How to Right Choose a Reliable Dropshipping Agent

Need ecommerce order fulfillment services to extend your online business? Chinese dropshipping agents are here to offer one-stop service to help you find best goods with best price, fulfilling orders and shipping to your customers. You need to take time to choose a reliable Chinese dropshipping partner. Then everything becomes easily and you just focus on marketing and getting more customers. Don’t know what a reliable dropshipping partner looks like?

Don’t worry, here are some useful tips to help you to single him out.

1. Have a warehouse

The real dropshipping agents is definitely have their warehouse. In other words, physical building with walls, doors, and windows. Generally speaking, they are pleased to tell you about their warehouse location and show you photos. Because they have invested a massive amount of money building and improving it every day to give you the highest quality service.

big warehouse of china division

2. Conduct strict quality control inspection

Dropshipping agent is responsible for checking product quality to ensure every product fits the order specifications. Once the products arrive at their warehouse, they will check their colors, size, quantity, flaws, etc. If there is any quality issue, they’ll contact suppliers to require an exchange or return.

3. Quick processing time

It is practical to find a dropshipping agent who can give you a definition of processing time like this:

Processing time starts from the moment a fulfillment request is received to the time that you get the tracking number of order. Processing time is different among dropshipping agents. It’s usually anywhere between 2-3 days. The longer the processing time, the longer the shipping time.

4. Have product labeling and packaging

You need to ask if a dropshipping agent will offer labeling and packaging service. For example, you can ask if they can add a logo/pattern or a thank you tag in the package. 

5. Have return policy

It is normal to return the product in the e-commerce business. So you need to figure out the return policy in the dropshipping cooperation. The following questions count a lot in the return policy.

  • How do they carry out the overall return process?
  • In which cases do they accept to resend products or make a refund?
  • Whether will they cover shipping fee when resending products to customers?

6. Provide inventory data updates

If you’ve got an order from your customer and transfer it to your dropshipping agent. Unfortunately, they tell you that it’s out of stock, which is the worst case you should be aware of at the beginning. In order to avoid this problem, you should ask the agent if they provide you inventory status and how often the data will be updated, especially during holidays like Chinese New Year and Christmas. In this way, you can make plans to order more products early.

7. Without any hidden costs

In most cases, dropshipping agents don’t use a fixed cost. The cost often depends on types of products. But all the fees should be visible and transparent. A responsible dropshipping company only charge a very reasonable service fee without any hidden costs or commissions.

8. Have MOQ

MOQ is the abbreviation of minimum order quantity, which refers to the lowest number of a specific product that a dropshipping agent is willing to order and stock at their warehouse. If you cannot reach their MOQ requirement, the dropshipping agent won’t accept your request. But different dropshipping agents have different MOQs. Some may have a MOQ of 100 units while others may require you to order at least 20 units. The coolest thing is you don’t need to order one by one with a dropshipping agency. A CSV file can easily be applied to save your time.

9. Instant answers for your questions

Your dropshipping agent should be present (almost) whenever you need their help. Compared to email, the instant communication channels(like WeChat, Skype, WhatsApp, etc.) is more effective and convenient. So you can make sure if they can provide some instant communication choice for you.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2020 and has been revamped and updated for comprehensiveness and accuracy.

2 comments

  1. I need to start drop shipping in United Arab Emirates ….Dubai ….

    I need delivery timeline….
    Let me know if you partner with Amazon
    I am interested in formal shirts …whites shirts …. Only …

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