Is it illegal to buy an item off another website and ship it directly to the a buyer on ebay?

[Aquib Aboobaker]

So I found a website where I buy some apparel for a low price and try profiting on ebay. Will I get in trouble from Ebay if I give the buyers address to the website where I buy the apparel and ship it directly to them? They will be able to know where I got the item for and how much I got it for. But is that allowed on ebay?

[Matt B]

It is legal. This is known as drop shipping. Plenty of sellers do this, most times on a drop ship youcan have the company include a packing list without prices so they will not know what you pay.

Just make sure you factored in all the eBay/paypal fees in your pricing.

[Roddy]

Everyone want to tell you to go for it but there are very serious drawbacks. If any dispute is raised, (item not as described, lost in mail, etc.), you are the one that has to deal with it. If the wrong size is sent by the company the buyer is dealing with you, not them. You can't simply say it's not my problem talk to company X about it. You are the one who gets negative feedback over it, you are the one that is forced to do a refund.

You will also be the one that takes the heat when they open the package and find a completely different price tag on it. Buyers are going to ask you to explain that one way or the other.

Unless it's a real drop shipping company you can not use their images without their permission. It would give the false impression that you are licensed or authorized by that company to sell their products. Copyright claims could also be raised.

What you want to do is possible but it is fraught with problems for you. Don't say you weren't warned if it all comes crashing down on your head.

[Isabel]

Well, here's what you risk - your buyer claiming you are defrauding them because the shipper isn't you. And you put the customer at risk by giving their confidential information to a third party. People buy on ebay because of their guarantee. You buying from a third party would nullify that guarantee. You should sell products that you have your hand on - not what you order from another company, unless that company is set up for exactly what you intend.