What is drop shipping, and why would a gift basket business owner want to use it? Learn all about the dynamics of drop shipping.
The dilemma
Picture this: You’re almost burned out from gift basket making (sales are so good) but in desperate need for a vacation. You’ve earned it!
Looking through travel websites, you find the perfect place to relax for a week – a resort on the island of Figi that’s calling your name.
You can’t wait to book the trip but first need a way to sell gift baskets while you’re away. Can you still earn revenue while having fun in Figi?
The solution
Drop shipping has been part of the gift basket world for longer than I can remember, but it’s not often discussed. Perhaps that’s because its benefit to designers worldwide is seamless which makes the monetary investment nominal.
Drop shipping provides support through making and delivering gifts and gift baskets to your customers without anyone knowing the gift did not arrive from your office.
If you’ve never heard of drop shipping, it’s a service that makes and delivers gifts to your customers:
- When you’re unable to fill a need
- During high-volume order months
- If you live in an area that doesn’t allow you to make gift baskets
More than gift baskets
Drop shippers offer additional items such as goods you may not be able to deliver due to freshness concerns and your inability to keep certain items in your studio. Such items include:
- Flowers
- Cookies
- Brownies
There’s more good news. You may only make 12 different types of gift baskets but offer 50 design styles on your website. The 38 additional offerings are provided through your drop shipping membership.
The dynamics of drop shipping
If you’ve ever wanted to expand your product line, include more time-off flexibility in your business, or accept larger orders during the holidays, drop shippers may be the way to accommodate these options.
Many drop shippers are located in the U.S. and Canada, and you may find a source in your country if not in the two mentioned. There are membership fees and possibly an enrollment fee when you join. However, the cost for this service could be covered through consistent marketing of what they have available in addition to your own designs.
Hear more about drop shipping in the Episode 53 podcast, The Lowdown on Drop Shipping.
If you are using drop shipping services, how has it increased your revenue. If you’re considering this service, what dilemma has stalled this business integration?
