The Fair Way! Ethical Dropshipping
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m explaining ethical dropshipping. Ethical means fair and honest.
Grown-ups argue about dropshipping a LOT! Some say it’s easy money. Others say it tricks customers.
What Lynnaider means
Dropshipping means taking a helper’s product, giving it a new meaning, and showing it to people, without keeping any at home. You keep a bit of money in between. Grown-ups call that your margin.
Done well, you think of a new job for an ordinary thing. Then you show it to people in a smart, thoughtful way. And THAT is what earns your margin.
The magic words are “new job” and “thoughtful.” Without them, it’s just selling the same thing for more money. Hmm.
How it works
You sell real things without keeping a pile of boxes, and without sending packages yourself. Helpers send orders for you. The orders come from customers YOU brought, with your own ads and work.
You pay for ads, sell for a bit more, and keep the difference.
You’re the shop!
For your customer, YOU are the shop they bought from. So you’re responsible for the whole experience. The product’s quality, and everything before, during and after they buy.
Why some people don’t like it
The lazy kind of dropshipping just resells random stuff, adding nothing. Lots of people complain about that, even on the news.
The four big problems:
- Pretending. The seller acts like they made the product.
- Way too expensive, with nothing added.
- Mystery products. Nobody knows where they come from.
- No help after buying.
When customers find the same thing way cheaper, with nothing extra, they feel tricked. Not nice!
Why Lynnaider teaches the fair way
That’s exactly why Lynnaider doesn’t teach dropshipping as a shortcut, or a quick price trick. Lynnaider teaches it with real added value and a real purpose. Then it can be fair and useful!
Our dropshipping examples show how, like Thea’s baking mats used as reusable baking paper.
Who is it for?
People who love finding things, testing them and discovering clever new uses. People who are okay with ads and helping customers. You usually need a little bit of money for ads.
Don’t want to be responsible for products you didn’t make? Then affiliate marketing might fit better. There, the brand handles the sale.
A story
Somebody finds out that a simple shower shelf makes a perfect plant shelf for a tiny balcony! She tests a few from different helpers and picks the strongest one. She takes pictures with plants, and writes honest descriptions, including delivery times.
Her ads go to apartment people who love plants. Customers get a balcony idea they never thought of. Her margin pays for her idea, testing, photos, ads and customer help.
Be see-through!
Being honest is the heart of fair dropshipping. Don’t say you make things you only pick and show. Say the real delivery time, including the helper’s packing time. Make your contact info and return rules easy to find.
Customers forgive a longer wait way more easily than a hidden one!
What’s next?
The next article explains how to add value: giving products a new job and testing them really well. The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help plan? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Is fair dropshipping more work?
Yes! But you get fewer refunds and more happy customers who come back.
Do I have to say I use helpers?
You must never pretend you made it. Be honest about your part.
What is dropshipping?
Selling real things without keeping them. A helper sends them to your customers.
What is ethical dropshipping?
Adding real value, testing, being honest, and helping customers.
Why don’t some people like it?
Because the lazy kind pretends, charges too much and doesn’t help.
Who’s responsible for the customer?
You! You’re the shop.
Will there be step-by-step lessons for each of the ten ways?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Is there a cheap way to start?
Yes! Lynnaider shows you ways that cost nothing, or very little. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
