What makes you dropship (or not dropship) on eBay?

[betadyne_mining_studios]

What are your own thoughts/experiences with dropshipping? I've been doing it the past couple weeks and it seems fine. Definitely less work than buying an item in person, shipping it myself, etc. At the same time, I don't care for how little control you have over shipping and handling the product yourself. I know I can just search this on the web but all personal experiences/insights to me are valuable. Thanks!

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, I do not dropship on ebay because i need total control over the shipping side of the equation. Ebay is not a forgiving entity and will downgrade a seller's status if there are too many instances of late shipping. Then if a seller falls below average, the "death spiral" can occur. There are penalties to late shipping that include lower placement in Search which can lead to fewer sales which can prevent a seller achieving an above-average score, which can lead to higher final value fees too. When a seller cannot pull himself out of below-average, restriction and/or suspension becomes a possibility. So for me, I cannot risk it. Many can and do, but my risk-tolerance just won't allow it.

[max39666]

As a buyer i haven't a problem with sellers that drop-ship as long it is stated in their listing the wiget is being drop-shipped.        

No buyer wants to read the words "Out of Stock"   or any other excuses that they are not going to receive what they paid for within the expected delivery times--This time of year unless you have a super stocked warehouse with a excellent shipping staff-- having real control over the postal service--could well become a nightmare as E bay expects perfection -with little if any understanding.

As always your personal decision - what works best for your business

[chrysylys]

Surest way I can think of to earn a string of Negs.

And by ALL means, state it in your listings.  Something to the effect of 'I do not have these items in my possession, they will be shipped from a third parrty' so that those of us who are opposed to DSers can buy from other sellers.