# Research Suppliers

Source: https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/research-suppliers

Search for suppliers for a product phrase when Launch Fast has none. Get unit prices in US dollars, MOQs, and supplier details.

| Field             | Value                                                                                                                             |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| MCP tool          | `research_suppliers`                                                                                                              |
| Behavior          | Starts research work. It does not contact suppliers.                                                                              |
| Cost              | 1 credit. Free when the phrase was searched in the last 30 days, or when you join a search of the phrase that is already running. |
| Permission        | **Research and insights** (Launch Fast tools)                                                                                     |
| Amazon connection | Not necessary                                                                                                                     |
| App view          | `ui://launchfast/v2/suppliers`                                                                                                    |

## What It Does

`research_suppliers` searches for suppliers for one product phrase. It returns unit prices in US dollars, MOQs, and supplier details.

A search usually takes under a minute. The tool waits up to 40 seconds. If the search is not done by then, the answer gives a job id for [`get_job`](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/get-job). If you joined a search that was already running, the answer tells the assistant to call `research_suppliers` again in about 30 seconds instead. That call is free.

## When To Use It

Use `research_suppliers` only when [`find_suppliers`](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/find-suppliers) finds nothing for the phrase. `find_suppliers` reads the suppliers that Launch Fast has, for free.

## Inputs

| Input    | Required | Values                                   | Example            |
| -------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------ |
| `phrase` | Yes      | What the product is, 1 to 200 characters | `silicone spatula` |

## What The Answer Contains

The answer is the same list that `find_suppliers` gives for that phrase. It has the count of supplier listings, the unit price and MOQ ranges, and up to 50 listings with labels `s1` to `s50`. A notice says whether the search spent 1 credit or was free.

A search that you start here does not show in the search history of the Launch Fast web app. The suppliers show for that phrase in Launch Fast.

## Limits

| Limit                                            | Value |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ----- |
| Your supplier searches that run at the same time | 3     |

## App View

When the search finishes and your AI app supports MCP Apps, it shows the result in this view. The image shows example data.

![Launch Fast suppliers view with example data: unit price range, minimum order quantity, and five suppliers by unit price](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/v2/suppliers.png)

## Example Prompts

```text
Launch Fast has no suppliers for bamboo cutting boards. Search for some.
```

```text
Find suppliers for "stainless steel garlic press" and show the cheapest ones first.
```

## Common Errors

| Error           | What it means                                                                                 | What to do                                                                                   |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `credit_limit`  | You used all your credits for this billing period.                                            | See credits used and left on the [usage page](https://launchfastlegacyx.com/settings/usage). |
| `cap_reached`   | You have 3 supplier searches running.                                                         | Wait for one to finish, then call again. See them with [`get_job`](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/get-job).   |
| `invalid_input` | The phrase is empty, longer than 200 characters, or has no words that Launch Fast can search. | Give a short product phrase.                                                                 |
| `plan_required` | Your plan does not include supplier research.                                                 | Check your plan on the [usage page](https://launchfastlegacyx.com/settings/usage).           |

## Related Tools

* [`find_suppliers`](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/find-suppliers) reads and filters the suppliers that Launch Fast has.
* [`get_job`](https://docs.launchfastlegacyx.com/mcp/research/get-job) checks a search that takes more than 40 seconds.