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Do you run a dropshipping enterprise? Or, are you researching this model for your next business venture? Either way, you will know that dropshipping is not without its hiccups…

As a third-party shipping e-merchant, this alternate distribution model moves goods directly between the supplier and customer without any inventory coming into your possession. It’s a popular business strategy, with platforms like Shopify bringing this client accessibility to small-to-medium businesses around the Globe. But, there’s a lot to consider. Dropshipping means using multiple suppliers to send goods to clients practically anywhere. On top of these logistics, dropshippers need to consider complications from defective items, fulfillment hiccups, product returns, shipping delays or export/import issues.

So, what happens when things go amiss? ShipByMail is here to help!

What can ShipByMail do for you?

One of the golden rules in dropshipping is to offer exceptional customer service. This is the best way to ensure return customers. If it works seamlessly, you’ll never need to personally handle your products, let alone manage shipping hiccups: they’ll simply be managed by the supplier.

Yet, this isn’t always how things play out in reality. What happens when your customer receives defective or delayed product from the supplier? Or, when they need to do an exchange or return? And what if you’ve made a substitution with the supplier that is totally not what your customer wants? Especially when your clients don’t even know the supplier exists, these issues are on you. Here’s how to remedy the situation:

• Defective Goods

Whether it’s a matter of product quality or damage in transit, defective goods are never the customer’s fault and can damage your business relationship. Even if your supplier is accountable to supply the replacement, there is a chance that this defective product needs to be returned. Don’t make the client bear the expense of shipping it back. Instead, pay for the item to be routed via your virtual mailing address with ShipByMail, ensuring the shipping costs are as low as possible. Even though the supplier will eventually refund you this expense, you’ll benefit in the long run by keeping your up-front costs down.

• Item Delays

Similar to defective goods, item delays can put a kink in your customer relationship. Delays are especially a problem when the product arrives too late, beyond when the customer needed it. While this transaction is similar to a return, the customer should never be on the hook for expenses related to returns of delayed items. Depending on their return policy, you may be responsible for managing the return, regardless of whether the supplier is likely reimburse you for the effort. By arranging for a North American client to ship the delayed item to your Canadian address at ShipByMail, you can save big on forward bound international shipments back to the supplier.

• Problem Substitutions

Depending on your type of business, substitutions may be common place. You may select the alternate item or it may be at the discretion of the supplier. Often, substitutions aren’t a problem. Sometimes clients are simply looking for a functional item, not a name brand or specifically identifiable goods. If you’re in the business of selling coffee filters, say, it’s not too hard to swap brands if it means getting the product to your client more quickly and cheaply.

But if a client orders a brand name item, they’d better get the specific brand name item. The slope in between those two poles can be a slippery one depending on your business. Either way, if you or your supplier makes the wrong substitution, fix it. Fast!

The best course of action is to ship the appropriate item immediately, regardless of a return. The customer shouldn’t have to wait on this mistake. If the substituted item needs to be returned, or even destroyed, ShipByMail can help. Our primary function is to save you money on international shipping via your virtual mailing address. We also offer disposal services for unwanted and used items, or items that are perhaps too cost prohibitive to send but must be reclaimed from a client.

• General Returns

Sometimes, a customer simply doesn’t want an item. Maybe it isn’t what they were expecting, or didn’t fit their needs when it was received. For whatever reason, it is still a matter you need to manage. Most quality suppliers will have an RMA process. A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) enables the client to ship the item directly to the supplier, with a credit going directly to your account upon receipt. That is, unless your supplier doesn’t have procedures to deal with dropshippers and is expecting the item back from you.

There are a myriad of reasons why returns have to be shipped from your business. Depending on the geography of you, your client and your supplier, this can be a MASSIVE head ache. Your business return policy, plus your supplier’s return policy, can turn this into a nightmare. And depending on your relationship with the client, you may need to simply eat the associated shipping expense rather than lose a client. Save yourself the fees and expense, routing your package via your virtual mailing address with ShipByMail. Better yet, contact one of our Customer Success specialists to discuss preferred rates on volume shipping for your business. We can beat rates for international shipping by up to 50% or more depending on your destination.

If you have an e-business working in the North American market, ShipByMail is your secret weapon for saving on shipping and logistics while expanding your client reach at the same time. We specialize in shipping a wide range of products, including dangerous goods. In addition to providing a wide range of storage and consolidation services, we can also arrange either freight or express shipment services. ShipByMail provides logistic solutions to fit your needs. Be sure to contact our Client Services team to find out more about how we can help your business grow!

Your Savings Advantage

Regardless of the product origin, ShipByMail gets your goods to you swiftly and safely from your virtual mailing address Canada to wherever you may be on the planet. We’ve been a package forwarder for many businesses, giving our Members substantial savings on items that would have otherwise have been much more expensive if sent to you directly. Need B2B logistics solutions? Contact ShipByMail Client Services to see how we can help.

From tiny to huge, ShipByMail is able to accommodate any of your forward packages needs. From the smallest items such as socks or household décor to larger items such as bikes, electronics, equipment and more, we can get it to you. At ShipByMail, there are no surprises or hidden fees. And if you have any questions, we’re just a click away. Join ShipByMail to receive your free Canada-based virtual addresses right away!