Supplier selection criteria
The foundation of the dropshipping business is reliable suppliers: manufacturers, dealers, wholesalers, distributors. Any problem — service failure, delivery delay, poor quality, failure to meet customer expectations — primarily affects the dropshipper. Their reputation suffers, the customer leaves and never returns. In the eyes of the buyer, the one who first offered the product and failed to live up to expectations is to blame.
What criteria should be used to evaluate suppliers? Can a lone dropshipper verify the reliability of a supplier? How can this be done with minimal cost and time? If you are just starting out, Betonlogos company's step-by-step approach will help you conduct an initial assessment of suppliers on your own and avoid mistakes. The company shares its experience and reveals its secrets.
When selecting suppliers and price offers, compare not only the nominal cost, but also the price-quality ratio. Take into account hidden costs, such as transport, storage, customs duties and additional services, which may affect the final cost of the goods. Study the payment terms, volume discount systems, and the possibility of flexible payment terms.
- Compare the price of goods on several platforms (AliExpress, Alibaba), enter the data into a table (e.g., Excel or specialised CRM) and calculate the total cost, taking into account delivery and other costs.
- Start with one test order on each platform to assess the actual quality of suppliers. After that, you can scale the process by implementing automation or delegating tasks to employees. For a more in-depth study, contact Betonlogos Czech Republic.
Reputation, certifications, standardisation
Terms of service and payment methods
Review the terms of cooperation: payment flexibility, billing terms, and payment deferral options. This will allow you to assess how willing the supplier is to adapt to your requirements and business specifics.
- Contact the manager and find out everything about possible payment options (bank transfer, deferred payments).
- Find out if there are any hidden commissions or additional fees when paying.
When selecting suppliers and price offers, compare not only the nominal cost, but also the price-quality ratio. Take into account hidden costs, such as transport, storage, customs duties and additional services, which may affect the final cost of the goods. Study the payment terms, volume discount systems, and the possibility of flexible payment terms.
- Compare the price of goods on several platforms (AliExpress, Alibaba), enter the data into a table (e.g., Excel or specialised CRM) and calculate the total cost, taking into account delivery and other costs.
- Start with one test order on each platform to assess the actual quality of suppliers. After that, you can scale the process by implementing automation or delegating tasks to employees. For a more in-depth study, contact Betonlogos Czech Republic.
Price and payment terms
Assess how well the supplier is able to ensure timely delivery, as well as the convenience and transparency of logistics processes. It is important to find out the delivery conditions, responsibility for transportation, and the ability to track the shipment.
- If you have never held the product in your hands, it is difficult to guarantee that it will be delivered to your customers in the same condition as you advertise it. Order a sample of the product, track its route, and compare the promised delivery times with the actual ones.
- Determine whether the minimum order quantity meets your needs. Discuss the possibility of reducing it for long-term cooperation.
Terms, delivery conditions, minimum order
Return policy
Find out how the supplier deals with defective or non-compliant goods. A clear and transparent return policy will help reduce risks and ensure stable cooperation. The longer the return cycle, the greater the discount, especially when it comes to seasonal goods.
- Agree in advance with the supplier on a system for notifying you about stock levels in their warehouse. Consider the possibility of blocking orders for such goods before payment.
- Clarify the terms of insurance and liability for delivery.
After-sales service, technical support, repairs
The availability of high-quality after-sales service is important for the prompt resolution of any problems that may arise. Find out how technical support, warranty service and repairs are organised, as well as the response times to customer requests.
- Study real cases or customer reviews on after-sales service.
- Contact customer support with a question about warranty repairs and evaluate the response time and usefulness of the answer.
Check the supplier's financial stability — a stable partner will be better able to withstand market fluctuations.
- Some analytical platforms (e.g., for financial verification or feedback collection) may be fee-based. If you need in-depth data or automated information gathering, such expenses may be justified.
- Compare the financial performance of different suppliers to choose the most reliable partner.
A sole entrepreneur can conduct a superficial but high-quality assessment and comparison of suppliers if they consistently and systematically collect data and ask the right questions. However, this will not be enough for a growing business. To check all the criteria, you need specialists and serious, in-depth analysis. Betonlogos marketing helps suppliers and sellers find each other. You will no longer be dependent on a single supplier. We will select the most promising offers from global manufacturers.
The company's financial condition and the long-term nature of the partnership
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