Ask what the minimum is attached to.
A stated minimum may relate to the product model, color, decoration method, packaging, component or custom tooling. Ask the supplier to state the assumption behind each minimum, so you can understand which parts of the brief are flexible.
Separate sample stages.
A stock sample, a decorated sample and a pre-production sample serve different purposes. Record which stage you are reviewing and what needs approval: construction, color, logo placement, packaging or performance.
Plan lead time from the approved brief.
Timing can change with material availability, artwork confirmation, sampling, production capacity, packaging and shipping. Request a dated timeline that identifies the approval points required from the buyer.