Clear scope. Fair expectations. On both sides.
We’re building the Sourcing Partner Network for sourcing agents, factories and trading companies working with overseas buyers. Show what you can offer, agree responsibilities before work starts, and keep changes and decisions in writing.
Transparency. Accountability. Communication.
The Network is still in development. Partner applications and buyer introductions are not available yet.
Explore the planned partner standards ↓Good sourcing takes commitment from both sides.
Partners need to explain what they can deliver. Buyers need to explain what they need and recognise when a change means more work.
Transparency
Partners
State your business role, who will do the work and what supports your experience claims.
Buyers
Explain the requirements. Make clear what is decided and where you still need advice.
Accountability
Partners
Agree deliverables, fees and responsibilities. Raise problems when they arise.
Buyers
Agree acceptance criteria and payment terms. Review the work and explain concerns against the agreed scope.
Communication
Partners
Put proposals, exclusions and progress updates in writing.
Buyers
Give clear feedback. Confirm changes to scope, price or timing before additional work begins.
These are planned standards. The Network is still in development, and we’re refining how agreements, evidence and disagreements will be handled.
Planned accountability rule: one substantiated serious violation could lead to permanent removal, after evidence review, an opportunity to respond and an appeal for mistakes. Verified identity may help prevent re-registration; a shared IP address alone would not justify permanent removal. Account sanctions would remain separate from payment and deposit disputes.
Understand the work before you commit.
See what the buyer needs, what is still undecided and what your first task would cover.
Planned preview · Fictional request · Network still in development
| Request detail | Fictional content |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Small business · Email verified · New to the Network |
| Stage | Ready to discuss paid supplier research |
| Need | Approximately 500 stainless steel bottles for the UK |
| Goods budget | Around US$10,000 |
| Service fee | Open to proposals; separate from goods and samples |
| First task | Compare suppliers, quotations and sample options |
| Still to agree | Detailed specifications, acceptance checks and timing |
| Outside this task | Production management and shipping |
- Transparency: See what the buyer knows and what still needs to be decided.
- Accountability: Agree what each side is responsible for before starting.
- Communication: Record changes to the work, fees and timing.
From application to agreed work
Explain your fit. Describe your relevant experience, approach and what you need to clarify.
Discuss the details. If the buyer opens a discussion, work through requirements, responsibilities and costs. A rough estimate is not a final quote.
Agree before starting. When the buyer requests a formal quote, set out deliverables, exclusions, fees, timing and start conditions. The accepted version becomes the cooperation record.
This workflow is planned. Applying would not guarantee a conversation or work. Commercial payments would be arranged directly between buyer and partner; Chaperon would not hold or release them.
Know the costs before you commit.
Agree your fees and third-party expenses with the buyer before work starts.
No commission on partner service fees or goods transactions.
We plan a monthly Network subscription for buyers and partners. Prices are still to be decided.
A deposit reserved for one cooperation is under consideration.
No deposits are being collected. Before introducing a Partner Security Deposit, we would explain who holds the money, which obligations it covers, how it is returned and when deductions could apply. Partners would need a defined process to respond to and challenge claims, including when a buyer stops responding.
The rules must also address what happens to funds if Chaperon closes. A partner deposit would not guarantee that the buyer pays your fees.
简体中文：合作履约保证金（拟议机制）
拟议机制：保证金仅对应一次合作，并仅支持该合作中明确约定的义务。金额、适用范围、保管方式、退还条件、扣款及争议处理规则须在启用前明确。当前不收取任何保证金。
繁體中文：合作履約保證金（擬議機制）
擬議機制：保證金僅對應一次合作，並僅支持該合作中明確約定的義務。金額、適用範圍、保管方式、退還條件、扣款及爭議處理規則須在啟用前明確。當前不收取任何保證金。
Questions from sourcing partners
Who can join?
The planned Network includes sourcing agents, factories and trading companies. Each partner’s business role would be stated clearly.
Can I apply or receive buyer requests now?
Not yet. The Network is still in development.
Do I need previous work on Chaperon?
We plan to distinguish relevant experience from platform history. Being new to Chaperon should not erase work you can substantiate elsewhere.
Can I clarify the work before quoting?
Yes, the planned workflow includes discussion before a formal quote. Applying would not commit you to performing the work. The buyer would decide whether to open a discussion.
What if the buyer changes the requirements?
Changes to scope, fees, timing or responsibilities should be agreed and recorded before the additional work begins.
What will Chaperon charge?
A monthly Network subscription, with pricing to be decided. No commission on partner service fees or goods transactions.
Will I need to pay a deposit?
A deposit reserved for a specific cooperation is under consideration. Nothing is being collected. Custody, return and deduction rules must be established before it is introduced. Read the planned deposit details.
Does Chaperon guarantee work or payment?
No. Participation would not guarantee enquiries or contracts, and Chaperon would not hold or guarantee buyers’ commercial payments.
Help shape a Network you’d want to work through.
China is our first planned active source region. Sourcing professionals elsewhere can record basic interest to help guide expansion; this does not promise buyer requests or a launch date.
What would help you judge a buyer’s request? What would make the cooperation fairer? Tell us what matters in your work.
Sign up or sign in to contribute. The Network is still in development; this is not a partner application.
Record basic partner interest → Tell us where you operate and what services you offer. This is not a partner application.