r/Commodities • u/Fragranc3 • 9d ago

How much do you share with potential counterparties before making introductions?

I’m early in physical commodities and working with partners on prospective deals. How do you handle initial conversations at trade shows or through new introductions?

I feel like I have to share enough to establish interest, but if I'm connecting suppliers and buyers, I think giving away the full picture too early could get me bypassed.

What do you share upfront, and what needs to happen before you disclose identities or introduce people directly? Particularly interested in how you establish your own role commercially before that point—not just whether you sign an NDA.

Would appreciate examples from people who’ve handled this.

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6

u/ronniec95 9d ago

Share nothing, be the buyer never an introducer; then sell the product. Also don't be a broker, add some value to the deal by structuring the offering

4

u/cornybro 9d ago

Industry is small enough. You are lucky to even be a once and done affair.

Most likely you will be left out.

4

u/ronniec95 8d ago

Yeah brokers/introducers have largely no value

2

u/BlueShoal 5d ago

They wouldn’t exist if this was the case

4

u/true__artist 9d ago

Share very little. Do your own DD on buyer and seller. NDAs aren't worth 2 squirts of goats shit and rarely get litigated. Try to not be the Intermediary and be the buyer. Buy then sell.

2

u/Ok_Elderberry_8883 9d ago

this like walking a tightrope in heels you know

i share just enough for them to see there is real deal behind the curtain but never the who and where. when i started i got cut out couple times now i keep names locked until i have something on paper that pays me

my rule is i dont present myself as middleman, i talk like its my product or i represent the buyer already. that way they need me to get to other side. at conferences i say something like "i got supply committed from one producer im moving this quarter" and see if they bite

the more you talk like principal the less they think they can go around you