Finding reliable suppliers and products is one of the biggest challenges for dropshipping newbies. After all, your store is only as good as the products you sell, so it’s crucial to find suppliers that offer the right products, at the right price, and can deliver them on time. Fortunately, this article will help you address this challenge by outlining where to purchase dropshipping products, including supplier networks, marketplaces, and other relevant options. As you explore the world of dropshipping, PagePilot's AI page builder can help you establish a trustworthy online store to sell your products. The tool's intelligent technology quickly creates optimized pages for your website, enabling you to enhance your SEO and improve your Google rankings, thereby attracting visitors and establishing a reliable customer base.
What Makes a Good Dropshipping Supplier?
Trustworthy Product Quality
Product quality is a top priority for building a successful dropshipping business. Customers expect the products they order to match the description and images on your site. If they receive a low-quality item, they’ll blame you, not the supplier. This leads to poor reviews, returns, and chargebacks, all of which hurt your bottom line.
Vetting Dropshipping Suppliers: Why Sample Orders Are Crucial
Before listing any products from a dropshipping supplier, order samples for your own review and inspection. You’ll want to inspect the quality and make sure the product meets your standards. Look for:
- Does the product match its description?
- Does it function properly?
- Is it free from obvious flaws, scratches, or defects?
- Is the packaging professional and protective?
If you wouldn’t be happy to receive it, your customers won’t be either. Move on and find a better supplier.
Fast, Reliable Shipping
Shipping is another crucial area to consider when selecting a dropshipping supplier. Today’s customers expect fast, trackable delivery, even from small brands. If your supplier takes three days or more to process an order, that’s already a red flag. Here’s what to evaluate:
- How long does it take to process and ship an order?
- Shipping speed and cost to key destinations.
- Who are their courier partners?
- Whether tracking numbers reliably provided?
As a dropshipper, you compete with big companies like Amazon in the West and Lazada in the East. Amazon, for instance, has successfully reduced its average shipping time from 5.92 days to 3.07 days over the past five years. You may not beat Amazon’s 3-day average, but your supplier should be fast and transparent. Aim for partners who can process and hand off shipments within 24 hours.
Warehouse Locations That Make Sense
If your customers are in the US but your supplier only ships from China, be prepared for long lead times and potentially unhappy reviews. Look for suppliers with multiple warehouses, especially in the countries where most of your customers live. This shortens delivery windows and reduces customs delays. Some international suppliers, such as Shein, strategically stock products in the US, Europe, and Asia to efficiently serve different markets. Such infrastructure is worth prioritizing.
Fair Wholesale Pricing
You’re not just competing with other dropshippers; you’re often selling the exact same product under a different brand. This makes price a key battleground. You might find one supplier selling gloves for $29.99 and another listing the same pair for $20.40. That margin difference matters. Use Google Reverse Image Search to find other vendors selling the same item. Compare prices and look for direct supplier access to maximise your profit.
Modern Order Management Systems
Great suppliers invest in automation tools. At a minimum, their systems should allow you to:
- Place and pay for orders in one dashboard.
- Track fulfillment progress.
- Communicate issues quickly.
- Sync products with your store.
- This tech saves time and lets you scale without hiring extra help.
Clear Return and Refund Policies
Even with the best systems, mistakes happen:
- Items may arrive damaged.
- Orders may get lost.
- The wrong product might be sent.
From the customer’s perspective, you are responsible, not your supplier. That’s why return and refund policies matter. Your supplier should offer:
- Replacements for defective or misdelivered items.
- Refunds for items lost in transit.
- Clear terms on who pays return shipping.
If they don’t? You’ll eat those costs yourself and potentially lose the customer for good.
Related Reading
- Best Apps For Dropshipping
- Is Dropshipping Still Profitable
- How To Start Dropshipping For Free
- Is Amazon Dropshipping Profitable
- How To Find Dropshipping Products
10 Dropshipping Marketplaces and Supplier Networks
1. Spocket
We will kick off this list with Spocket. This platform allows you to discover dropshipping suppliers. Most of these dropshipping suppliers (80%) will be located in the United States and Europe. Working with suppliers in these countries often provides several advantages, including faster shipping times.
Pros
- The products are of great quality: Definitely, if you compare them to the usual AliExpress suppliers.
- You can order samples: With Spocket, you can order samples with a few simple clicks to test out the products and suppliers!
- Many integration possibilities: Spocket can be integrated with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Wix, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
- Branded invoicing: As your business scales, consider upgrading to the Pro plan to unlock branded invoicing.
Cons
- Customized packaging is not available: If you're looking to private label your business and ship products using customized packaging, Spocket isn’t the right choice for you.
- It can be expensive if you're just starting with dropshipping: Spocket's paid plans start at $39.99 per month, and they don’t offer any free plan, except for a free trial.
- The prices of their suppliers can sometimes be unusual: For example, the product cost and shipping cost can sometimes be significantly more than their suggested selling price.
2. Avasam
Avasam is a fully automated dropshipping platform that provides you with all the tools you will need to source and sell high-quality products. They are based in London and specialize in relations with suppliers from the United Kingdom. When new suppliers want to partner with Avasam, they must first undergo Avasam's supplier verification program, which ensures that all suppliers on the platform are preapproved and fully vetted.
Seamless Integration: Connecting Avasam to Your Sales Channels
Avasam has over 100 suppliers in the UK and offers 200,000 products across 18 categories. When it comes to the US, Avasam currently has over 20,000 products live across all categories, and they are onboarding new suppliers and products every week. One thing that makes Avasam truly unique is that it integrates with over 60 different e-commerce platforms and marketplaces.
Navigating the Avasam Experience: Communication, Support, and Payment Considerations
Pros
- Proactive communication: With weekly YouTube videos, emails highlighting new suppliers, and the latest trending products, Avasam does a great job of updating you with the latest and greatest.
- Excellent customer service: When reviewing Avasam on Trustpilot, nearly everyone mentions their amazing customer service team.
Cons
- PayPal: Avasam does not accept payments made by PayPal.
3. Syncee
Next up is Syncee, a B2B platform that offers you the possibility to work with a directory of dropshipping suppliers. In the Syncee marketplace, you'll find millions of products and reliable dropshipping suppliers from around the world, including the US and Europe.
Pros
- Chat with suppliers: You can use Syncee's built-in communication tool. This way, you can ask suppliers some important questions before working with them.
- Explanation of the 'chat with suppliers' tool by Syncee
- Easy to use with Shopify: By offering an integration possibility with Shopify through a Syncee app, adding new products to your store will be a breeze!
- Supplier location filtering: You can easily find local dropshipping suppliers since Syncee allows you to filter by warehouse location, language, shipping type, product category, and more.
Cons
- Pricing: If you want to publish more than 25 products on your store, Syncee will cost at least $49 per month if you pay monthly.
4. Dripshipper
Next up on this list is a supplier for those who want to do something completely different: dropshipping coffee! This supplier, called Dripshipper, specializes in dropshipping coffee. The great thing is that all the coffee products will feature your branding exclusively. It has come directly from you. (Private Labeling) You can even let Dripshipper's team of experts build your coffee brand for you. For $500 per year, you can have your own custom & fully optimized store in only 24 hours. And it will be built exactly how you'd want it!
Pros
- Samples: You can order samples of the coffee before you dropship them.
- Dropshipping something unique: Have you ever considered dropshipping coffee? I'm 90% sure that you did not.
- Private labeling allows you to put your own branding on the coffee.
Cons
- Shipping costs outside the US: If you're dropshipping within the US, shipping is free; however, additional charges apply for international orders.
5. DropCommerce
If you love high-quality products, you'll love DropCommerce. Every supplier at DropCommerce is hand-picked for unique, high-quality products and fast shipping. Some examples of products offered by DropCommerce include leather AirPod cases, tea tree soaps, and Tiki Time BBQ shirts. Looking for dropshipping suppliers in the US?
That shouldn't be hard for DropCommerce, as they offer a directory of over 400 suppliers, all of which are based in North America.
Balancing Premium Sourcing with Profitability: The DropCommerce Dilemma
Pros
- Only US or Canadian dropshipping suppliers: Other platforms also offer Chinese dropshipping suppliers, but DropCommerce exclusively offers over 400 North American dropshipping suppliers.
- No transaction fees: At DropCommerce, you only pay a membership fee. No transaction fees will be added to the product prices.
- Fast shipping: Since all products are shipped from the US or Canada, DropCommerce's shipping time is only 3-5 business days.
- Branded invoicing: Give your store a professional look by using DropCommerce's branded invoicing feature.
Cons
- Missing features for cheaper plans: For some excellent features, such as automated fulfillment, you will have to pay for the most expensive plan, which costs $89 per month.
- Expensive products: Products on DropCommerce may be a bit pricey, making it more challenging to make a profit when selling them on your own store.
6. Brandsgateway
If you've always dreamed of owning your own luxury fashion brand's store, Brandsgateway is one of the best dropshipping suppliers for you. BrandsGateway is based in Estonia but has warehouses and offices worldwide, including:
- Italy
- Germany
- Sweden
- The US
BrandsGateway specializes in luxury brands such as:
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Gucci
- Swarovski
- Michael Kors
It makes it a high-ticket dropshipping supplier. Their product catalog features over 100+ brands, 600 women's and 400 men's sunglasses, all heavily discounted.
Premium Dropshipping: Unpacking the Value and Cost of High-End Solutions Like Brandsgateway
And the best part? Brandsgateway offers the following shipping and delivery times:
- Europe: One to three days.
- Canada and the US: Three to five days.
- Rest of the world: Five to seven days.
Pros
- Lightning-fast delivery times: Brandsgateway can deliver packages to your customer's doorstep anywhere in the world in just five days.
- High-quality imagery: A subscription to Brandsgateway will provide you with professional product photos and descriptions that you can use in your store.
- Advanced store integrations: Connect Brandsgateway to your store using their Shopify, Shift4Shop, Wix, and WooCommerce plugins, enabling features like automatic inventory updates, real-time order syncing, and currency conversion.
- Return policy: BrandsGateway's return policy allows customers to return products within 14 days of receipt. They aren't responsible for covering the cost of return shipping.
Cons
- Pricing: Brandsgateway's membership fee is more expensive than the average dropshipping supplier. Their cheapest plan will set you back €1,695 per year. It offers the possibility for high revenue by selling luxury brands.
7. Trendsi
Trendsi is a dropshipping clothing supplier from Los Angeles, California. (Which means fast and reliable shipping.) Compared to a clothing supplier like BrandsGateway, Trendsi offers fewer high-end clothing brands, making it an accessible way to start dropshipping clothing. Trendsi currently offers over 100,000 SKUs and releases more than 50 new products daily.
As a cherry on top, they don't charge any monthly fees!
Navigating Trendsi's Shipping Realities: Expectations for Global Delivery
Pros
- No monthly costs: With Trendsi, you only pay for the products you buy.
- In-house photography: Trendsi's professional photography team provides beautiful product imagery for your store and marketing creatives.
- Smart real-time inventory sync and restock: This will help you never miss any sales opportunities.
- Great reviews: Currently, Trendsi is one of Shopify's most popular clothing supplier apps. Their app has an impressive average rating of 4.9 stars from 2k+ reviews!
Cons
- Only for Shopify stores: Trendsi has an automated connection only for Shopify stores.
- Shipping times can sometimes be longer: Shipping takes 2-5 business days within the US, and 5-10 business days when items ship from overseas suppliers. For Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, shipping takes 8-16 business days.
- Shipping times can sometimes be longer: Shipping takes 2-5 business days within the US, and 5-10 business days when items ship from overseas suppliers. For Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, shipping takes 8-16 business days.
8. CJdropshipping
CJdropshipping is an all-in-one solution that helps you source products from dropshipping suppliers and ship them worldwide. CJdropshipping offers a wide selection of products and features a few unique offerings.
Pros
- Sourcing requests: If you can't find the product you're looking for in CJdropshipping's catalog, they can help you source it! You will first need to create an account, which can be done here.
- No hidden fees: The platform has no hidden fees; you will only need to pay the product's price and the shipping costs.
- Many warehouses: CJdropshipping will be able to help you ship products to your customers as quickly as possible, with warehouses located in 26 different countries.
Cons
- User-friendliness: As a beginner, it can be challenging to understand how the user interface on CJdropshipping works.
- High shipping costs: Particularly when dropshipping from a US warehouse, shipping costs can range from $5 to $15 per product.
9. Printful
This is a company you may have heard of before: it's called Printful. This is a dropshipping supplier in the print-on-demand niche. They have warehouses all over the world. Using Printful, you will be able to design your own products like:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Earrings
- Posters,
Suppose one of them is selling very well. In that case, you can use Printful's Warehousing & Fulfillment service to store it in one of their warehouses beforehand and save 2-7 days in your product delivery time (since the product doesn't have to be created anymore).
Navigating Print-on-Demand: Balancing Customization, Integrations, and Customer Expectations
Pros
- Relatively large product collection: Currently, Printful offers 268 unique products that you can fully customize to your liking. That includes products like bags, towels, and (of course) T-shirts!
- Great integrations: You can connect Printful to more than 20 e-commerce platforms, including:
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
Cons
- Long total shipping time: Before Printful can ship your order, they must first create it, which can take up to 7 business days. This results in a total shipping time of approximately 7 to 12 business days.
- No refunds will be issued for orders received in the incorrect size or color: Since each product is unique, it will cost you money each time a customer orders something in the wrong size or color, as Printful won't refund it.
10. AliExpress
Let's finish this list with the go-to supplier for dropshipping beginners: AliExpress. It's the best-known dropshipping supplier and one of the most established ecommerce marketplaces! Most dropshipping suppliers on AliExpress are based in China, although some may have warehouses in the US or the EU. In that case, don't forget to check if they aren't lying, as we explained here. Fun fact: Did you know that AliExpress doesn't allow people living in China to buy products on the platform?
Navigating AliExpress Dropshipping: Maximizing Opportunity While Mitigating Risks
Pros
- Low-priced products: Generally, products on AliExpress are pretty cheap, which is great, especially for novice dropshippers.
- Massive product catalog: You can find almost any dropshipping product on AliExpress.
- Cashback opportunity: If you didn’t know already, you can get 4.3% – 5.9% cashback on all your AliExpress orders, which is great for your product's pricing strategy.
Cons
- Long shipping times: Shipping times on AliExpress are relatively long, typically ranging from 10 to 60 days.
- Transparent: Every competitor or customer can search for your product on AliExpress to find it there for a lower price.
- Dishonest suppliers: AliExpress suppliers are known for not always being transparent.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Store
Ease of Use: Why Picking a User-Friendly Platform is Crucial To Your Success
Choosing a user-friendly platform can save you a ton of time and headaches, especially if you’re an e-commerce beginner. An intuitive interface and straightforward navigation make it easy to manage your store, leaving more time for product designing, marketing, and building your brand.
Setup Time: Look for a Quick Dropshipping Store Setup
A quick setup process lets you get your store up and running with minimal downtime. That way, you can refine your business strategy and generate revenue sooner. With that being said, setup time is only one of the criteria, and there might be different advantages to a platform with a relatively slow setup time. When weighing your options, prioritize the most critical criteria that align with your business goals.
Dropshipping Supplier Integrations: Look for Seamless Connections
Seamless integration with dropshipping suppliers, such as Printful, is a key feature for dropshipping stores. It streamlines operations, from product listing to order fulfillment, reducing the hassle of manual coordination. To know how smooth the integration really is, you can read real user reviews on forums.
Design and Customization Features: Find a Platform That Lets You Build Your Brand
If you want to build a brand with loyal customers who know and support your story or mission, the ability to customize your store’s design plays a significant role. Having a distinctive online presence enables you to stand out and connect more effectively with your target audience. If this is important to you, look for platforms that offer robust design and customization tools.
Built-In Marketing Tools: Look for Features That Help You Attract Customers
Effective marketing (like SEO optimization, email marketing, and social media presence) is key to improving visibility and attracting customers. Platforms offering built-in marketing features can help you reach a wider audience without needing external software or additional tools.
Pricing: Make Sure You Can Afford Your Dropshipping Platform
Assessing each platform’s pricing structure allows you to maintain a healthy budget, including:
- Subscription fees
- Transaction costs
- Additional charges
Balancing cost with functionality enables you to invest wisely in other business areas, such as paid marketing, building partnerships, or enhancing customer service and support.
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Related Reading
- How To Use AI For Dropshipping
- How To Set Up A Dropshipping Business
- How To Find Winning Products For Dropshipping
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- Dropshipping Business Ideas
- Best High Ticket Dropshipping Products
How to Find a Dropshipping Supplier
Identify Your Dropshipping Needs Before Searching for Suppliers
Before you start looking for dropshipping suppliers, you need to identify exactly what you want from your supplier. That way, you can search for suppliers that meet these specific criteria. Ask yourself questions like:
- What products do you want to sell?
- What are your cost and price goals?
- What type of services do I need?
Search Online for Dropshipping Suppliers
The Internet is a great place to start when looking for a dropshipping supplier. There are a variety of free and paid online directories that list suppliers of all types of products. A simple Google search can lead you to thousands of relevant results.
Visit Trade Shows to Meet Dropshipping Suppliers in Person
Trade shows are great opportunities to meet potential dropshipping suppliers in person. You’ll be able to ask direct questions, see the products in person, and even assess the supplier’s level of professionalism.
Request Samples From Suppliers to Assess Quality
To assess the quality of the products, request a few samples from each drop shipping supplier. It’s a good way to compare and assess the quality of each supplier’s products.
Check the Reputation of the Supplier Before Making a Choice
Before choosing a dropshipping supplier, it is essential to check their reputation. There are several ways to do this, including searching for reviews and ratings online, checking the vendor's status on the Better Business Bureau, or reviewing complaints filed against the vendor.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
1. No Product Reviews or Poor-Quality Listings
When evaluating product suppliers for dropshipping, begin by assessing the quality of their product listings. If a supplier’s products are of poor quality and lack reviews to validate them, that’s a significant red flag. Quality suppliers take pride in their presentation. After all, you're trusting them to represent your brand. If they’re not investing in accurate, informative product pages, what does that say about the items themselves? Always look for suppliers who:
- Offer clear product titles and specs.
- Include real product photos or videos, and have feedback or reviews from previous buyers.
If it looks sketchy, it probably is.
2. Slow or Unreliable Communication
Speed matters in dropshipping, especially when something goes wrong. If your supplier takes days to respond or gives you copy-paste answers that don’t address your questions, that’s a sign of trouble ahead. Test their support by asking specific pre-sale questions:
- How fast is order processing? What’s your shipping partner in X country?
- Do you provide tracking numbers?
If you can’t get clear answers now, you won’t get them when customers are waiting.
3. Vague or Missing Return/Refund Policies
A trustworthy supplier will clearly outline:
- What happens when an item is damaged or defective?
- Who pays return shipping?
- What does their refund process look like?
If these details are buried in vague legal language or missing entirely, you could be the one eating the loss when something goes wrong. No one likes dealing with returns, but a lack of transparency in this process poses a serious risk.
4. No Business Info or Real Customer Support
Legitimate suppliers will have:
- A real company name and address.
- Contact methods beyond just email (e.g., phone, live chat, platform messaging).
- Support hours and contact information for speaking with a real person.
If all you have is a form with no other way to reach them, that’s a concern. Dropshipping success depends on your supplier being reachable and accountable. Don’t assume they’re legitimate just because they have a decent-looking website.
5. Unusual Pricing or High MOQs
If a “dropshipping supplier” is charging unusually high prices or demands large minimum order quantities (MOQs), take a step back. True dropshipping models are built on low-volume, per-order fulfillment.
Beyond the Promise: Identifying Red Flags and Vetting Dropshipping Suppliers for Trust
A high MOQ could signal that the supplier doesn’t specialise in dropshipping, and may try to push bulk purchasing later. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. If a product is significantly cheaper than its competitors', it may be of low quality, counterfeit, or a bait for a scam. If it feels off, trust your instincts. Dropshipping is all about trust. If a supplier raises doubts at the start, that’s unlikely to change once orders start flowing in. Take your time. Do your research. And always test before you scale.
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