Learn · Buyers
How to source suppliers at a trade show
To source suppliers at a trade show, shortlist halls and categories before you fly, record the same few facts at every stand (product, price, MOQ, lead time, contact), and compare them in one sheet before you leave the city.
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How do you prepare before the show?
- 01
Pick your categories and halls
Big fairs run across several halls and days. Decide what you are buying and plan the halls per day.
- 02
Know your numbers
Target price, order quantity and landed cost. Our landed cost calculator does the arithmetic.
- 03
Prepare your questions
Price at your quantity, MOQ, sample cost, lead time, certifications, payment terms.
What should you record at each supplier's stand?
| What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photo of the product | Forty stands later, products look alike |
| Supplier's business card | The contact you will negotiate with, not the booth staff |
| Price and the quantity it applies to | A price without a quantity is not a price |
| MOQ and lead time | Decides whether the supplier fits your first order |
| Your impression | Factory or trader, responsive or not, would you visit them |
How do you compare suppliers after the show?
Compare suppliers in one sheet, one row per product, with the same columns for every supplier. Shortlist three per product, ask each for samples and a formal quote, and check who replies quickly: a supplier who is slow before the order is rarely faster after it.
The best supplier is often the one who answers first with a real quote.
How does DaGaMa help buyers source?
DaGaMa's SourceBot is built for buyers. Photograph the product and the supplier's card in WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat, say the price, MOQ and lead time in a voice note (WhatsApp, Telegram and web chat), and every supplier lands in one Google Sheet with the photos. Ask it to compare suppliers for a product and it ranks them on price, MOQ and lead time.
Questions people ask
How many suppliers should I visit at a trade show?
As many as fit your plan, but shortlist only the ones that meet your price, MOQ and lead time. Three serious candidates per product is usually enough to negotiate.
Should I order at the trade show?
Usually not on the spot. Collect quotes and samples, compare them at home, and order once the supplier has answered your questions in writing.
Every supplier, one sheet
Photograph products and supplier cards in WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat. SourceBot sorts prices, MOQs and contacts for you. Your first 24 hours are free.
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