Dropshipping FAQ
Drop Shipping FAQ
Please choose from one of the topics below:
#1 Q: What is dropping?
A: Drop shipping is a business model in which products are sold on a website without being held in inventory. Upon receiving an order, it is forwarded to a third-party supplier who then dispatches the products directly to the customer.
Q: Why is dropshipping necessary?
A: Dropshipping allows retail businesses to avoid managing inventory or setting up warehouses. It eliminates the need for handling inventory, packaging, and shipping, thus avoiding double shipping costs.
#3 Q: Do you offer drop-shipping?
A: Yes, we offer direct shipment services to deliver items to your customer's address. SMITH DISTRIBUTORS provides Blind Drop Shipping for Name Brand Products, ensuring no purchase price or company name is revealed on the package. The packing slip excludes any pricing details. There are no extra charges for dropshipping; only standard shipping fees apply.
#4 Q: What is the minimum order quantity for drop shipping?
A: With your membership, there is no minimum order. You can buy as few as one product at a time.
#5 Q: Is there a fee for dropping shipping?
No, there is no fee associated with the drop shipping program. You are required to pay only the wholesale price of the merchandise in addition to the standard shipping charge.
#6 Q: How do I place a Drop shipping order on your website?
- Add to Cart:
- Checkout: Change Address Add New Address Guest
- Choose Shipping Methods:
- Order Comments: Drop shipping
- Payment Methods:
- Confirm Order Information:
- Complete Payment:
Once your registration is completed and approved, you can begin placing orders. Start by selecting a category from the horizontal line of categories at the top of every page, such as Electronics, Apparel, Sports, etc. You may browse the entire category or select a sub-category from the dropdown menu. Additionally, you have the option to display up to 100 items per page. Simply click "Add to Cart" to add products to your cart.
After adding all necessary items to your cart, proceed with payment, and we will ship the order to your customer, providing you with the tracking number via email. Please note that merchandise in your cart is not reserved until you submit your order, approve the freight rate, and make payment arrangements with us.
Upon approval of your order and freight, the order will be sent for drop shipping. You may continue to add items until 5 pm on the day your order is dispatched. However, removing items is not possible after the order has been sent for picking.
We have created a Wishlist feature for our customers, allowing you to add frequently ordered items without placing an order. To utilize this feature, click "Add to Wishlist" at the bottom of the product page. You can access your Wishlist while making an order and modify it as needed.
7 Q: Do you offer free shipping on my drop shipping orders?
A: We provide products with free shipping. Otherwise, the drop shipping prices cover only the product cost. You should pass the shipping fees to your customers, as most expect to pay for shipping online.
You can offer promotions for free or reduced shipping on orders above a certain amount. Compare shipping providers with the best rates. Fees should match delivery speed; customers often pay more for faster shipping.
#8 Q: How much does membership cost after the 7-day free trial?
A: Membership is available for $14.95 per month or $90.00 per year. This membership includes access to our drop-ship service, and there are no contracts or requirements to call us for cancellation; you may cancel anytime through our website.
We are currently offering a 50% discount on the monthly membership fee, which was originally priced at $29.95 per month. The discounted rate is $14.95 per month, providing savings of $15.00 monthly. Additionally, the yearly membership fee, originally totaling $359.00 ($29.95 x 12 months), is now available with a 75% discount, resulting in a total of $90.00 per year and saving you $269.00 annually. This equates to $7.50 per month.
Our pricing is competitive compared to other drop shippers, reflecting our commitment to providing an affordable plan. Increasingly, wholesale suppliers and manufacturers charge fees for access to their product lines and drop-ship services. These fees typically range from $19.95 to $59.95 or more per month, with some companies offering lower annual rates compared to monthly access prices.
#9 Q: How do I get a 30% OFF Discount or 40% OFF with an EXTRA 10% OFF DISCOUNT?
A: Sign up for a free wholesale account to get 30% off. Log in to see the discounted prices. To compare 30% and 40% discounts, upgrade to a 40%-member discount and enjoy a 7-DAY free trial. After subscribing, you'll receive an extra 10% discount. Allow 24 hours for account approval before viewing wholesale prices.
#10 Q: How much profit can I make?
A: Determining profits for your products depends on your pricing strategy and the market in which you are selling. Our platform provides suggested retail prices for all items.
To maximize your profits, we offer a 30% discount for free sign-ups or a 40% discount for paid subscription members on wholesale prices. To determine your profit margin, subtract the discount percentage from the wholesale price.
Once the customer has paid you, you can log in to your SMITH DISTRIBUTORS wholesale account to pay for the product at the discounted wholesale price. Any money received beyond that cost constitutes your profit. Additionally, managing orders from various suppliers is streamlined since it can be done in one place.
To purchase the item ordered by your customer, search for it on our website, add it to your cart, enter their shipping address, and pay for the order. You retain the remaining money. If you place your order by 4 pm EST (1 pm PST), it will be shipped on the same day with tracking.
#11 Q: Do you provide an inventory feed?
A: Yes, we include inventory files with your membership. These files are available in CSV formats and are updated several times daily. You may obtain our complete inventory file or create a custom file. We also offer pre-formatted templates for Shopify, Bigcommerce, Amazon FBA, and Excel (Purchase Order System).
We provide UPCs for our products, which can be imported into your website store. This needs to be done once during start-up, with all future updates sent via email to replace the CSV file. The file will contain pictures, retail prices, wholesale costs, inventory status (In-Stock), descriptions, titles, fixed shipping rates, or FREE SHIPPING, etc.
Your feed will be updated daily; however, you will be responsible for using it to keep your website current. Each data feed includes adding new products, updating inventory status and quantity for each product, as well as removing discontinued items.
Wholesale Price with 30% OFF Discount / Profit Margins (SIGN UP FREE):
The original fee was $87.00. We are offering a 60% OFF SPECIAL DISCOUNT, reducing the fee to $35.00, saving you $52.00.
After signing up for your free wholesale account:
- A one-time processing fee of $3.00 per category applies for CSV
- A one-time processing fee of $35.00 applies for all 29 FULL CATEGORIES.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW "SMITH DISTRIBUTORS Data Feed CSV File"
For UPDATE on the same CSV file, recurring feeds will update automatically on a daily schedule. After 30 days, the feed will expire, requiring a new file for continued access. Providing updates is FREE. Contact us via Live Chat or E-mail for a FREE update. Please note: All fees are non-refundable.
Wholesale Price with 40% OFF Discount / Profit Margins (PAID SUBSCRIBE MEMBER):
After signing up for your free wholesale account and SUBSCRIBE:
Package includes $14.95 per month or $90.00 per year membership -
You will receive FREE CSV file processing with no additional fee.
For UPDATE on the same CSV file, recurring feeds will update automatically on a daily schedule. After 30 days, the feed will expire, requiring a new file for continued access. Providing updates is FREE. Contact us via Live Chat or E-mail for a private FREE CSV file link.
There will be CSV "Retail Price" lists; simply subtract 30% OFF or 40% OFF from the listed prices to determine your profit margin. The remainder will be the wholesale price to our online store. This process makes it easy for you to manage your e-commerce needs. We will e-mail you the Data Feed CSV File.
Inventory files are available in CSV formats and updated several times daily. Obtain our full inventory file or create a custom file. We also have pre-formatted templates for Shopify, Bigcommerce, Amazon FBA, and more...
Click on the link to fill out the form: SMITH DISTRIBUTORS Data Feed CSV File
#12 Question: How are products shipped?
Answer: Most orders are shipped within 1-2 business days after being placed. Larger packages may occasionally experience a delay of 1-2 days due to our rigorous testing procedures before shipment. However, our experienced and dedicated shipping department ensures that delays are rarely longer than 3 days. Shipments are made via UPS Ground, FedEx, or USPS, depending on the weight and product line. Orders placed before 10:00 am Eastern Time will typically ship the same day. Delivery usually occurs within 5-7 days of order placement.
Our Warehouse Address:
SMITH DISTRIBUTORS
2169 West Vienna Road
Suite #262
Clio, Michigan 48420, U.S.A
#13 Q: How much does shipping cost?
A: FIXED SHIPPING - The cost of shipping varies depending on the product line. Orders are shipped through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Certain product lines have a flat rate shipping fee of $1.49 or $6.99 for UPS, $6.05 for USPS Priority Mail, and FedEx's carrier rates. Some items offer free shipping.
The flat-rate shipping fee is based on the weight of your order. You may choose from UPS Mail Innovations (up to 1 lb), FedEx Smart Post (up to 9 lbs.), and FedEx Standard (FedEx Home or Ground, up to 50 lbs.)
To determine the shipping cost of an item, add it to your shopping cart. The lowest shipping cost option will be displayed on the item details page and inventory feeds. However, you can view all shipping prices and options by adding the item to your shopping cart.
Please note that we do not provide shipping to Canada, and FedEx Smart Post and UPS Mail Innovations shipments are not insured. FedEx Standard shipments are insured up to $100.
If you order more than one item, you may qualify for FREE SHIPPING. To apply for this discount, please contact Live Chat or Email Us for a Special-Order Invoice with FREE SHIPPING. This is a valuable opportunity for Amazon FBA Businesses or customers who order multiple items.
#14 Q: How can I determine the shipping cost for my customers?
A: The shipping charge for each item is displayed on the item's details page. Alternatively, you can add the item to your cart to calculate the shipping cost. Please note that you may require the recipient's zip code for an accurate calculation.
#15 Q: Can I use your product information including images and descriptions?
A: Yes, you can use our product images and descriptions for re-selling. Save the images from our website.
eBay Store, Amazon Seller, and Online Store:
Whether you sell niche items or a variety of products, our catalog has plenty to offer. Use our titles, descriptions, and images for free to create your listings.
Best Advice - Use Retail Price + Fixed Shipping = Combined Cost and offer FREE SHIPPING on your eBay store or Amazon seller listings.
16 Q: Can orders be tracked online?
A: Yes, we email tracking numbers when orders ship, and they can be tracked on our website.
Q: Can I sell on Amazon?
EDUCATION: SELLING ON EBAY AND AMAZON - CLICK HERE
A: Yes, you can sell on Amazon; you must create an Amazon seller account and get approved. Amazon requires drop shippers to use Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) and prohibits including packing slips or other information not your own.
Drop Shipping Policy - CLICK HERE
SMITH DISTRIBUTORS will Blind Drop Ship Name Brand Products directly to your customers. If shipping to an address other than your registration address, it will ship in the blind, with no paperwork and without our company name.
Important Notes:
- Only items already in the Amazon catalog can be added using the Amazon Inventory Loader. Occasionally, new items may have wrongly assigned UPCs. Inform us if this occurs for correction.
- Items need UPCs to be added to Amazon.
- Amazon restricts new sellers in certain categories, e.g., Jewelry. Contact Amazon for approval in restricted categories.
View the Amazon category restrictions
- Our system only works with Amazon.com and not with other country-specific platforms like Amazon.ca.
- Account for Amazon fees, generally 15% of your total sale, including shipping. Ensure your markup exceeds 15%. Create a Shipping Template offering free shipping to customers.
- Most of our items do not ship internationally. Do not list them on non-US Amazon platforms or offer international shipping.
Be aware! Notify us if any issues arise, and we will assist in resolving them.
18 Q: Can I sell products on eBay?
EDUCATION: SELLING ON EBAY AND AMAZON - CLICK HERE
A: You can sell our products on eBay. However, on this platform, sellers often compete with others who offer significantly lower prices, such as direct manufacturers or international sellers. Because eBay emphasizes low prices, achieving a profitable margin through dropshipping may be challenging.
#19 Q: Can I sell it on Etsy?
A: Etsy now allows items that are handmade or unique, as well as products made with "production partners" like manufacturers or drop shippers. You must disclose this from your product listing.
20 Q: How are returns, refunds, and exchanges handled?
A: If an item is broken or defective, a replacement will be sent or credit issued to the account. Non-defective/non-damaged returns must be shipped back within 30 days, and the account will be credited minus a 20% restocking fee.
#21 Q: Do your products have any guarantees or warranties?
A: We ensure that every product will be as pictured and described and free from defects. If an item does not meet this guarantee, a full refund or replacement will be provided.
#22 Q: Is it safe to shop with smithdistributors.com? Are SMITH DISTRIBUTORS reliable?
A: Yes. We use PayPal for payments, so we don't need your credit card or bank account information. Over 20 years, we've served various retailers, including eBay Power Sellers and online store owners, as well as thousands of individual customers. They purchase items from us and use our Drop Shipping service to send them directly to their recipients. We've received a lot of positive feedback from our customers.
#23 Q: How do you process and store my customer information? Is it secure? Will you contact my customer directly?
A: Your customer information is confidential. We don't sell or use your info for personal gain. When we drop ship:
1) No company name or logo appears on the package.
2) Prices are not included.
3) We don't contact your customers, ensuring their loyalty to you.
#24 Q: Do I have to be a business to purchase products from you?
A: No, you don't need to be a business to buy from us. Check with local offices if you might need a business license or Sales Tax ID.
Sales Tax Rules: As a seller, calculate and charge sales tax based on the location of your buyer. Follow the sales tax laws of your buyer's state. Don't charge another state's sales tax.
Usually, collect sales tax on orders shipped within your state. Verify with your state tax board for specific requirements. Michigan's sales tax is 6.00%.
MORE INFO: SALES TAX ID FAQ - CLICK HERE
#25 Q: How will I know when my merchandise has shipped and been received?
A: You will get an email from SMITH DISTRIBUTORS when your order ships. You can also check your order status in your wholesale account or email customer service for help.
#26 Q: How can I review my order history?
A: You may review your order history by accessing your wholesale account.
#27 Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: SMITH DISTRIBUTORS does not directly ship international orders to customers. However, international customers can use a third-party mail forwarding service to place an order. By signing up for this service, you will receive a domestic address in the United States, where SMITH DISTRIBUTORS will ship your order at standard domestic shipping rates. The mail forwarding service will then deliver your mail to your country. This method offers a straightforward and cost-effective solution for international shipping. Please see below for further details on how to get started.
