How to find the right supplier for your eBay business
Finding the right supplier for your eBay business is absolutely critical if you are going to succeed in selling your products on eBay. However, there are thousands of places you could potentially buy from and you need to know who to use to make the best deal you possibly can. Try these suggestions to find a great supplier:
* Look for someone who offers quality products. I know it sounds really elementary, but that's because it is. In spite of this, so few people do bother with this kind of research that you could make a killing on eBay by following this advice.
Let's say you want to sell sneakers on eBay. You could choose to sell junk you buy from a discounter for around $5 a pair and then resell them for $20 a pair. However, you will find that some of your customers will complain when they sneakers fall apart after just a few months. I know that you're probably thinking that they shouldn't complain, I mean after-all, what do they expect for $20, but that's simply the way that human nature is. People will still think that they should get more than they actually paid for.
However, if you were to start out selling high quality products, you would build yourself a reputation as someone who always has good stuff available. Ultimately, having quality products that people genuinely like will trump the absolutely cheapest prices every time. It will take longer to build a clientele that way; however it will be worth it in the end.
* Be sure that your supplier has good customer service. This is especially important when working with a drop shipper. While you might think that it's not your problem since you are just the middle man, the reality is that you are the "face" your customers will see. They don't know who your drop shipper is - they just know you. If your drop shipper does a lousy job at getting your products out the door on time or they offer no customer return options, then you will find that your reputation will be mud right along with their reputation. The difference is that they can always find other customers since no one knows who they are. You will be ruined when you have enough customers complaining about your service.
* Make sure that your drop shipper will use your name. I've talked about this before, but it still bears repeating. Nothing is more unprofessional looking than having a product shipped from someone else. If you want to be taken seriously on eBay, make sure that you have your own name being listed on the front of the package and on the packing slip so that your customers get to know you and not your drop shipper.
* Be prepared to make good if something goes wrong. I once bought a table on eBay from someone who was obviously using a drop shipper. His drop shipper was out of stock on the table and I was forced to wait for my order, past the time when I had guests coming who would have used the table. In order to make up for my inconvenience, the seller sent me a pair of glass sconces for free. It was a small, but important gesture since it showed me that he was willing to make an effort to keep me happy. Know that you may need to do the same with your supplier, but try to find one who will minimize your need to that since it will obviously hurt your bottom line.
* Look for someone who offers quality products. I know it sounds really elementary, but that's because it is. In spite of this, so few people do bother with this kind of research that you could make a killing on eBay by following this advice.
Let's say you want to sell sneakers on eBay. You could choose to sell junk you buy from a discounter for around $5 a pair and then resell them for $20 a pair. However, you will find that some of your customers will complain when they sneakers fall apart after just a few months. I know that you're probably thinking that they shouldn't complain, I mean after-all, what do they expect for $20, but that's simply the way that human nature is. People will still think that they should get more than they actually paid for.
However, if you were to start out selling high quality products, you would build yourself a reputation as someone who always has good stuff available. Ultimately, having quality products that people genuinely like will trump the absolutely cheapest prices every time. It will take longer to build a clientele that way; however it will be worth it in the end.
* Be sure that your supplier has good customer service. This is especially important when working with a drop shipper. While you might think that it's not your problem since you are just the middle man, the reality is that you are the "face" your customers will see. They don't know who your drop shipper is - they just know you. If your drop shipper does a lousy job at getting your products out the door on time or they offer no customer return options, then you will find that your reputation will be mud right along with their reputation. The difference is that they can always find other customers since no one knows who they are. You will be ruined when you have enough customers complaining about your service.
* Make sure that your drop shipper will use your name. I've talked about this before, but it still bears repeating. Nothing is more unprofessional looking than having a product shipped from someone else. If you want to be taken seriously on eBay, make sure that you have your own name being listed on the front of the package and on the packing slip so that your customers get to know you and not your drop shipper.
* Be prepared to make good if something goes wrong. I once bought a table on eBay from someone who was obviously using a drop shipper. His drop shipper was out of stock on the table and I was forced to wait for my order, past the time when I had guests coming who would have used the table. In order to make up for my inconvenience, the seller sent me a pair of glass sconces for free. It was a small, but important gesture since it showed me that he was willing to make an effort to keep me happy. Know that you may need to do the same with your supplier, but try to find one who will minimize your need to that since it will obviously hurt your bottom line.