Finding manufacturers/drop shipping partners for your product

[Walter Hay]

Hi guys.... Quick question. Relatively new to the forum. Still trying to find my way. What are the best resources for finding someone to drop ship a physical product? Say you want to sell beer pong tables or custom dog beds (just as random examples), how would you go about finding someone that can manufacture and drop ship those items for you? AliBaba? That seems to be the most common answer I hear. Are there similar companies/factories in the U.S that will create products for you?

I've had a good amount of success selling T-Shirts on Shopify. I know how to market products on Facebook and Google Adwords. I know how effective those advertising platforms can be. But there are a million T-shirt companies willing to dropship. Outside of T-shirts, I just really don't know how I would find a supplier of other physical products. I'm sure there are ways. I'm just new to this world. Hoping some fellow Fastlaners can enlighten me.

I apologize in advance for the newb questions. Any answers would be appreciated.

I suggest you have a look at my thread:
Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

In fact that forum Product Development/Sourcing/Importing is the one more appropriate for your post.

You will see that like many others I regard dropshipping as a very poor business model. If as appears to be the case, you can sell, you should research and choose a niche, source the product, carry inventory, and SELL.

Walter

 

[RNoles19]

Hi guys.... Quick question. Relatively new to the forum. Still trying to find my way. What are the best resources for finding someone to drop ship a physical product? Say you want to sell beer pong tables or custom dog beds (just as random examples), how would you go about finding someone that can manufacture and drop ship those items for you? AliBaba? That seems to be the most common answer I hear. Are there similar companies/factories in the U.S that will create products for you?

I've had a good amount of success selling T-Shirts on Shopify. I know how to market products on Facebook and Google Adwords. I know how effective those advertising platforms can be. But there are a million T-shirt companies willing to dropship. Outside of T-shirts, I just really don't know how I would find a supplier of other physical products. I'm sure there are ways. I'm just new to this world. Hoping some fellow Fastlaners can enlighten me.

I apologize in advance for the newb questions. Any answers would be appreciated.

 

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[RulesForRebels]

Dropshipping typically isn't a good business model as someone else mentioned. Margins are small and you have no control over your own business. It's a hitch hiker activity. If you do want to dropship don't do this half assed Amazon or Ali Express dropshipping. Actually contact a company who doesnt do dropshipping adn try to work something out with them. Have a plan when you approach them. You will be the only one selling their product as opposed to the hundreds running to the same dropship company and also you will have a better contact with them so less delays with shipping, quality issues, etc. That said your better off buying your own inventory.

 

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[Walter Hay]

Dropshipping typically isn't a good business model as someone else mentioned. Margins are small and you have no control over your own business. It's a hitch hiker activity. If you do want to dropship don't do this half assed Amazon or Ali Express dropshipping. Actually contact a company who doesnt do dropshipping adn try to work something out with them. Have a plan when you approach them. You will be the only one selling their product as opposed to the hundreds running to the same dropship company and also you will have a better contact with them so less delays with shipping, quality issues, etc. That said your better off buying your own inventory.

If you must dropship, this is good advice, but I suggest you take up the final suggestion about buying inventory. Don't believe the myth that you must place big orders if you want to buy direct from overseas manufacturers.

Walter

 

[RNoles19]

I suggest you have a look at my thread:
Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

In fact that forum Product Development/Sourcing/Importing is the one more appropriate for your post.

You will see that like many others I regard dropshipping as a very poor business model. If as appears to be the case, you can sell, you should research and choose a niche, source the product, carry inventory, and SELL.

Walter

Thanks for the link to the thread. I will check it out today and go from there.

 

[OldFaithful]

Don't believe the myth that you must place big orders if you want to buy direct from overseas manufacturers.

You've mentioned this several times, thank you. I'm going to keep this in mind if I need to source any components offshore. I appreciate your effort to bust the myths!