One thing you need to know is that eBay is a very reputable selling and buying marketplace. Before you even consider drop shipping using this platform, you need to re-evaluate your competency in offering the services including those of your drop shipping supplier. The clients who buy goods and items at eBay expect nothing short of quality goods and services. The following are simple tips, which will make your drop ship business successful;
Research the products
It is important to research on the products you want to sell and find out if they are sold at eBay or they are sellable in this marketplace. There are thousands of products sold through eBay marketplace and choosing the “hot selling” items gives a competitive advantage over other retailers in this market.
You also need to know that there are many other retailers and also big companies selling same or similar products and the competition is high. You must model out a good marketing strategy. The market is highly competitive meaning that only products which have a good rating from consumer reviews at eBay or Amazon will be able to sell fast. If there are negative expressions from customers on the products, it means that you will have a tough time selling them.
Seek an eBay approved drop shipper
You have to look for a drop shipper who is integrated with eBay. If you get an approved drop shipper, your task is made easy. You do not have to find out if the products of the supplier are sold at eBay.
Monitor stock levels from your distributor
To avoid complaints which could damage your reputation, you should ensure that there is sufficient stock level from the distributor. Any complaints and negative comments you get from customers will affect your business and therefore, you have to set everything right.
Whether it is the availability of stock or the shipping process, they need to be offered satisfactory. When selling at eBay, you must monitor stock levels from your distributor. You have to get updates on the level of stock so that you do not sell products, which are out of stock.
Keep track of the shipment feedbacks
If you close a sale, then you have to follow-up on shipping of the items. It is essential you keep close contact with the customer and get feedback on their order progress. You may opt to provide a kind of satisfaction survey for the customer to provide feedback on their order shipment fulfillment.
Delay of order delivery and shipment will mean that you get negative feedback and this could lead to payment reversal like PayPal that can seriously damage your business success. Mistakes committed by the drop shipper distributor will end up affecting on your business meaning that your business will suffer from distributor faults.
Mediate issues of return and exchange of goods
If there are any issues which result to return and exchange of goods, you as a drop shipper retailer, you have to take a mediation role. You will need to engage the customer and apologize for any faults that are witnessed in the transactions, otherwise, all return and exchange issues come down to your business and not the supplier.
There are high expectations on the quality of products bought by buyers at eBay. The drop shipper you are dealing with should be competent and avoid any product faults or switch of inventory. If a buyer buys goods at eBay, he or she expects to get exactly what has been ordered.
A drop shipping wholesaler who will switch inventory and get you a substitute or another brand equivalent to the one you have advertised at eBay will only damage your business reputation. The customers are very particular with what they order and do not attempt to sell something different or similar unless you have consulted with the client and agrees to buy that product.
In essence, as drop shipper retailer, you have to know that you are managing your business. You must think outside the box and ensure that you deal with issues proactively. The drop shipping business model is faced with problems which may not make it successful at eBay. Right from the quality of goods, through the shipment process to customer engagement, all these aspects must be emphasized.
The drop shipping culture falls short of competency and the most affected is the retailer. Since the success of the drop shipping retailer business is largely depended on how he or she conducts the marketing strategy and how the distributor offers the supportive services like shipping, if there are loopholes on the distributors’ side, they land on the retailers’ business. Understanding the eBay culture and drop shipping scenario can help put in place mitigation measures that can lead to a successful drop ship retail business.
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