eBay Dropshipping: Top Questions Answered

As the popularity of drop shipping continues to grow, more and more people are interested in the bubbling trend of eBay dropshipping. If you've ever considered starting an eBay dropshipping business, then you know it can be a challenge to figure out all the details. There's so many questions you have to ask yourself before making the plunge. Will I get in trouble for not shipping my own items? When are the best times to offer discounts? What does dropshipping even mean? How do you get started? Where do you find the best products for dropshipping on eBay? These are just some of the most frequently asked questions about eBay dropshipping that we’ll answer in this article.

Question: Is dropshipping allowed on eBay?

Answer: Drop shipping is a retail fulfillment method where a retailer doesn't keep inventory or even own the products they sell. Instead, they simply order the product from a third party and then send it directly to the customer when they receive an order.

eBay allows dropshipping where orders are fulfilled directly by a wholesale supplier, as opposed to being purchased from a retailer and resold.

Additionally, dropshipping is allowed on eBay as long as you aren't selling counterfeit goods or violating any other policy. Among others, the following eBay policies apply:

You can't sell counterfeit goods or items that violate intellectual property rights (for instance, if an authentic Coach handbag sells for $200 on eBay, you can't sell fake Coach handbags for $50).

You can't sell prescription drugs or controlled substances without valid prescriptions.

The item must be shipped from an authorized seller's location in the U.S., Canada or Mexico (but not Puerto Rico).

Question: Is it worth dropshipping on eBay?

Answer: Dropshipping is an effective way to sell products without having to deal with inventory, warehousing, and fulfillment. However, it can be hard to survive in this competitive space without a proper strategy and some basic knowledge of how the eCommerce industry works.

While eBay dropshipping is a viable business model, as it's been around for quite some time and is still one of the most popular platforms for selling products online. You can create an eBay store free of charge and add items to your store inventory by simply uploading their photos and descriptions. Once you’ve added all your products, you can start selling them by creating listings and setting prices yourself or listing them as fixed price items (and letting eBay do the rest).

Nevertheless, it’s always good to have your stand alone site. Competition on platforms like eBay and Amazon is usually high. The best way to find a profitable niche is by doing keyword research to see what people are searching for online. For example, if you want to sell pet supplies online, then you should research keywords related to that niche, such as dog food or cat toys, because these items are always in demand.

You should also consider dropshipping on Shoplazza, Wix or any other platform of your choice. In addition, it’s essential to pick a reliable supplier when starting dropshipping. Consider salient factors such as their shipping options, global availability, and quality control measures. Pay attention to the eBay username policy, and set up a seller account afterward.

Question: How much does it cost to dropship on eBay?

Answer: eBay charges sellers two types of fees: insertion fees and final value fees.

Sellers with a basic eBay account get 250 zero insertion fee listings each month for most categories. After exceeding that allowance, each additional item that you list is subject to a fee of $0.35.1. Users with store subscriptions get more allotment for zero insertion fee. Store subscription fees range from $4.95 per month to $2999.95 per month when paid annually.

The final value fee is the charge that is applied at the end of a transaction when a sale has been made. It is $0.30 plus a percentage based on the total price of an item including shipping and handling. That is, unless the seller has opted for 1-day or domestic shipping. If so, the fee will be calculated using the cheapest method.

Question: How do I dropship an item on eBay?

Answer: The first step in starting to sell on eBay is to register as a seller. Although not required, it is possible to set up an eBay dropshipping store.

It's critical to identify popular products already on eBay and conduct research on what sells the most.The next stage is submitting expert photos, either using the supplier's or your own camera. Mark up the price, create a thorough product description, and post the products online. Products listed receive free traffic from eBay. The risk-free profit is the amount that differs between the product's quoted price and the price that was paid for it, minus the fees, of course.

Question: Is dropshipping on eBay profitable?

Answer: eBay dropshipping is a great option to sell a variety of things for little or no money. With access to eBay's 109 million monthly visitors, you'll have plenty of time to grow and extend your business globally. According to recent statistics, the average eBay dropshipper earns $2.67 for each selling order they execute. At the other end, the top 10% of eBay dropshippers earn an average of $7,731 each month and nearly $6 million annually.

Question: Is it better to build a dropshipping store or use eBay to dropship?

Answer: If you don't have expertise generating traffic, starting with eBay first is a good idea for most. Once you've saved up some money, you can develop your own online dropshipping store, where you'll have your own customers and be able to remarket through email direct marketing campaigns to maximize the lifetime value your get out of your visitors.

Takeaway

Online marketplaces like eBay are excellent sources of traffic for dropshippers, and you can utilize them in conjunction with your own dropshipping business to sell your goods and establish your brand more successfully. Your business objectives will determine if you choose to implement both tactics.