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Question re: distributors vs. dropshippers

5 posts

  1. oyswa

    Joined: December 2004
    Posts: 2

    Hello all,

    I'm a newb to this board and a newb in business. I just wanted some opinions on whether to go through a dropshipper or buy inventory from a distributor. I like the idea of not having to store inventory, but I want to provide fast and effecient shipping to my customers and sometimes I think the old adage "if you want something done right..." comes to mind. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)
    Posted 5 years ago  |  Login or Register to Reply

  2. pete

    Joined: March 2004
    Posts: 740

    It depends......

    If you're buying something from NJ, paying to send it across the country, and then selling it to someone in PA from CA, you end up paying a lot of freight.

    If. however, you have a source down the street, can pick it up yourself and then just pay the one time shipping, you have a much more attractive price.

    And, the product itself makes a difference. Boat anchors weigh a lot more than potato chips.

    So, be a little more specific and you might get a more detailed reply.
    Posted 5 years ago  |  Login or Register to Reply

  3. shop4me

    Joined: December 2004
    Posts: 3

    I have used both for my ebay business and website. Do the homework. I started out with a dropshipper when I first got started. Because it was no money out of my pocket to buy merchandise, until I received payment from customer. Word of caution with dropshipper,s have a back up supplier that carries the same merchandise. So if a customer makes a purchase from you and your main dropshipper is out of stock, you back of supplier will have it on hand. Wholesalers will offer better prices. Some require minimum amount you need to purchase in order to fill customers order.


    Dropshippers- find out their shipping policy, do they offer delivery confirmation of order being shipped to customer,so you know order has been shipped. No inventory to maintain. They provide picture images for you to download. Nothing for you to have to ship. Just collect the customers money and place order with dropshipper. My website http://www.teatreasuresandmore.com, I use dropshippers.

    Wholesalers - some require tax id#, You have to wait for order to be shipped to you, before you are able to ship to customer. Make a trip to the post office to send product to customer. Some will offer great wholesale prices. Hope this helps. Email me if you have any questions.

    Portia
    Posted 5 years ago  |  Login or Register to Reply

  4. oyswa

    Joined: December 2004
    Posts: 2

    Thank you both for your replies. Pete, you're right I should've specified what I'd be selling... It'll be DVDs and consumer electronics. Hope this helps you offer more insight. And Portia thank you much for your help, I will do my homework (this is part of it). Thanks again
    Posted 5 years ago  |  Login or Register to Reply

  5. pete

    Joined: March 2004
    Posts: 740

    I can't be much help to you on this. I need my grandson to turn on the TV for me and I know nothing about the market for these goods.

    But I do know you have chosen one of the most competitive areas there is. After you do some research on the 4um you may decide to try something else.
    Posted 5 years ago  |  Login or Register to Reply

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