New member assistance needed on Market Research Lab

Hello, my name is Malik I'm new to being a merchant online. I've done extensive research on how to sell online, and have decided to try my hand with dropshipping through eBay to start. I've already applied for my EIN and I'm waiting for my resale certificate to come in. I'm having serious trouble finding a good wholesaler, and decent products to sell. I've been spending almost 7+ hours a day (even on days I work) to try and figure this out for the last 2-3 weeks. It's to the point it's actually starting to bother my wife :o

My point is, I think I need a little guidance, which is why I've signed up to this community. I'm trying to figure out the market research lab tool, but every time I click on suppliers for products, I keep getting the exact "same" suppliers for different products, in the exact "same" order. I click on suppliers for a health care product, and I I'll see someone selling watches (the same exact suppliers I saw for technology, in the same order). Also, when I click on the suppliers website, they don't sell the product I tried to source through the marketplace!

I think I need some guidance, and I'm looking for an experienced seller to give me some pointers. If you're willing to help a noob out, it really would mean the world to me. I'm 100% dedicated to make this happen, no matter how long it takes. As long as there's progress, I'll be there.

If anyone wishes to help me out, please email me at Link hidden: Login to view

I'll also start checking the forums more frequently so I can learn from those in the field, "making it happen".

Hi Malik and welcome to the forum,

I'll report your issue with the research lab to admin so they can look into that problem for you.

Is there anything outside of the research lab problem that I can help you with?

I'm trying to find manufacturers/distributors that sell really cheap, and I'm having trouble looking for profitable niches. I'd prefer the manufacturers/distributors that require resell certificates/EIN so that I "know" I'm getting a good deal.

Any ideas? I'm primarily selling on eBay for now.

OK, so you're a bulk purchaser, not looking to use a dropship model, only wholesale?

Can you give me an idea on what type of products you are most interested in?

Actually, I was looking for distributors that can also do dropshipping. If that's not possible, then whomever can get me the cheapest prices for any product. But yes, I need a company that does dropshipping (for now).

Honestly, I'm not interested in selling any particular product right now. I'm completely open to new ideas that work. I'll try anything at this point that turns a profit, and work from there.

EDIT: Quick question...if I have my resell certificate, and I signed up with a wholesaler/distributor who approved it, am I an authorized dealer if they sell me name brand products, tax free?

Hi Malik,

One thing that concerns me most is your use of two words in particular, "cheap" and "dropship"

Those are two words that are rarely ever used in the same sentence unfortunately. While dropshipping has it's advantages, cheap prices with good margins is usually not one of them. To secure good prices using a dropship model, you would be mostly limited to dealing with manufacturers who offered a dropship model direct, no wholesale trade model at all and they are few are far in between, but the good news there is that they are usually in niche markets, which is where dropshipping is uaully most effective.

You use the term "wholesale" supplier in your original post, so I think the first thing is to fully understand the difference between wholesale and dropship. I think this most will outline those difference for you and give you a little more clarity moving forward with your venture.

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Okay, thank you for helping me better understand the difference. My apologies on the confusion.

Is there any drop shippers out there (that you know of) that I can look into, that I can possibly sell their products on eBay for a profit? I don't care about what type of niche it is, I'm willing to sell in all of them. Whichever will help me make a profit, I want to sell the product.

Edit: I don't know if anyone can answer this question, but do I need to have some kind of business license to sell items I bought tax free, online (including cell phones)? Or do I just need my sellers permit and EIN? My nexus is in Miami, Florida.

Do I need to trademark my business name first, as well?

Hi Malik,

There are most definitley dopshippers out there you can use, but working out what products and which supplier is actually 95% of this business. You really have to drill donw on the market and get your research in to give yourself some direction. For example, if eBay is going to be your market, then you need to start identifying products and your competition in that market to give you that direction.

Test marketing products is a great way to see what flys. Sure, it's like throwing pasta at the wall and see what sticks at times, but that's one key area where dropshipping is really good. All you are paying for is the listing fee up front, so you can list whatever products you identify where you think there may be a hole in the market and then list those products to see if they do find a market.

If they don't sell, then you have to anylize why the didn't sell, you don't just stop trying automtaically. Look at reasons why they didn't sell, was your price competitive, was it the right season, was your listing sharp enough to inspire customer confidence and so on. Once you tick off all the boxes you can then try to fine tune your listing and try again, but if you find that all the boxes show that you've done everything possible and still no sale, then you move on and start test marketing other products.

This is how you discover markets in this business and dropshipping means that you have a very low risk option to do so.

No, you do not need to trade mark your business name at all.

Cheers

Good information..thanks for sharing.

I see that some of your wholesalers deal with selling cell phones, wholesale. Do I need any particular license to sell cell phones, and do you have any clue how I go about getting that license? I live in Miami, Fl.

No license required, but if you are going to be using wholesale suppliers you will need a tax id to open and account and you will have to purchase in MOQ (minimum order quantities) Wholesaler's won't supply a single item, only dropshippers will sell per item.

Cheers

If this is true, what do some of the suppliers mean when they ask for "company license"?

Not sure what a company license even is, can you link me to a supplier's page where they ask for this so I can see what they mean please

Here's a link to one of your suppliers asking for this information.

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Hi Malik,

I've had a chance to take a closer look at this for you now and this supplier does require you to be a registered business within the USA to open an account.

Hey fudjj,

I'm curious to know if you know of any longboard dropshippers I can possibly buy merchandise through? I've found one through your database which I'm trying to get signed to, but I found that on eBay, people are selling them very cheap, and I'd like to see if I can get help finding who they're buying them from.

Here's a link to one of them selling on eBay:
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Can you help me source someone who sells cheap longboards?

EDIT: I've found 2 people sourcing the longboards from Hacienda Heights, California, United States. I can't seem to find the store though, and I need help.

Hi Malik, no personal knowledge of any suppliers, but I'll pass on your interest to Shane in support and she'll see if she can find you some supplier leads to follow up with.

Just one word of caution, when comparing prices on platforms like eBay or Amazon, you need to be aware of how the market really works because prices aren't always what they seem. I recommend reading through this post, it will highlight this issue for you and give you a good understanding of what you are seeing when researching a site like an eBay.

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