Affiliate since: 01/14/2013, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Sule's 287 other Ask SC answers

The first question that comes to my mind here is, why use dropshipper in a business like SFI/TripleClicks? I do understand through Wikipedia that “Drop shipping is a supply chain management technique in which the retailer does not keep goods in stock, but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer. As in retail businesses, the majority of retailers make their profit on the difference between the wholesale and retail price but some retailers earn an agreed percentage of the sales in commission, paid by the wholesaler to the retailer.”

Arising from the above, I sincerely believe that you will have to study SFI and TripleClicks rules very well to find out if dropshipping is allowed in the business. I do know that the rules of engagement in SFI do not include third parties which clearly dropshipping involves. The business of SFI is between SFI and all its affiliates and the affiliates among themselves. Third parties which dropshipping involves do not come in. I therefore do not see how best you can use a dropshipper for your ECA products within SFI/TripleClicks rules.

Hope this answers your question? Good luck!!!

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The first question that comes to my mind here is, why use dropshipper in a business like SFI/TripleClicks? I do understand through Wikipedia that “Drop shipping is a supply chain management technique in which the retailer does not keep goods in stock, but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer. As in retail businesses, the majority of retailers make their profit on the difference between
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Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

Hi, Dan!

Are you sure there are many ways to use a Dropshipper?

Is dropshipping appropriate for ECAs?

You might want to answer these questions first.

Basically, in dropshipping, you have a contract with a provider of goods and products that you advertise. You attract customers who buy through you. The dropshipper takes over and deliver.

There may be several variations to the above scenario, but, those variations do not affect the basic business relationship.

The question begs itself as to whether using dropshippers is appropriate for SFI ECAs.

First dropshippers have fallen out. They are no longer at the top of online business trends

Second, you are not in control of the major phases of a relationship between the business person and the customer.

You are engaging SFI and Tripleclicks' reputation and good business name as well as it standing in the home business industry.

When you use dropshippers, you cannot control the quality of the products, or the quality of the customer service that is being provided.

Then, you are taking a risk that if something goes wrong, (and it may very well go wrong), your are jeopardizing your ECA store. But you are also jeopardizing SFI, Tripleclicks and the other ECAs that operate here, as you are actually using SFI and Tripleclicks' names to promote your business.

I would be very careful before using this avenue of dropshippers!
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Hi, Dan!

Are you sure there are many ways to use a Dropshipper?

Is dropshipping appropriate for ECAs?

You might want to answer these questions first.

Basically, in dropshipping, you have a contract with a provider of goods and products that you advertise. You attract customers who buy through you. The dropshipper takes over and deliver.

There may be several variations to the above scenario, but, those variations do not affect the basic business
...more

Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

Using a drop shipper can be very expensive. It is best to pick items from the more famous and well used websites that ship for free. List them on your site, marking up as needed, and when they are ordered, go to the site where you found the item and order it shipped to your customer and billed to you. The customer orders and pays for it on TC. You could put in the description that the item will be shipped by another company so that they will know when it arrives that it was their item ordered through TC.Some companies will let you be a distributor who sells their items and they will ship them directly to your customer.

You can join many sites that sell items and get a discount. Doing this requires constant monitoring of the items you have listed to see if the price has changed or is no longer available. Some of these sites charge a fee to be an associate member so that you get a discount, or require that you join a shipping group to get free shipping.

Since you are not sending the person off your TC page, but are doing it yourself, you do not break the rules of being an ECA. You can not place an item on your site where the customer has to leave your site to purchase the item or have it shipped.


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Using a drop shipper can be very expensive. It is best to pick items from the more famous and well used websites that ship for free. List them on your site, marking up as needed, and when they are ordered, go to the site where you found the item and order it shipped to your customer and billed to you. The customer orders and pays for it on TC. You could put in the description that the item will be shipped by another company so that they will know when it arrives that it was their item ordered through
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Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

Well, first and foremost, be sure that you are dealing with a trustworthy vendor. Be certain to background check, each transfer of the supply chain in order to be able to communicate well with the client if they have questions. After that you are good to go.
Drop-shipping as an ECA through Tripleclicks is not a problem either. You just have to pay for and ship the product (through your vendor) yourself first, to get the "way-bill" number or shipping number (tracking number) and submit it to TC for you to get paid.
This works well as it can shorten the shipping time to the excited customer. All the best!
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Well, first and foremost, be sure that you are dealing with a trustworthy vendor. Be certain to background check, each transfer of the supply chain in order to be able to communicate well with the client if they have questions. After that you are good to go.
Drop-shipping as an ECA through Tripleclicks is not a problem either. You just have to pay for and ship the product (through your vendor) yourself first, to get the "way-bill" number or shipping number (tracking number) and submit
...more

Affiliate since: 10/16/2020, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Steve 's 21 other Ask SC answers

Hi

I belive dropshipping is a very valid way forward.
But it is not without potential downfalls.

The big problem is to find a reliable dropship company.

If you are in the UK, trading law states that the retailer
(EG you) is responsible for all returns, dissatisfied customers etc.

This takes the shine off potential profit.

To be honest dropshipping could be either fantasticly successfull.
Or an absoloute nightmare

If the product sells the you might be better off handling it yourself!!
Best regards
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Hi

I belive dropshipping is a very valid way forward.
But it is not without potential downfalls.

The big problem is to find a reliable dropship company.

If you are in the UK, trading law states that the retailer
(EG you) is responsible for all returns, dissatisfied customers etc.

This takes the shine off potential profit.

To be honest dropshipping could be either fantasticly successfull.
Or an absoloute nightmare

If
...more

Affiliate since: 10/04/2010, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Christina's 8 other Ask SC answers

Hello Dan,

As an ECA (not currently selling) myself, I found that you need to make sure you find a reliable drop-shipper. You need to know there delivery times, there payment options, if they have any kind of return policy, and check out all aspects of their operations.

Check to see if they have negative or positive feedback from their clients so you can identify possible problems they have had in the past.

Make sure you keep abreast of the products so that you are not selling something that is out of stock or discontinued.

These are some of the issues I had with doing drop-shipping, not to mention that I personally chose the wrong types of products to try and sell.

I hope this helps you.
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Hello Dan,

As an ECA (not currently selling) myself, I found that you need to make sure you find a reliable drop-shipper. You need to know there delivery times, there payment options, if they have any kind of return policy, and check out all aspects of their operations.

Check to see if they have negative or positive feedback from their clients so you can identify possible problems they have had in the past.

Make sure you keep abreast of the products so that you are
...more

Affiliate since: 10/04/2013, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Ronelle's 268 other Ask SC answers

I strongly suggest you go through TripleClicks as your dropshipper. They already have an awesome, swift, competent system in place!:) Why would you want to go elsewhere when you are already a member? It is a tool available to you, why would you choose not to use it?!

Not to mention, they also have an excellent delivery track record, and the means to locate packages in transit.

Sounds like win/win to me!:))...

Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

I use a drop shipper and have been for five years.

I also have my own products in stock, best way to to keep track or your inventory.

The thing I do not like about drop shipment is the fact they say they are offering wholesale pricing. When in fact it is just a discounted price. Some have an inflated shipping price. The way to beat this is when you find a product that will sell order at least five of them to cut down on the price of shipping and handling on each item. You do have repack and ship when you do this.

As for wholesale pricing the only way to get true wholesale is to go to trade shows. To get into these in the USA you have to have an EIN employer tax number.


Hope this helps
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I use a drop shipper and have been for five years.

I also have my own products in stock, best way to to keep track or your inventory.

The thing I do not like about drop shipment is the fact they say they are offering wholesale pricing. When in fact it is just a discounted price. Some have an inflated shipping price. The way to beat this is when you find a product that will sell order at least five of them to cut down on the price of shipping and handling on each item. You do
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Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

Drop shipping is not a ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme. As with any business, success requires dedication and hard work. However, there are distinct benefits to using drop shipping in your online business:

• You can become a retailer without needing to invent large amounts of money.

• You can start a business and test the market with very little risk.

• You don’t have to carry inventory or pay for inventory up front—if the product doesn’t sell, you never have to buy it from the supplier.

• You don’t have to buy packaging materials and shipping labels, nor will you need a shipping account. The supplier handles all of this for you.

• You purchase products at wholesale pricing and set your own retail prices.

• You can focus more time and resources on revenue-producing activities like marketing, advertising and product research instead of inventory management, packing and shipping.

But...


Many retailers get a lot of value from working with drop shipping suppliers, but it is by no means a perfect solution for everyone. Drop shipping comes with some drawbacks, including the following:

• You lose some control over shipping times, packaging processes, and package branding.

• Your supplier may run out of a hot-selling product.

• Drop shipping fees (a handling fee set by the supplier for each order) may increase your expenses.

• You can’t take advantage of discounts for buying in bulk up front. This is the trade-off for the supplier bearing the cost and risk of managing the inventory.


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Drop shipping is not a ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme. As with any business, success requires dedication and hard work. However, there are distinct benefits to using drop shipping in your online business:

• You can become a retailer without needing to invent large amounts of money.

• You can start a business and test the market with very little risk.

• You don’t have to carry inventory or pay for inventory up front—if the product doesn’t sell, you never have
...more

Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999

Hi Dan,

Using a dropshipper is a good way for transferring ECA products to your customers.

Using a dropshipper is helpful as it provides elimination of upfront inventory and a positive cash-flow cycle.

You can effectively use a dropshipper when you typically sell a product to general public in a large quantity.

So that using a dropshipper becomes cost effective.

Good luck!