Hi Giuls,
You're not alone in your frustration, I know it's something that many of us go through when starting out and trying to get yourself established.
The liquidation market does offer some opportunities, but you are 100% correct to be extremely careful when dealing in that surplus market. Really important to deal with a company that does have a solid reputation, and even then you have to ask 127 question before deciding to go with a load.
Liquidators have a range of loads, starting from complete salvage, and moving up through insurance write-offs, customer returns and so on, right up to brand new master cased goods.
Of course the prices are set to reflect the quality of merchandise they are selling, at least that is how the prices should be set, and that's why it's important to only deal with a company that has a good reputation.
Sounds like you really are pushed for time, but things like weekend yard sales can be a great source for bargain priced second hand goods, and even better if you know how to talk a good deal.
Drop Shipping is the quickest and easiest way to get started with low or now cash flow, but it can often be one of the hardest to get established in, just depending on the products you are trying to sell, and the market you are selling into.
eBay + Drop Shipping + no experience in this game can equal a very hard time finding your feet. That's simply because of the sheer market size and the competitiveness of it Thousands and thousands of people entering the market everyday, and most choosing Drop Shipping to do it, and most choosing eBay as the marketplace.
Keep your head up Giuls, it's not an easy business to be in, in fact one of the hardest that I have ever been in, and I've had a few business ventures in my time lol, but it's the same as any business, takes good effective planning, and the ability to implement those plans, and a HUGE dose of luck along the way never hurts: )