Should I string this guy along?

[iamalwaysright]

Yes the title sounds mean, but hear me out.

I got a message from a buyer telling me they are wanting to use me as a dropshipper. They asked me what shipping service I use and what’s the lowest price I can give them. I hardly ever bother with these messages, but I was feeling nice and replied. I told them USPS and the cheapest price is xxx (which is the exact price shown in the listing). If they buy, they buy. I don’t care as technically they don’t really need my permission to use me as their dropshipper.

They replied back telling me their previous supplier for this item ran out of stock, but they were able to ship it for $2.50 using USPS Ground Advantage and charging them only $2.50 for shipping. The item fully packed weighs about 8oz. They said they’ll ask that supplier how they are able to do that and get back to me. They ask if I’m able to get that $2.50 shipping rate if I’ll do better with my shipping charge. Keep in mind that my shipping charge for this item is free, haha.

Should I not tell them that yet and just wait to see what he comes back with on how to ship USPS Ground Advantage for $2.50? Anyone know if this is even possible or is it just all hogwash?

[slyders_finds]

There is no way even with ebays shipping discount to sellers. I looked at one of my sales. 1 oz package is quoting $5.00. My initial thought is they want you to state $2.50 on your sale and then you find out the customer is overseas. I am having red flags. I'm sure you worked shipping cost into your price but still. If it ends up some sort of scam, let us know.

[johnrj1226]

Simply reply No Thanks is your best choice.  Dealing with  people you know, including family can get dicey.

[iamalwaysright]

I know right? Part of me is curious what he’ll come up with for getting $2.50 Ground Advantage rates or if it’s just a dumb negotiation tactic. But if I burn this bridge now I’ll never know, haha. Sad part is if it is a dumb tactic, he got my attention for a bit.

Or if anyone else here knows the secret, let us know or at least PM me please.

[slyders_finds]

Also makes me wonder if they know what you are selling is worth way more and are going to post a listing at higher price. If theirs sells, they will buy from you inserting buyers address. Maybe the shipping discussion is a distraction all together. Has me curious for sure. 

[duffy4444]

   Drop shipping is fraught with negatives, not the least of which is that you could be getting a negative FB from this other seller if and when things go wrong on their end... you might be the whipping boy and may have to end up blocking this other seller using you to drop ship.

   Best to stay away and keep your eBay life as uncomplicated as you can. Remember, this is eBay, and you never know what kind of negative ramifications you could end up falling into.

Cheers, Duffy

[stainlessenginecovers]

I had a 'buyer' using me as a 'drop shipper' and figured it out after about 5 orders or so, same 'name' but different addresses across a 30-60 day period. I didn't care, until they opened a 'NAD' return (which they NEVER shipped back so I never had to refund). I put that buyer on my BBL immediately.

I recently had a 'buyer' message me asking if they could get a 'discount' on an item as they should be buying 4-5 a month and what would their 'discount' be. 

I looked at their 'listings'- they are my competition right here on ebay...so I"m supposed to sell them a $50 part for $30 so they can list it for $49 and take my customers? Not a brilliant person.

Anyway, I did NOT respond, but did add to my BBL as well. 

I did dropship for a company, using my website only, gave 20% discount, no 'minimum' but I stated they could NOT list items on ebay. They didn't. All was good (until they went out of business)

[albertabrightalberta]

---

@johnrj1226 wrote:

Simply reply No Thanks is your best choice.  Dealing with  people you know, including family can get dicey.

---

Who said anything about dealing with people you know, including family? 

@iamalwaysright 

Doing what the "buyer" wants is great --- until it isn't. 

You don't even have to be told you're being used as a dropshipper but the first time something gets lost, doesn't get to the recipient, gets claimed as NAD or whatever, you'll realize you were used and will be sorry. (Yes, it happened to me!)

[simba6]

Just don't reply.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

Nothing good will come of this.

Actuality, they might be the one stringing you along. 

Just block the person. Maybe note their I.D. and their location because I can this person probably creating other accounts to get your product. 

[lakefor94]

Sounds like a real amateur dropshipper. The pros don't need to ask silly questions like that. 

I have a few regulars and they might try to negotiate item price and that's it aside from occasionally asking to not add a packing slip to the shipment. 

They pay, I am happy to ship.

[12345jamesstamps]

Buyer might be a seller...ran out of product...you have it...to save time....they rather you mail it to the buyer who ordered it. That saves time rather than this person receives item and then mails it off to his buyer. Maybe he doesn't want to get a "ding" for an out of stock item.

I tend to think this is what is happening.

[chapeau-noir]

Nobody is stringing the OP along - they just nibbled the bait to see what comes of it with this $2.50 shipping quote. I would, too, out of curiosity to see what this person comes up with (hint: it'll either be nothing or some **bleep** story - even under DeJoyless the USPS cannot by law ship below cost).

[fbusoni]

Maybe I'm just old (64 years) but I would not deal with anyone who wanted to "use" me for any purpose whatsoever.   There are millions of buyers on eBay.  Wait for one is is not out to play games.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

**bleep** are you doing to lure these "buyers" to your inbox? And why don't you stop doing it?