STOP THE FREE MOCKUP TREND!
Since I ran into this situation for the last 1-2 years, I feel the need to let it out and see how other designers handle it. I personally don’t provide free concepts/mock ups due to the time it takes to do them, plus I have found, more than once, I spend the time developing an idea and a design, then it is taken to someone else that does the same design for less ( Buyers…be aware that you may violate copyrights).
So then i am out the time and the money, the buyer gets my ideas, my time and I get nothing. In the digital world, watermarking means nothing when it comes to idea development. I think it is horrendous the amount of times i am asked..rather required to provide free work so i will be ’shortlisted’ or ‘be put on the top of the list’, how degrading and insulting.
I have attached here an great “mockup” for such idiot buyers that comes with such stupit requests like “free mockup must be provided in order to be considered to bid!”…fellow designers, please copy this “free sample” and provide it as your mockup to buyers asking for free upfront work. You can say “here is my first sample draft…i have a few more GREAT IDEAS and can submit them right away.” 
