Are you wondering whether dropshipping is still a viable way to make extra income? You’re not alone. If you spend any time in popular subreddits or online forums about dropshipping, you’ll see the same question popping up regularly: Is dropshipping dead? Let’s dive in and see why people are asking this, what dropshipping actually is, and why it might still be a good option—especially if you’re trying to escape the 9-to-5 grind.
What Is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a business model where you, the seller, don’t keep any products in stock. Instead, you focus on marketing and customer service. When a customer places an order on your site, you forward their information and order details to a manufacturer or supplier, who then ships the product directly to the customer. This setup allows you to:
• Eliminate upfront inventory costs
• Avoid handling shipping or fulfillment yourself
• Concentrate your efforts on marketing and building customer relationships
With low barriers to entry—anyone with a laptop and an internet connection can get started—dropshipping has become increasingly popular among e-commerce entrepreneurs and side-hustle seekers alike.
Why Do People Say It’s “Dead”?
The question “Is dropshipping dead?” surfaces often because it’s no longer a secret. The model has been around for a while and has gained massive attention, thanks to online gurus, YouTube courses, and countless e-books promising overnight success. As a result:
• Saturated Market: More sellers are trying dropshipping, which can lead to stiff competition, particularly when everyone sources from the same suppliers.
• Unrealistic Expectations: Some people jump in expecting quick money without doing proper research. They burn out fast or lose interest when instant results don’t appear.
• Quality Concerns: Relying on third-party suppliers can create issues with product quality or shipping times, affecting the customer experience.
Despite these challenges, calling dropshipping “dead” is an exaggeration. It’s more accurate to say it’s evolving, and success often depends on finding a unique angle, a trustworthy supplier, and a solid marketing strategy.
My Personal Experience with Dropshipping
I’m on a mission to generate multiple streams of income, aiming to eventually replace (and ideally surpass) my 9-to-5 job. Naturally, I was drawn to dropshipping for its low upfront costs and the potential for relatively passive income. Here’s what I’ve learned:
• Education Overload: I’ve spent anywhere from $100 to $3,000 on private Discord groups to countless hours on free YouTube courses. Each source claims to have the magic bullet to succeed.
• Trial and Error: I launched several dropshipping stores, and not all of them succeeded. I experimented with different niches, tested various marketing channels, and learned the hard way that success requires consistent effort, analysis, and adaptation.
• Viability: In my experience, dropshipping isn’t “dead.” It’s simply competitive. If you put in the work to find winning products, build trust with your audience, and handle customer service effectively, you can still thrive.
What’s Next?
I’ll be sharing more about the methods I tried, why I failed in my early attempts, and how I eventually got my first sales. Plus, I’ll weigh in on whether expensive paid courses or mentorship programs (ranging from $100 to $3,000) are really worth it for beginners.
If you’re curious about learning the ins and outs of dropshipping—without breaking the bank—stick around. My goal is to help you determine if it’s the right side hustle for you and to guide you through the process of turning a modest e-commerce idea into a reliable stream of income.
It is still ongoing process for me as well, I have settled on the model that is working out for me, but obviously not a huge success yet to replace my full time job, but it’s a process and drop shipping is just one source of extra income for me. Let’s do this together till we reach our 10x income goal (well mine for now but why not do it together 🙂
Leave a Reply