Checklist To Test Your Prospective Ebay Supplier

EBay has been a revolution in the way we conduct business. That is the reason this back-of-the-garage start-up is worth billions of dollars today. It provides us with the means to connect to buyers all across the globe at a low price. However, in order to fulfil the demand, you must have stuff to sell as well. As the online model evolved, many sellers realized that they did not have to hold inventory to sell on EBay, and in came a class of middleman known as eBay suppliers.

These suppliers are usually sellers of wholesale lots. Some of them work with the best intentions, while others are parasites and eat into your profit. It needs to be realized it is not the suppliers that are good or bad, it is the terms and conditions that you operate with that determine their behavior. If you do not pay enough attention, there is a possibility that they can profit at your expense, and they most likely will.

Here Are Some Of The Well-Known Traps To Avoid While Selecting An Ebay Supplier:

Unsalable Products: Not everybody can sell everything on eBay. Sellers have their core competencies as they have databases of customers who buy products from them or who refer more customers to them. When you look at the products that are on offer, one of the two things must be true. Either they must be at a drop-dead discount, leaving very little possibility that someone will undercut you on price or they must be in line with your current customer profile and product lines. Remember, eBay is a business just like all others, and finding customers is just as difficult.

Unavailable Products: There is a class of wholesalers in the UK wholesale market who will show you the best of products, but these products will most likely never be available. This can be more damaging than unsold products. You lose cash when you can’t sell, but if you promise and don’t deliver, you lose reputation. A brand takes considerable time to build and thrives on consistency. Do not lose it because of someone else’s petty mistakes! Choose your eBay seller wisely.

Too Expensive To Resell:
Look for the price raise policy of the eBay supplier. If they have a policy that allows them to raise prices arbitrarily, they will do so after they have you locked in a contract. In this case, you will find that there is no chance that you can make a profit by selling at those prices. To cover your fixed monthly costs, you will have to work for the dropshipper. This virtually makes you an unpaid sales agent of the eBay supplier. Avoid monthly charges that may put you under pressure, and clearly specify a price raise policy on the legal agreement.

After Sales Service: If you are selling consumer durables, most buyers will expect some kind of after sales service. Ensure that this is a part of your agreement with the eBay supplier and that there is clarity on this issue.

To conclude, an eBay supplier is capable of cutting your costs and increasing your profits, but it is also capable of putting you out of business. Choose your supplier wisely!