Tags |
|
|
Links |
|
|
Digg it UP - Drop Shipping Business: How to Do It Right and Avoid Getting Scammed
I started using the internet in 1990, and the web in 1994. I remember when Yahoo! was only 1 page, and it was believed that there were only 100 web pages in the world. Companies were hiring html developers (with 5 - 7 years experience of course), and domain names were free.I've owned my domain name for almost 9 years now. At one time, there was no such thing as "cybersquating", "typo domains", etc. Now its and issue that many of us have to deal with at any time or another.I've discovered that people will resort to great lengths to protect their identity once they've squatted on a domain, but there are many tools to track down the truth about who they are.How Squattors Hide - Fake Registration Info One tactic I found used is that squattors will use fake registration information to hide the true owner of a domain name. I found one "company" that owned hundreds of domain names, many of large corporations, but registered each one using a different mailing address and a different name. Many of the names were silly like "Arthur Arthurson", but the company erred by listing all of its domains on l
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are
Don't be put off by cold callersAt first glance promotional pens printed with your company logo, name or contact details can seem quite expensive. If you have been approached by a company offering to supply you these goods, the prices are usually quite high. But consider that they are leaving room to offer you a discount and are also probably offering you a higher end range, then a quick bit of shopping around can produce something that's much cheaper.There's a good range of inexpensive optionsPlenty of charities, surveys and the likes are happy to give out free pens whenever they send out their mailings. These are usually the cheapest pens on the market and could be a good place to start. From just a few pennies each, including having your details printed on the pen, with a little imagination they can be great for getting your details over to the public.Obviously, if you are advertising a high class business, then the basic stick ballpen might not be quite the right image, but you can quickly find better looking pens, without having to spend a small fortune.But why pensGiving o
It's called drop shipping. Simply put, a drop shipper is a distributor that will ship products in single units directly to your customer in your name. The purpose of this article is not to convince you to start a drop shipping business but to give you pointers on how to start right and avoid common pitfalls.
The Beauty of Drop Shipping
One of the greatest challenges for people interested in starting a home business is where to find products to sell. If you don't have thousands of dollars to invest in products and storage and want to avoid the hyper-competitive business of information products, or the dreaded multi-level business, drop shipping might be the answer.
The most obvious advantages of drop shipping include: you never have to deal with the headaches of warehousing, packaging and shipping, and you don't tie down your limited financial resources in inventory.
Other advantages are: no leftovers, you can change or add products easily and instantly, and no limitations as to what you can sell. Plus, you get to use your customers' money to run your business and "carry" brand-name products and look big. Is this cool or what?
The Dark Side of Drop Shipping
Beware. While drop shipping business may be simple, finding a true, reliable drop shipper is not. Scam companies lurk, ready to relieve you of your hard-earned money, or profit from your hard work.
For starters, some "drop shippers" are just middle-men who contact the real drop shipper when you place an order. They use you as their salesperson, so you use your money and time to find customers, and cut into your profit.
Others are fly-by-night operations. They will take your money and disappear. In short, scam.
Once I responded to an impressive full-page ad in a business magazine. The advertiser claimed to be drop shippers, and even promising help through support and business advice. To cut a long story short, the "drop shipper" rarely delivered my orders as promised and in many instances I had to re-order elsewhere and absorb the losses to avoid disappointing my customers.
Later I found out that the company was not the real drop shipper, when I discovered their source.
A few years ago, an eBay™ Powerseller (someone who sells a lot on eBay™) was in the news. Having sold a number of high-ticket items at an online auction, he then paid a drop shipper to deliver them. Imagine his agony when the company suddenly closed down without delivering his orders, or refunding his money!
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are
It’s amazing where you can find hidden revenue when you take a moment to look around your business. Many businesses are losing revenue because of their phone system, whether you have multiple lines, or a home phone, no matter. Either can easily lose you money.YOUR PHONE SYSTEM Recently I’ve called a couple of clients’ phone systems. In several instances I was trapped in a queue. It was frustrating. I don’t necessarily have a problem with queues that prompt me to “press #1 for the children’s department” or “press #5 for Dr. Smith” rather, I get frustrated when I follow your recording instructions and I get no where! Thus, I hang up resulting in missed revenue.LESSON Call into your phone system at least once a week, no less, even if you have only one home phone line with voice mail. Call into it. Is it still working? Has your greeting suddenly disappeared? Is there even a dial-tone? Has the line been cut? Did you leave your phone plugged into your fax? Is your receptionist still pleasant or has he suddenly become fed up with his job, grumbling at callers?If business suddenly drops off for no reason, always look
The most obvious advantages of drop shipping include: you never have to deal with the headaches of warehousing, packaging and shipping, and you don't tie down your limited financial resources in inventory.
Other advantages are: no leftovers, you can change or add products easily and instantly, and no limitations as to what you can sell. Plus, you get to use your customers' money to run your business and "carry" brand-name products and look big. Is this cool or what?
The Dark Side of Drop Shipping
Beware. While drop shipping business may be simple, finding a true, reliable drop shipper is not. Scam companies lurk, ready to relieve you of your hard-earned money, or profit from your hard work.
For starters, some "drop shippers" are just middle-men who contact the real drop shipper when you place an order. They use you as their salesperson, so you use your money and time to find customers, and cut into your profit.
Others are fly-by-night operations. They will take your money and disappear. In short, scam.
Once I responded to an impressive full-page ad in a business magazine. The advertiser claimed to be drop shippers, and even promising help through support and business advice. To cut a long story short, the "drop shipper" rarely delivered my orders as promised and in many instances I had to re-order elsewhere and absorb the losses to avoid disappointing my customers.
Later I found out that the company was not the real drop shipper, when I discovered their source.
A few years ago, an eBay™ Powerseller (someone who sells a lot on eBay™) was in the news. Having sold a number of high-ticket items at an online auction, he then paid a drop shipper to deliver them. Imagine his agony when the company suddenly closed down without delivering his orders, or refunding his money!
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are
Choosing when to leave corporate world to strike out on your own, is a very dicey decision to say the least. It reminds me of the decisions friends were making twenty or so years ago, about having children or not. Waiting until you think you can afford children, will pretty much exclude you from ever having any. Likewise, waiting ntil you can afford to leave the corporate world, where things are relatively safe and secure, might also exclude you from ever doing that as well. It only complicates things if you are starting up a venture that is unrelated to your present line of work. How will you know? How will you even have a clue, about the potential success of a dream venture?The Internet can make things simpler, and I will tell you about my path of leaving a job I had held, and hated for the most part, of nineteen years. A job that provided me and my family, health care, generous vacation, and an honest to goodness old fashioned pension. And left me with an ever growing feeling that I had sold out my entire life for these securities and my natural fear of risk. Indeed, it always came down to health care, and not for me but m
The Dark Side of Drop Shipping
Beware. While drop shipping business may be simple, finding a true, reliable drop shipper is not. Scam companies lurk, ready to relieve you of your hard-earned money, or profit from your hard work.
For starters, some "drop shippers" are just middle-men who contact the real drop shipper when you place an order. They use you as their salesperson, so you use your money and time to find customers, and cut into your profit.
Others are fly-by-night operations. They will take your money and disappear. In short, scam.
Once I responded to an impressive full-page ad in a business magazine. The advertiser claimed to be drop shippers, and even promising help through support and business advice. To cut a long story short, the "drop shipper" rarely delivered my orders as promised and in many instances I had to re-order elsewhere and absorb the losses to avoid disappointing my customers.
Later I found out that the company was not the real drop shipper, when I discovered their source.
A few years ago, an eBay™ Powerseller (someone who sells a lot on eBay™) was in the news. Having sold a number of high-ticket items at an online auction, he then paid a drop shipper to deliver them. Imagine his agony when the company suddenly closed down without delivering his orders, or refunding his money!
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are
If you are ready to turn your business dreams into business reality (even if you think you are dreaming of the impossible), then read on.As an Attraction Marketing Coach, I passionately coach clients that they can have what they want in their business. Whether you want to attract clients, ideas or money into your business doesn’t matter as much as what you desire.In order to get what you want, you must have a concise, clear and focused vision AND believe without a doubt that you can have it. Step into the vision fully. I know it sounds simple, but this is where most of my clients fall off their game.Let me coach you around this … If you want, but don’t believe. When you want something, but don’t believe it as a reality, you get endless wanting. That is one reason that coaches say, “Create ‘I am’ statements.: This means state what you want as if you are already experiencing it. “I am a poised, intellectual equal.” This is an “I am” statement that builds confidence for networking and speaking engagements.If you Believe, but don't want. When you be
Once I responded to an impressive full-page ad in a business magazine. The advertiser claimed to be drop shippers, and even promising help through support and business advice. To cut a long story short, the "drop shipper" rarely delivered my orders as promised and in many instances I had to re-order elsewhere and absorb the losses to avoid disappointing my customers.
Later I found out that the company was not the real drop shipper, when I discovered their source.
A few years ago, an eBay™ Powerseller (someone who sells a lot on eBay™) was in the news. Having sold a number of high-ticket items at an online auction, he then paid a drop shipper to deliver them. Imagine his agony when the company suddenly closed down without delivering his orders, or refunding his money!
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are
For years I've been fortunate enough to be able to be on the radio two times a week. A local morning team on the number one morning show in town have me on each Monday and Wednesday for about 5 minutes each time.As a marriage and family therapist, it's a fantastic way to market my private practice.Many people have asked me why in the world I drive over there twice a week. I usually respond by asking them do they know how much it would cost to buy 10 minutes of advertising on the radio each week?Advantages of appearing on the radioThere are several advantages to being on the radio as a therapist:1. It ups your expert-ability - When you are on the air, you are automatically seen as an expert. Listeners figure that the station would not have you on if you did not know what you were talking about.2. You reach a larger audience - When you give a presentation to a group, you are limited to reaching only those in the room. When you are on the radio, you can reach an almost unlimited number of listeners.3. Listeners quickly come to know, like and trust you - When you give
I once paid a $100 "dealer fee" to another "drop shipper". I received a pretty catalogue, but which probably cost pennies a copy to mass-print. When I went back to order, the website had disappeared without trace. At least all I lost was the dealer fee. Others might not have been as "lucky".
Back-ordering is another big concern in this type of business, especially with hot items. If you are selling a product quickly and easily chances are, someone also else is. Since it's a hot item, you and others are ordering several at the same time. Soon the product runs out of stock and you have to wait for the next shipment. Meanwhile your customers are screaming for their orders.
Okay, But Can You Make Money with Drop Shipping?
Can you make money with drop shipping? Yes and no. What do I mean? Well, as with any business, drop shipping will only work if you work and apply age-old principles of service, common sense, knowledge and a dose of wisdom. It is not a magic pill to make your money problems disappear. Sorry if I just busted your bubble.
Some eBay™ Powersellers, Internet marketers, and top mail order companies operate on drop shipping and are selling like crazy and making six-figure incomes, even multi-millions. Drop shipping works, big-time.
It is simple (and I don't mean easy). Find the right drop shipper(s). Decide what products to sell, find a way to let people know what you have to offer (examples; through eBay™, running ads, building a website etc.) and you could be on your way to an enviable lifestyle.
It does take some homework, and that word that gives most people the creeps: testing. But you must have right product supplier(s) to start with.
Finding a Good Drop Shipper
There's a hard way and an easy way to find a good, reliable drop shipper.
The hard way is, do your own research. Attend trade exhibitions and/or call or write manufacturers and distributors, and negotiate drop shipping terms. Used to large-scale buyers, most will just not be interested.
You could also use search engines and/or trade publications. In both cases you may have to weed through the dozens or hundreds of companies one at a time. Fine, if you have the time (and patience).
The easy (and quicker way) has two options. First option: talk to a friend who does it and who is willing to tell you his/her secrets and possibly become a competitor.
The second option and one most favored is to find the research done and ready for you to use, for a nominal fee. Where to find this?
The answer is, a reputable drop shipper's directory. Why?
Because, with a reputable drop shipper's directory, you get a large database of verified, updated and tested drop shippers, all ready for you to use. Also, you get a wide selection of products to choose from, so you can pick a line of products to specialize in and avoid hyper-competitive ones.
What to Look For in a Drop Shipper
When shopping for a drop shipper, look for one who will ship small orders, especially if you're just starting out as you will likely not have many orders.
Also important
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.diggitup.net/article/68933/diggitup-Drop-Shipping-Business-How-to-Do-It-Right-and-Avoid-Getting-Scammed.html">Drop Shipping Business: How to Do It Right and Avoid Getting Scammed</a>
BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.diggitup.net/article/68933/diggitup-Drop-Shipping-Business-How-to-Do-It-Right-and-Avoid-Getting-Scammed.html]Drop Shipping Business: How to Do It Right and Avoid Getting Scammed[/url]
Related Articles:
Make 2007 Your Business' Fastest Growing Year Yet With Asset Finance
Are You Prepared for a Disaster?
Stand Up For Yourself - Give Shifty eBay Customers Their Own Back!
Bookmark it:
|