DROPSHIPPING - THE SUPPLIER COMPARISON  (Chapter 4 + Appendix C)

Ask three suppliers the SAME questions, so you are comparing answers, not
moods. Send this, changing nothing but the product name:

  Hello,
  I'm setting up a small online store in the US and I'm interested in
  your [product name].
  Before I list it, could you answer four questions?
   1. What is a realistic delivery window to the US - not the best case,
      the normal one?
   2. What is your process if an item arrives damaged or faulty?
   3. Can you ship without an invoice or supplier branding in the package?
   4. Can I order one unit as a sample, and what would that cost?
  (Chapter 4 also asks: "What is your stock situation on this item?" -
   add it as question 5 if stock matters for your product.)
  I'd like to order a sample this week if the answers work.
  Thanks, [name]

The fifth question is the reply time. You test it; you don't ask it.

                           SUPPLIER 1     SUPPLIER 2     SUPPLIER 3
  Name / link              ___________    ___________    ___________
  Sent (date + time)       ___________    ___________    ___________
  Replied after (hours)    ___________    ___________    ___________
  Delivery window to US    ___________    ___________    ___________
  Damaged / faulty process ___________    ___________    ___________
  Ships unbranded?  Y / N  ___________    ___________    ___________
  Stock situation          ___________    ___________    ___________
  Sample cost              $__________    $__________    $__________
  Landed cost per unit,
   duty included, to a
   US address (in writing) $__________    $__________    $__________

RED FLAGS: slow, generic replies that don't answer what you asked.

THE SAMPLE (the one cost you save up for rather than skip):
  Ordered from: ______________   on: __________
  Arrived on:   ______________   = ______ days   <- this goes on your page
  Matches the photographs?  Y / N   Packaging / customs label: ____________
  Backup supplier saved:    ______________________________________

Don't take a customer's money for something you have never seen.

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From Dropshipping - Basics. The full method is in the book; every
free worksheet: eports.global/resources/dropshipping
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