by Janet Attard
A drop shipper is a supplier that will mail merchandise you order directly to your customers instead of shipping it to you. The arrangement is beneficial because it lets you expand the line of products you offer your customers without forcing you to tie up cash in inventory or find the physical space to store inventory on your premises.
Some companies let you know that they will drop ship orders, but many don't advertise that fact in their catalogs or sales literature. Before assuming a supplier doesn't or won't drop ship orders for you, call and ask what their policies are.
One caution: When your suppliers drop ship, you don't have the same control over the shipment of an order as you would if you keep inventory and ship the goods yourself. Nevertheless, you will be responsible to the customer for the delivery and quality of the product.
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