We all know how competitive eBay and likes like it are, especially for dropshipping. So you always need to be looking for something that will give you an edge over your rivals.
BUNDLING
A bundling technique is more commonly used when trying to nego a purchase deal on multiple items. For example, the seller wants $20 a piece for an item, but has 6 in total. So you make a bundled offer, instead of buying one, you take multiple at a reduced unit price, perhaps 3 for $50 and so on.
Well this bundling technique works both ways, it can also be an effective marketing tool. Let's take jewellery as an example, you are dropshipping a ring, what you can then do is add complimenting items such as ear rings, bracelet and so on. The idea being, that you are making your margin on the ring only, then selling the other bundled options at cost.
What this does is add value for a customer, if they bought each item individually then it would cost them more than buying in the bundle. I think it's always also a good idea to have the bundled items for sale individually as their normal price as well as this then can serve as a marketing tool to show how much better value this deal is.
Most people love a bargain and even if they didn't come in looking for all the added accessories, only the ring, a lot will still get hooked on the value and purchase the deal. They might keep them, give to family or friends, even try to resell individually themselves.
There are some tricks to pulling off the technique, mostly the items as to compliment each other. Throwing a used truck tyre, with a diamond ring and a pair of torn jeans, probably isn't going to get most people's attention, so you have to bundle carefully and don't get carried away with the amount you bundle, it's easy to over complicate and actually turn the customer off buying.
My suggestion, minimum 3 things , maximum 5. With 5 items, you may find that you can make margin on 2, possibly 3 and still be offering serious hard to turn down value by keeping the other two or three at cost. It works best if you are buying from the same dropshipper because of course all the products arrive at the same time and you don't get an angry customer wanting to know where the other items are, but from a cost effective view point, your dropshipper may well provide a shipping discount, so another bonus to you!
I've used jewellery as an example, but have a think about the genre you deal in and what type of bundles you could put together, it might just open up a completely new sales avenue for you!