How do dropshippers deal with lookers?

Was looking at Link hidden: Login to view as someone asked to have them come check out an item I was selling, and I got thinking about this -- this isn't the first such service I've seen, and I do see them mentioned occasionally on lists and forums where people are talking about avoiding getting ripped off. What do you say to a buyer who wants to use a service like this when you don't have the item you're selling handy?


Frank

Hi Frank,

You mean someone really visited you to take photos of your product and ask more about it just as described in their FAQ's? I've got to hand it to them, they really go and have a look!

Maybe you could explain that you sourced the item from a dropshipper and back it up with your positive feedback and good track record - just to show that you are a legit seller even if you don't have the item at hand.

This is the first time I read about such a service. Thanks for sharing the link.

:)

They ended up not coming out -- I'm in the sticks. But that is what they do, and I have seen similar services before. It seems like a real conundrum for people who are heavily dropshipping, and one of the many marks against dropshipping as a business model. I think that a lot of eBay buyers would be turned off if they got a close look at the "ebay dropship" business model, with all of these suppliers selling low-quantity orders to pretty much anyone without restriction, with the eBay seller's function in the process basically being that of a broker taking a cut. Services like WeGoLook, to the extent that they proliferate, are only going to make that more difficult for dropship sellers, especially ones trying to get started out who can't fall back on feedback and reputation.


Frank

I agree Frank, companies offering services like that of WeGoLook will be a big hindrance to sellers who have just begun selling through dropshipping.

Although, I somehow understand that as buyers they just want to be sure. But personally, I would not get another company (and pay them) to check on products that we typically see listed on eBay. It would just make the final price for the product more expensive.

I wonder who came up with the idea to start a business offering such a service? Just curious..

:)

I don't know, but I imagine this idea was an offshoot of the "listing service" type of companies that list people's stuff on eBay on their behalf.


Frank

Not sure this would be a concern for most items a seller would sell. Maybe if one were selling a car or boat or a very high end computer.