Lionel has been emailing for some time now. He purchased our Brokers Guide, and started the process of building his own brokering / dropshiiping website. Whenever he has a question or two, he emails to ask. If I have answers, I’m happy to oblige. Here is his latest email:

"I'd like to ask you about shipping. I am setting up my broker/dropshipping hybrid site, but I have come to a bit of snag with shipping. I am using Shopify as my base since it's easier to set up than html and WordPress, but they are asking for me to put in shipping for my products. My problem is that since the site is just opening up, I don't know what to put for shipping. You put that you offer a flat rate from UPS.

I am dropshipping mainly the overstock cosmetics from [company found in guide] that come from NJ. My account manager is a nice enough guy, but I sometimes feel he is a bit too passive or vague in certain things. I asked about flat rate shipping or how I can handle the shipping rates for clients, and he just said send us the address and we'll get you the shipping. But with Shopify, I have to put in shipping for the goods before the order is processed, and I can't do a call for shipping feature so far. I have tried the Shopify support and their answers have been rather lame, to the extent of I'm stumped or hire a Shopify expert to set it up for you.

I am considering going with someone from Odesk to help with programming in this feature. With your brokering site example, how were you handling orders? I think I have been racking my brain around this issue too much that it might just be a simple solution. So I am asking for you advice in this matter. With fees that Shopify and eBay take off, I don't want to loose too much in profits.

When you get a chance, please review the website I’m working on (link sent in separate email). There are a few ads because it's in trial mode, but they will be gone once I pay for Shopify plan. I threw in a couple bells and whistles, but nothing too fancy. I'll figure out this shipping, so that I can focus on my marketing and marketing channels for my business."

My response: Lionel, thanks for your email and guide purchase! I am excited about your enthusiasm and not surprised that you’ve reached a snag with shipping. Most of the all-in-one website solutions, i.e. Shopify, Big Commerce, etc. are designed to meet eCommerce retailing needs versus wholesaling case lots and pallets of merchandise. This was tough for me when I started my original brokering website.

I think in terms of cart modifications, you are probably on the right track looking for a a freelance coder to assist with cart customizations.

Back to your question about how to set up shipping, ask the account manager at your dropshipping source for specific lot weights. For example, a 100 widgets might weigh 25 pounds. You can take answers given for each lot and then plug package weights into your Shopify shopping cart. Most carts, such as Shopify offer weight based, real time shipping rates for UPS and FedEx.

Lionel, by the way, I reviewed your website and I'm totally impressed! It looks as though you've implemented suggestion found within our guide and added your own touches as well! Please keep in contact and be sure to let me know when you launch your new liquidation brokering site!