Have you purchased something from a Dutch online store, but did the package come from abroad? Then you have to be careful. You probably bought something from a dropshipper. And it’s best not to buy online from a dropshipper. We tell you what it is and how you can recognize this type of practice.
It is better not to buy online from a dropshipper (and this is how you recognize them)
You probably come across them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: an advertisement for a nice wooden puzzle, a very cheap iPhone case or a funny bracelet. And all for a very reasonable price at a Dutch webshop.
It is then very tempting to buy something, but you better be careful. You are probably dealing with a dropshipper. But what is that actually? And why should you be careful?
This is drop shipping…
With dropshipping, a (Dutch) webshop sells products that they (usually) do not physically have in stock. Products are delivered from the supplier after ordering. This is often a foreign store somewhere in China. Some stores keep a small stock, but this is often not the case.
…and these are the disadvantages
A dropshipper then charges a margin on top of the price at which they order the products themselves. This is one of the disadvantages of buying online from dropshippers: you always pay more than if you buy the product yourself from the manufacturer.
But there are more disadvantages to buying from a dropshipper. The quality is often much lower, because different rules apply to production in the country where the products are made.
In addition, you sometimes have to wait weeks or even months for delivery. And then you also run the risk of having to pay import costs afterwards if your package comes from outside the EU.
It is also often annoying when you want to return a package. The Dutch webshop will then indicate that you must return it to the manufacturer yourself. And let it sit very far away…
This is how you recognize a dropshipper
When you want to buy something online, it is often not immediately clear whether you are dealing with a dropshipper. Usually these types of websites try to avoid that on purpose. However, there are a few clues that will help you determine whether you are dealing with a dropshipper.
- Check the translations on the website. Many spelling mistakes and poor translations are often a sign that you are dealing with a dropshipper;
- View the conditions and delivery times. If the delivery times are very long or no clear answer is given, you should be careful;
- Read through the reviews that others have left on the website;
- Check the address on the website with Google Maps. Is there a house or terraced house at this address? Then maybe it’s a dropshipper;
- Take a screenshot of the product you want to buy and search for the image with Google. Can you find the image on websites such as AliExpress or Temu? Then you are probably dealing with a dropshipper.
Buying online: also pay attention to this
An online store (also a dropshipper) in the Netherlands is obliged to adhere to general warranty and return rules. You must therefore be able to return a product that you do not like within 14 days.
An online store is not obliged to have a Dutch returns address. But this must be clearly stated on the website. It must also be stated in advance that returning an order will cost money.
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