I don’t understand why dropshipping from a wholesaler is within the rules on ebay.

[billiobob]

What is the difference between buying from a retailer which is prohibited on ebay and buying from a wholesaler?

I have reported a seller who claims the item they are selling is in Stockport England. That is about 15 miles from my home. So I bought it but then was told that the item would not be delivered for 14 days. It was marked as posted immediately so I couldn't cancel the order, which is unfair in itself.

Because I was suspicious I checked the tracking order provided which informed me that the item is "awaiting collection", which is in my opinion not "posted".

I reported this to ebay who agreed that it sounded like dropshipping which is they say against ebay rules and they would investigate.

However when I read the ebay rules on dropshipping I found it wasn't as simple as that. Buying from a wholesaler in permitted dropshipping activity but not buying from another retailer. How does ebay know? How does a buyer know?

[tobiasd4]

If business seller uses a warehouse to hold stock & post items from there it is OK, some use Amazon.

But, if you buy from seller, who than orders from another seller & has item sent direct to you, NOT allowed.

Drop shipping | eBay

If there is an issue & you need to return item, you post back to address ebay supplies to you.

[billiobob]

Thanks. How do I as a buyer know which?

Sent from my iPhone

[tobiasd4]

You don't.

[red_magpie]

How does ebay know? How does a buyer know?

Why would they even want to know?

For business sellers, arranging delivery direct from their wholesaler can make sense and save cost for everyone. It doesn't affect the buyer's rights in any way, and should mean cheaper prices.

If you prefer to buy from sellers who maintain a warehouse full of stock, this cost will have to be passed on in their prices.

What eBay has rightly stamped down on is mainly private sellers who list new items, and then simply buy them from Amazon and have them delivered - often even adding a postage charge when Amazon delivered free, and trying to con buyers into sending returns back to Amazon!

[billiobob]

I understand that but my recent experience has been that a dropshipper is
concealing the fact that because they are drop shipping the item is taking
14 days to arrive. It is also a comparable price not cheaper.--
Niall

[pixiesen2012]

go to the sellers feedback page and see where they are registered, they are probably registered in China and aren't 'dropshipping' they are just shipping from their own country

[pixiesen2012]

you asked:-

What is the difference between buying from a retailer which is prohibited on ebay and buying from a wholesaler?

I explained what drop shipping actually means

your seller isn't 'dropshipping' they are sending items from overseas

[billiobob]

The seller claims they are in Stock port 15 miles from my home in England.
When I purchased the item they claimed it was posted but that is not the
case as it is taking 14 days to arrive. Do you think that is ok?--
Niall

[billiobob]

And if that was the case it should be stated on the listing.--
Niall

[pixiesen2012]

no I don't think it is 'okay' what is the estimated delivery date in the listing?

the search criteria is for ITEM location


you cannot search for a sellers location


sellers who have a UK distribution point can state UK as the item location as the item is sent there first and then to the buyer



if you wish to avoid buying from these sellers you need to check the seller location before you buy,



to see the seller location go to their feedback profile page by clicking on the number in brackets next to their ID,

[billiobob]

Thanks for the information. Most helpful. I will do as you suggest.--
Niall

[pixiesen2012]

'dropshipping' is when a seller has a contract with the supplier to provide the item purchased and this is alowed by ebay

what isn't allowed is advertising an item for sale and then buying it from the supplier after it sells on ebay

[billiobob]

If you read my question again you will see that I have read ebays rules on dropshipping. I am questioning what are the advantages or disadvantages of this practice for buyers.