Drop shipping is a fulfillment method. When you treat it as a business model, like riding a wave of trend, not providing customer svc, 2 month ship times, products that don’t work, etc., then imo it’s bad. My advice… Pick a higher priced product. Low price does not mean easier sales. More margin allows you to spend more to acquire a customer. Amazon is not your competitor. It doesn’t matter the price on Amazon unless you’re selling a commodity item (phone case, toothbrush, etc). Learn about marketing angles. Do this now. This is the key. Any product can sell with the right angle. Your product needs to have a X factor. It needs to be different. Position it differently so you can justify a higher price. Set your price higher than any competitors. Use discounts to get ppl through the checkout. Get a good fulfillment partner. Titan3pl is decent. IME, 14 day ship time is about the max you can deal with before you have issues with customer service and chargebacks. 10-14 day shipping is doable with Yunexpress or Yanwen. Ask the vendor. Brand your store. Tell a story. People buy from brands they like. You don’t need to use the charitable angle, but just be relatable to your target demographic. Prioritize user experience over fancy design. Make your site functional, easy to navigate, etc. don’t overlay text on images unless there is plenty of contrast. Idk what else. These are just common things that are sometimes contrary to what is said here. Basically treat it like a real biz and not a cash grab. That’s the main thing. Good luck! Answer from ivapelocal on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/ecommerce › is dropshipping really that bad?
r/ecommerce on Reddit: Is dropshipping really that bad?
January 26, 2022 -

Hey guys,

I have a pretty strong interest in e-commerce since the past few months. I just got 18 and as you can expect my budget is small and i cant allow myself to invest big into this idea currently. I heard that you could try out dropship to test out a product and see if it sells. I found a good product and am now wondering if i should try and dropship it for now. I have a "one-product"- Store in mind. Even tough everyone on this sub is trashing dropshipping, is doing it in this case "justifiable"?

Top answer
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Drop shipping is a fulfillment method. When you treat it as a business model, like riding a wave of trend, not providing customer svc, 2 month ship times, products that don’t work, etc., then imo it’s bad. My advice… Pick a higher priced product. Low price does not mean easier sales. More margin allows you to spend more to acquire a customer. Amazon is not your competitor. It doesn’t matter the price on Amazon unless you’re selling a commodity item (phone case, toothbrush, etc). Learn about marketing angles. Do this now. This is the key. Any product can sell with the right angle. Your product needs to have a X factor. It needs to be different. Position it differently so you can justify a higher price. Set your price higher than any competitors. Use discounts to get ppl through the checkout. Get a good fulfillment partner. Titan3pl is decent. IME, 14 day ship time is about the max you can deal with before you have issues with customer service and chargebacks. 10-14 day shipping is doable with Yunexpress or Yanwen. Ask the vendor. Brand your store. Tell a story. People buy from brands they like. You don’t need to use the charitable angle, but just be relatable to your target demographic. Prioritize user experience over fancy design. Make your site functional, easy to navigate, etc. don’t overlay text on images unless there is plenty of contrast. Idk what else. These are just common things that are sometimes contrary to what is said here. Basically treat it like a real biz and not a cash grab. That’s the main thing. Good luck!
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I'm not a fan of dropshipping but if you want to pursue it, please at least order one or two of your products and take your own pictures. Don't do the thing amazon sellers do with the poorly photoshopped lifestyle photos.
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Shopify
shopify.com › blog › is-dropshipping-legal
Is Dropshipping Legal? A Practical Guide to Staying Compliant (2026) - Shopify
Many new sellers worry they might be breaking federal law or running a scam. In most cases, dropshipping is legal, but only if you follow tax, consumer protection, and platform rules.
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BigCommerce
bigcommerce.com › homepage › blog home › how to sell online › growth strategies › the truth about dropshipping: the good, the bad and the misunderstood
Dropshipping: Does It Actually Work? (Pros + Cons)
2 weeks ago - Here’s where the dropshipping business model can feel uncomfortable: You don’t control the supply chain in the same way you would if you stored and shipped your own products. If a product arrives damaged or late, or if it looks nothing like the listing photos, the customer comes to you for answers — even though you didn’t pack or ship the order. This is why reliable dropshipping suppliers matter just as much as the products themselves.
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Centre Européen des Consommateurs France
europe-consommateurs.eu › home › shopping & internet › dropshipping: our advice before purchasing
Dropshipping : our advice before purchasing on an unkown website
However, there are some inherent risks for the consumer. Long delivery times, hidden fees, and counterfeit or bad quality are all possible complications when purchasing from dropshipping websites.
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Dropship
dropship.io › blog › dropshipping-scams
Dropshipping Scams & How to Avoid Them as a Beginner
Dropshipping scams are rampant. Learn how to spot and avoid them with this essential guide. Dropshippers sometimes fall for fake wholesalers, counterfeit products, and inflated shipping costs. To avoid these scams, scrutinize suppliers and verify their legitimacy.
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AutoDS
autods.com › blog › dropshipping-tips-strategies › is-dropshipping-a-scam
Is Dropshipping A Scam? Key Tips For Starting Safely
July 8, 2025 - Start Now For $1 · Dropshipping is not a scam; it’s a perfectly legal way of doing business that can be useful for generating a side hustle or eventually transitioning away from your traditional office job.
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AmzScout
amzscout.net › blog › is-dropshipping-legal
Is Dropshipping Legal? Guide to Running a Legit and Safe Business in 2025
June 26, 2025 - Traditional dropshipping can entail certain risks and problems, including: Violating e-commerce platform policies. Selling counterfeit or trademarked products, which is illegal.
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Bluehost
bluehost.com › home › ecommerce › is dropshipping legal? dropshipping laws & compliance guide for 2025
Is Dropshipping Legal? Dropshipping Laws & Compliance Guide for 2025
October 3, 2025 - Efficient returns and refunds: Handle returns swiftly and in line with marketplace policies to maintain a positive reputation and avoid regulatory issues. Responsive customer support: Address product inquiries and complaints promptly using automated tools or dedicated support teams to enhance customer experience. Even when relying on third-party suppliers, dropshippers can still be held accountable for defective or unsafe products that do not meet product safety standards.
Find elsewhere
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Quora
quora.com › Is-dropshipping-risky-legally
Is dropshipping risky legally? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Dropshipping per se is perfectly legal. But the reality that I face day to day when talking with strangers, clients and followers of my YouTube channel is the following: * picking random products you have zero clue about * not ...
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Content Whale
content-whale.com › home › is dropshipping a scam or a legitimate business? (verified sources)
Is Dropshipping A Scam or A Legitimate Business? (Verified Sources) | Content Whale
April 21, 2025 - Additionally, having clear legal ... interests and ensures all parties understand their responsibilities. Dropshipping is definitely not a scam. While it offers a viable path to entrepreneurship, it’s essential to navigate ...
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Chargeflow
chargeflow.io › blog › spot-avoid-dropshipping-scams
Six Trending Dropshipping Scams and How to Avoid Them
Ultimately, dropshipping success comes from building a solid foundation, learning from experienced individuals, and staying committed to learning and growing. Financial fraud is a serious dropshipping concern. Besides the loss of money, it also leads to damage to your reputation and legal troubles.
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Dropshipping
dropshipping.com › article › dropshipping-risks
Dropshipping
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
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Quora
quora.com › Is-dropshipping-a-scam-It-seems-way-too-good-to-be-true-How-can-someone-make-money-without-owning-any-products
Is dropshipping a scam? It seems way too good to be true. How can someone make money without owning any products? - Quora
Answer (1 of 8): Drop shipping in and of itself is not a scam, but most ‘suppliers’ are con artists. The trustworthy ones who aren’t con artists do not sell their products at wholesale price, rather they sell their products at retail price ...
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One.com
one.com › en › online-shop › what-is-dropshipping
What is dropshipping? Risks, benefits, and 5 steps to get started
January 16, 2024 - The risk factor in dropshipping is lower compared to traditional retail. As a dropshipper, you only need to purchase products once a sale has been made, which eliminates many of the financial risks associated with holding unsold inventory.
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Entrepreneur
entrepreneur.com › home › entrepreneurs › thought leaders
5 Surefire Ways to Lessen Risks in Dropshipping
September 3, 2025 - Shopify’s fraud analysis is a good example. It automatically analyzes orders and shows you those that you might want to check manually. And if you find a transaction suspicious even after manual verification, then you might choose to cancel the order instead of risking getting scammed. You don’t have to lose big to win big. You already know the common risks in running a dropshipping business, so it’s only wise to address them early on and protect yourself against hard-to-predict changes, low-quality products, scammy suppliers, insufficient inventory, fraudulent transactions and all other dangers you may face.
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Forbes Advisor
forbes.com › advisor › business › software › is-dropshipping-legal
Is Dropshipping Legal? Everything You Should Know – Forbes Advisor
September 12, 2024 - Dropshipping businesses must adhere to consumer protection laws regardless of their direct involvement in product manufacturing. These laws dictate that the retailer is accountable for ensuring the quality and safety of the goods delivered to consumers. If a product from a dropshipping business causes injury to a customer, the dropship business can be subject to personal injury litigation.
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Dropship
dropship.it › home › articles › is dropshipping a scam? top 7 scams & how to avoid them
Is Dropshipping a Scam? Top 7 Scams & How To Avoid Them
December 31, 2024 - Don't fall victim to dropshipping scams! Learn how to protect yourself as a beginner with this complete guide on avoiding dropshipping scams.
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ESQGo, PC
esqgo.com › home › blog › are you at risk of a dropshipping scam?
Are You At Risk of a Dropshipping Scam? | ESQGo, PC
June 13, 2025 - Discover the truth behind dropshipping scams and learn how to protect yourself. Explore tips and ways to identify dropshipping opportunities.
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sixads
sixads.net › home › blog › is dropshipping legal? + 7 risks to be aware of
Is Dropshipping Legal? + 7 Risks to be Aware of - sixads
December 18, 2021 - It helps to build trust between you and your customers. No one is safe from ordering a defective item, so knowing that you’ll not suffer financial loss if it happens is simply fair. To protect your dropshipping business and get your customers’ trust, get a refund policy (also known as a ...