Is dropshipping a mistake?

[Charles Daniel]

You now since I've been trying to open an online store I've chatted with quite a few people. Every once in a while I throw the subject of dropshipping into the arena. Immediately I get an almost unanimous response saying don't use them. Maybe thier oppinions are just good old common sense, but they don't seem to be based on actual experience. Most concerns seem to be centered around late shipment moreso than all out scams.

So you know what I went and done did? I became a member on a dropship distributers site. Here's what I found. I suspect that they've marked up their wholesale prices, even though they expressly claim that they don't because they charge a membership fee around $9 (depending on membership level)a month. No Images available for download. They provide links to images that href to google. Most of the time the images are not there. When they are you can clearly see that they originated from some other retail stores site. There site features an order manager ( which may never get any use from me ), but their help desk is useless, only featurng help options for "How to Copy Text" and "How to Download Images". Even if you wanted to copy text, they only give you a 1 paragraph description with no technical specs ( this is supposed to be for computer hardware ).

But here's the killer. No telephone numbers only online helpdesk. So here's a real STUPID question. Am I just being paranoid or is everyone really out to get me? I hate it when people ask questions that they already know the answer to, don't you?

Thanks Guys

[gblanas]

It looks like all the negative info. you got was correct!

[generalhan]

You seems to have gotten the wrong source of dropshipper.

I visited a dropship source directory site and undertand that the dropshipper should not charge you for anything as you are actually his customer because you give him business. There should be sufficient picture downlaods as that's the products that they carry.

You may also want to visit this site: www.dropshipwholesale.net and check out the info. There is a free e-book where you can download too. I find this site to be quite informative. Of couse the other site is: www.dropshipsource.com

Hope this gives you some good info.

Rgds

William Kho

[ryanb21]

I currently have a ecommerce web site and an ebay store, and I dropship for both. I remeber how difficult it was to find legitimate sources. There are a lot of scams out there, but luckily I came across a website that was very helpful to me. Anyone interested in dropshipping should check out this site. The site is http://www.geocities.com/ryanboss83/dropshipbroker.html. I got both of my company leads from this site. Dropshipping has gotten a bad reputation from all the scams, but if you can find the right source of companies dropshipping can be very profitable.

[garethJJ8]

You are right, dropshipping is great as long as you have the right information. There are lots of scams advertised on ebay. Huge dropshipping lists for a £2.50 etc... All you get are lots of links, most old, not working / dead

I use dropshipping all the time and make a decent income. Nothing special but around £400 a month. Not to be sniffed at.. Thats still a nice addition to my full time salary.

The best dropshipping site i've found is called the dropship store, located at http://www.sysfix.co.uk/store

Can't say i've ever had any problems with late deliveries or missing ones as all items are sent out by recorded delivery. Dropshippers is the way to go i reckon...




Dropshipping uk is great if you know where to go. It's extremely big in the states and many companies over there will dropship their products. At present , the UK dropshipping market is pretty non existant, however there are a few new companies that have set up purely as uk dropshippers.

These companies charge an admin fee ranging from £15-£50. There are some that give annual membership, lifetime membership and some that actually charge you per month for their service.

I think that dropshipping in the uk will take off once more manufactures see the benefits of this. As everything in the UK, the states seem to get it first.

I know everyone is keen to make money fast nowadays, quit the rat race and work from home. The truth is , if you don't make the effort, you will always be working for someone else. There are many ways to make money on ebay. Dropshipping is just one of them.

However, be sceptical about buying dropshipping lists. Always check someones feedback as a lot of these eBooks are out of date and links don't work.

Another good idea is to find your nearest wholesaler such as Makro, Bookers etc. You can usually get free membership if you are self employed or employed (you just need proof such as headed paper etc)

Hope this helps someone out anyway.
Good Luck.

[dropshipman]

Finding reliable dropshippers is the problem many people face because they won't take the time to find reliable people.
http://www.dropshipping-products.com
As with anything, it takes effort to be succesful at a legitimate dropship business, any business for that matter. I too started with bad drop ship directory lists and did awful at first, but after finding the right suppliers for the specific products I wanted to sell, it turned out great.
I have an EBay Store and am now doing very well, just takes time.

[justinpowell]

Drop shipping can be a great way to go if you find the right suppliers. Of course, finding the right drop shipping company can be a challenge. As you point out, some of the directories aren't very reputable or are outright scams.

A very highly regarded directory is Worldwide Brands. They keep it very updated and it is very extensive. It's about $70 to gain access, but it can be a good investment.

I wrote an article on my site about what criteria you should consider when choosing a drop shipper once you've found some candidates at a directory like Worldwide Brands. You can read the drop shipping article here.

[The Old Sarge]

I can personally vouch for WorlWide Brands. I've used them (rather their list of dropshippers) almost exclusively for the past year and have not a single complaint or concern.

The Old Sarge

[dropshipman]

I can personally vouch for WorlWide Brands. I've used them (rather their list of dropshippers) almost exclusively for the past year and have not a single complaint or concern.

The Old Sarge

-Most definitely, they found a dropshipper for me for a specific product that I wanted to sell. Great, Great service...

[rosemary64]

HI,
I'VE DELT WITH MANY DROPSHIPERS AND A LOT OF THEM CHARGE YOU A MEMBERSHIP FEE, ONLY TO FIND OUT ONCE YOU PAY IT, THEY ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF STOCK ON MOST OF THEIR ITEMS. THEW MY CONSTANT SEACH I DID COME ACROSS www.thebargaingenie.com AND I'D HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SO FAR AND THEY DON'T CHARGE A MEMBERSHIP FEE

[dropshipman]

HI,
I'VE DELT WITH MANY DROPSHIPERS AND A LOT OF THEM CHARGE YOU A MEMBERSHIP FEE, ONLY TO FIND OUT ONCE YOU PAY IT, THEY ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF STOCK ON MOST OF THEIR ITEMS. THEW MY CONSTANT SEACH I DID COME ACROSS www.thebargaingenie.com AND I'D HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SO FAR AND THEY DON'T CHARGE A MEMBERSHIP FEE

You posted the same thing on my forum on my website, so I'd like to hear a little more about them since this is the first I've heard of bargaingenie. Specifically, what are their dropship costs?? and what have you used to sell their products?? and what products??

[The Old Sarge]

May be a dumb question here but if I don't ask, I'll never know ...

It say eBaywholesalesources. Can I use them on my own web site or do they want you to go with eBay?

The Old Sarge

[itfcshopper]

Hi

Be very very very wary of dropshipping companies, the good ones are few and far between. Personally I've had more success with going directly to the manufacturer and setting up a direct deal that way.

[sunbun]

of course you can use them also on your own website and also other auction sites

[The Old Sarge]

Thanks.