Help/advice on drop shipping (or alternative) & goods distribution

[SilverShine]

There is a thread on drop shipping from 6 years ago which I found interesting reading but it looks like its been ended so I can't add to it?

I am looking to start an online retailing business, selling a wide range of everyday merchandise such as home-wares, kitchenware, appliances, tools, personal care items, outdoor, travel-related, car care and many others.

What I am having trouble with at the moment is understanding the drop shipping/goods distribution mechanisms.
I do not plan to stock any merchandise, at least for the foreseeable future.

The goods that I intend to sell will be brand new goods and from a wide array of manufacturers.
This being the case, I need to have a single source of supply to avoid customers being charged multiple shipping charges if they order more than one item per transaction.

Therefore, am I only going to be able to deal with a distributor or wholesaler directly who after receiving the order details from me, then ships the merchandise from their premises but with my details on the label & packing list so it looks like the package has come direcly from me?

Do I only deal with one distributor or wholesaler?

Is there a good source to find a list of distributors/wholesalers?

If you can offer any advice to a startup, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Propools]

Try this link on for size.
[ups-scs.com ]

We have a business in which we do as what yourself and most others do. I'd be glad to help, if the link above doesn't help you.

[SilverShine]

Thanks Propools.
I'll check those resources.

[edited by: lorax at 2:07 pm (utc) on May 20, 2011]

[JackieBlue]

I find drop shipping too much of a hassle with no margins and difficult to service. Many do not have accurate inventory, the margins are too thin as there are too many middlemen, you have no control over shipping methods or costs. I do it for special orders or if I find myself out of stock of a particular item that has already been sold.

[SilverShine]

JackieBlue: How do you handle getting merchandise from multiple distributors/wholesalers, from the aspect of multiple packages and shipping charges?

[lgn1]

Find a Niche Market suited for the web.

Find a Manufacturer/Distributer that carry the complete line of products in this give Niche Market, and who has a strong brand name.

Design the website exclusive to this manufacturer/Distributor.

Do not deal with middlemen. There are plenty of drop shipping scams out there, that has given this form of distribution a bad name.

Once successful, repeat with another distributer, so you don't have all your eggs in one basket.