THIS IS NOT “SHOPPING”

This is Wholesale Sourcing & Procurement Management in Panama.

When you hire me, you’re hiring a local sourcing agent who handles the behind-the-scenes work that makes international sourcing smoother, safer, and more profitable.

Supplier vetting, negotiation, Spanish-language communication, coordination, and shipping prep so you don’t have to do it remotely (or fly in).

What You’re Really Paying For

You’re not paying for someone to walk around a mall. You’re paying for:

• Local access to wholesale markets and suppliers
• Fluent Spanish communication to prevent costly misunderstandings
• Negotiation power to secure the best available wholesale pricing/terms
• Time savings (often 10–20+ hours of work condensed into a flat rate)
• Risk reduction (wrong items, unclear quotes, supplier issues, delays)
• Execution: someone on the ground who can move things forward quickly

This is procurement support, not errands.

what my Service Fee Covers:

• An initial consultation
• Product sourcing from verified wholesale suppliers
• Supplier outreach + communication (Spanish + English)
• Price negotiation and clarification of wholesale terms
• Confirming product details: sizes, colors, quantities, packaging, availability
• Coordinating purchase steps and timelines with suppliers
• Coordination with freight forwarders/exporters for shipping preparation
• Consolidation planning to help reduce shipping costs
• Troubleshooting and on-the-ground problem solving when things change

In many cases, clients save money simply by avoiding overpricing, miscommunication, unnecessary travel, and costly sourcing mistakes.

Results You Can Expect

• Clear, confirmed wholesale pricing before purchase
• Faster progress than remote inquiries and back-and-forth
• Fewer supplier misunderstandings (language + cultural context)
• Better purchasing decisions with local insight
• Streamlined coordination for shipping and consolidation
• Reduced risk of ordering incorrect items or wasting money

What This Service IS

This service includes:

• Acting as your local sourcing agent in Panama
• Identifying and sourcing products from verified wholesale suppliers
• Negotiating pricing and terms with vendors
• Managing all Spanish–English communication
• Confirming product specifications, quantities, pricing, and availability
• Coordinating with freight forwarders/exporters for shipping preparation
• Consolidation planning to help reduce shipping costs
• Real-time, on-the-ground problem solving if issues arise
• Local market insight and access not available through online searches

What This Service IS NOT

To keep expectations clear, this service is not:

• A bargain-hunting or retail shopping service
• Price matching against online marketplaces
• A guarantee of factory/manufacturer pricing on small quantities
• A logistics company or customs broker (I coordinate shipping prep; I do not clear customs)
• A service for one-off personal purchases
• An unlimited or open-ended sourcing request with no scope
• Providing supplier names, contact details, or vendor lists as a standalone service without active sourcing, coordination, and engagement
  

Who This Service Is For

This service is ideal for:

• Resellers and small business owners
• Importers seeking wholesale or bulk sourcing
• Buyers who value accuracy, speed, and professional representation
• Clients who want reliable execution without traveling to Panama

This service may not be a good fit for:

• Extremely low-budget sourcing requests
• Clients seeking instant turnaround without flexibility
• Buyers looking for retail pricing or casual personal shopping only

Why This Service Is Priced Accordingly

International sourcing involves real risk. Pricing confusion, supplier issues, language barriers, and logistics mistakes. My role is to reduce those risks by keeping the process clear, verified, and coordinated before any funds are committed.

A flat-rate structure also gives you predictable costs, instead of unpredictable hourly billing.

Compare the Alternatives (Why This Saves You Money)

Many clients choose this service because it helps them avoid:

• The cost of flying to Panama
• Hotels, meals, local transportation
• Losing time off work
• Overpaying due to language barriers or unclear wholesale terms
• Ordering the wrong items and paying shipping twice
• Delays caused by supplier miscommunication

For many clients, the service fee is quickly offset by time saved and mistakes avoided.

Scope & Service Boundaries

The sourcing fee covers a defined scope of work based on the items requested.

If your request expands significantly (new categories, large supplier changes, added sourcing rounds, or major shifts in requirements), an adjusted fee may apply.

This ensures the process stays efficient and fair for both sides.

Payment & Credit Card Processing Fee

My Service Fee: US $450

Credit Card Fee: +3.5% (this is the payment processor’s fee. Not an extra charge I keep)

Currency exchange or international transfer fees (if applicable)

Additional Costs to Factor In

The sourcing fee covers professional sourcing, negotiation, communication, and coordination services only. Clients should also budget for the following separate costs, which are paid directly to suppliers or third-party providers:

Product / Merchandise Costs

• Wholesale or bulk cost of the merchandise sourced
• Minimum order quantities (MOQs) required by suppliers
• Any applicable packaging, labeling, or customization requested

Merchandise costs vary widely depending on product type, quantity, and supplier pricing.

Shipping & Freight Costs

• International freight charges (air or sea)
• Freight forwarder or exporter fees
• Consolidation fees, if applicable
• Insurance (optional but recommended)

Shipping costs are quoted by third-party logistics providers and are not included in the sourcing fee.

Customs, Duties & Taxes (Destination Country)

• Import duties and taxes
• Customs clearance and broker fees
• Port, handling, or storage fees (if applicable)

These fees are determined by the destination country and are the client’s responsibility.

Optional or Variable Costs

• Product samples (if requested)
• Additional sourcing rounds beyond the original scope
• Rush requests or expedited supplier timelines
• Additional supplier visits or expanded product categories

Minimum Wholesale Order Requirement

To ensure realistic expectations and meaningful results, a minimum wholesale merchandise spend of USD $1,000 is required to use this sourcing service.

This minimum applies to the total cost of merchandise only and does not include:

• The sourcing service fee
• Shipping or freight costs
• Customs duties, taxes, or third-party fees

Why a Minimum Spend Is Required

Wholesale suppliers typically have minimum order quantities and pricing thresholds. Budgets below this level often do not qualify for true wholesale pricing and are more aligned with retail or small-quantity purchases.

Setting a minimum spend allows me to:

• Access legitimate wholesale suppliers
• Negotiate meaningful pricing and terms
• Use time and resources efficiently
• Deliver results that align with wholesale expectations

This requirement helps ensure that both parties are aligned and that the sourcing process is productive and worthwhile.

If Your Budget Is Below $1,000

If your current merchandise budget is below USD $1,000, this wholesale sourcing service may not be the best fit at this time.

Wholesale suppliers typically require higher minimums to access true bulk pricing. Budgets under this threshold are usually better suited for retail purchasing rather than wholesale sourcing.

In this case, you may want to explore my Personal Shopping Services, which focus on retail shopping at Panama’s malls and local stores and are designed for smaller budgets or one-off purchases.

This option allows you to take advantage of local shopping support without the minimum spend requirements associated with wholesale sourcing.

Important Note on Budget Expectations

Wholesale sourcing involves multiple cost components beyond the sourcing fee. I strongly encourage clients to consider their total landed cost (product + shipping + duties + fees) before proceeding.

I am always transparent about expected costs once supplier pricing and logistics quotes are available, so you can make informed decisions before committing funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly do I receive for the $450 sourcing fee?

The sourcing fee covers the full procurement support process, including supplier identification, Spanish–English communication, price negotiation, confirmation of product details, coordination with suppliers, and shipping preparation with freight forwarders. This typically involves 10–20+ hours of work, condensed into a flat-rate service.

Is the $450 fee refundable?

No. The sourcing fee is non-refundable once work has begun. This fee compensates for time, research, communication, and coordination carried out on your behalf, regardless of whether you ultimately move forward with a purchase.

Do you guarantee the lowest or factory pricing?

No. While I negotiate competitive wholesale pricing, I do not guarantee factory or manufacturer pricing, especially for small quantities. Pricing depends on order volume, supplier terms, and market availability.

Can you source retail items or do personal shopping?

This service is not a retail or personal shopping service. It is intended for wholesale or bulk sourcing for business purposes. One-off personal purchases or retail shopping requests are not a good fit for this service.

Do you handle shipping and customs clearance?

I coordinate shipping preparation by working with freight forwarders or exporters and helping align suppliers for consolidation where possible.

I do not act as a customs broker and do not handle customs clearance or duties in the destination country.

How long does the sourcing process take?

Timelines vary depending on product type, supplier responsiveness, and availability. In most cases, initial sourcing and supplier confirmation takes several business days to a few weeks. This is not an instant service.

Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Minimum order quantities are set by the suppliers, not by me. I help you understand MOQs upfront so you can decide whether a supplier is a good fit before moving forward.

What happens if my sourcing request changes?

The sourcing fee covers a defined scope of work based on your initial request. Significant changes such as new product categories, multiple supplier switches, or expanded sourcing rounds may require an additional or adjusted fee.

Can you work with my budget?

I can source within realistic budget expectations for wholesale markets in Panama. Extremely low budgets or requests that are not feasible at wholesale level may not be a good fit for this service.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes. Credit card payments are accepted and include a 3.5% processing fee charged by the payment provider. Clients may request alternative payment methods to avoid this fee.

Why should I hire you instead of contacting suppliers myself?

Many suppliers respond faster and more clearly to local, Spanish-speaking contacts. By working with me, you reduce language barriers, avoid miscommunication, gain local market insight, and minimize costly mistakes. Often saving more than the service fee itself.

Is this service suitable for first-time importers?

Yes, especially for first-time importers who want guidance, clear communication, and local support during the sourcing phase. However, you should still consult a licensed customs broker in your destination country for import compliance.

Can you just give me the names or contact information of suppliers?

No. This service does not offer supplier names, contact details, or vendor lists as a standalone deliverable. Supplier information is provided only as part of active sourcing and coordination, where I am directly involved in communication, negotiation, and logistics preparation.