Wayfair Dropshipping: Is This The Ultimate Dropshipping Supplier?
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Are you in search of the ultimate dropshipping supplier? Have you heard about Wayfair Dropshipping? Is it truly the pinnacle of dropshipping suppliers? Let’s dive in.
Wayfair, a titan in the online home product retail realm, boasts an impressive arsenal of over 18 million products, ranging from furniture to home décor, to satisfy the tastes of 20 million active customers globally.
Its roots as a dropshipping business make it a prime candidate for aspiring dropshippers.
The question remains: Is Wayfair the holy grail of dropshipping?
Join me as I explore its features, integrations, pros, cons, and customer reviews to unveil the truth behind this dropshipping giant. Buckle up; it’s about to get enlightening.
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What Is Wayfair?
Wayfair is an American company, that stands as one of the largest online-only home product retailers globally.
With over 17 thousand employees and a whopping 20 million active customers, it offers a staggering 18 million products. Despite having only one physical store and one outlet, its online shops enjoy immense popularity worldwide.
As a result, Wayfair prioritizes furnishing, décor, home improvement, and housewares sections, among others. This encourages shoppers to conveniently buy their desired products from the comfort of their homes.
Moreover, Wayfair has offices and warehouses in the US as well as in Canada, Germany, Ireland, and the UK. Both the US and UK have 800K products alone in their warehouses.
Can You Dropship With Wayfair?
Yes, you can definitely dropship with Wayfair because it started as a dropshipping business.
Initially established in 2002 as CSN Stores by entrepreneurs Niraj Shah and Steve Conine, the company began by selling stereo racks and stands online. Over time, they expanded to operate 250 standalone sites in various niches, which eventually merged into the single e-commerce platform known as Wayfair in 2011.
Today, Wayfair sources products from thousands of dropship suppliers, accounting for about 95% of its inventory, to offer a wide range of goods on its platform.
As a leader in the home and décor niche, it’s one of the top choices for dropshipping, whether you’re selling on eBay, Shopify, Amazon, or any other marketplace.
As you’re likely aware, Wayfair primarily specializes in decorations and furniture, boasting millions of products across various categories including:
- Furniture
- Outdoor
- Bed & Bath
- Decor & Pillows
- Organization
- Rugs
- Lighting
- Renovation
- Kitchen
- Baby & Kids
- Appliances
- Pet Furniture, and more.
Moreover, each category contains numerous sub-categories, making navigation a breeze for shoppers.
How Does Wayfair Dropshipping Work?
Dropshipping is a way of handling orders where the supplier takes care of picking, packing, and shipping individual products directly to customers.
So, with Wayfair, when a customer buys your product, the order goes straight to your dropshipping warehouse. From there, you manage the order by picking, packing, and preparing it for shipment directly to the customer.
Wayfair Dropshipping Features
Products
As I already mentioned above, Wayfair has over 18M products from various dropshipping categories, such as:
- Furniture
- Outdoor
- Bedding & Bath
- Rugs
- Decor & Pillows
- Organization
- Lighting
- Kitchen
- Baby & Kids
- Home Improvement
- Pet Furniture
Among all the categories available, products in the home category stand out as the most popular, allowing you to focus on specific types of products for further optimization.
For instance, Wayfair offers a diverse range of furniture, which has emerged as a top dropshipping trend in the USA and the UK. Following the pandemic, there has been a significant surge in demand within this category, proving lucrative for many online shops.
Within the furniture category, you’ll find a variety of options including wooden, acrylic, glass, and marble pieces.
Additionally, Wayfair’s Décor & Pillow category is extensive, featuring numerous products in various styles and colors.
The major sub-categories offered by Wayfair include
- Art
- Wall Decor
- Home Accessories
- Decorative Pillows & Blankets
- Window Treatments
- Mirrors
- Frames & Albums
- Clocks
- Candles & Holders
- Faux Flowers & Plants
- The Monogram Shop
- Seasonal Décor
These categories provide ample choices for those looking to enhance their homes with stylish and functional pieces.
Reliable Suppliers
Wayfair has gathered numerous dropshipping suppliers onto a handful of websites. You can take advantage of this by utilizing the Wayfair website as a supplier for your store, facilitated by dropshipping software that streamlines your tasks.
Platforms like Wayfair.com, wayfair.co.uk, wayfair.de, and over 50 other dropshipping suppliers are seamlessly integrated into dropshipping software like DSM Tool. This integration makes it easier for you to manage your store and fulfill orders efficiently.
Shipping Options
Wayfair shipping methods and fees vary based on location and marketplace. So, let’s see what we got.
➡ Wayfair US shipping methods
Wayfair US typically relies on UPS or FedEx to deliver small products weighing less than 150 lbs.
Shipping times are generally swift, although they may vary depending on the ZIP code. Nonetheless, deliveries typically take no longer than 8 business days.
Regarding shipping fees, Wayfair offers free shipping on certain items, which are marked as such on the product page. For orders below $35, there’s a standard shipping fee of $4.99. However, you qualify for free shipping if your order amounts to $35 or more.
➡ Wayfair United Kingdom shipping
Wayfair Dropshipping UK collaborates with several delivery couriers such as DHL, UPS, Dp, DX, and Hermes. Once your order is placed and processed, the seller provides all shipping details, including the courier and tracking information, through a message in your Wayfair account.
Furthermore, shipping times can vary, ranging from a few days to up to 2 weeks. So, it’s essential to pay attention to the processing time indicated by the sellers.
When it comes to shipping costs for orders from Wayfair UK, items priced over £40 UK or those marked with free delivery qualify for free shipping. For orders totaling less than £40 UK, there’s a shipping fee of £4.99.
➡ Wayfair Canada shipping options
In Wayfair Canada, packages are typically shipped using Purolator, UPS, or FedEx delivery services. They offer both fast 2-day shipping and Ground shipping, which takes about 5-10 business days for delivery.
However, it’s important to note the “lead time” indicated for each order, implies processing time before shipping. So, when combined with shipping time, it can extend to 2-4 weeks.
When it comes to shipping fees for Canada, the setup is quite similar to Wayfair USA. Orders over $50 and those labeled with free shipping qualify for free shipping.
For items priced below $50, there’s a standard shipping fee of $8.99.
Moreover, it’s essential to remember that products from Wayfair Canada can only be shipped within Canada. Shipping to the USA, UK, or Germany is not possible as Wayfair has separate websites for these regions.
➡ Wayfair Germany shipping methods
At Wayfair De, orders are shipped using various couriers including DHL, UPS, DPD, Hermes, and GLS.
It’s important to note that buyers cannot select the delivery courier themselves, as it depends on the sellers.
For orders exceeding 30€ EUR and those labeled with Free shipping, delivery is free. However, for products priced below 30€ EUR within Germany, Wayfair DE charges a shipping fee of 3.95 €.
Regardless of the shipping destination, delivery typically takes between 1 to 3 weeks.
Payment Methods
Wayfair offers its own payment method- The Wayfair Credit Card. With it, you can get $40 off on your first order higher than $250. Plus, there is no annual fee.
Also, it supports numerous other payment options like credit and debit card payments, PayPal, and many more. However, these options’ availability varies from one to another country.
Therefore, I provided a list for you.
➡ Wayfair USA Payment Methods
- Credit/Debit Cards (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners, JCB, China UnionPay, etc.).
- PayPal & PayPal Credit
- Apple Pay
- Wire Transfer
- Wayfair Credit Card
- Wayfair Gift Cards, Store Credit, and Rewards
- Wayfair Financing (Affirm, Acima, Fortiva, Genesis, Katapult, Progressive Leasing)
- Personal Checks, Cashier’s Checks, and Money Orders
➡Wayfair UK Payment Methods
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- PayPal
- AMEX
- ApplePay
- Klarna
- Barclays Partner Finance.
➡ Wayfair Canada Payment Methods
- Paypal
- Credit or debit card
- AMEX
- ApplePay
- PayBright (for orders that cost more than 50$ CAD, the pay later option is available
- Wayfair Credit card.
➡Wayfair Germany Payment Methods
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- PayPal
- AMEX
- ApplePay
- Vorkasse
- Klarna
Return Policy
➡ Returns for Non-Damaged or Non-Defective Items
Wayfair does not offer free returns for such items. Buyers are responsible for returning the product within 30 days, with shipping costs applied.
The item must be in its original condition and properly packed. Returns may result in a refund or store credit.
However, certain items like clearance and personalized items, bundled items sold at a discounted rate, products marked as “Non-Returnable” initially, open box items, and gift cards cannot be returned.
During the Christmas holiday period, Wayfair extends the return period for items purchased between November 1st and December 31st, allowing returns until January 31st.
➡ Returns for Damaged or Defective Items
If a buyer receives a damaged or defective Wayfair product, Wayfair covers the return shipping costs, making returns free.
They offer a refund or replacement within 30 days of the delivery date. Additionally, Wayfair US has specific “Modified Return Policies” for items like mattresses, wedding registry items, extended holiday items, and large appliances.
Furthermore, certain items cannot be returned, including clearance items, gift cards, personalized items, discounted bundled items (unless the entire bundle is returned), items marked as “Non-Returnable” on the sale page, and items that have already been assembled.
Integrations
Wayfair dropshipping provides numerous integrations with third-party platforms using their API.
So, here’s a list of the types of integrations you can get with Wayfair.
- Marketplace Integrations: Wayfair may integrate with other e-commerce platforms or marketplaces to expand its reach and allow sellers to list their products on multiple platforms simultaneously. This could include integrations with platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Shopify.
- Shipping and Logistics Integrations: Wayfair likely integrates with shipping carriers and logistics companies to streamline the shipping process for both customers and sellers. This could include integrations with major carriers such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
- Payment Gateway Integrations: To facilitate secure and efficient transactions, Wayfair may integrate with various payment gateways. This allows customers to pay for their purchases using different methods such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Integrations: Wayfair may integrate with CRM software to manage customer interactions, track sales leads, and improve customer service. Common CRM systems that businesses integrate with include Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk.
- Inventory Management Integrations: Integrating with inventory management systems allows Wayfair to keep track of stock levels, manage product listings, and streamline order fulfillment processes. Popular inventory management platforms include TradeGecko, Fishbowl, and Skubana.
- Analytics and Reporting Integrations: To track performance metrics and gain insights into sales trends, Wayfair may integrate with analytics and reporting tools. This could include integrations with platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or Tableau.
Wayfair Professional Program
The Wayfair professional program is essentially a special membership available directly on the website.
When customers enroll, they gain access to daily sales offers and a personal account manager who’s an industry expert, assisting with everything from product delivery to shipping options.
Moreover, members receive access to commercially rated products, hand-curated collections featuring exclusive brands, and complimentary design services. However, it’s worth noting that the free shipping conditions remain the same as those for regular Wayfair accounts.
The best part? Joining the professional program is completely free. Furthermore, Wayfair also provides gift cards and a Wayfair Credit Card, which is only available on their US and Canada sites.
Additionally, Wayfair offers a registry program for brides and grooms, although it may not be relevant for dropshippers.
How To Start Dropshipping With Wayfair?
Wayfair dropshipping is possible by selling their products on your dropshipping store, or in their marketplace. So, here I will explain briefly how you can do that.
🔸 Wayfair Dropshipping via Your Dropshipping Store
If want to start Wayfair dropshipping, you can do this manually by searching for the items on Wayfair and then creating listings on your store or other marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or others.
Once you’ve listed the products, you can start selling them on your website or selected marketplaces.
So, when you receive an order, simply place the order on Wayfair and enter your customer’s details. Wayfair will handle the rest by sending the item directly to your customer.
However, I don’t recommend this method as it can be time-consuming and unreliable.
Instead, I recommend using automation tools like AutoDS.
AutoDS is automation software designed for dropshippers, and it allows you to use Wayfair as a supplier.
With AutoDS, you can choose the platform you want to sell on, and it can help you manage your dropshipping business by importing products, automating fulfillment, tracking orders, and much more.
It’s a more efficient and reliable option for managing your dropshipping business.
Plus, there are also other tools that can help you dropship from Wayfair to Shopify. For instance, another valuable tool is MultiChannel Sales Manager.
🔸 Start Dropshipping On Wayfair Marketplace
Step 1 – Set Up Your Wayfair Account
Begin by registering for a new account. Simply click on “Continue,” and on the following screen, add a password to complete the process. Your account is now created.
Once done, you can access your account settings to update your personal information as required.
Step 2 – Discover Your Winning Products
Before you start selling on Wayfair Dropshipping, it’s essential to find products that will resonate with your audience. If you’ve already identified such products, you can skip this step.
However, if you’re still on the lookout, consider using a product research tool like Minea. This tool provides insights into the sales of various Shopify stores, helping you make informed decisions before sourcing, listing, and advertising products.
Alternatively, you can use Wayfair’s search bar by typing in the product name. Hence, in my opinion, the search suggestions provided are likely based on popularity and demand.
Once you’ve found potential products, you can use filters to sort the results by customer rating, price, special offers, and more.
For example, sorting by customer rating allows you to identify popular products with positive reviews, indicating customer satisfaction.
Once you’ve selected a product, click on it to view its description, dimensions, specifications, images, and product recommendations.
Step 3 – Locate Your Dropshipping Supplier
To sell on Wayfair Dropshipping, you’ll need a reliable supplier with warehouses in the EU, UK, or the US. Your supplier should offer competitive prices, maintain strong availability of products, and ensure fast fulfillment.
So, establishing clear communication, building a solid relationship, and reaching agreements with your supplier are crucial steps in this process.
For example, I use Dropshipping.com supplier base to search for reliable dropshipping suppliers.
Hence, I can even filter my results based on dropshipping niche, supplier costs, location, shipping costs, and more. And, I also get valuable insights about each supplier.
Step 4 – Join Wayfair’s Marketplace
Now that you’ve identified your winning products and suppliers, it’s time to join Wayfair Partner Home to list your products.
To apply, you’ll need to provide contact details, business information, fulfillment center details, shipping information, and information on returns.
Additionally, ensure your business complies with Wayfair’s Supplier Code of Conduct, and be prepared to provide your business registration number, liability insurance, and other necessary legal information.
Once your Partner Home account is set up, you can create product listings.
However, you’ll also need to sign Wayfair’s dropship agreement, upload your insurance documents, and configure your inventory feed.
Wayfair Dropshipping Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Expansive Customer Base
Selling Wayfair products or utilizing their affiliate program is highly beneficial due to the enormous customer base, counting over 20 million active customers.
Furthermore, this customer base continues to grow each month, indicating a consistent demand for Wayfair products.
Seizing this opportunity can significantly enhance your business prospects, making a Wayfair dropshipping store an ideal choice.
✅ User-Friendly Seller Panel
The Wayfair seller panel is remarkably easy to navigate and use. It offers straightforward deals for dropshippers, simplifying the process of adding products to your catalog.
This user-friendly interface empowers dropshippers to effortlessly select and add products to their websites.
✅ Real-Time Updates
Wayfair provides real-time updates, ensuring you stay informed of any changes or updates you require. This feature enables you to efficiently manage your clients and synchronize them with your websites.
Additionally, the real-time demand feature facilitates the identification of bestselling products, aiding in strategic decision-making.
✅ Extensive Logistics
Wayfair boasts a robust and secure delivery system, supported by a massive logistics network.
The dedicated personnel at Wayfair handle deliveries with care, utilizing dedicated routes and a strong network to ensure timely and secure delivery of products.
Cons
❌ Slow Shipping Services
One drawback of Wayfair is its slow shipping services, particularly for products of significant volume.
Due to the nature of its packaging and delivery processes, shipping may take longer than desired, resulting in delays in product delivery.
❌ Limited Product Categories
Another limitation of Wayfair is its restricted range of product categories. Upon visiting the homepage, it becomes apparent that Wayfair primarily focuses on decorations and furniture.
Additionally, the Wayfair dropshipping marketplace is limited to only ten categories.
Wayfair Customer Reviews
Last but not least regarding Wayfair Dropshipping are the customer reviews. Well, like it or not, this marketplace has some seriously bad customer ratings on Trustpilot.
For example, their US store is rated with only 1.3 out of 5 stars, which is really low. So, most of customers complain about bad customer service, slow delivery times, and even misleading pricing.
Also, the same case in other reviewing platforms, like Sitejabber, where the overall rating is 1.6 out of 5 stars.
So, in my opinion, you better order product samples before collaborating with any of their suppliers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wayfair dropshipping emerges as a compelling option for dropshipping enthusiasts, offering a vast array of products and seamless integration possibilities.
Its roots in dropshipping, expansive customer base, user-friendly interface, and real-time updates make it an attractive choice for those looking to venture into the world of e-commerce.
However, before diving headfirst into the Wayfair dropshipping arena, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons. While the extensive product catalog and user-friendly seller panel are definite advantages, drawbacks like slow shipping services and limited product categories warrant careful consideration.
Ultimately, the decision to utilize Wayfair for dropshipping hinges on individual circumstances and goals. For some, the benefits may outweigh the drawbacks, making it a worthwhile endeavor. For others, the potential pitfalls may give pause for thought.
In the end, whether Wayfair dropshipping is worth it depends on factors like business strategy, target market, and risk tolerance.
So, conducting thorough research, considering all aspects, and perhaps even testing the waters with product samples can help determine if Wayfair is the right fit for your dropshipping venture.