Middle men, also known as intermediaries, act as the link between suppliers or manufacturers and consumers. The term has negative connotations due to the belief that they add unnecessary costs to the supply chain. Synonyms for middle men include brokers, agents, dealers, distributors, and resellers. Brokers act as the negotiator between two parties, while agents are representatives of a company. Dealers are individuals who buy and sell goods or services for profit. Distributors transport and sell products to retailers or directly to consumers. Resellers purchase products from manufacturers and sell them to retailers or consumers. These synonyms help to identify the specific role and function of intermediaries in the supply chain.