canceled orders

[slk_7072]

I've had an eBay site for about a year now, selling products online that appear to be popular.  That has not been a problem until the past month.  Then all orders began to be canceled.  I don't fulfil an order through a supplier until someone chooses to buy it because I have no way to see into the future to see what a random customer might decide to order.  When I receive an order on eBay, I place the order from a supplier (Costco for example) and have it shipped directly to the customer.  

Customer service says that isn't allowed.  I'm supposed to mass order items, store them at home, hope that someone will decide to order that specific item from me and then package and ship it from my home.  Not only is that inefficient, it is more expensive to do so.  The small profit that could be made is impossible that way. 

I don't believe for a minute that all eBay sellers are buying stock, storing it in their homes and just hoping someone will randomly decide to buy that particular item.  Any suggestions on how to resolve this or do I just cancel my eBay site and go elsewhere? 

[heckofagame]

So, you are drop shipping?

Drop shipping and product sourcing | eBay

[lamber9347]

@slk_7072 Here is the link on the policy for drop shipping. What you are doing isn't allowed but you can still drop ship if done correctly. Please read up so you will understand better. 

Drop shipping and product sourcing | eBay

[fab_finds4u]

What you're  doing is dropshipping from a retailer. You're  not allowed to purchase from a retailer and have it sent to your buyer.

However, you may buy from a wholesale distributor after you get an order but that is still unwise. If your distributor is out of stock you get the defect for having to cancel an item you can't  ship. To avoid that you should buy and own  your products and store them in a Fulfillment Center.

[itscalledapostingid]

You need to know, understand and follow the rules.

If you are asking for help on how to skirt the rules that's also against the rules.

[mtgraves7984]

Any suggestions on how to resolve this or do I just cancel my eBay site and go elsewhere? 

@slk_7072 

Just know that if you do this on eBay's site, you have to follow eBay's rules. Good luck with your resolution.

[heckofagame]

Also, buying from a wholesaler should give you a larger profit margin. This is eBay, so it may still be small, but it should be larger than getting stock from a retailer. 

[bonjourami]

Looking at all your unhappy customers, this doesnt seem to be working well for you.Not to be snarky, but Im surprised Ebay is still allowing you to sell here.

[onefootflipper]

My wife's work gets people who call them every single day because they bought something from a major online retailer (rarely ebay, usually one of the brick and mortars that also allows 3rd party sales on their website) not realizing they were actually buying something from a dropshipper  who then ordered from her company. They normally call because the invoice price doesn't match what they pay or because the dropshipper misrepresented the item. 

I don't know if it is a sustainable business model, seems like customer complaints or returns would always eventually wreck the account.

[kensgiftshop]

@slk_7072

Dropshipping from other retailers is not allowed on Ebay.

To dropship, you need a contract with a wholeseller that will ship your orders.

[dhbookds]

Then all orders began to be canceled.

do you mean your orders to your supplier were canceled, and therefore you had to cancel with your buyers?  Or do you mean the buyers canceled?

If you are canceling your buyer orders, I'd be curious as to what reason you used?  If Out of Stock......you are going to be in a world of trouble.......

[wrong66]

Your days are numbered here. With your current business model, there is no resolution.

[iart]

You don't believe we actually have our items? That's hilarious.

You're the exception, not the rule.

[whiteyswrecking]

What you are doing id DROP shipping which is against ebay rules !! Do not think their is much you can do 

[fashunu4eeuh]

What you are doing is retail arbitrage, and the rules expressly forbid it. Ebay is not a site where anything goes like the Old Wild West. Costco is not a wholesaler. You had a good run, but it is over now.