Hi guys,
I am new to Salehoo, and I too have had a similar problem. My challenge has been to find a good dropshipping supplier/provider/platform who is:
1. Reputable,
2. Has good prices from which I can make a profit with good margins.
3. One who also provides great integration, or the tools to automate inventory management, automate product import/export, price management, even possibly order management.
Because those automation tools can help you scale up quickly, while saving time to focus on other things in your business.
So my challenge has been to find this kind of platform at a really affordable price. Marc, does that kind of platform exist, whether here at SaleHoo or outside?
Hi Authur,
This is really hard to give a yes or no answer to as it all really depends on your own perspective. For example, something like good prices. What are you comparing their prices against?
If you are comparing a dropship price against, let's say an ebay seller who is buying in large wholesale volume to get the best possible price, then selling at a heavily reduced price to maintain their market control as tightly as possible, then you're not comparing apples with apples.
See my point?
I think this is where most people get into trouble, they look at a price and then go straight into ebay and compare it, not really knowing anything about the supplier they are comparing the price with. The simple answer with dropship vs wholesale in regards to price in a market like ebay, when stacked up product vs product, dropship stands virtually no chance whatsoever. That just comes down to basic business fundamentals, those that invest more into business by way of stock, get better prices that then allow them to supply at much more competitive prices.
I've written about bundles being an avenue that dropshippers may want to consider, but the easiest way to compete on ebay or sites like it, stay away from trying to compete against sellers buying in volume. So that will usually take car of all the hot selling items, that's dominated by wholesale products at reduced margins because sellers are making their money through turn over.
There are areas that aren't dominated by big turnover wholesale products, in my opinion they are the product areas any dropshipper should focus their attention on.
In regards to reputation, then I would say that is absolutely possible (here in SaleHoo or outside) But in regards to other points you inquire about, then they are really grey areas, very subjective and very difficult for me to comment on. with any sort of informative response.