I am getting so fed up with my suppliers again this year. Only 2 of the (about) 10 that I use are reliable when it comes to keeping distributors updated on product availability. The rest just don't seem to care. Of the 10 most recent orders I have gotten, 5 of those turned out to be for items that are no longer available (which I did not find out until I went to order them). I try to stay on top and check over products about every 4-6 weeks, but it seems hopeless. I can literally check one day and the next that item will be gone. Or, in today's instance, the suppliers site is showing the product available (the same as when I placed the order 3 weeks ago) BUT it is actually out of stock and won't be in before Christmas (it is a tree skirt). I am now trying frantically to find someone who physically stocks this item and get it for my customer. This is not only bad for our reputation, but it is literally costing me money every time I have to process a CC transaction. XX amount for the original sale and XX for the refund to be processed. <sigh> I may just shut down next year, at the holidays, and take a vacation.
Where are you finding your suppliers? I have had a lot of luck with WorldWide Brands. Check them out if you are still interested in doing the drop ship business plan as it is worth the investment. Good luck, Kim
Sucks you are having difficulties with your suppliers.. I've heard good info for World Wide Brands.. In the process of researching dropshipping myself..
I may have to give them a try. I have been going directly to the supplier and bypassing the "middleman".
whatever you do dont dropship from online dropshipping companys, they are middlemen. Just do a bit of local research, most good dropshipping companys "best products and low prices" down have websites and are all over the world
Yeah its a well know common problem to those involve in dropshipper biz And they show it have stock but they are out of stock is because they want to make their shop complete with many thing.There are many way to check for it such as only deal with reputable company only.And avoid new and only establish company at all cost.
I am surprised that you are not being contacted by other potential drop shippers for your company. I get solicitations all of the time from potential drop shippers who find my ecommerce site and want to supply me with product. Perhaps your niche is too small for that, but I am still surprised.
They are DSDI and Sunrise wholesale. IWDSC is another, but their updates are not as complete and reliable as the other two.
I’m not in the electronics industry so maybe this is a little off base. In my opinion if a customer orders something off your site and doesn’t get it in a timely manner they don’t care who is actually shipping them the product. If it takes them to long to get their product even though it’s coming from someone else the customer gets pissed at you and that reflect negatively on you. The solution, bite the bullet and stock your most popular items. That way you can preserve your reputation and ensure your customer gets their product fast. As you get bigger and bigger stock more items.
In a perfect world, I would do this. Unfortunately, I have neither the room nor the money to stock items. That is why I am using Drop Shippers.
After further problems with the vendor I originally posted about, it happened again. They leave products on their site that are no longer available. I have since removed all of their products from the website and would strongly encourage everyone to stay away from CWI (Craft Wholesalers).
It is a very common problem with dropshipper's but the best way I have found to deal with the problem is to not use them anymore at the first sign of problems. It isn't the easiest solution but in my experience after the first problem it usually happens again and again. Save yourself the trouble and stop using them. I have heard good things about Worldwide Brands when I tried their product I found that I could have easily found the suppliers myself with a little bit of research. Any product I was considering selling there was also considerable competition from other dropshippers. The best way to find reliable dropshippers is to determine what you are going to sell, then look for someone who will dropship the product. I have had great success by emailing manufacturers and asking if they dropship.
This is exactly why I can't handle the task. Even if they show having it in stock.. or they do have it in stock, sometimes we can't get our own publishing updated quick enough. No way could I endure the anxiety of the merchant showing it in stock, me selling it, then really they had none. I would expect that kind of malfunction on my end only, not the dropshipper. I think you've made a very positive move in calling this out and changing your path!