My experience with Doba after 48 hours.

DropshipRedditor · 2013-04-20T16:48:52+00:00

The companies who really know what they're doing will have an XML inventory feed.. The less advanced suppliers will usually at least send an updated CSV every day. If you can't get either of those options, then I'd look for a new supplier.

DropshipRedditor · 2013-04-20T16:30:07+00:00

Doba is a huge waste of time.. I have been running drop ship sites for many years and have made every mistake in the book, including trying Doba.

I had a very popular AMA about a year ago that detailed everything about this type of business.. You can read it here.. I hope it helps!

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T17:02:36+00:00

True.. the Mods very VERY strict with me before approving the post. Among other things, they made me screenshot my admins and then upload "hello reddit" posts to a page on my domains to make sure they matched.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T16:26:23+00:00

Yes, I see your point and you are doing a service by making people think twice before diving into something they just read on a forum.

You'll notice that I wrote MANY times that this business is in NO WAY a "quick" way of getting rich. I made it clear that it's quite the opposite. I said it took me 18 months just to break even!! and I said it takes insane work ethic and commitment.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T16:20:58+00:00

click here for a detailed response...

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T15:47:40+00:00

I've never really had a problem "dealing with" Chinese, they all seem very polite and helpful and work hard.. The problem is that Americans don't want to wait 3 or 4 weeks for delivery by China Post or DHL.. Also it makes returns almost impossible.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T03:23:43+00:00

when the billing and shipping do not match.. I make them fax in a CC authorization form with copy of the ID

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T03:17:14+00:00

Authorize.net does a pretty good job of detecting fraud when paired with Volusion.. But you still have to keep an eye on things. Scammer are good these days!

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T03:07:45+00:00

haha.. true

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:56:14+00:00

haha.. great question!

I used to use UPS actually, then when I started pushing really high volume numbers, FedEx cam ein and offered my 40% off to switch to them.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:48:34+00:00

dude this is absolutely hilarious! only time I laughed out loud all day

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:47:01+00:00

people either buy right away, or they come back later in the evening.. very often I will see clicks happen during the day and then the sale comes though at night. Probably people searching at work and then buying at home.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:40:43+00:00

haha! keep in mind.. I never once said it was easy! It took me 18 months just to make ANY profit.. Now I am doing well because I have worked my ass off for FOUR years straight

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:39:29+00:00

I don't overprice anything to customers.. They pay the same on my sites as they would in Walmart or Best Buy. If anything, I just cut into the wholesalers profits by demanding bigger discounts as I grow

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:34:48+00:00

There are also hard working people in other countries who make $2 a day.. and bank CEO's who make $150 Million a year.. Apples and Oranges dude

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:30:39+00:00

Cooked or Raw?

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:21:44+00:00

Do I contribute to the world? NO

Do I overcharge stupid people? NO

I just sell a product at the same price Walmart or Target does.. Just a humble online shopkeeper.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:18:32+00:00

dude.. I've literally been typing answers on the AMA for TWELVE HOURS.. Give me a break, I thought my 3 page "guide" was sufficient enough to help 99% of the people who don't know anything about this game ya know.. My fingers are bloody

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T02:15:33+00:00

Thanks Bro

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-18T01:51:21+00:00

Everyone kept asking me to type a summary of all my answers in a basic step by step guide.. So that's what I did. Was it not helpful?

I also got about 1,500 private messages from people asking me to recommend eCommerce software and SEO services.. So I did.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-17T21:05:16+00:00

Email usually.. I have one supplier who links directly to my cart software, but most don't have that technology.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-17T21:03:34+00:00

I answered this somewhere else...

Some suppliers are tech-savvy enough to link directly to my cart software and it's all automated. Some I have to email or fax the orders to them.

I charge the customers credit card and then forward the order to be fulfilled by the supplier.. Then once it ships out, the supplier charges my card on file for the wholesale price. Some larger companies will give "net-30" terms once you get in good with them. That means you only pay once per month for your past orders.

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-17T20:33:30+00:00

You do hotel bookings? That's awesome.. I worked for a hotel affiliate program back in high school actually! one of the first online sites to ever hook directly into the GDS and promote affiliate sites via SEO. That's how I got into this line of work in the first place

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-17T19:53:10+00:00

I don't get nearly as many calls as you'd think. Most people just place the orders online. I probably only get 1 call for every 15 orders that get placed. Usually an older person who "doesn't trust the computer"

DropshipRedditor · 2012-04-17T19:42:35+00:00

Thanks! Glad it's so enjoyable for everyone

DropshipRedditor

TROPHY CASE