How “free” sourcing agents secretly make money
Updated June 2026 · by OpenQuote, on the ground in Yiwu, China
“Free sourcing” is almost never free: agents earn through supplier kickbacks (10–15%), hidden markup on the quote, and inflated freight — all where you can’t see it. The visible alternative: a fixed fee + a transparent 5%.
Get the real price · US$29Three hidden ways agents earn
- Supplier kickback: says “zero commission,” but takes 10–15% from the supplier, added to your goods price.
- Hidden markup: quietly adds to the supplier’s real quote — the “supplier quote” you see is edited.
- Inflated freight: adds a margin on the forwarder’s rate (everyone uses forwarders at similar rates).
Why you can’t see it
All three are paid on the supplier/freight side, hidden inside one all-in number. You get a figure and can’t tell goods from middleman.
The math
On a US$10,000 order, a hidden 10–15% is US$1,000–US$1,500; across US$100,000 it’s US$10,000–US$15,000 — invisible from start to finish.
How to make it visible
Itemise everything: goods (you pay the supplier directly) + freight (forwarder’s rate, passed through) + service fee (shown separately). OpenQuote earns only the visible service fee — no supplier kickback, no markup. Start with a US$29 price check.
Frequently asked questions
How do “free” agents survive?+
Through supplier kickbacks, hidden markup on the quote and inflated freight — all hidden and returned to you in the goods price.
How do I know if there’s a kickback?+
Have someone who doesn’t profit from the goods verify the real supplier price; the gap from your quote is the hidden part.
Can freight be inflated too?+
Yes. Everyone uses forwarders at similar rates; an added freight margin is more money you’re overpaying.
How do I save this?+
Use transparent pricing: a fixed research fee + an itemised 5% service fee, with goods paid directly to the supplier — every cost visible.