish not in warehouse stock, or a model not in the standard VUELUXE range — a sample can still be requested, but lead time applies. Custom samples sourced from factory take 4–6 weeks. This is relevant for luxury residential projects or commercial specifications where the design calls for a specific size or finish not currently stocked in Adelaide. For these projects, requesting a sample early in the design development phase — rather than at the specification finalisation stage — is the practical approach.
How to request a sample
Sample requests are submitted via the standard trade inquiry form or by email. Specify the model (or describe the requirements if you are unsure of the exact model), the project context (builder, designer, developer), and your delivery address. VUELUXE will confirm availability, provide a sample quote (cost price plus freight), and dispatch once payment is confirmed. For warehouse-stock models, samples typically dispatch within 2–3 business days of payment.
New trade account applicants can request a sample as part of their account setup — VUELUXE does not require a prior order history before fulfilling a sample request for a verified trade account.
To request a sample or submit a project inquiry, visit the trade buyers hub or use the get a quote page. For the full product range to identify the right model for your project, see the products hub.