Before you use a Drop Shipper     by awelldressedbullet

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 3 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Before You Use a Drop Shipper

We often get new sellers asking about using dropshippers to sell on eBay. The following is my personal opinion and I hope to give you a few things to think about before you even consider this.

Benefits of Dropshipping? 

The only benefit I can see as to why anyone would want to actually use a drop shipper is a person thinks it's easier......
  • you don't have to outlay a lot of cash, time or effort; and
  • you don't need to physically stock the product.
.....and there lies the problem.

Easier? Sure, but remember these companies usually sell overpriced product which usually saturate the market. Just do a completed listings search on eBay to see if that product is actually selling and what prices they are getting.

Don't forget, you will only get out of your business venture what you put into it.

Who's Making the Money? 

Since you are not investing anything in your business venture, using and relying on another company and their investment, who do you think is going to make the money here? Absolutely the drop shipper, not you.

Most importantly, you are now at the mercy of this company. Since you have absolutely no control over when or how they send the product to your buyer, if they screw up delivery (i.e. product not in stock or slow shipping), or the product sent is damaged to due poor care, handling or shipping, it becomes your headache and it's your reputation that is ruined, not theirs.

Bottom line, you are doing all the work, you are taking all the risk, and they are collecting the benefits.

Research, Research, Research 

I'm sure there are a (very) few eBay sellers who use reputable drop shippers, but many of these 'so called' dropshippers out there will be scam artists making you believe you can make thousands with little or no effort (ya, right! LOL).

And no don't ask, I rather doubt a seller is going to tell you who they use, think about it, why would they? Trying to find a reputable drop shipper will take a lot of effort and hard work on your part and can only say "good luck".

And why anyone would pay (sometimes big money) to get a look at a price or product list just doesn't make sense. I would absolutely stay clear of these ones.

My own personal opinion, as well as many experienced eBay sellers, is to stay away from drop shipping, especially if you are a new seller.

If you are determined to use a drop shipper, at least go into it with your eyes wide open and armed with a little background information.

There are many drop shipping companies out there, may I suggest doing a google search on their business name (i.e. ABC company complaints, ABC company scams, etc) to see what kind of complaints are out there.

Search and Browse the Discussion Boards for "drop shipping" or "drop shipper" etc., you will get your eyes opened. You can start here.

Tip: If you ask around, you will find that many educated buyers will not purchase from a seller who uses a drop shipper.

Rate my eBay Guide 

If you found this information helpful, please feel free to rate my Before You Use a Drop Shipper Guide on eBay.

Guestbook Feedback 

Please do not leave comments that include a link to a drop shipper. To reduce spamming by drop shipping companies, I do not approve these comments.

Karen_Knight_Bennett

Thanks for the great advice!

Posted June 13, 2008
Luke_Benson

Solid advice!

Posted December 10, 2007
Sparkyszone

Great information to follow for anyone using drop shippers.

Posted December 01, 2007
fleur_de_lis_rising

Great information!!! Very interesting lens!

Posted August 06, 2007