Having been on both end ot the stick, as a buyer and as a manufacturer. I would like to raise this topic for discussion.
We have now been in the manufacturing industry for several years and have encountered buyers coming to us with unrealistic expectations, that often lead to them getting scammed and losing a lot of dollar$$$ very quickly.
Everyday we receive enquiries from buyer asking us if we do drop-shipping or accept credit card payment and a host of other insane criteria. What we do with those email is hit the delete button.
This article is intended to reveal the facts about the buying in an effort to educate buyers and sellers alike on the reality of this industry. In order to reveal the truth we must disclose the buyer's myths.
Myth #1: There are manufacturers out there willing to drop-ship.
The Truth:
A manufacturer is a mass-producer of a product, with means they are set up to produce a quantity of several or tens of thousands of each item. The specialize in only a few items and with each production run all the machine have to be re-configure to specific make that item. To produce 1 item takes just as long as to producing 1000. Their staff are trained and equipped to inventory, package and load bulk quantities for shipping by either container shipping, trailers or rail cars. These goods are then transported to designated distributors, who then re-sell in lower quantities to wholesalers or trading companies.
China manufacturers do not drop-ship because it is not profitable for them to sell in small quantities. Most manufacturers (with the exception of very small factories) will not even sell to just anybody who wants to make a purchase, you would have to be an authorized distributor that can prove you have the financial resources or credability to even purchase from the factory. The truth is that the lower quantities you sell the higher your operating expenses, and the higher the prices you must charge to your buyers.