Quick question

[WOW]

I didn't know where to post this and hoping someone more experienced might know the answer....

What is the difference between a regular vendor and a vendor that is 'drop-ship'? What are the pros and cons - only pls - as far as product quality by purchasing from a 'drop-ship' company, if anyone has noticed any difference?

I was reading somewhere off ECF, although 'drop ship' is associated to huge and decades running businesses with no problems, that when it comes to e-cigs it's a 'taboo' label. I'm trying to understand why that might have been authored to begin with and if it's a real cause for concern or possibly something published by by the anti-vapor crowd to cause worry.

Sorry, I didn't keep the link but it was on a news site vs a blog, afik. If I can locate the link, I'll post it but hoping someone can help clarify this. I don't understand the difference in the first place but if it's published again, I'd certainly like to know enough to e-mail the news source. It seems like an attempt to diss vaping since larger stores selling other products don't have consumer problems. Just don't want to be a ..... for lack of understanding when I e-mail the author and/or post in the comments section.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum. Please delete it if it's in the wrong place and/or direct me to correct forum!! (it seems such a basic topic that I missed when I joined ECF, I'm quite embarrassed that I don't know the answer )

TIA

 

[banjo]

A vendor that uses drop shipping has only a "store front" - no stock. He takes your order and it is shipped by someone else. When he takes your order, he deducts his 20% or so, and forwards the order to the real supplier, who drop ships the order to the customer, usually with a return label from the person who took the order. I wouldn't do business with this type of "supplier".

 

[WOW]

A vendor that uses drop shipping has only a "store front" - no stock. He takes your order and it is shipped by someone else. When he takes your order, he deducts his 20% or so, and forwards the order to the real supplier, who drop ships the order to the customer, usually with a return label from the person who took the order. I wouldn't do business with this type of "supplier".

thanks for explaining this. ---- Banjo, have to ask why you wouldn't work with a drop ship "supplier" and what the quotes around supplier means.

I really have a blind side regarding this. I wiki'ed it and places like Sears or other reputable merchandisers that offer catalog shopping, use drop ship on catalog orders. I'm sort of understanding but not. I got worse to no service looking for info on Janty from the Janty website than from vendors that resell Janty stuff. How do you know the difference when most everything is made in China with totally explosive shipping times and costs?

I am so lost on this topic.

 

[BobTheKlown]

Ok, it comes down to the definition of 'drop shipping' a 'drop ship' vendor would be one, like Banjo pointed out, who isn't a supplier in their own right, they're a middle man, just taking a cut of your money then ordering the product and having it shipped to you, instead of an actual supplier who buys in bulk, and then sells from stock, they have the products, usually take care of their own warranties and everything.... That's why I never knowingly buy from a drop ship company, why not just find out where they get it and cut out the middle man??
On the other hand a supplier that offers a drop shipping service is different, they are actual suppliers with stock who will 'drop ship' something for you, meaning ship it out with you as the return address, or with no return address or invoice at all, so you can either sell their stuff on your website without your customers knowing you aren't really the one they just got it from, or give it as a gift without the recipient knowing where it came from/how much it cost.... sometimes called 'gift packaging' for this purpose...
Hope that helps...
-=BoB=-

 

[BobTheKlown]

Think of it like this: Walmart sells product X for $10, but you don't know that, I do. You want product X, I tell you I sell it for $20, take your money, goto Walmart and buy it, then give it to you, making $10... I'm just a mark up middle man...

That's all a drop ship supplier is, they take your money then order the product from China to ship to you, if it takes forever, they don't care, if you have any problems, they don't care, they already made their 50%, you're SOL...

 

[banjo]

Sears is quite different from a person who just sets up a website and acts as the go-between without the customer knowing. If the "supplier" (i.e. web site) happens to sell a product that is defective or dangerous in some way (for example), and they don't want to deal with the problem and the loses, they simply take down their web site and close up shop - and guess who is left out in the cold.

 

[WOW]

Ok...So, correct me if I'm still not understanding - the 'middle man' drop ship effects cost not quality.

Funny you mentioned warranties. I just finished reading something that made me do a double take - that warranties from companies that offer repair packages at an extra charge, tend to sell inferior products to get people to need the repair thing but, never get the things to work for the long run; That they make their profit on the extra charge for a repair package!! Blew my mind especially with no names mentioned. I haven't found any that don't offer a refund or exchange during the warranty period --- yet.

How, though, do you know in advance of a purchase, if the "supplier" is the "middle man" when their products are on-sale and they run out of stock vs wait until they have enough people interested in ordering to make a purchase for their storefront vs actual brick and mortar store? Is there anything noticeable in the way 'middle men' respond to questions or something?

I otherwise get about 1/2 of it now, I think.

Really good posts to unclog the brain area filled primarily with batt basics.

No clowning around, ; -) the best vendor specific information is posted by others who have experience with a specific vendor, imo...so far and, of course, reading ECF updates and warnings for product safety. I'll never spend more than I can afford to lose. I'm still not savvy enough to feel really safe ordering high ticket items. Hope I can change that, though.

tia for any additional you might have on how to spot a 'middle person' drop ship vendor.

Ok, it comes down to the definition of 'drop shipping' a 'drop ship' vendor would be one, like Banjo pointed out, who isn't a supplier in their own right, they're a middle man, just taking a cut of your money then ordering the product and having it shipped to you, instead of an actual supplier who buys in bulk, and then sells from stock, they have the products, usually take care of their own warranties and everything.... That's why I never knowingly buy from a drop ship company, why not just find out where they get it and cut out the middle man??
On the other hand a supplier that offers a drop shipping service is different, they are actual suppliers with stock who will 'drop ship' something for you, meaning ship it out with you as the return address, or with no return address or invoice at all, so you can either sell their stuff on your website without your customers knowing you aren't really the one they just got it from, or give it as a gift without the recipient knowing where it came from/how much it cost.... sometimes called 'gift packaging' for this purpose...
Hope that helps...
-=BoB=-

 

[WOW]

Words that ring so true.

How in the world do you know before wasting money?

Sears is quite different from a person who just sets up a website and acts as the go-between without the customer knowing. If the "supplier" (i.e. web site) happens to sell a product that is defective or dangerous in some way (for example), and they don't want to deal with the problem and the loses, they simply take down their web site and close up shop - and guess who is left out in the cold.

 

[BobTheKlown]

the 'middle man' drop ship effects cost not quality.

Yes and no, if I have no intention of being here tomorrow, why not sell you a cheaper version similar to the one you thought you were paying for and up my profit margin?

Funny you mentioned warranties. I just finished reading something that made me do a double take - that warranties from companies that offer repair packages at an extra charge, tend to sell inferior products to get people to need the repair thing but, never get the things to work for the long run; That they make their profit on the extra charge for a repair package!! Blew my mind especially with no names mentioned. I haven't found any that don't offer a refund or exchange during the warranty period --- yet.

Yeah, I have seen mods that are that way (usually a 2 week 'refund' policy, then a 'return for repair at your expense'), and again, why spend the time making it right, if I can have you send it back to me and make more money from 'repairing' an intentionally flawed design? BTW, FWIW: most reputable mod mfgs will not have a 'repair package', rather a set 14-30-60-90-120 day repair/replace policy...

How, though, do you know in advance of a purchase, if the "supplier" is the "middle man" when their products are on-sale and they run out of stock vs wait until they have enough people interested in ordering to make a purchase for their storefront vs actual brick and mortar store? Is there anything noticeable in the way 'middle men' respond to questions or something?

Best advise here: buy from someone with positive reviews on ECF

the best vendor specific information is posted by others who have experience with a specific vendor, imo...so far and, of course, reading ECF updates and warnings for product safety.

exactly...

tia for any additional you might have on how to spot a 'middle person' drop ship vendor.

I think you've about got it now, unless you have something that is an OUTSTANDING deal (and then you have to be careful about it being too good to be true), I would recommend sticking to well-known suppliers, since they have something to lose if you're not satisfied, their reputation and future profits if you post a negative review...

 

[WOW]

Bob - thanks! I think I got it now as well as what the news story was referring to + how to approach a purchase.

Really appreciate the time you and Banjo put in to stay with this thread. I hope it helps some newbies have an easier time with taking the right steps when deciding on their main or back-up vendor !!

Very good info - helpful! Again, many thanks!


Take care.

 

[spider362]

If you've ever ordered anything from Amazon.com you've dealt with a "drop ship" company.

 

[Jorge22]

I´ve ordered a few ecig things from Amazon (not saying from whom) and was very well treated, plus their products aren't overpriced. I was also thinking of doing drop shipping with a certain Chinese company and I know that the "he doesn't care anymore" thing wouldn't apply to me, plus the aforementioned company offers warranties and so forth. I wouldn't think of exploiting people that came to my website, just taking advantage of the percentual discount I'd get if I did drop shipping. Otherwise, it would be a regular online shop, only I wouldn't have to deal with a lot of stuff and I'd still be interested in ecigs and in my customers, plus this company has always been trustworthy. I was thinking that, but now, after reading all this prejudice against drop shippers, I feel a bit dismayed...

EDIT: The thing is I have a job. That means it's a bit impossible for me to take care of customs, packaging, mailing and all that plus dealing both with my supplier and my customers in the nicest way. And it would make no sense to pay someone to do that for me either. Not at this stage, at least. My project includes the information that things would come from China and all that. And I think I could live with earning less by being a drop shipper, it's not as if it's a plan to become a millionaire.