Choosing an agent starts with defining the work you need. Finding a supplier, purchasing goods, checking a batch and arranging delivery are separate tasks. Ask which party handles each one before comparing fees.
Write a comparable brief
Give each candidate the same product list, quantities, destination and inspection requirements. Ask for a written scope with deliverables: for example, a supplier comparison, sample arrangement or warehouse report. “Full service” alone is difficult to compare.
Understand supplier disclosure
Ask what supplier information you will receive and when. Clarify who communicates with the supplier, places the order and receives payment. If a partner works with an affiliated supplier, ask how that relationship affects the proposed selection. Record the answers rather than assuming every agent operates in the same way.
A community discussion about 1688 agents asks both how to assess trust and whom to pay. It identifies useful questions, not proof that a particular payment arrangement is safe.
Compare charges and exclusions
Request the basis for each charge: per order, per item, a fixed task fee or another agreed method. Check whether samples, inspection, storage and repacking are included. Ask how additional work is approved and which costs remain estimates.
Review the reporting process
Request an anonymised example of the information you would receive. Look for product references, checked quantities, findings and pending decisions. Confirm who can approve a substitution or shipment and where that approval is recorded.
Start with a defined assignment
A limited first task lets you assess communication and delivery against an agreed scope. Write down what completion means and how discrepancies will be discussed. A small task reduces the size of the initial commitment; it does not guarantee the outcome of a later order.
Check suppliers, compare total costs or send a sourcing brief.
