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An agent middleman is a business intermediary who negotiates purchases or sales on an agency basis. These individuals do not typically take legal or physical possession of the goods they sell. Their primary role is to facilitate transactions by bringing buyers and sellers together and negotiating between them.12

Agent middlemen are distinct from merchant wholesalers, who do take ownership of goods. Instead, agents often represent manufacturers and are compensated by commission. They can be found in various industries and play a crucial role in the distribution channel by easing the buying and selling process.23

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