Did you order a package from a Dutch online shop and then waited for weeks for your order to be delivered because it turned out to come from abroad? Then you are probably dealing with dropshipping. You probably overpaid for your package too. This article explains dropshipping, how to recognise it, and what to look out for before placing an order online.
How does dropshipping work?
Dropshipping is a new business model increasingly used by online shops. Dropshipping works like this: you place an order at an online shop. Does it use dropshipping to fulfil orders? Then the online shop itself has no storage space or stock. Your order is forwarded to a foreign marketplace, such as AliExpress, AliBaba or Wish, or supplier. This supplier or webshop send the package directly to you.
Misleading advertisements
Sometimes an online shop advertises with cheap offers. Two for the price of one or 60% discount ‘Grab your chance now before it’s too late’. You place an order and think you got a good deal. Until you find out that the package comes from China or another non-EU country. You go to investigate and discover that the same product is on sale at AliExpress or Wish for a fraction of the amount you paid for it. In practice, dropshippers (online shops that use dropshipping) often do nothing more than place an order on your behalf with a foreign marketplace e.g. AliExpress, Wish or Alibaba. It’s not a scam, but it does feel that way sometimes.
How to recognise dropshipping
An online shop does not always indicate that it works with dropshipping. Sometimes online shops mention that they order directly from a supplier, but even then it is not immediately clear that dropshipping is involved. So how do you recognise dropshipping? These are the most important signals:
- Vague or long(er) delivery times
Dropship suppliers are often located in Asia. That is why it often takes weeks, sometimes even months, before you receive your order. Because online shops have no control over delivery times, they will often mention unclear or long(er) delivery times on the website. - Indication of private address
Does the online shop have a private address on the website for returning packages, for example? Then the chances are it is a dropshipping business. Always check the address in Google Maps. - No original product images
Online shops that work with dropshipping often don’t use original product images. Take a screenshot of a product image and upload it into Google Images to see what other websites (e.g. AliExpress, Alibaba or Wish) use this image. - Language errors
Often the product description is poorly translated from English. So be alert when you stumble across strange sentence structures and language errors.
Disadvantages of dropshipping
Dropshipping is not always beneficial for you as a consumer. These are the most significant drawbacks:
- No reliability products
Products from outside the EU that are sold in the EU must comply with the European product requirements. Dropshippers, in most cases, do not see or control the products they sell. Therefore, they cannot guarantee that these are of good quality. Don’t be surprised if counterfeit, unsafe or poor quality products are delivered. - Long delivery times
If you are thinking of ordering something from a Dutch online shop, you probably expect a fast delivery. Many dropship marketplaces and suppliers are located abroad, mainly in Asia, which means you can expect long delivery times. Weeks, sometimes even months. - You pay too much
The earnings model of the online shop that acts as an intermediary, is the price margin that is added to the sales price. The price will therefore, be higher than if you place an order directly at marketplaces such as AliExpress, Alibaba or Wish. This doesn’t count when
Customs and import duties
If you order products from countries outside the EU (third countries), you pay import duties for shipments over € 150. You also pay VAT for shipments over € 22. The online shop is required to inform you before you buy that the supplier is based in a third country and the potential fees and costs involved. If you are unpleasantly surprised by the customs charges at the time of delivery, you may refuse the package and are entitled to a refund of the purchase price. The online shop where you placed the order is responsible for such returns and refunds.
Guarantee rules
When you place an order with an online shop, you are entering into an agreement with it. In dropshipping, the contracting party is the dropshipper (online shop), not the supplier. The dropshipper is responsible for delivering a good product and must comply with the legal return and warranty rules. These are the most important rules:
- You may return the order within the 14-day cooling-off period.
- The online shop has no obligation to give you a Dutch return address. The dropshipper may provide the supplier’s address for package returns. Please note: the online shop must have mentioned this in the sale. They must also clearly indicate the costs of returning the order in advance. Such costs and fees can be quite substantial!
- Have you received a defective product? Or does the product break down within the warranty period? Then the online shop has to offer a solution. It may not hide behind the supplier.