Dropshipping - your experiences?

Dropshipping - your experiences?

Author
Discussion

ThankYouForCalling

Original Poster:

68 posts

107 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with dropshipping - looking at launching an ecommerce site using it, however I just wanted to hear from those who have used it!

bazza white

3,558 posts

128 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
Depends on what. If its solely drop shipping then I'd I wouldn't, to many at it and low margin. If you can find company with product with little competition and a company willing to drop ship then not so bad. Order fulfillment may be a better option if you don't want to deal in the logistics side but still a risk in holding stock.

Will all your store be drop shipped or ......

otherman

2,191 posts

165 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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I don't think it can really work. If I have a good product to sell, why would I do all the work and let someone else take the margin just for running a web site shop. On the other hand, if I had a dodgy product and I wanted someone else to deal with all the disgruntled customers and returns.....

ThankYouForCalling

Original Poster:

68 posts

107 months

Monday 30th May 2016
quotequote all
bazza white said:
Depends on what. If its solely drop shipping then I'd I wouldn't, to many at it and low margin. If you can find company with product with little competition and a company willing to drop ship then not so bad. Order fulfillment may be a better option if you don't want to deal in the logistics side but still a risk in holding stock.

Will all your store be drop shipped or ......
Entire store drop shipped initially. I work in the web industry and I can create websites right from design through to back end development. There's a few grey areas but I'd be willing to tackle that issue when I come to it. Just wondering whether the drop shipping concept is worth pursuing or if I should look at buying and managing stock for myself.

russy01

4,693 posts

181 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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You are far too vague to give a detailed answer, but from my experience its a waste of time. Basically there is no barrier to entry - apart from requiring a website or presence on a marketplace.

A popular brand we used to sell was available for dropship and it made the prices an absolute nightmare. We stocked said product and absolutely cleaned up.... dropship delivery into the UK worked out at about £15, however my delivery costs within the UK were less than £5. We had >£10 in our pocket to either discount or pocket...

It was obvious though, there were 2 listings on eBay (myself and another) who obviously stocked the product and then about 15 other sellers approx within pennies of eachother about £10-15 above us.

Id consider a middle ground in fulfilment but it depends on your circumstances and your location in this land.

DSLiverpool

14,733 posts

202 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
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Use 3PL and integrated software, you need some cash to start it but not huge amounts
I've found an amazing fulfilment company that even handles your phone calls !!

MrSparks

648 posts

120 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
Use 3PL and integrated software, you need some cash to start it but not huge amounts
I've found an amazing fulfilment company that even handles your phone calls !!
Can you PM me their details? Do they take phone orders or just messages?