The lack of professionalism in sourcing agents is a major worry for all global purchasers; it has become such a contentious topic that individuals have been debating the benefits and drawbacks of using a sourcing agency. Many buying offices and sourcing agents accuse the conduct of collecting bribes, then redirect the buyers’ attention to their own services and promote that they would never engage in such unethical behaviour. However, it should be acknowledged that they are all, in essence, agents, and they are all liable to fall into this slip, but few of them provide any light on remedies to this problem. The best, and most likely, option is to build a long-term system that allows the sourcing agent to be completely integrated into the buyer’s virtual office. It is important to know what a sourcing agency does.
The client should regard the sourcing agent as if he were a colleague or employee, and the sourcing agent should treat his client as if he were his employer. The sourcing agent can attempt some of the following methods:
- Provide payment evidence for all transactions with suppliers and shippers. This might include receipt photographs, bank papers, and so forth. The original total cost of acquiring the products may therefore be easily tracked and quantified.
- Provide the client with full contact information for all suppliers and transporters. Furthermore, if the customer has to interact with them for clarification purposes and the suppliers do not speak English, the sourcing agent should provide translation assistance to aid the clarification process. Understand what a sourcing agency does
- Refuse to accept any sort of hidden commission from vendors, and remain neutral and objective in selecting providers to meet the client’s needs.
- Always be accessible and open to suppliers; provide the buyer’s requirements to them on time. And demonstrate to suppliers that the buyer’s interests are physically and continually represented.
- Make trips to suppliers at the client’s request for quality checking, pre-delivery inspection, troubleshooting, technical assistance, and so on, and ensure that the suppliers resolve all issues with the items before and after delivery.
