How do you know if a seller has product or a buyer's representative is real?

As a facilitator, broker, business partner and any other type of association you may come across when dealing with International trades, how do you know if a seller has product or is he just full of BS? I have come across my share of buyers and sellers that say they are dealing with the end buyer or end seller, just to fall short, once both ends are interested and ready to negotiate. Of course, as a facilitator we do our due diligence to get these ends, to be as real as possible, but we would never know, if these sources are 100%, until we have seen the product and even then, "International trading has a way of magically screwing itself up at some point", during the process.
The purpose of writing this post, was to get some feedback from all of you, that are currently in the trading business and how, has your experience been, when dealing with sellers and buyers that say they are dealing direct with the sources. How do you know?
Our experience has been unique, the business has brought many great contacts along the way, which makes up from all the garbage you deal within the business, in a daily basis. I, believe, I have come to one conclusion and that is, make as many scenarios and outcomes of what can or you want to happen in your negotiations with the buyer or seller, you are representing. Do not take their words, ask questions, ask some more questions and when you are not sure, just keep asking questions. These guys are experts in evading questions, not being upfront and just plain "Scam Artists". Everyone, wants to get to a real source, without caring who they screw along the way, this happens daily in the industry, is part of the business for some people out there. They, make you feel comfortable, you get them the end sources and then, forget you. This is what I'm trying to get out to all of you that work hard in a daily basis and are not seeing the fruits of your efforts, just because of people that act in this way and in my dictionary are just considered, "Scam Artist". Be aware of them, the sooner you realize the way these individuals operate, the more time you will have to deal with the right people.
I leave you with this thought, are you in business to just say you're in business or are you in business to close a sale, get compensated and have your own working business? I am sure, we all are in the second option, we know were we stand!

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Liberty Capital Funding, Inc.
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