That's an excellent and absolutely critical question. The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can and should request physical samples before committing to a large order for park benches. Any reputable manufacturer or supplier expects and welcomes this request. It's a standard and wise practice in commercial furniture procurement.
Think of it this way: digital screens and printed catalogs can be deceiving. Colors shift, textures appear flat, and the true character of a material is lost. A physical sample allows you to verify the exact hue, grain pattern, and sheen of a wood finish under your specific lighting conditions—sunlight, evening glow, or artificial park lights. For metal, you can feel the powder coat's smoothness, assess the authenticity of a weathered patina, and check for consistency.
Requesting samples demonstrates you are a serious buyer and helps prevent costly disappointments. It ensures the "Harvest Oak" stain you saw online doesn't arrive looking too red, or that the "Slate Grey" metal finish isn't more blue than expected. Place the sample where the benches will go. See how it weathers a rain shower or looks at noon versus dusk.
When you contact your supplier, simply ask for their sampling policy. Most will provide small finish swatches or even a small section of a bench arm at little to no cost. This small step is your best insurance for satisfaction, guaranteeing the final installation perfectly complements your park's aesthetic and meets your quality standards for years to come. Never skip it.