Dropshipping from Costco?

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Anyone do it? i was thinking about trying, there are some pretty good margins to be had with not a whole lot of competition. Thoughts?
#costco #dropshipping
  • Profile picture of the author vedremo
    Banned
    I like the idea, similar to buying from Amazon and selling to an eBay customer or vice versa.

    The only issue is (presumably) the packaging. They might do generic boxes / gifting though.

    I would probably buy in person (assuming you're close to the store) and do the shipping myself. That way you know you've got it "in stock" and know exactly when it was sent.
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    • Profile picture of the author AlohaSoldier89
      Originally Posted by vedremo View Post

      I like the idea, similar to buying from Amazon and selling to an eBay customer or vice versa.

      The only issue is (presumably) the packaging. They might do generic boxes / gifting though.

      I would probably buy in person (assuming you're close to the store) and do the shipping myself. That way you know you've got it "in stock" and know exactly when it was sent.
      My thoughts as well! I figured though i could still use the costco website, not knowing whether they use their, or generic packaging, i could dropship to my house? I wouldnt have to keep inventory and I didnt pay for it either, Just have to quote the customer maybe on a little bit longer shipping?
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      • Profile picture of the author AlohaSoldier89
        Originally Posted by AlohaSoldier89 View Post

        My thoughts as well! I figured though i could still use the costco website, not knowing whether they use their, or generic packaging, i could dropship to my house? I wouldnt have to keep inventory and I didnt pay for it either, Just have to quote the customer maybe on a little bit longer shipping?
        dropship to my house and either remove anything that would reveal my source, or repackage the whole thing then re send
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        • Profile picture of the author mxitman
          I've been doing it for years and selling things on eBay. I did really well a few years back on Winter Merino wool socks, they had a 4 pack of the Kirkland brand that was almost identical to the smartwools, I bought them when on sale for I think $9.99 for 4 pairs, and resold them from anywhere from $25 to $30 as it got closer to Christmas. Having a reseller certificate I was also able to skip paying the state taxes too.

          After my first run of 40 sets, I went back and got 2 pallets worth...spent around $3500, but more then doubled my money even after costs. They eventually sold out and that was it, I also have done it on other items like rechargeable batteries and headlamps, and I have a new product I just started on...but that's one for me to keep close to the vest right now...
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          • Profile picture of the author AlohaSoldier89
            Originally Posted by mxitman View Post

            I've been doing it for years and selling things on eBay. I did really well a few years back on Winter Merino wool socks, they had a 4 pack of the Kirkland brand that was almost identical to the smartwools, I bought them when on sale for I think $9.99 for 4 pairs, and resold them from anywhere from $25 to $30 as it got closer to Christmas. Having a reseller certificate I was also able to skip paying the state taxes too.

            After my first run of 40 sets, I went back and got 2 pallets worth...spent around $3500, but more then doubled my money even after costs. They eventually sold out and that was it, I also have done it on other items like rechargeable batteries and headlamps, and I have a new product I just started on...but that's one for me to keep close to the vest right now...
            So you go to the store and by them to resell, or do you do what im talking about and dropship em?
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  • Profile picture of the author rizy
    There is a better option. Dropshipping from Sam's Club:

    Basically sell boxes of items on eBay for people looking to do Wholesale business.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlohaSoldier89
    when you sell something on amazon, do you have to send a receipt with the package?
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  • How on earth are you calculating margins based on the real and fair market Internet market?

    I mean, I'm not saying it's impossible - but I'm questioning a method apart from a 'stick the finger in the wind' approach to 'just see what happens'.

    I really am rooting for this method, but I haven't seen Retail (disguised as wholesale) margins sell on the Internet - outside of holiday deals - but even those are short lived after EVERYONE saturates the market with the same items at the same thin margins.

    Researching the Internet fair market value and the eBay fair market value - although done differently, does not detract from the same economic principle.


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    • Profile picture of the author mxitman
      No I didn't do drop shipping, just was remarking on buying and reselling things from Costco in general, I think some of the drop shipping unless automated would be just as much work.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by Auctiondebteliminator View Post

      How on earth are you calculating margins based on the real and fair market Internet market?

      I mean, I'm not saying it's impossible - but I'm questioning a method apart from a 'stick the finger in the wind' approach to 'just see what happens'.

      I really am rooting for this method, but I haven't seen Retail (disguised as wholesale) margins sell on the Internet - outside of holiday deals - but even those are short lived after EVERYONE saturates the market with the same items at the same thin margins.

      Researching the Internet fair market value and the eBay fair market value - although done differently, does not detract from the same economic principle.


      -ADE-
      I like your description of retail disguised as wholesale. The word wholesale has an aura about it but it is the price that matters, not what you call it.

      It is a pity few reading this thread seem to understand the importance of fair market value. Most seem happy to just stick their finger in the wind.

      Oh well, they are the cannon fodder that keeps the "wholesale" industry running, and meanwhile those who adopt a careful numbers based approach are making money.
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  • Even without the dropshipping element - what's the research process? (Because it's still the same.... ) What's your fair market value calculations v. deductions calculations?
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  • Profile picture of the author Missouri31
    I haven't tried this myself...but I have a friend who a couple summers ago bought several of the $1,000 swing sets from Sam's, and resold them for about $1,500 each....after taxes it was about $300 profit per swing.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlohaSoldier89
    idk im new haha, im just looking to see what I pay for it via the store and their website, then how much it sells for on amazon! most of the time the difference is 20-30, but i have found a couple products at $50
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    • Profile picture of the author mxitman
      I'll give an example of something I just saw at Costco you could resell, they don't sell them online so you would need to pick them up.

      They are Stanley Classic one handed mugs, Amazon.com: Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug:...Amazon.com: Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug:...
      They come in a set of 2 for $22.99 at Costco, One Green and One Navy both are 16oz. The same product sells for $27.99 for just ONE MUG, so you can sell them both for roughly $24 profit after fee's, of course that's if you don't have to pay sales tax too.

      They are each individually labeled with UPC on bottom for easy resell, simply open the box and throw away.

      That's just one example I recently found, because I needed the coffee mugs too, and I saw locally they were $29 for one of them at REI...and then the next day I was at Costco and I saw the 2-Pack...
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      • Profile picture of the author jumpman21
        Hello Warriors, I actually sell on ebay and make a little extra a month. I have wrote everything i did from the beginning and made a course out of it. I have not finished yet so it will not be sold until the holiday season. The course runs you through every stage of the money making process. The course also comes with over $2k worth of digital products to make money. Now.. Do not think for a minute that this is your typical digital products sales. IT IS NOT! I am showing you how to sell "PHYSICAL" products on ebay! The digital products are just a "FREE BONUS" with the lesson. So..... Here's what i want to do. The first 10 people to send me a request? I will send them lesson 1 FREE! No products will be included. Just a pdf version of lesson 1! I will also send you my ebay link so you can see for yourself! I am planning a massive listing for this coming weekend! You must promise to give an HONEST REVIEW! Since NO ONE is being charged ANYTHING! Ooh... And dropshipping? It does not work!!!!!
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