How To Spot A Dropshipping Scam

All a seller needs to do is pass a sales order to the supplier who'll then work on the fulfillment process which involves shipping the item directly to the customer.

Many ecommerce retailers are said to opt for this model because of its simplicity and low operation costs. The internet is also full of dropshipping courses from which one can learn a few important factors before getting their feet wet.

However, the constant growth of this industry and recent technological advancements have contributed to the proliferation of many scams. Both new and experienced sellers can be fooled by the new generation of unscrupulous scam artists. So, how can you spot dropshipping scams and protect your company's best interests? Read on to learn more.

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1. Look Out For Promises Of Making Money Fast

The dropshipping business is one of the greatest ways of making money online, there is no denying this fact. But that's not to say you'll make numerous profits within your first few weeks of operation. Like any other venture, you'll need to invest your time and money, and be determined to build your brand name before you can generate profits like other established players in the industry.

Unfortunately, some people get into this business with the false hopes of making money quickly. Scammers have, therefore, used this ignorance to their advantage and that's why many people end up losing their money.

Of course, some of the claims are sometimes genuine but you should open your third eye before investing any more money than you had planned. In case you need some help, make sure you read a review or two about any trainer you come across with online.

2. Lack Of Or Insufficient Contact Information

The first red flag you should always be on the lookout for is thelack of contact information on the supplier's website. A legitimate company in the dropshipping industry should have plenty of contact information to allow you to reach them whenever you have inquiries. Apart from email addresses and phone numbers, there should also be a physical address you can drop by.

There's no reason why a dropshipping company should lack a physical address since it involves a lot of shipping. The biggest players in the industry have a clear list of all their points of contact. Others go the extra mile and provide region-specific contact centers and channels to enhance the company's communication. Of course, it's easy for scam programs to simply list this information on their website.

Nonetheless, there are a few ways to confirm this, though, and one of them is to check on online maps to see if the shop really exists. Unfortunately, that's not always the perfect option because not all businesses are registered online.

Since you'll be dealing with a representative, you should know their exact names and how to contact them. Without this information, the company will be free from any accountability. So, if there are no sufficient contact data to reach the company, that should be a sign for you to move to the next company.

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3. Review The Company's Policies And Website

Policies are an important aspect of every company because they act as a guide whenever there is an issue between the involved parties.

In the world of dropshipping, damage and return of merchandise are the main causes of misunderstandings.Reputable companies know how this can affect their operations, especially if the accuser decides to go the legal route. Therefore, if you want to spot scammers, confirm whether they have policies in place. These guiding rules should be reasonable and clear enough for any ordinary reader.

While at it, be sure to check how long their website has been in existence. Scammers tend to create a website, do their scamming, and close down the business. So, any company whose website has been live for less than six months should raise alarms. Again, some of these sites are genuine; you just need to be extra vigilant.

Conclusion

Scamming has become rampant not just in the dropshipping business but across the whole online community. To avoid being the victim of this scheme, make sure you're alive to any too-good-to-be-true deals. If someone promises you quick profits, then there are high chances that they're not being honest with you. Building a dropshipping business requires a lot of determination and commitment. Lack of contact information and unreasonable company policies are other red flags you should consider.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 18 March 2022