Buyer Guide - How to Buy Products in Exporters.SG

Exporters.SG is a B2B marketplace. You buy directly from sellers — Exporters.SG does not sell products itself. This guide covers the entire buying journey from first search to completed transaction.

Before You Buy

Update your profile. Sellers review buyer profiles before responding to enquiries. An incomplete profile reduces your response rate. Keep your company information accurate and current.

Know exactly what you need. Prepare your product specifications, target price range, preferred payment method, and shipping mode before contacting sellers. The more specific your enquiry, the better the quotations you receive.

Finding Products

There are three ways to find what you need:

1. Browse Categories - use Product Categories to explore suppliers by industry segment.
2. Search - enter a product name or model number in the search bar for direct results.
3. Post a Buying Lead - submit a buying lead. Relevant sellers are notified automatically and submit quotations to you. This is the fastest way to receive competitive offers without contacting suppliers one by one.

Tip: Use the Market Research to check prevailing market prices before you negotiate.

Comparing and Negotiating

Once you have multiple quotations, compare them on both price and non-price factors: delivery timeframes, shipping method, product condition, and minimum order quantities.

Before committing to a seller, review their profile page for:

• Rating and Trust Points - a composite trust score
• Authentication status - confirms they are a legally registered business
• Buyer reviews - firsthand accounts from previous customers
• Trust Network - other members who trust them

See Safe Trading tips for buyers for a full checklist.

Completing a Purchase

1. Agree on terms in writing - confirm payment method, price, delivery location, and any other conditions before payment. Avoid communication outside Exporters.SG.
2. Choose your shipping method carefully - different Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP, etc.) shift risk and cost at different points. See the Shipping and Payment Terms glossary.
3. Prefer secure payment methods — Letter of Credit (L/C) and Escrow carry less buyer risk than Open Account or Cash in Advance for large orders.

After Your Purchase

• Rate the seller - write a review so other buyers can benefit from your experience.
• Add the seller to your Trust Network and Contact List - this builds your network for repeat orders and earns both parties Trust Points.

What Makes a Successful Buyer?

• Maintains an accurate, up-to-date profile
• Posts buying leads regularly
• Writes honest reviews after transactions
• Builds a network of trusted, verified sellers
• Commits to long-term supplier relationships