Overview of the Cross-Analysis of Four Paid Research Service Types
KOTRA's overseas trade offices generally provide four major types of paid overseas market research services: potential buyer discovery, outstanding payment and debt recovery investigations, dealer or distributor search, and customized market research. Each service differs in purpose, methodology, deliverables, pricing, and lead time, so Korean exporters need to select the format that best matches their commercial situation.
The Dhaka Trade Office handles roughly 50 to 80 paid research cases per year, with potential buyer discovery accounting for the largest share at around 40% to 50%. This article compares the characteristics of all four service types to help Korean companies choose the most suitable research option and improve the effectiveness of each assignment.
Detailed Comparison of the Four Service Types
The four paid research formats are chosen according to the exporter's stage of market entry and the issue the company is trying to address. Potential buyer discovery is most suitable at the market-entry stage, outstanding payment investigations are used when problems arise in existing transactions, distributor search supports channel-building, and customized research is used for strategic decision-making.
| Item | Potential Buyer Discovery | Outstanding Payment Investigation | Distributor Search | Customized Research |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identify new buyers | Support receivables recovery | Secure distribution channels | Obtain market intelligence |
| Best Timing | New entry or expansion | When payments remain unpaid | When building channels | When setting strategy |
| Deliverables | Buyer list (5-10 firms) | Buyer status report | Dealer/distributor list | Customized analytical report |
| Method | Local search + validation | Site visit + fact finding | Sector-based search | Desk research + fieldwork |
| Cost per Case | $300-600 | $400-800 | $300-600 | $800-1,500 |
| Lead Time | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 3-4 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Success Rate | 30-40% matching | 40-60% recovery | 20-30% contract conversion | 80%+ utilization |
| Follow-up Service | Buyer matching | Linkage to legal support | Dealer contract support | Strategic consulting |
In-Depth Analysis by Service Type
Potential buyer discovery and distributor search both focus on finding commercial counterparts, but buyer discovery targets end buyers that purchase directly, while distributor search focuses on dealers and distributors that manage downstream sales. Potential buyer discovery is generally more appropriate for B2B industrial products, whereas distributor search is often a better fit for consumer goods and cosmetics. Outstanding payment investigations deal with receivables issues that emerge in existing transactions and can be linked to K-SURE export insurance and legal support. Customized research is the most expensive option, but it can satisfy highly specific information needs with greater precision.
Guide to Choosing the Right Service by Business Situation
KOTRA's four paid research service types are tailored support tools designed to match the various export stages and operational challenges faced by Korean companies. Potential buyer discovery works best for new market entry, distributor search is effective for channel development, outstanding payment investigations help address receivables issues, and customized research supports strategic planning. By choosing the right format, companies can improve the cost-effectiveness of their overseas market research. With 50 to 80 paid assignments a year, the Dhaka Trade Office leverages accumulated experience and local networks to support Korean companies entering the Bangladesh market.