The speaker, who has been in the fulfillment industry since 2018, addresses the common misconceptions about AliExpress and Drop Shipping. They argue that while AliExpress may not be ideal for high-volume operations, it is still a viable option for small-scale businesses or for testing new products. They emphasize the importance of customer service, quality product selection, and reading reviews to ensure a successful Drop Shipping business. The speaker also warns viewers to be skeptical of incentivized advice on YouTube and to use their own judgment when choosing products and services.
1. The speaker has been in the fulfillment industry since 2018 and founded a company called Titan 3pl that year. The company grew rapidly, and the speaker was personally responsible for a significant portion of the company's revenue.
2. The speaker started Drop Shipping in 2017, a decision that was initially met with skepticism due to the long shipping times at the time (45 to 60 days). However, the speaker attributes this to the quality of customer service and products.
3. Despite the long shipping times, the speaker was able to generate substantial revenue in the first 6 months of Drop Shipping. The speaker credits this to diligent customer service, setting proper expectations, and selling high-quality products.
4. As of 2023, AliExpress's shipping times have significantly improved, typically taking about 2 weeks. The speaker also notes that it's not uncommon for US companies to take 5 to 7 business days to ship items.
5. The speaker emphasizes the importance of quality products and reading reviews, both of the product and the seller, when choosing items to sell.
6. The speaker reveals that despite owning a fulfillment company, they still use AliExpress for some orders due to the cost and time efficiency of ordering small volumes of items from AliExpress rather than importing them through a fulfillment company.
7. The speaker advises that fulfillment companies are essential when operating at high volumes, but they are not a barrier to starting a business in Drop Shipping.
8. The speaker warns viewers to be skeptical of advice on YouTube, as it often comes with incentives from the service being recommended. They encourage viewers to add their own common sense and judgment to the advice they receive.