Home Evolution charges a commission of 3% to 5% of order value, calculated on the factory invoice value. You pay only when an order is placed, with no upfront cost and no retainer, and you see every factory invoice. Other Yiwu agents price differently, so comparing quotes means understanding the models and what each fee covers.
This guide explains the four pricing models you will meet, how to compare quotes on the same scope, which costs sit outside the fee, how to spot a hidden markup and how to check that an agent’s pricing is transparent. The worked examples use round hypothetical numbers so you can follow the arithmetic. They are not market statistics.
The lowest percentage is rarely the lowest total cost. Compare what each quote includes and what you will pay for separately.
The Four Pricing Models
Percentage Commission
The agent charges a percentage of the order value. Earnings rise with your order, so the agent has a reason to negotiate prices down and keep the relationship going. The risk is a commission quoted without a clear scope, which can hide extra charges. At Home Evolution the percentage applies to the factory invoice value.
Flat Fee Per Order
The agent charges a fixed amount per order. The cost is predictable, which suits buyers who place orders of similar size. The weakness is incentive: the agent earns the same whether they push the supplier on price or accept the first quote, and a flat fee that looks cheap on a large order may buy less attention than you expect.
Monthly Retainer
You pay a fixed monthly fee for a defined scope, such as a set number of sourcing searches and inspections. It suits buyers who order every month and want a team on standby. Check what happens to unused hours and whether a commission is charged on top.
Per-Service Pricing
You pay for individual tasks, such as a supplier search, an inspection or a day of market accompaniment. It works when you already have suppliers and need one or two services. You manage the coordination yourself.
How to Compare Quotes
Ask every agent to quote the same scope: the same number of suppliers, the same inspection standard, the same consolidation and documentation. Then compare the total of product cost, agent fee, freight and extras.
Here is a hypothetical example on a $30,000 order. A 5% quote that includes inspection, consolidation and documents costs $1,500. A 3% quote costs $900, but if the agent bills $400 for inspection, $300 for consolidation and $200 for documents, the total is $1,800. The higher percentage is the cheaper quote.
What a Commission Covers
Check the scope before you compare percentages. Under Home Evolution’s commission you get:
- Unlimited supplier shortlisting and factory audits
- Price negotiation in Mandarin with factory owners
- Pre-shipment quality inspection to AQL 2.5 (see our quality inspection service)
- Weekly production monitoring and progress reports
- Goods consolidation at our Yiwu warehouse, with the first 30 days free
- Customs paperwork and shipping documentation
- After-sales claims and supplier accountability
Some costs are passed through at cost, with receipts: product samples at the factory price, sample shipping ($30 to $150 by DHL or FedEx), freight quoted by the carrier, import duties and taxes in your country, and third-party lab testing. Other agents may include more or less, which is why the scope matters more than the percentage.
Your supplier quote will also state an Incoterm such as FOB or EXW, which decides who pays for what up to the port. Our Incoterms 2020 guide explains each term, and our Yiwu shipping and logistics page covers the freight options.
The “Free Agent” Trap
Some services say they charge buyers nothing. A business needs revenue, so ask where it comes from. One common route is a supplier markup: the agent quotes you a higher price than the factory charges and keeps the difference.
Take a hypothetical case. The factory quotes $10.00 per unit and the agent tells you $11.50. On 2,000 units you pay $3,000 more than the factory price without knowing it, which is more than a transparent 5% commission would cost on the same $20,000 order ($1,000).
Very low quotes deserve the same question. If an agent offers full service at 1%, ask how the work is paid for. The simplest test is the original factory invoice. Home Evolution shows it for every order, in Chinese on the supplier’s letterhead with the company stamp, as described on our commission page.
When an Agent Pays for Itself
The test is whether the value delivered exceeds the fee. On a $30,000 order at a 4% commission the fee is $1,200. If negotiation lowers the supplier price by 4%, or inspection prevents a defective batch that would cost that much to replace, the fee has paid for itself. Savings depend on the order and the supplier, so ask the agent to show past quotes and invoices before you rely on any figure.
Full-service sourcing with Home Evolution is recommended from a $10,000 order value. Smaller orders with one or two products may be handled by a freight forwarder.
How to Verify Fee Transparency Before You Pay
Run through these checks with any agent. If an agent hesitates on one of them, reconsider.
- Ask whether you will see the original factory invoice. If the answer is no, you cannot verify the price you are paying.
- Request a written fee schedule that lists what the fee includes and what is billed separately. Verbal quotes do not help when there is a dispute.
- Compare total landed cost for the same scope, not the fee percentage.
- Ask how currency is handled. If the agent pays suppliers in RMB but bills you in USD, ask which exchange rate applies and whether a margin is added.
- Ask for the agent’s Chinese business licence and check it on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
For more questions to put to an agent, read how to choose a Yiwu buying agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Home Evolution charge?
Our commission is 3% to 5% of order value, calculated on the factory invoice value. You pay only when an order is placed, with no upfront cost and no retainer. We recommend full-service sourcing from a $10,000 order value.
What is the difference between a commission and a flat fee?
A commission is a percentage of the order value, so the agent earns more when your order is larger. A flat fee is a fixed amount per order. A flat fee is easier to budget, but it gives the agent less reason to push suppliers on price.
Are free Yiwu sourcing agents really free?
Ask how the agent is paid. If you are not charged openly, the cost may be built into a supplier markup you cannot see. Ask to see the original factory invoice and compare it with the price you were quoted.
What does a Yiwu agent’s fee usually include?
It varies by agent, so ask for a written scope. Under Home Evolution’s commission you get supplier shortlisting and factory audits, price negotiation in Mandarin, pre-shipment inspection to AQL 2.5, weekly production updates, consolidation at our Yiwu warehouse, customs paperwork and after-sales claims support. Samples, freight, duties and lab testing are billed separately.
Is a sourcing agent worth the fee?
It depends on the order. On a $30,000 order at a 4% commission the fee is $1,200. If negotiation lowers the supplier price by 4%, or inspection prevents a defective batch that would cost that much to replace, the fee has paid for itself. Ask the agent to show past quotes and factory invoices before you rely on any savings figure.
How can I check that an agent’s fees are transparent?
Ask to see the original factory invoice, request a written fee schedule, compare total landed cost for the same scope, ask how currency is converted, and check the agent’s Chinese business licence on the official registry.
Ready to Source From Yiwu With Transparent Pricing?
Send us your product list. We will quote a clear commission, show you every factory invoice, and handle everything from supplier search to shipping.
