Most everyone has heard of wholesale, the more you buy at one time the better deal you get on the price.
How many pallets of any one item do you think it takes to stock all the Wal-mart stores. They buy tons of products at one time. That is one of the reasons they are able to offer such good prices. But they also use dropshippers. I know this by means of deduction. They have some of the same items on their website as I have on mine, but they do not have these same items in their store. Why would Wal-mart uses dropshippers if they can just buy it at wholesale and save money. It is because they are making money on items they have not even purchased yet, and if the item doesn't sell they are not out money either. It can be a very lucrative way to make money if you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to run an online store. This method requires very very little money, no in house inventory, just your time.
Some say that companies like Amway, Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware are dropshippers but they fall along the lines of affiliate sales more than dropshipping. With droppshipping you set your own price (with an exception of MAP pricing in which case you have to set the price at least the MAP price, but you can make it more.) and you are not designated a certain sales area, the market is wide open to you.
So What Is Dropshipping And Who Is Doing It?
A dropshipper can be a manufacturer, a wholesaler or a broker, they have a product they want to sell. And they agree to sell you products at wholesale prices, one at a time instead of by the pallet, and ship the items to your customer with your business information included and not their information. And they are not going to charge you for the items until you order one and tell them where to ship it.
I have compiled a list of drop shippers (list is below) for anyone interested in starting an online retail shop or doing catalog sales. All the dropshippers in the list below are in the USA and are ones I would use and may still. I will be adding to the list from time to time so come back often and see who else has been added.
Maybe you might even want to be a dropshipper! Do you have anything you want thirty or forty people selling for you? Maybe you make something or buy wholesale. You wouldn't be able to charge retail prices, but you would have more sales.
So How Does Dropshipping Work?
You find a dropshipper who has products you want to sell online or in a catalog. Research the dropshipper to make sure they are legitimate. There are quite a few who are not legitimate. Start by goggling "their name" + scam and see what comes up. Set up an account with the dropshipper you have found and then the dropshipper will provide you with pictures and description of items for you to place in your online store or catalog. When an order is placed with you by your customer, the customer pays you for the item through your website or maybe your catalog. (You won't actually get your money immediately from your sale, but in a couple of days depending on which shopping cart (paypal, google checkout, etc..) you have, but this is true for any merchant who lets the customer use anything but cash). Once you receive an order for an item you go to the drop shipper and purchase that item from the drop shipper and they send that item to your customer with your information on the shipping label and/or the shipping invoice (invoice will not show the price you paid).
Do not pay anyone to join their program! It is okay to pay a small drop ship fee when you place an order. This helps the dropshipper pay his staff to pack and ship the items for you.
Be sure to read all information associated with each drop shipper. They are not all the same. Some will not let you sell on auction sites, some encourage it. Some have MAP pricing (minimum advertised pricing, you must sell item for at least the MAP price) some don't. Returns, Shipping, etc., be sure you understand what is required from each drop shipper you contract with, before you make a sell.
List of Dropshippers:
Advertisement Products
http://wwwchoicepromotionalproducts.com/resale.html promotional items, t-shirts, cup, pens, koozies, calenders, wedding invitations, etc.
http://www.giftbasketdropshipping.com/info.html gift baskets
Automotive
http://mimousa.com/ one of the biggest suppliers to the automotive industry for aftermarket accessories.
http://www.yarkuza.com/Default.aspx This is the new web site for mimousa.com one of the biggest suppliers to the automotive industry for aftermarket accessories.
http://www.wholesalecarcovers.com/Drop%20Ship%20Progra.html covers for car, trucks,suv, bike, rv, limo, snowmobile
Babies & Kids Stuff
Bar Products
http://www.newyorkbarstore.com quality bar supplies and products for the home bar and commercial bars, restaurant supplies.
Bedding and Linens
HungarianGooseDown.com pillows, comforters, storage bags, bulk down
Innomax.com Beds (air, memory, innercoil, natural, fluid), Power beds, sheets, comforters, mattress pads, etc.
Kimlor.com Comforter Sets, Futon Covers, Daybed Covers, Sheet Sets
SoftLinens.com Comforters, Sheets, Pillows and Towels
Bikers
http://atomicscooter.com/dropshipping.html scooters, ATVs, dirt bikes
http://www.bamxusa.com/drop-ship/ ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Pit Bikes, UTVs, Accessories and parts
http://www.bikerdropship.com/ helmets, chaps, saddlebags, t-shirts, skull caps, boots, just about everything you could want biker
http://www.x-tremescooters.com/services/become_dealer.html electric and gas scooters, electric and gas mopeds, mobility scooter, underwater sea scooter, pocket bikes, parts and more
Clothing and Accessories
Berrydog.com Swim suits
http://soseyewear.com/dropship.html Survival Optics Sunglasses®
http://www.wmsclothing.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi clothing and accessories
Electronics
dbldistributing.com electronics, small appliances, etc. No Selling on Ebay, CraigsList, Amazon, etc.
RCHobbyExplosion.com Remote Controlled Airplanes, Helicopters, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Motorcycles
Exercise Equipment
http://www.net2malls.com
Fireplace
AndersonMantels.com Anderson Mantels is a leading manufacturer of a hand carved solid mahogany mantels
WholesaleDropshipDirect.com collegiate stainless steel, copper and cast iron fire pits, etc.
Woodeze.com fireplaces, stoves, fireplace accessories, fire pits, BBQ pits, wood racks, etc.
Food and Beverages
ChocolatesByMark.com Gourmet Chocolate
Furniture
AllThingsCedar.com Patio and Garden Furniture (scroll to bottom of page for drop ship info.)
AndersonTeak.com Teak Furniture for Outdoor Living.
Even though I couldn't find anything that says they dropship, if you look at the site map on the bottom there is a link to log in for dropship clients
CasualDecorByKaven.com Outdoor Furniture (Hand-woven UV resistant synthetic wicker)
InternationalCaravan.com Indoor and Outdoor Furniture
Padma'sPlantation.com cutting-edge indoor and outdoor furniture and accessory designs that call to mind a relaxed island vacation
Pangaeahomeandgarden.com Indoor and Outdoor
RusticCedar.com Indoor and Outdoor Furniture
Scoberco.com Wicker Furniture
Vifah.com Wood Patio Furniture and plastic composite deck tiles
WholesaleDropshipDirect.com Teak Furniture, etc.
Golf
http://www.bellgolf.com/ golf clubs, accessories, components
http://www.edangolf.com/page.html?id=19 golf clubs, golf gear, golf bags, womens, left hand
http://www.uprightgolf.com/upright_golf_affiliates.html golf products teeing devices, putters & grips, ball retrievers, practice aids, single rider carts, etc.
Health and Wellness
http://www.bfcshop.net/drop-ship wellness products
Home and Garden
http://anaturalhome.com/ Amish furniture, organic bedding, organic and vegan latex mattresses
http://andersonmantels.com/Dealer.htm a leading manufacturer of a hand carved solid mahogany mantels
http://www.atozstoresonline.com/ major appliances, small appliances, solar products, pond products, bedding, cell phone and accessories and more
http://www.befurnished.com/wholesale.asp teak outdoor patio and garden furniture
CrystalQuest.com Water Filter Systems and filters
http://www.flowers-by-design.com/ silk flowers, artificial plants and trees, floral accessories and more
http://www.fountainfactory.com/polices.asp natural stone fountains
http://hazelonlinemall.com/programdetails.aspx quality grandfather and cuckoo clocks
http://hollandbarstool.com/content.asp?PageName=Aboutus bar stools
http://www.kimlor.com/global/wholesale-drop-ship.asp bedding and home textiles
http://www.mastervisions.com etched glass home decor and living room furniture
http://picnictime.com/application.php innovative picnic products
https://www.poshpelts.com/wanttosell.htm beautiful faux fur throw blankets and pillows
http://stealthwholesale.com/ Garden, solar lighting, electronics, welding tools, etc.
http://tgmg-glass.com/account_set_up.html fine romania glassware
http://tribalmonsoon.com/TM_Resellers.html#dropship a unique collection of luxury bedding, handmade bedroom furniture, and unique home decor
http://www.veratexinc.com/Index.cfm?page=api/learnmore.cfm bedding ensembles and bath accessories
https://www.villagewroughtiron.com/dropship_info/ wide range of wrought iron products
http://www.wholesale-interiors.com/ furniture for home office, commercial, hotel, restaurant, residential
http://woodeze.com/ fireplaces & stoves, outdoor fire pits, bar-be-que pits, wood racks, lawn and garden, home furnishings, etc. Requires MAP on some items.
Home Decor
http://www.abcglassware.com/pages.php?pID=2&CDpath=1&keywords=drop%20ship
glass vases, wedding decor and gifts
http://cujosinc.com/ aromatherapy, candles, dream catchers, garden decor, household items, Tiffany styled lamps, novelty lamps, novelty rugs, etc.
http://www.elmsgiftswholesale.com/default.php home decor, garden, biker, water fountains, knives, picture frames, novelties, jewelry, just about everything
http://giftdropship.com/main.sc home decor, electric fireplaces, Tiffany styled lamps, Luggage, fireplace screens, stained glass panels, watches, clocks, etc.
http://www.iwgac.com/ gifts and collectibles
http://koehlerhomedecor.com/wholesale-home-decor.html home decor, garden decor, fountains, solar decor, etc. lots of categories.
http://www.moteng.com/ knives, public safety, lights, apparel, outdoor, kitchen cutlery, gifts & accessories
http://treasuretraders.us/index.php?main_page=page_3 this one is a discount club, monthly fee
http://www.vistawholesale.com/Free_Dropshipping_s/36.htm neon signs, novelty rugs, LED flashlights, fleece blankets, dream catchers, oil warmers, knives, rubber band bracelets
Pet Supplies
https://affordableagility.com/ dog agility obstacles, tunnels, chutes, weave poles, etc.
http://alexiscreationsonline.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3&zenid=91e35e49370361b8f988836cdb121bb8 designer dog clothes
ChowTimeProductions.com Personalized dog and cat bowl, treat jars and urns
DoggieDesigner.com Dog clothing, hair accessories, collars, etc.
http://lncpetsupply.com/ everything for Birds, Cats and Dogs
http://petgiftsinternational.com/wholesalesignup.htm fashionable pet carriers, bags, handbags and luggage
Sportsman
http://www.greyeagletrader.com/drop-shipping.htm knives, swords, weapons, self-defense, jewelry, camping and more
http://greensupply.com/fulfillment.asp everything for the sportsman
click on link, scroll to bottom of page to read and sign up for drop shipping
http://www.moteng.com/ knives, public safety, lights, apparel, outdoor, kitchen cutlery, gifts & accessories
http://www.raxusa.com/ skate, surf, action sports and beach products
http://wholesalesurvivalkits.com/users.php?mode=userinfo survival kits, survival products and long term food storage
Tools
http://www.dropshippertools.com/ tools for home, garden, contractor, mechanic, etc.
http://www.jchstools.com/
Variety of Products
Shopzeus.com
bnfusa.com hundreds of high quality items .
I used this dropshipper to purchase some things for myself and I was impressed with the speed of delivery and the quality of products.
FAQ
If you have a question, please post and I will try to answer for you.
Today I read a post that asked "If you have an ecommerce web store what happens to your business when you go on vacation?"
My answer to this is "As long as you have an internet connection you will not be out of touch with your business. Just be sure to take all log-in information with you and you will be able to operate your business from anywhere. If you don't want to or are not able to do this then you can put your store on hold while you are away."
SEO For Your Website
If you want to start your own website, be it retail or any other kind, you need good search engine optimization in order for people to find you. It doesn't do any good to have a website if no one knows it exist. So I've made a list of useful websites that can help you learn how to make your SEO the best it can be.
There is useful free webmaster tools to be used to submit your URL to search engines, analyze keyword strength, meta tag generator, keyword density and more.
http://www.addme.com/ free submission, meta tag generator, keyword density, broken link checker, link popularity, and many articles on website SEO
http://www.submitexpress.com/ free webmaster tools include; free submission, keyword analyzer, link popularity check, keyword suggestion tool, keyword traffic estimator, seo dictionary, meta tags generator, PageRank checker, page snooper, broken link checker, link counter, reciprocal link checker, plus lots of good articles on ranking well on search engines.
SonicRun.com
Free SEO Tools
Search Engine Submission - AddMe
