Start with a short call. Tell the agent what you buy, the spec you have, the volume, the destination and the timing. A good agent will tell you on that call where the risks are, what to test for and how it would approach the job.
If both sides want to go ahead, the next step is a written agreement. Supplier search, audits and samples come after that, not before.
Before the first call
Gather what you already know. A photo or label of the product you buy today helps, as does your current spec, even if it is rough. Note your volume per order, how often you order, your destination country and when you need the first lot. Our article on what to send for a sourcing quote lists the details.
Also check the agent. Confirm it is a registered business, ask how it is paid, and ask whether it takes any payment from factories. Our guide on sourcing agent red flags covers the warning signs.
The usual sequence
- A first call covers your product, spec, volume, market and timing.
- A written agreement sets the scope, the fee, what is billed at cost, the sign-off points and confidentiality.
- The agent builds a long list of manufacturers and narrows it to a shortlist.
- The factories you choose are audited on site, with photos and a written verdict.
- Sealed samples are tested at an accredited laboratory against your spec.
- A written spec and purchase contract are agreed between you and the factory.
- Production is followed, the lot is inspected, and loading is supervised.
- Documents are checked, the shipment is tracked, and the supplier is scored after arrival.
Your part in each step
Each step should end with something for you to approve: the shortlist, the audit, the sample, the contract, the inspection report. Do not let an agent move to the next step without your sign-off. That keeps you in control, and it means you see the evidence at each stage.
Answer questions quickly. Most delays in a first order come from waiting on decisions about spec, packing or artwork. Our full ten-step process shows what we ask of you at each stage.
Starting small
You do not have to commit to the whole chain at once. Some buyers start with one service, such as an audit of an existing supplier, or with a trial order. Starting small lets you judge the agent's work before you rely on it.
Whichever way you start, put the arrangement in writing. Even a single audit should have a short scope, a fee agreed in advance and a clear deliverable. That habit makes later, larger work much easier to agree.
Next step
Our first call is a free 20-minute sourcing review, with no obligation. To get started, book a free sourcing review.