Is Dropshipping Allowed on eBay & How to Make It Profitable?

Have you ever wondered if dropshipping on eBay is allowed or even possible? Many business owners don’t think about or know how to make the best use of eBay, but with dropshipping, you can sell through your website either directly or by setting up an eBay store. This short article reveals what you need to know about dropshipping on eBay so that you can make this a profitable business.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping allows online merchants to sell products without having inventory. It removes the burden of purchasing, storing, and maintaining inventory. Instead, you sell your products through an online marketplace such as Amazon or eBay. This can be done using a drop-shipper platform that connects you with manufacturers or distributors with products ready for sale.

Is Dropshipping Allowed on eBay?

The short answer is yes. Dropshipping is allowed on eBay. However, there are some restrictions that you should be aware of.

1. Purchasing from distributors

You can only buy goods from wholesalers or, naturally, suppliers directly if you’re a dropshipper. The dropshipping policy on eBay makes this point very clear. But you may still dropship even if you purchase your goods from a supplier or wholesaler.

2. Assuring timely delivery

The second important consideration is that delivery within 30 days must be guaranteed. All merchants, not just dropshippers, must follow this. Just keep this in mind when you search for vendors. This should be made clear, and you should also read customer reviews to learn more about their track record. In addition to displeased customers, late deliveries may result in a fee from eBay or the loss of your Top Rated seller title.

3. Responsibility for deliveries

Your responsibility is to ensure the consumer receives the item by the promised date. Since you are not the one making the delivery, this might be difficult for dropshippers. Therefore, ask your dropshipping supplier how quickly they can handle orders and which shipping company they prefer to employ. Verify the accuracy of the photos and descriptions on your product listing. Make sure to discuss the issue of replacements and refunds with your supplier.

If you don’t adhere to these standards, your seller rating on eBay may suffer if you dropship. This will make it more challenging to draw in new clients. You might also be allowed to market specific goods, and eBay will no longer stand behind you if you have a problem with a consumer.

In some cases, your account can be suspended, and you won’t be able to sell on eBay.

Therefore, before beginning, completely comprehend eBay’s dropshipping policy. Take your time to choose a reliable provider who can make sure you satisfy all of these needs. This is crucial.

Tips to make a profit from dropshipping on eBay

Get A Good Spot

This is the most important thing you can do to ensure your business is booming. If you’re looking for an eBay drop shipping store, look for one with a lot of traffic (and return customers) and one that has been around for a while. Make sure your product listing looks professional and has lots of images showing the quality of your products. You can make use of an eCommerce platform like Shoplazza. 

Fast Shipment

When it comes to dropshipping, the faster you can get your product from the manufacturer to the customer, the better off you’ll be. Try finding suppliers in places where they ship quickly but charge less than what they would to other countries, like China or India.

Support & Reputation

Maintaining good customer service and feedback is a great way to keep your reputation intact with eBay. You should always be truthful and up-front in your listings and never try to hide anything from the buyer. You can also help maintain good feedback by being prompt with delivery times, responding promptly to questions, and resolving issues quickly.

Conclusion

Dropshipping on eBay can be a profitable way to make money online. Statistics have revealed that 25% of eBay dropshippers are able to make a profit of at least $1,000 monthly.

The benefit of dropshipping on eBay is the enormous market you can access and sell your products. The main challenge of dropshipping on an eBay store is the competition. If you have no experience with dropshipping, it may be best to start with another method of selling first. After getting some experience, you might want to try eBay.

(Contributed by Oluwafemi Adedeji & Hermes Fang)