Drop shipping

[thernand7]

I have a buyer who has now purchased 3 times recently to different addresses different states each time and demanding shipping less than 24 hours, claiming these are ALL gifts for friends. Something feels off I believe she is drop shipping my sale items. Isn’t this again eBay policy? It feels violating to me she’s taking advantage of my lower prices. Also what if something goes wrong and she technically sold it but I have blowback? 

[bonjourami]

Why would it matter what she is doing with your products if she bought and paid for them? if your low prices are bothering you, why not raise your prices? Otoh, they could actually be gifts.

[donsdetour]

a sale of items for more than you are getting. most likly on a different site.

Hey if it works for you and you make a buck, you good. Problem is with returns of course.

[slippinjimmy]

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@donsdetour wrote:

a sale of items for more than you are getting. most likly on a different site.

Hey if it works for you and you make a buck, you good. Problem is with returns of course.

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No problems with returns, the original buyer has to get the item back from their customer and then return it to you. There might not be enough time for all of that to happen which means there would never be a return.

Regardless, how many returns do people get, I'm in a low return Category but still I've only had one return not due to my error. Reading these boards it sometimes seem like everyone gets a huge percentage of their sales returned. Maybe in clothing/footwear but for most categories returns are a bit of a rarity as long as the buyer receives exactly what they expect and in a timely manner.

Being used as a dropshipper source isn't much different than a buyer who makes a purchase specifically to resell at a higher price on eBay or elsewhere. eBay dislikes the former because history shows that that type of transaction is much more likely to result in issues because of the additional hands being involved, more hands, more issues, more unhappy customers.

[kensgiftshop]

@thernand7 

I've had a seller use me as a dropshipper a few times and didn't have any problems.

Ship as you usually do.

[dbfolks166mt]

     As others stated there is nothing wrong with what the buyer is doing but I have a question that may present an issue. How did the buyer change the shipping address for each of the orders? Did they change the address in their eBay account every time or did they simply send you a message asking you to ship to a different address. 

[mr_lincoln]

@thernand7   I would add the Buyer to the Blocked list.  They are using you as a drop shipper and unless they are changing the address on their account each time they purchase (for an alleged friend) then you are at risk if an Item not received claim is filed.

Mr. L

[mtgraves7984]

Couldn't the buyer be changing the 'Ship to' address on the order at checkout? (Heck, down to the 'Ship to' recipient name...) If it shows delivered to the address on the order, the seller will be protected on INRs, no?

[mr_lincoln]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

Couldn't the buyer be changing the 'Ship to' address on the order at checkout? (Heck, down to the 'Ship to' recipient name...) If it shows delivered to the address on the order, the seller will be protected on INRs, no?

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@mtgraves7984  Waiting for the OP to reply on this point ... if the address is changed prior to the sale and shows up on the label flow I don't think there is an issue.  I don't like the sound of the Buyer is "demanding" shipment within 24 hours ... sort of points more to drop shipping then buying gifts for friends ... they must have the Seller's items listed on a different account or some other venue ...

[nickelsanddimes2015]

I have several repeat buyers that buy from me and drop ship to their customers and love it because they spen a lot of money. All of mine are not sellers on EBay themselves  and only buyers. This is not illegal by any means all they do is change the ship to address with each order and it’s still purchased under their account. I don’t know why you would feel violated as you are offering the price to anyone that wants to buy it and they are no different except for they are selling It more than what you are selling it for on another platform or website. As for any problems with a order the buyer has to open a return and would have to figure out a way to get their customer the return label from you, so as long as you accept the return it’s not your responsibility it,s theirs. That is the risk they take for drop shipping . I had a drop shipper open a return for a broken item I accepted the returning knowing it would never get it back and it was closed down. Enjoy the sales!!!

[greyparrot]

Same. Just had a below 10 feedback buyer purchase 8 of my items, in the course of a few days. Each of these 8 items had a different name/shipping address than that of the buyer. Because the old “ship to the verified address ONLY or lose seller protection” was so ingrained, I reached out to eBay. Much to my surprise, I was assured by the eBay team member I spoke with that it was a-ok to ship to these various addresses  & that I was still covered by the SPP in doing so.

TBH, I’m not really comfortable with it, as it adds another layer of Murphy’s law, but then again, the buyer paid the price I was asking.

[nickelsanddimes2015]

Yes it’s fine as long as the buyer doesn’t want you to change it after they placed the order it’s good to go!!

[thernand7]

Yes they are changing prior to paying. I just want to make sure it can’t fall back on me if they were to create issue with their buyer 

[thernand7]

Thank you I just wanted to be sure it wasn’t violating any eBay policies as I’m such a rule follower. I flat out asked her and she was honest which is how I prefer it. Don’t say it’s a gift just be straight up with me 

[thernand7]

Yes see I agree! It’s the honesty  for me that I need and value. Transparency