Does drop shipping affect repeat sales?

[too much information]

I am considering selling products that I would buy from a wholesaler. I would have the items shipped to me, remove any packing slips/labels, replace with my own and ship to final customer. This would reduce the need for an inventory, but it would take longer for product delivery.

If I use a 'drop ship' company as a middleman would they handle removing the wholesaler's info? Would it be worth the effort as far as delivery time? Is it easier to just find a wholesaler that will drop ship?

[Easy_Coder]

Most wholesalers do blind drop ship today.

[sun818]

> but it would take longer for product delivery

I've done what you've said before. It works best if you can have the order next day for re-shipment. If it takes 5 days for the order to come you before you can ship, its not good for business.

> blind drop ship

Drop shipping from the wholesaler directly to your customer would be best. You have to see how your wholesaler implements drop shipping. Blind drop ship typically would have your name as the from with the wholesaler mailing address. Included with the package would be a generic packing list (no company name) or no packing list at all.

[Rugles]

You definately want to hide your suppliers from your customers. Because sometimes the competition will buy from you to steal the product. Trust me it happens, I know, because I have successfully done it in the past.

[Essex_boy]

Trust me it happens, I know- I do it too. Snouting around my local toy stores reading the suppliers address labels....

[Rugles]

>>>Snouting around my local toy stores reading the suppliers address labels

Hey, its cheaper than flying around the planet attending trade shows, looking for that perfect product to add to your site.

[too much information]

So once you find a supplier, how do you get them to handle the blind drop ship? Is there a certain volume that a wholesaler will typically require before doing the drop ship for you?

[bsnrjones]

The ones that I work with do not have a minimum volume or require any fees to be paid up front.

It has not hurt my repeat sales in the least. All shipments are totally blind with my companies name on the invoice and box.

[sun818]

> So once you find a supplier, how do you get them to handle the blind drop ship?

I find that they either offer it or don't. It requires a specific technical infrastructure not every business will have.