How to Make Money Selling on eBay - Selecting Your Dropshipper
If you are asking how to make money selling on eBay, dropshipping might be one of the answers. The majority of those who make money on eBay seem to make the assumption that they must have a dropshipper to supply their products. There are some great advantages to using this form of product supplier. If you can establish the right relationship, the benefits far outweigh the risks.
As with all business relationships, a word of caution is required! There can be some major impacts to your business if you make the wrong decision when selecting a dropshipping company. As with all business-related issues, the motto ‘Buyer Beware’ is appropriate as you begin your search for a dropshipper. Be sure to thoroughly investigate the prospective dropshipping companies. Your investigation should include gaining an understanding of the size, reliability and overall reputation of the dropshipping company. Many of those who know how to make money selling on eBay are committed to the dropshipping process.
Dropshipping can be a very good option for you if you take your time, do your homework, and investigate before you start. Just make it a practice to thoroughly investigate new dropshipping companies before you ever commit to using them as one of our merchandise suppliers. That investigation can make you one of those who know how to make money selling on eBay.
The following checklist represents the MINIMUM criteria to use when examining a potential dropshipper. Never accept less than this level of performance. There are many who pass this criteria with flying colors. They are the ones who know how to make money selling on eBay. DROPSHIPPER CHECKLIST
YES/NO CRITERIA
Does the dropshipper carry products that are within your market niche?
Can you make a profit on the product(s) that you sell/ship using this dropshipper?
Does the dropshipper ONLY include your company information on the packages that they ship on your behave?
Does the dropshipper ship within 3-5 business days of payment?
Guarantees. Are manufacturer/other product guarantees still valid when using this dropshipper?
Is the inventory stated by the dropshipper updated and accurate at all times?
Does the dropshipper offer a discount for larger (volume) purchases?
Does the dropshipper have a minimum order size?
Does the dropshipper have programs in-place to aid those who use it? (Website? Instant online access to inventory? Promotional tools? Other?)
Is there a charge for establishing an account with the dropshipper?
Does the dropshipping company use other companies as a part of its service? (Using brokers and others in the middle adds to the cost and should be avoided if possible.)
Does the dropshipper carry BRAND NAME products?
If the answers to all of the above are positive, you might consider conducting a ‘test’ of the drop shipping company. This is done by making a one-time purchase for yourself or someone you know. While this test isn’t foolproof, it does provide an idea of what to expect if and when you begin to use the dropshipper for eBay sales. Remember: Those who know how to make money selling on eBay take the time and invest the energy to investigate and test before they use a specific dropping company.
The bottom line is to take the time and invest the effort to thoroughly investigate all prospective dropshippers. A little investment in due diligence now can save you untold headaches and costs later. It can also yield happy customers.
