The Wholesale Forums

[wholesaleguru87]

Firstly, i did not know whether to post this in this section or the dropshipping section. sorry if its in the wrong place.

This is just a quick article i found on the net, from salehoo. this i believe can help new and experienced traders find the best possible dropshippers. the article highlights many key points in the article, which obviously not everyone will agree with. i have permission to post.

Firstly, It is possible to find a very good Dropshipper on the Internet, but there are also a lot of scammers! Just as with any other source that you find online, you need to take precautions and do your own checks in order to find the very best dropshippers:

• Do they have any ‘extra’ fees? Genuine dropshippers should only charge you for the items you sell. Avoid companies that require a monthly subscription fee or something similar. however in some cases, such as WorldwideBrands, Paying a subscription fee, could help your business in the long run. Be sure to look for reviews on the company before hand though however to see what their reputations like.

• Check the age of the site. Online dropshippers and wholesalers go out of business all the time either (a) because it’s a hard business to be successful in, or (b) because they are fraudulent. For these reasons, be very wary of dealing with new sites. Be sure to contact them via phone and e-mail and if neccessary go and visit them directly. IF the company is legit, they shouldn't mind you visiting their premises.

• Customer service is very important for both you as the seller, having no physical stock and the company you are dealing with, for repeat business. Customer Service is especially important in moments of crisis! – but sadly it is all too often neglected. Sending a test email will tell youa lot about the quality of service You and your customers are likely to recieve.

• Ask about warranties, guarantees, shipping policies and return policies. Everyone gets returns at some point so you need to make sure that you won’t have to foot the bill. Be sure to get this in writing and signed!

There are several ways you can find the best dropshippers:

1: Searching Online – This is risky, but perseverance may pay off with hidden gems. Searching with keywords such as your product name ‘+ dropshipper’ is a good way to start. Just remember the best dropshippers’ sites aren’t always on the first few pages of results. Why? simply they don't need to be. Many succesful dropshippers already have a loyal customer base who they can focus all their attentions on to be sure of repeat business.

2: Ring the product manufacturer – You can usually find the manufacturer’s name on the item packaging. Manufacturer’s often have preferred distributors and should be able to give recommendations. You can always use email if the manufacturer is located in a non-English speaking country and you are concerned about communication difficulties.

3: Trade magazines: Distributors and manufacturers pay to advertise in these magazines so it’s an excellent way of finding current contact details. An easy way to find trade magazines in your area is to search Yahoo’s Business directory.

4. ThomasGlobal – If you are looking for industrial suppliers and products - anything from boot heels and microwave components to seals and gaskets! – then you will find the excellent online list of distributors, manufacturers and suppliers on ThomasGlobal

5. Paid Directories – As mentioned earlier, although generally i would reccomend staying away from dropshipper sites where you have to pay a fee to see their prices, there are also a number of reputable sites, such asWorldwide Brands - which have an extensive directory of wholesalers and dropshippers. Remember! - many paid directories are scams. It’s not uncommon for users to pay for access only to find outdated links or links to sites asking for more money.

6. Trade shows – Tradeshows are an excellent place to find some of the best dropshippers although they are usually only for established retailers, so you’ll need to be able to show sales figures (unless your business has just started), business cards,ect . However, nothing beats talking to suppliers face to face.

When it comes down to it, like in any business there is no getting around the hours that good research requires. Taking shortcuts with your research only means you are more likely to lose out in the end – either because of a scam or because you haven’t found the best prices and are not making enough profit.

[JustCraig]

Interesting article. Some good points raised. Well done.

[u777]

very nice, particularly useful for newbies

[wholesaleguru87]

Thank you both for your feedback!

[Acetech]

There is some good points raised, though some dropshippers who charge are cheaper than ones who don't as they do not have to add quite as much of a percentage on but like the article says, research your suppliers first and with time and effort you would hopefully find what's right for you, though I will maintain that a supplier shouldn't necessarily be avoided solely because they charge a subscription.

Though you shouldn't really give the impression that you wrote it

1, It's in a different font to that used on the forum, so obviously pasted

2, It's blatently advertising worldwide brands as a paid supplier list

3, It's here right near the bottom of the page, that is unless you have anything to do with salehoo and you wrote theirs too?

Nice find though and it does have some good points!