In many cases dropshipping saves on shipping. I sell a line of gift products (figurines, oil burners, fountains, etc.) in the US, nearly every piece of which is made in China. The importer / dropship company is in the Los Angeles area and ships the product within 2 business days. UPS ground shipping can take up to 10 days, so for shipments to the east coast of the US can take from 12 to 14 days.
The avearge shipping cost is about 25% of my cost, about 10% of my selling price. If I were to buy the goods for stock and then ship them out AGAIN, this would definitely cost more to the end buyer, or eat up my profit.
I've bought nearly $ 100,000 from this supplier over the years, so people don't mind waiting 2 weeks for their goods.
Of course, the product itself can make a difference. My grandson recently ordered a new model airsoft gun and was told from the start it would be 3 weeks. He was perfectly happy with that. Of course, it was "has it come yet?" every day, but he waited.