Birnbaum's Global Guide to Agents and Buying Offices

Reference:240

20 years ago, every middleman —every agent and every buying office —provided the same basic services.  Today the list of required services has expanded geometrically and the skill-set needed to provide those services have expanded exponentially.  The days when the middleman needed only merchandisers and QC are long gone. 

Today, the difference between a first class and a mediocre middleman is the difference between success and bankruptcy.

Are you an agent or buying a office?

This book will tell you whether you are in front, on the cutting edge or at the back, about to fall off.

Are you a brand importer or retailer?

This book will tell you what is on the cutting edge, and what you may be missing.

Every customer asks the same basic question:

What is a fair commission?

The answer depends on three factors:

Who are you?

What do you need?

How good is your middleman?

The short answer is:

In some cases 5% is too high. In other cases 33% is a bargain.

For the more complete answer, read the book.