Hi Guys,

 

I remember a few years ago, a mate of a mate set up an online store but he never, ever saw the goods he was selling. He was just like a reseller for another store.

 

So people went to his store, purchased a DVD for example for £9.99, his system was then purchasing the same dvd for £6.99 and shipping it automatically to his client. Making a £3 profit on all sales without handling any actual selling as such... just like a finders fee!

 

Any ideas on how he would have done this - I would ask him but we are not in touch any more...

It's called dropshipping.

ah ok - cool I will look into it

 

Cheers sam

There's load of wholesale places and help forums on the subject. I did look into this a while back but got disheartened after a while. Hope you have better luck than I did mate!

Hi Tery,

 

There are places around that you can get plenty of lists of suppliers from.

 

I was researching this before, and even went as far as to pay to get access to a list, but ive now got nearly 100 suppliers.

 

Due to personal commitments, my co-worker dropped out, so its put me behind (e-commerce isnt my strongpoint), but i do believe it can be done if you have the right skills.

 

Good luck,

 

Reaper

With dropshipping, how does the dropshipper deal with branding and returns etc?

With dropshipping, how does the dropshipper deal with branding and returns etc?

 

Depending on the dropshipper, you can brand the items with your logo, compliment slip etc (extra cost) as for returns a bonafide dropshipper will give return reference numbers to you to pass on to your customer, the customer will return the item either to yourself or the dropshipper.

 

Pat

Depending on the dropshipper, you can brand the items with your logo, compliment slip etc (extra cost) as for returns a bonafide dropshipper will give return reference numbers to you to pass on to your customer, the customer will return the item either to yourself or the dropshipper.

 

Pat

 

Cool, Im based outside the UK so are there any website which would give a list of reputable dropshippers?

Cool, Im based outside the UK so are there any website which would give a list of reputable dropshippers?

 

It really depends what you want to dropship, clothes, toys, games etc.

 

just google for the type of dropship service you would like, just read their terms carefully

 

Pat

What I've wondered about dropshipping is does the order go straight from the ecommerce site to the manufacture via a api or something? Or does the eCommerce site owner have to go put the order through?

What I've wondered about dropshipping is does the order go straight from the ecommerce site to the manufacture via a api or something? Or does the eCommerce site owner have to go put the order through?

 

 

Normally, most dropshippers will want you to send them the order, but the majority will accept it in a standardised excel format, so you just put "item references" and "delivery address" and then you pay them.

Dropshipping is very competitive. I have tried to sell dropshipping goods and I find it very hard to sell goods. Margins on dropshipping is so low. i did use a free dropshipper and so the margins are not very big but if you want to get bigger margins you will need to pay dropshippers big fees.