Done-for-you dropshipping store is legit when offered by reputable providers. However, their effectiveness depends on the quality of the service. These services create a ready-to-use online store that has:
Before investing, research the provider thoroughly. Printful reveals that 87% of ecommerce retailers struggle to find a good supplier. Look for verified reviews, testimonials, and examples of successful stores they’ve created. Reliable providers include features like:
Beware of exaggerated claims of instant profits, hidden fees, or lack of transparency. A DFY dropshipping store is only a starting point. You need consistent effort in marketing, customer service, and optimization to become profitable.
Anton Kraly says that done-for-you dropshipping stores are legitimate, but many are not. These stores often use basic templates, low-quality products, and lack customization. They make unrealistic claims of quick success. Kraly explains that these services target beginners. They fail to teach skills like finding niches, managing suppliers, and running ads. Without these skills, most DFY stores fail long-term, even if they seem successful at first.
Kraly stresses the need to learn dropshipping yourself to build a stable business. He advises to avoid DFY stores and focus on education and mentorship. Build a long-term business by understanding the process and managing your own store.
Reddit user shared their experience with a DFY dropshipping service by Massimo Taddei. Lured by a verified Instagram profile and promises of a “guaranteed successful” store. They paid $3,000 upfront and forced into a $5,000 loan for maintenance. The company refused to return the money. It breaches the contract that says refund if the store didn’t earn back the investment in six months. Conduct thorough research before committing.
Over a decade, I've been involved in various forms of digital marketing. I did dropshipping and earned $10,000 a month. I also sold shark onesies and earned 48k in 30 days. However, it’s tiring to manage customer service, ad campaigns, and supplier issues. This article will discuss whether DFY dropshipping is legit or a scam. I will provide major reasons why some entrepreneurs think it is a scam. Additionally, I'll share stories of experts who made money with DFY dropshipping stores. Finally, I will introduce you to a business model that made me quit dropshipping.
1. Done-for-You Dropshipping Store Advertises "Quick Riches"
Done-for-you dropshipping services advertise "quick riches," but this is misleading for most people. According to Webinarcare, successful dropshippers see only a 10% success rate in the first year; 90% of dropshippers do not. Making money in dropshipping is not guaranteed. It usually takes time, effort, and proper strategies. DFY services oversell the idea of easy profits. They ignore the realities of competition and the challenges in the market.
Some make money in months. Others may take years to succeed, says Dropship. The promise of fast results overlooks the need for ongoing work, such as:
These services might provide a quick start. However, without proper execution, the chances of failure remain high. Carefully check these claims and avoid services that promise unrealistic outcomes
A Reddit post highlights that "getting rich while doing nothing" is a myth. Success takes hard work and effort, not quick shortcuts. DFY dropshipping services advertise that they handle everything for instant success. However, dropshipping requires effort and dedication, even with these services.
2. Done-for-You Dropshipping Services Charge High Fees Upfront
Done-for-you dropshipping stores charge high upfront fees ranging from $89 for basic setups to over $5,000 for premium packages. Low-end packages include a basic Shopify store setup, a .com domain, and 1-25 products. High-end options have fully customized store designs, advanced SEO, and supplier management. These services promise convenience. However, building your dropshipping store is cheaper. Shopify plans start at $29 per month and have minimal upfront costs if you handle the setup yourself.
Despite their high prices, many DFY services come with extra hidden costs. According to Simon-Kucher & Partners, hidden fees often frustrate 70% of U.S. consumers.
It adds up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars monthly; for example:
A Reddit user shared that the DFY dropshipping service charged them $5,000 upfront for a store. They expected the store to arrive in two weeks. However, the company asked them for an additional $3,500 to complete it. When they refused to pay more, the provider kept their money and did not deliver the store. There's really a risks of paying high fees to DFY dropshipping stores. These companies advertise convenience and quick results. Some fail to meet expectations or add unexpected costs after the initial payment. Research and check any service before committing to avoid losing hard-earned money.
3. Done-for-You Dropshipping Suppliers Do Not Fully Disclose Strategies or Processes
Lack of transparency means missing out on the step-by-step knowledge. You need it to run a successful dropshipping business. According to a Deloitte survey, 80% of consumers prefer companies with transparent practices. So, focus on suppliers who will share their production processes and ethical standards. Build close relationships with suppliers and demand transparency. Maintain integrity and build trust with your customers.
4. Done-for-You Dropshipping Services Create Generic, Template-Based Stores
DFY dropshipping services often create generic, template-based stores that lack uniqueness and customization. These cookie-cutter designs make it difficult for new store owners to compete. Many of these stores look identical to others. They're unprofessional or untrustworthy to potential customers. It also limits the ability to build a strong brand identity. Beginners need this to gain customer loyalty and trust.
Done-for-you dropshipping stores come with limited customization options. It's hard for owners to align the store with their vision or target audience. Also, such stores may face legal risks for infringing on other dropshippers' designs. These services focus on speed over quality.
A Reddit user shared their experience with a DFY dropshipping service. They explained how they spent $30,000 on a store and an extra $7,000 on ads and fulfillment. Instead of getting a unique and profitable dropshipping business. The Reddit user ended up with a generic website selling the same products as many others. The service offered exclusive products and special warehouses. However, the team sourced everything from the same supplier. Reddit user paid $280 per month for warehouse fees and got nothing.
5. Done-for-You Dropshipping Services has Poor Support After Purchase
DFY dropshipping services often fail to provide support after purchase. Store owners struggle to manage their businesses. DFY services promise a hands-off solution but stop helping after setting up the store. Beginners fix technical issues, improve product listings, and handle customer complaints alone. Gitnux reports that 65% of dropshippers say customer service is essential. However, DFY services rarely teach clients how to manage it. Store owners deal with issues like:
Gitnux states that 47% of dropshippers find scaling their business the hardest part. The lack of support shows a major flaw in the DFY business model. They make quick money instead of helping clients succeed. Many stores cannot grow or offer good customer service. DFY dropshipping hurts their reputation and trust.
What Is a Done-For-You Dropshipping Store?
A done-for-you dropshipping store is a pre-built online business that is set up for you. It includes a website, product listings, and connections to suppliers. You start selling right away without doing the setup work yourself. You pay a company to create the store, and they handle tasks like:
However, you don't learn important skills like product research or website management. The store may not be unique, as many others could have similar setups. You also have less control over the business and do not understand how it works. It's hard to solve problems or improve the store later on. Plus, the initial cost is high, and there's no guarantee the store will be profitable.
How to Find a Legit Done-For-You Dropshipping Store?
Why Do Entrepreneurs Believe Done-For-You Dropshipping Store Is Legit?
Legit Success Stories in Done-For-You Dropshipping Store
Spencer Mecham shared his experience with a DFY dropshipping service using Facebook Shops. He had tried Amazon FBA before but did not succeed. This new model involved sourcing products from retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and eBay. The DFY service handled the setup, product selection, and order fulfillment. This allowed Spencer to focus on his other work.
In the first month, his store made $2,300 in sales and a net profit of $842. After splitting the profit, Spencer received $421. In the second month, sales increased to $5,000, with a net profit of $1,993. Spencer’s share was $993. The service said his $15,000 investment would be recovered in seven months. Profits were expected to grow after that.
Zachh bought a pre-built Shopify store from Brandify for $17. Brandify delivered a fully functional Shopify store within 48 hours. It includes winning products, reliable suppliers, a logo, and support. Zachh tested the store using TikTok organic traffic as his marketing strategy. He created six videos over three days on a new TikTok account, gaining over 1,000 followers and 38,000 views. His efforts resulted in three sales, earning $150 in revenue. Zachh felt satisfied with the results of such a small investment. However, he advised beginners to research and practice Shopify and dropshipping before starting.
Is a Done-For-You Dropshipping Store a Legit Way to Make Money from Home?
Yes, a done-for-you dropshipping store is a legit way to make money from home if you work with a reliable supplier. Many entrepreneurs use these pre-built stores to sell products without the technical setup. For example, YouTubers like Zachh and Spencer Mecham. They earned hundreds to thousands of dollars monthly from DFY dropshipping stores. These services provide fully designed websites, product listings, and supplier connections. However, success still requires driving traffic and marketing products.
Take note, some people report scams where the promised store is poorly built or fails to perform. Many DFY services use the same store designs. This limits uniqueness and hurts sales. To avoid problems before investing:
Jared West emphasizes that dropshipping is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Many beginners struggle to make sales even with well-designed stores. Some "gurus" earn more selling courses than running dropshipping businesses. Approach done-for-you dropshipping stores carefully. Research DFY providers and understand that success requires effort and skill development.
Is Done-For-You Dropshipping Passive Income?
Done-for-you dropshipping is not passive income because it needs ongoing maintenance. You must pay for store setup, ads, and automation tools to reduce your work. Without these, you will still need to handle tasks like:
Even with automation, dropshipping is not completely passive. You must regularly check your store's performance. Update products and ensure your ads are working. Passive income is achievable. However, it depends on selecting the right services and tools to manage your store. You cannot treat this business model as "set it and forget it." Unless you are ready to make a big upfront investment.
Conclusion: Why Local Lead Gen Is More Legit Than DFY Dropshipping Store?
Local lead generation is more legit than done-for-you dropshipping because of higher profit margins and long-term stability. Local lead generation uses free traffic from local SEO. This gives it profit margins of up to 90%. DFY dropshipping depends on paid ads. That is why most dropshippers only earn 15% to 20% profit. Dropshipping costs rise as competition increases. It's harder to sustain profitability.
Local lead generation also faces less competition and provides more consistent revenue. It targets local markets and small business owners. Dropshippers compete globally with large brands like Amazon. Lead generation focuses on forming long-term agreements with businesses, ensuring stable monthly income. Dropshipping also depends on:
Finally, local lead generation offers greater control and scalability. Lead gen business owners manage their operations and provide consistent results for clients. Dropshipping relies on third-party suppliers, risking delays or mistakes that can harm reputation. Lead gen websites also generate passive income. Business owners scale by creating multiple sites. Dropshipping demands constant product testing and campaign management, even if it's DFY.
