Is eBay Good for Print-on-Demand?

eBay can be good for print-on-demand sellers who are well organized. eBay even offers integration with some popular print-on-demand websites. The key is managing customer expectations and following eBay’s terms of service.

There are many print-on-demand site considerations to examine before choosing a primary supplier. For eBay, the location of the print facility is important for shipping.

Furthermore, print-on-demand (POD) companies with long lead times on production and fulfillment may not be ideal for quick turnaround sites like eBay.

Here are some additional hints for dealing with eBay as a POD shop:

Beware the Terms of Service

To combat low-quality mass sellers and scams, eBay has robust terms of service, ensuring customers receive the items they order in a timely manner. Any deviation from these terms can quickly lead to low seller ratings and even being banned from the platform.

POD Shipping Time Must Include Production Time

eBay wants its customers to receive their orders fast. When they put a delivery date on a customer receipt, that date needs to be met.

For print-on-demand shops, this means getting the order sent to the supplier, printed, and shipped out quickly.

If a POD company can’t fulfill orders quickly or is on backorder, it should not be used for eBay fulfillment. One way to prevent unexpected issues with fulfillment is by using multiple print-on-demand companies. If one can’t fill an order quickly, another one can.

By working the production time into the average shipping time, companies can also manage customer expectations.

Item Location Misrepresentation

If an item says it ships from the United States, it must ship from the United States. Having a print facility in China that ships to the US may work on other sites, but for eBay, this is a quick way to get your account suspended.

Ensure your POD company can fulfill and ship orders from the country on the item listing. Having a print-on-demand company located closer to the customers is also beneficial for shipping times and costs.

Product Quality and Returns

Before signing up with an unknown POD site and using it to sell on eBay, order a test run. Order samples of different items to see if they meet quality standards.

The gap between customer expectations and the product delivered can be huge if businesses aren’t careful.

In situations like this, cheaper is not always better. Sometimes, it's smarter to sacrifice some profit and choose a reputable supplier. Otherwise, you risk increased returns and refunds, which are a quick way to tank your seller rating.

Choose the Right Categories

The best niches for print-on-demand will vary from site to site. eBay is known as being a top seller of items like collectibles and high-quality new and second-hand goods.

There are a large number of hobbyists on eBay, and those can be a gold mine for custom print-on-demand items.

For example, folks who are into vintage cars might want custom-printed shirts and hats that show love for their hobby.

However, be careful not to show corporate logos or copyrighted characters, as this could violate eBay’s policies.

For those who can thread the needle, carving out a profitable POD niche on eBay is very achievable.

Time for Checkout

Now that the customer has their items in the cart and their credit card in hand, a business needs to be ready to fulfill the order promptly.

By planning ahead, choosing the right suppliers, and doing some homework on eBay's terms of service, companies can do very well in the world of POD.

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