Look, here's the thing about sourcing platforms: they're great for simple stuff, but they fall apart when you need real expertise. Try explaining semiconductor packaging requirements to a generalist platform rep. Good luck with that.
Electronics sourcing is a completely different beast from
promotional products. I'm talking about different suppliers, different quality standards, and different regulatory nightmares. A guy who knows how to source branded pens probably can't help you navigate RoHS compliance or understand why your PCB keeps failing thermal cycling tests.
The smart sourcing companies? They pick their lanes and go deep. Really deep.
When you're dealing with complex products, especially anything with multiple components or specialised manufacturing processes, surface-level knowledge doesn't cut it. You need someone who understands material properties, knows which manufacturing methods actually work (not just what sounds good on paper), and can spot design issues before they become expensive problems.
I've seen too many projects go sideways because someone tried to optimise for "efficient production" without understanding the basics of how different materials behave under stress, or how tolerance stacking works in assembly. Platform suppliers usually can't help you there; they're order-takers, not problem-solvers.
The technical knowledge gap is real, and it shows up fast when things get complicated.