Deluded or Not, Dropshipping Beginner

9 years ago

If you look at the many posts by dropship resellers who talk about their extremely low margins, that might help you make your decision.

When operating my importing business that I franchised in 4 countries, I would never work on a margin less than landed cost x 250%. My franchisees would have sued me if they had made less, so I had to be sure that I gave them a safe sourcing system that enabled them to make such a margin. Many times they did a lot better than that.

It was also necessary to teach them how to import without nasty cost surprises.

Some warriors have posted on this forum about the very high margins they get by importing direct from the real manufacturers. Maybe that is what you should consider.

Thanks

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Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com

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creztor

9 years ago

Importing direct from manufacturers is not as easy as you say, at least not any more. You'll need to purchase in quantity and have the funds to do so. That means customs and a lot of other red tape. About the eBay listings, do you know of any items you can sell? I am sure you know but it is bloody competitive on eBay and has been for years. I'd say definitely do it yourself but you need to know you have an item that will sell AND you don't have to go broke getting it in bulk to bring your costs down.

Thanks
2 replies

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charlieprices 9 years ago

Just as I expected, is it worth starting now as a side project and having a sweet business in 2/3 years, or should I just focus all my time and effort into business number one?
- Thanks
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Importexport

9 years ago

Originally Posted by creztor

Importing direct from manufacturers is not as easy as you say, at least not any more. You'll need to purchase in quantity and have the funds to do so. That means customs and a lot of other red tape. About the eBay listings, do you know of any items you can sell? I am sure you know but it is bloody competitive on eBay and has been for years. I'd say definitely do it yourself but you need to know you have an item that will sell AND you don't have to go broke getting it in bulk to bring your costs down.

Importing is easy if you know how to do it without having to worry about all the red tape. I have taught hundreds of newbies how to do it.

I am also teaching those newbies how to ignore the myth that you repeat, that you have to buy in quantity. If you know how to approach them the right way, genuine manufacturers will supply very small orders at ex-factory prices. You can ignore the big MOQs that you will see quoted on major B2B sites.

I have helped many newbies start off with as little as $300. Here is a recent email from one of them: "Ok. From extremely skeptical to successful completion. Credit given where credit is due. I followed the book instructions you laid out. Took my time to double check everything and was able to successfully import an order from China. Not only that but it was also a "sample order" for less than 300.00. A 300% mark up has allowed to get initial investment back and I have 70% of my inventory left. Stop promoting your book. Your encouraging competition for me Many thanks." Email on file for FTC inspection if required.

I don't teach how to choose the products to sell, but I agree with you that you must find one that will otherwise you are not going to make money.

Thanks

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Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com

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KungfuSourcing

9 years ago

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Importexport

9 years ago

None of the hundreds of people who use my book have any need of a product sourcing agent, especially one they know nothing about.

I teach them how to safely source products and how to get best prices as well as be confident of quality. The manufacturers that they are able to find using my book have been inspected by inspection and quality control services that have been operating worldwide for over 100 years.

This is in sharp contrast to the cursory inspections provided by the big B2B sites in their verification processes. All they achieve is to establish that the business actually exists.

Thanks
1 reply

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Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com

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charlieprices

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Importexport

None of the hundreds of people who use my book have any need of a product sourcing agent, especially one they know nothing about.

I teach them how to safely source products and how to get best prices as well as be confident of quality. The manufacturers that they are able to find using my book have been inspected by inspection and quality control services that have been operating worldwide for over 100 years.

This is in sharp contrast to the cursory inspections provided by the big B2B sites in their verification processes. All they achieve is to establish that the business actually exists.

That sounds great, but I don't have the time to start another business venture with capital investment etc when I already have something making me money, just was considering drop shipping on the side.

I bet for every guy getting back his investment after selling 30% of his stock there's hundreds of people who buy your book and spend months buying the wrong products.

It's the same with every internet marketing business model, some people get it right first time when most don't take action and make no money. Then the dedicated few who stick it out eventually find success, but much slower than the lucky few.

I think to you importing is easy, to others dropshipping is easy, to Tim Ferriss marketing drugs or books is easy and to successful bloggers, blogging is easy.

Thanks
1 reply

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Importexport

9 years ago

Originally Posted by charlieprices

That sounds great, but I don't have the time to start another business venture with capital investment etc when I already have something making me money, just was considering drop shipping on the side.

I bet for every guy getting back his investment after selling 30% of his stock there's hundreds of people who buy your book and spend months buying the wrong products.

It's the same with every internet marketing business model, some people get it right first time when most don't take action and make no money. Then the dedicated few who stick it out eventually find success, but much slower than the lucky few.

I think to you importing is easy, to others dropshipping is easy, to Tim Ferriss marketing drugs or books is easy and to successful bloggers, blogging is easy.

Please don't lump my book in with "every internet marketing business model". Importing physical products for sale by whatever means (not all online) is a genuine, solid, sustainable, and highly profitable business for those willing to put some effort into it. These are not the "lucky few", they are the serious ones willing to follow proven methods and work at a real business, not ones that promise great riches for minimal effort like the average "internet marketing business model".

You are absolutely right that it is vital to choose the right product to sell. I don't teach how to do that, and I tell my book buyers that they must do their homework first and be sure that the product they choose can be sold for a profit after all costs are taken into account.

There are some excellent online marketing guides available, such as the one produced by Auctiondebteliminator, who teaches how to systematically and accurately work out what will sell.

Once a person has chosen the right product, I teach them how to buy it direct from genuine manufacturers at the best prices, in small quantities if they want, and then how to import the easy way. The capital investment needed is quite small. I have had many start with around $300 and succeed.

I have hundreds of testimonials from people who know that what I teach works. I have only ever had one complaint. It was from someone who broke almost every rule in my book!

Yes, to me importing is easy, and that is why I have hundreds of people following my system. They now find it easy too.

[ 1 ] Thanks

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Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com

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Excellance

9 years ago

Charlie, you should probably focus all your energy into one business. I would emphasize this even more if you're a beginner. There's a lot you're going to have to learn and with divided attention, it's going to be difficult no matter how good you are at multitasking.

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brclarke

9 years ago

I have the jewelry down to a science lol. First this liquidator has great prices, how ever great buys come at a cost they want $320 annually. If I could justify that I would.

Thanks
1 reply

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Importexport

9 years ago

Originally Posted by brclarke

I have the jewelry down to a science lol. First this liquidator has great prices, how ever great buys come at a cost they want $320 annually. If I could justify that I would.

I find it hard to understand why people are willing to pay to become customers.

For a lot less than that I have taught people who only have $300 how to start a profitable importing business. Please see post #5.

Thanks
1 reply

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Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com

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charlieprices

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Importexport

I find it hard to understand why people are willing to pay to become customers.

For a lot less than that I have taught people who only have $300 how to start a profitable importing business. Please see post #5.

Paying Liquidators to become a customer is definitely worthwhile, the deals they do on stock can have 1000% markup! It's just finding the liquidator that doesn't know how much his stock is worth and you've hit the money

Thanks

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visimedia

9 years ago

selling those stuff in marketplace website like ebay will be a great choice, since there's thousands of affiliates that will promote that. The only problem is tons of products owners out there are thinking the same way.

I think you can take that path but on top of that you should build your own affiliate program to accelerate your progress of sales

Thanks

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safepbbd

9 years ago

Hey,
Recently I have read a Blog post on 'Start an Online Business for Just One Dollar!'
It is great.

Thanks
1 reply

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agmccall 9 years ago

Originally Posted by safepbbd

Hey,
Recently I have read a Blog post on 'Start an Online Business for Just One Dollar!'
It is great.

and your point is?
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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
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Deluded or Not, Dropshipping Beginner

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