E-commerce query ( Dropship )

[DanielS_12]

Hi all, just registered my account here having read some very useful information and the community and value this forum possesses is incredible.

Anyway I have a question in which I have read contradicting information about and I would be grateful for any response.

So i'm interested in starting an e- commerce business whilst not actually stocking and product, I want to dropship many products in a semi niche area and I want too know the legality of just going ahead and listing products on the site and upon customers purchasing I will then purchase myself from the "supplier" and have it sent directly too customers address.

Now, from what I have read it's still unclear whether it's legal, I can foresee that if the "supplier" becomes aware then they may say they do not want me to continue this practice at which point I can stop.

Thanks for reading

 

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[Champion]

This depends on what country you are living in and where the customers you want to sell to live...

If you are in the US, I dont think that the business model you are describing is illegal.

 

[Jeff Noel]

Now, from what I have read it's still unclear whether it's legal, I can foresee that if the "supplier" becomes aware then they may say they do not want me to continue this practice at which point I can stop.

Contact your local lawyer to ask about legality of the thing in your country.
If that supplier doesn't enjoy the money you bring to them, then perhaps you should try to find another supplier.

Take a look at Walter Hay's ebooks on Importing products in the marketplace section. They're definitely worth more than what they cost.

 

[DanielS_12]

This depends on what country you are living in and where the customers you want to sell to live...

If you are in the US, I dont think that the business model you are describing is illegal.

yeah I agree, it's safe too say that many places have many different laws.

I'm in the UK and I can't find any specific laws on this though it seems like it could be down to suppliers discretion and also avoiding things like copyright infringement with photos and descriptions etc.

 

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[DanielS_12]

Contact your local lawyer to ask about legality of the thing in your country.
If that supplier doesn't enjoy the money you bring to them, then perhaps you should try to find another supplier.

Take a look at Walter Hay's ebooks on Importing products in the marketplace section. They're definitely worth more than what they cost.

Unfortunately a lawyer is not something I can include within my limited budget at present but what you say about them not enjoying the money I can bring in is exactly my view, though I would need to be mindful of how the companies view my store and brand against how they represent themselves and what they wouldn't want to be associated with in any way with my plan of a broad product range.

Thanks I will take a look.

 

[Jeff Noel]

Don't put too much thoughts into the relationship between your future suppliers and you. Start doing, then adapt.

 

[DanielS_12]

Don't put too much thoughts into the relationship between your future suppliers and you. Start doing, then adapt.

Exactly what I want to do, just my inexperience and worry of lawsuits and the like ruining something that has started to pick up pace would be a real kick in the teeth. But yeah I think I am going to continue as I am and as you say adapt. Thank you

 

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