Is your China sourcing agent overcharging you?
Updated June 2026 · by OpenQuote, on the ground in Yiwu, China
If a sourcing agent works for “free,” they are almost always paid by the supplier — commonly a 10–15% commission the supplier builds into your price. You can’t see it, and it grows with every order. The only reliable way to know is to have the real supplier price checked independently, in person. OpenQuote does that from inside Yiwu for US$29.
Check the real price · US$29How “free” sourcing agents actually make money
Sourcing from China usually involves a middleman. The problem isn’t that they get paid — it’s how, and whether you can see it. With a “free” or “zero-commission” agent, the money usually flows like this:
- The agent tells you sourcing is free.
- Behind the scenes, they take a commission from the supplier — commonly 10–15%, and in documented cases higher.
- The supplier doesn’t absorb it. It’s added to the price you’re quoted — hidden in the goods price, where you never see it.
It gets worse with order size. A commission is a percentage, so it grows every time you reorder. On a US$10,000 order, a hidden 10–15% is US$1,000–US$1,500; across US$100,000 over time, that’s US$10,000–US$15,000 — invisible from start to finish. And because the agent earns more when the price is higher, they have no reason to push for your lowest price.
Who is really paying your agent?
| “Free” / commission agent | Trading company | OpenQuote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays them | The supplier (hidden) | Resale margin | You (a visible fee) |
| Effect on your price | Inflated, invisible | Marked up | Real price, unchanged |
| Their incentive | Higher price = more $ | Higher price = more $ | None — flat fee |
| Supplier contact | Withheld | Withheld | Yours to keep |
How to find the real price
You can’t confirm it from your desk. Online listings (Alibaba, even 1688) aren’t the negotiated booth price — and 30–50% of “manufacturers” on Alibaba are actually trading companies. The only sure way is an independent check at the booth or factory, in person, by someone who doesn’t profit from the goods. That’s what OpenQuote does: for US$29 we check one product with two real Yiwu suppliers, pass you the original quotes unchanged, and include dated on-site photos or video.
Frequently asked questions
Is my sourcing agent overcharging me?+
Possibly. If your agent works for “free,” they’re usually paid by the supplier — commonly a 10–15% commission built into your price. It’s hidden and grows with every order. The only reliable way to know is an independent, in-person check of the real supplier price.
Do agents take a hidden commission from the factory?+
Many do. A “zero commission” agent typically earns a kickback from the supplier instead of a fee from you, hidden in your quoted price.
How much do sourcing agents really charge?+
Commission agents commonly take 10–15% of order value, often hidden in the price; some quote a low 1% and recover it through supplier kickbacks. A transparent alternative is a fixed research fee (from US$29) plus a visible service fee for full handling.
How do I find the real factory price?+
Get it checked in person by someone who doesn’t profit from the goods. OpenQuote verifies the real price of one product from two real Yiwu suppliers for US$29, with dated on-site photos or video.