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HireDov vs hiring a sourcing agent: when AI is enough, and when you need boots on the ground
A human sourcing agent and HireDov both take the supplier search off your plate. One is a person or agency, usually paid on your orders; the other is an AI agent on a flat subscription. Here is how they compare, including the cases where a human agent is still the better choice.
By the HireDov teamUpdated 4 min readHow human sourcing agents work
A sourcing agent (or sourcing company) finds suppliers for you, requests quotes, negotiates and often handles samples, factory visits and quality inspections. Pricing varies: a percentage of order value is the most common model, and agencies' own published guides typically cite ranges of a few percent up to around ten, with flat project fees or monthly retainers as alternatives.
A good agent brings local knowledge, relationships and physical presence. The trade-offs are cost that grows with your orders, limited visibility into which suppliers were contacted and at what price, and the risk of hidden markups if the agent is also paid by the factory.
How HireDov works
HireDov is an AI sourcing agent you hire on a subscription. You describe the need; Dov finds suppliers (often around 50 per request), shows you the list, sends each one a tailored RFQ in their language, follows up for 72 hours and lines up every quote in a dashboard you can see in full. He can then negotiate with the shortlist.
Side-by-side
| Human sourcing agent | HireDov | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Commonly a % of order value, or project fee / retainer | Flat: Pro $299/mo or Business $799/mo |
| Transparency | Depends on the agent | You see every supplier contacted and every reply |
| Reach | Usually strong in one country or region | Any country, any B2B category |
| Speed | Depends on the agent's workload | RFQs out within a day, quotes compared after the 72-hour follow-up |
| Factory visits & inspections | Yes, often included or billed extra | No, Dov works online |
| Supplier relationship | Sometimes stays with the agent | Direct between you and the supplier |
When a human agent is the better fit
- You need someone on site: factory audits, pre-shipment inspections, sample collection
- Large, complex production runs in one country where local relationships matter
- You want one person to manage production end to end after the supplier is chosen
When HireDov is the better fit
- You need to find and compare suppliers fast, for many different purchases
- You want predictable cost that doesn't grow with your order size
- You want to see the whole market, every quote and every supplier, and keep the relationship direct
Using both
A common setup: Dov runs the search and the first RFQ round to find the market price and a shortlist, then a local inspector or agent checks the chosen factory before the first order. You pay for on-site work only where it adds value.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sourcing agent cost?
Most charge a percentage of order value; agencies' own guides typically cite a few percent up to around ten, with flat project fees or retainers as alternatives. HireDov is a flat monthly subscription.
Can HireDov replace a sourcing agent completely?
For finding suppliers, getting quotes and negotiating, often yes. For factory visits, inspections and on-site production follow-up, you still need someone on the ground.
Who owns the supplier relationship with HireDov?
You do. Every supplier and every reply is visible in your dashboard, and you deal with the chosen supplier directly.
Does HireDov work outside manufacturing?
Yes. HireDov is general B2B: components, materials, equipment, private label, logistics and business services.
Put Dov on it
Describe what you need. Dov finds the suppliers, sends the RFQs, and compares the quotes. Plans from $299/mo, cancel anytime.
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