{"id":19067,"date":"2019-05-28T23:24:04","date_gmt":"2019-05-28T23:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.womensenterprise.ca\/?p=19067"},"modified":"2021-11-08T09:37:21","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T09:37:21","slug":"agent-or-distributor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.we-bc.ca\/en\/agent-or-distributor\/","title":{"rendered":"Agent or Distributor?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Once you are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womensenterprise.ca\/10-questions-to-ask-if-you-plan-to-export\/\">export\nready<\/a> you can decide how you want to enter a new market. Let us evaluate\nhow an agent or distributor can help with exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Agents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Agents work as your business representative in the local\nmarket and can use their local networks to obtain orders for your products.\nThey usually work on commission. They can support in various ways including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>providing local market intelligence<\/li><li>advising on local regulatory requirements<\/li><li>providing advice on product adaptation and\nclient expectations <\/li><li>helping with end user feedback <\/li><li>assisting in forming programs and policies for\nthe local market including&nbsp; warranties,\nguarantees<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distributors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many companies decide to work with distributors because of\ntheir large networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A distributor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>has more control over marketing, pricing etc<\/li><li>is responsible for storing and transporting goods\nin the foreign market<\/li><li>can provide insights into the local market and\nbetter customer satisfaction<\/li><li>can be an important source of information\nregarding business processes in the local market<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Difference between\nAgents and Distributors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the differences are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>An agent does not take title to the goods and\nthus will not assume any risks. A distributor has control over goods and will\nmaintain an inventory to sell to clients.<\/li><li>An agent can make suggestions about pricing but\ndoes not have the final say in it.&nbsp; A\ndistributor decides on the price that allows him to make a profit. A\ndistributor may want to buy from you at wholesale price as he\/she assumes all\nrisks.<\/li><li>A distributor will accept payment from end\nusers. An agent usually does not accept payment directly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to do your research before you decide to enter\ninto an agreement with an agent or a distributor. Prepare a set of questions to\nget more information. Below are a few suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What is their experience in selling similar\nproducts?<\/li><li>What networks dos they have in the local market?\nAre they part of local chambers of commerce or similar organisations?<\/li><li>What major accounts have they handled in the\npast? What are the main marketing successes?<\/li><li>Is there a conflict of interest if they decide\nto enter into an agreement with the present exporter?<\/li><li>What type of software do they use to track\ninventory and customer feedback management?<\/li><li>Do they create a marketing campaigning tailored\nto products that they represent?<\/li><li>Can they provide references?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Researching and interviewing prospects will help you make the\nright choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions? Email us at <a href=\"inquiry@womensenterprise.ca\">inquiry@womensenterprise.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once you are export ready you can decide how you want to enter a new market. Let us evaluate how an agent or distributor can help with exports. Agents: Agents [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":19068,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[414],"tags":[],"location":[],"class_list":["post-19067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growth-export"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Agent or Distributor? - WeBC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/we-bc.ca\/agent-or-distributor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Agent or Distributor? - WeBC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Once you are export ready you can decide how you want to enter a new market. 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