Have you changed to a drop shipper but failed to get the results that you expected or were promised?
Well, you aren't alone.
Many eBay traders and online shop owners who have switched to a drop shipping supply chain management system have found that their customers often aren't getting goods on time, items are damaged or different to the ones listed and the sites they are using have been less than honest with them.
This doesn't mean that dropshipping is something you should avoid, but it does mean you can't just sit back and ignore supply chain management completely, there are still things you will need to do to get your dropship performer to meet your expectations.
Stock items guaranteed to make money in a dropshipping system
This may appear to be obvious but a surprising number of people let their heart rule over their head when choosing inventory, to the detriment of the business.
Profitable items are usually: cheap to buy, have a good mark-up price and can easily be freighted to customers.
Things like electronics and perfume fit this mold perfectly. When dealing with electronics you may also find that there is the added bonus of customers always wanting the latest products and upgrading frequently.
Drop products and suppliers that aren't performing well.
Monitoring a large number of things consecutively is difficult at the best of times, this is more so the case with dropship suppliers. It is far too lose focus and let a defective detective product slip through the cracks.
Cutting products on your list won't only eliminate problem items it will also help you focus marketing more.
The process of trimming inventory is fairly easy, all you need to do is to go through records and see what items are giving you trouble. Two places you might want to look are:
Customer correspondence
Inventory lists
Keep in contact your supplier and have an inventory of products
Letting anything run on autopilot in business is always a risky proposal. Drop shipping is a low maintenance supply chain management system but it isn't a no-maintenance supply chain management system.
Regularly go over records from your shopping basket to make sure they are being filled in a timely manner. When there's a problem get in contact with your dropshipper and find out what is going on. They are more likely to take more care of your customers if they can see that you care about them too.
Another security measure you may want to make is to keep a small inventory of goods on hand just in case a shipment is delayed. Good dropshippers will prevent customers being disappointed by things like product cancellations but some things, like the flash price crises in August of last year, can't be planned for. EBay traders who have a small inventory of stock will be able to carry on business regardless but dropship customers who don't risk the wrath of customers left waiting.
You may also want keep an eye on your dropshippers website to make sure the color, appearance or features of items listed on your store have not changed.
By tidying up loose ends with your inventory and practicing good maintenance techniques you should be able to watch your profits soar and your reputation strengthen.
Related Articles
The Dropship Beginners Guide
By: Rose Li | 21/03/2008 | Home Business
Find out about Dropshipping, the supply chain management method that has taken the e-commerce world by storm.
Dropshipping Will not Make you Money on Ebay
By: Christopher Bernard | 11/02/2008 | ECommerce
Dropshipping is being marketed as a great, easy way to make money on eBay. The truth is that dropshipping and eBay are a terrible mix that will not allow you to make any money.
How to Start an Ebay Dropshipping Business for Zero Dollars Out of Pocket
By: Jordan Milton | 28/05/2007 | Home Business
Is it possible to start a successful Ebay drop-shipping business for zero out of pocket? Yes, it is! The problem is that there are hundreds of supposed drop-shippers online and many so called "instant auction success kits" and all but two are useless. There are only two Ebay approved drop-shippers and joining either one is the first step to creating an Ebay work at home business drop-shipping business.
Wholesale Drop Shipping: How to Make Money From Home Using Ebay
By: Paul Buntrage | 09/11/2006 | Home Business
Ebay is one of the biggest Internet success stories in history, and it is still growing. Not only does it allow people to come to its website and bid upon items they want, it also allows people to open their own Ebay business and use online auctions to make money. Wholesale drop shipping is a great way to sell on Ebay virtually risk free.
Sourcing From Wholesale Dropship Companies, 10 Sites You Need to Visit
By: Rose Li | 05/07/2008 | Small Business
Phishing, Bad service, customer theft, delayed shipments, non-delivery of goods, credit card fraud PayPal scams, change of color, change of function cancellation of orders. With activities like these it's no wonder that sourcing new wholesale dropship suppliers is fraught with danger. Thankfully there's a few tools at your disposal to sort the star performers from the snake-oil salesmen and best of all they're largely free.
eBay Sellers: Here's A Few Dropshipping Secrets, Hints, & Tips To Help You Find A Dropshipper!
By: Chris Vendilli | 10/10/2006 | Home Business
There are a lot of considerations when searching for a reliable dropshipper. Here are a few things you should consider because if you fail to plan then you can plan to fail.
Is Drop-shipping a Real Business or Just Another Work at Home Scam?
By: Jordan Milton | 29/05/2007 | Home Business
If you have been researching work at home job opportunities than no doubt you have come across drop-shipping. Motivated individuals can build a successful eBay drop-shipping business with zero dollars out of pocket. But How?
Wholesale Dropship Vendors, Make Sure Your Customers Get Bang for Their Buck
By: Rose Li | 15/07/2008 | ECommerce
Are you an eBay trader or online shop owner? Do you get your products from a wholesale dropship company? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions then you need to read this article to find out how to best make your customer base loyal to you without causing any bad will.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
When I go into Manager Folders, I can't open any ...
By: momjanec444 | 12-07-2008
When I go into Manager Folders, I can't open any of them. Help, please. Jane
Help
By: Cindy | 09-07-2008
I need to know if anyone knows anything about H & C Heinrich China pattern #18013 Goldene Meldaille . I have some and can't find anything out about it.
IDeaS game save. HELP PLZ!!!
By: Gryvialle | 08-07-2008
how do i load my pokemon diamond sves on the iDeaS nds emulator? p.s. no i dont have no$gba because it doesnt work for me
DS emulator...clueless
By: Master_Tipero | 08-07-2008
How do I use a DS emulator?
DS emulator...clueless
By: Tony | 08-07-2008
How do you use a DS emulator?
Sheffield Anniversary China
By: Blanca | 06-07-2008
How can I find out what year my china was manufactured, and what the pattern number is? It is Sheffield of Japan; Anniversary pattern.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Home Business Articles
Yes, It Is Possible For A Home Business To Make Money
By: R.t. Markovsky | 26/07/2008
Now you can be ready to gain financial success and independence with a work-from-home business. All that is required is a strong, sound business plan and a solid work ethic.
Factors to Consider Before Starting Your Own Bokkeeping Business
By: Gary Goh | 26/07/2008
Starting your own bookkeeping business is one of the most profitable home based business. Not only that, you have the opportunity to turn your passion about bookkeeping into a full time business!
How Many Multiple Streams Of Income Do You Have
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
One thing appealing about making money on the Internet is the number of multiple streams of income you can create. Here are a few ideas about creating multiple streams of income.
Why Your Autoresponder Is Your Most Beloved Internet Tool
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
The real key to taking your Internet business to the next level is not to work harder or even longer, but rather the key is to be smarter about the work that you are doing. Let's look at how an autoresponder helps you do that.
4 Essential Article Marketing Strategies
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
Article marketing is no different than any other form of marketing on the Internet and that if you do it correctly you can be rewarded. Let's take a look at four essential article marketing strategies you must follow to get maximum benefit out of your articles.
How To Market Your Home Business Blogging
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
Do you currently have a blog of your own? If you don't, you should have because it can be a tremendous marketing tool for your home business! In this article, let's take a look at how you can use blogging to market your home business,
and make money too!
4 Ways To Make Money With Forum Marketing
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
Discussion forums have been an actual way for home business owners to cultivate relationships and make money. In this article let's talk about four ways to make money with form marketing.
5 Ways To Market A Home Business
By: David Ogden | 26/07/2008
Marketing a home business on the Internet generally comes down to time and money. Depending on your situation, you may have more than one than you do in the other. Let's talk about three ways you can market your business online to maximize the shortages.
More from Rose Li
Wholesale Mobile Phone Checklist, Why the Bigscreen TV Phone is our Favorite
By: Rose Li | 25/07/2008 | Cell Phones
If you mashed together a MP4 that'll play almost anything... a portable TV and a phone which worked almost anywhere, what would you get? You'd get the big screen TV phone the latest word in convergence to come out of China. Here's our checklist of reasons why we think you need to have this phone...
Wholesale Dropship Vendors, Make Sure Your Customers Get Bang for Their Buck
By: Rose Li | 15/07/2008 | ECommerce
Are you an eBay trader or online shop owner? Do you get your products from a wholesale dropship company? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions then you need to read this article to find out how to best make your customer base loyal to you without causing any bad will.
Sourcing From Wholesale Dropship Companies, 10 Sites You Need to Visit
By: Rose Li | 05/07/2008 | Small Business
Phishing, Bad service, customer theft, delayed shipments, non-delivery of goods, credit card fraud PayPal scams, change of color, change of function cancellation of orders. With activities like these it's no wonder that sourcing new wholesale dropship suppliers is fraught with danger. Thankfully there's a few tools at your disposal to sort the star performers from the snake-oil salesmen and best of all they're largely free.
Sourcing Wholesale Mobile Phones From China, How not to Get Stung
By: Rose Li | 16/06/2008 | Cell Phones
Are you thinking about getting into the wholesale mobile phone or mobile phone watch resale market but don't know where to start? Check out these insider tips and tricks on how to make sure the watches and cellphones from China that you source will be guaranteed to make you money and keep your customers happy
Wholesale Mobile Phones, 7 Reasons Why They're Great for Resale
By: Rose Li | 10/06/2008 | Cell Phones
Is buying and selling iPhones and Nokia phones getting increasingly hard online? Then you can't afford to miss this article on an upcoming market for wholesale mobile phones.
Giving Gadget Gifts, Take the Pain Out of Shopping for Dad
By: Rose Li | 25/05/2008 | Gifts
Are you in the market for a present for your father? Don't just get him the same thing this year that you got him last year. Read this article and discover a gift that he is sure to remember forever.
Are You Reading This at Work? Your Boss May be Too!
By: Rose Li | 29/04/2008 | Ethics
Do you think your boss knows more about you then they can learn from employee files? Is that surveillance camera for intruders or for you? Read this article to find out how your employer spies on you at work and what you can do about it.
Spy Surveillance Cameras, Trading Information for Sales
By: Rose Li | 19/04/2008 | Home Business
Are you selling spy surveillance cameras and spy gadgets online? Would you like to sell more items and build up a larger customer base? You need to read this article on how to market yourself better as a surveillance camera expert.
Business 
