What is a reseller or commission agent in the Surat textile trade? How do they work?

A reseller or commission agent (called "dalaali" or "agent" in trade parlance) is an intermediary who connects buyers with suppliers for a commission — without owning the goods themselves.

Types of agents in Surat textile trade:

• Market agent: Operates inside the wholesale market — knows multiple suppliers and helps visiting buyers navigate the market in exchange for a commission (typically 2–5% of the order value) paid by the supplier
• City-based reseller: Based in a city outside Surat — receives WhatsApp catalogs from Surat suppliers and forwards to local boutique buyers, adding a small margin
• Social media catalog reseller: Shares Surat supplier catalogs on Instagram, Facebook groups, or WhatsApp — takes orders and has supplier dispatch directly, keeping the margin

For buyers: Going through an agent adds cost (their margin) but can save time and navigation effort, especially for first-time Surat buyers. For regular buyers, direct supplier relationships are always more efficient.