Drop shipping?

[akkiakwe]

I am a TRS and long time seller. Right now am selling herb plants and have had several sales where the buyer wants them shipped to another person & address. They also ask that I don't include any notes or invoices in the package. This sounds to me like drop shipping. I have shipped them but, as always, have included my biz card with a little thank you note hand written on the reverse side. Since these are beautiful & sometimes fairly rare maturing plants I deserve credit! LOL  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. 

[lamber9347]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

How much would I need to buy from you before you would do the dance AND stand on your head?

(Hope you know I am joking.)

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Oh, I've written four different replies that I've then deleted for fear of getting reported....🤣😋

[fab_finds4u]

Me too. If they ask, and they have asked,  to not include an invoice or packing slip I respond right away to confirm I'll leave it out, and I ask them if they would like it gift wrapped and include a card in their name.   Happy to do that. Not wanting the cost or receipt sounds like a gift.  Someone buying an antique cut glass pitcher asked if I had wedding paper.  YESSS!  If I didn't the local Dollar Tree does and my car knows the way!  You can't  go wrong providing unexpected exceptional service. 

[lamber9347]

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@fab_finds4u wrote:

Me too. If they ask, and they have asked,  to not include an invoice or packing slip I respond right away to confirm I'll leave it out, and I ask them if they would like it gift wrapped and include a card in their name.   Happy to do that. Not wanting the cost or receipt sounds like a gift.  Someone buying an antique cut glass pitcher asked if I had wedding paper.  YESSS!  If I didn't the local Dollar Tree does and my car knows the way!  You can't  go wrong providing unexpected exceptional service. 

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Agreed, that is the best way to get repeat buyers.... 

[nocoolnamejane]

Just wanted to add that at my place of work, we stopped buying flowers for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions, and started giving out plants. 

They are just as beautiful and will last a lot longer (unless you’re me 😳)

[joseh1445]

You made a sale.  And got money for the item.  Thank them, and move on.  It used to bother me that some one will ask that I did not include an invoice.  Now.  It doesn't bother me that much.  They (Dropshiper) bought my item.  They are trying to make a living.  And they might keep me as their go to guy for future purchases.  Just my 2 cents.

[soh.maryl]

Don't know about you, but I am already living on the edge.  

[simba6]

Your not breaking any rules so no need to worry.  Your buyer might be dropshipping but that is not an issue for you. 

[lawnmowerpartsstore2]

If you look at my feedback i buy a lot on Ebay due to my suppliers will be out of stock from time to time. So i will drop ship from Ebay sellers to help out the sellers on Ebay as i use to be one years ago. But with all the Ebay changes, i have now cut the Ebay selling part out of my business plan. When i purchase a item on Ebay i have the address corrected to the buyer and i add a note with the order when making the payment saying:

Hello,

Please do NOT include a invoice inside the package.

Thank you.

99.9 % of the time there is never a problem as the Ebay seller wants to make the sale and they look forward to me using that same seller again on my next drop ship. Some sellers i use often. Then once in a blue moon i will get a seller that will still send a invoice or business card with the product.

Trust me as our customer WILL call us and ask us what the deal is and they want a partial refund because of the invoice and business card that was in the package. So in that case we will take care of our customer.

Now as for the Ebay seller, the chances of that buyer becoming their customer is very slim. Now that Ebay seller that didn't honor our request will now miss out on all our future purchases from them. Last i checked we are all selling to make a profit and not cut our own throats. If you cant honor the request, just refund all the money and tell your customer you cant do it. Its not that hard as there are plenty of other sellers that are willing to take the buyers money.

[awardmastersusa]

Just keep in mind that a good drop shipper can become a repeat buyer if you keep them happy with reasonable service. They can place hundreds of orders over time. How many of your one off customers ever reach anywhere near those numbers.

[lepke1979]

As said, could be drop shipping. Could be a gift. Don't care either way as long as the check clears so to speak. Never understood why people get so bent out of shape on it. I guess it sucks knowing someone sold it for a little more than you. But you're getting the sale either way. If it happens enough, maybe consider raising your price.

I also include a packing slip that points back to me in hopes the recipient will browse my shop. The couple that requested no packing slip, I'll print it out as a gift so it doesn't show the price.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Who cares why?  Just do what they asked & ship it.   Dropshipping is allowed & even if it wasn't, you aren't the one doing it, so you don't have to worry abou it.  Just mail it without any of the paperwork & you'll be fine.  I wish people would drop ship or gift my items, all day long.