When I started dropshipping, I had a recurring nightmare.
In the dream, I was standing on a stage. Thousands of people were yelling at me. They were chanting one sentence over and over, “WHERE. IS. MY. STUFF?”
I would wake up sweating.
The truth is, shipping from China is scary. We are used to Amazon Prime. We are used to ordering a toothbrush at 9 AM and getting it by 5 PM. So, telling a customer they have to wait 15 to 20 days feels like telling them they have to wait 100 years.
I used to hide the shipping times. I hoped nobody would notice. (Spoiler: They noticed).
But over time, I learned that you don’t have to be faster than Amazon. You just have to be smarter than the average dropshipper.
Why do we buy from China? Because it is incredibly cheap. You can buy a watch for $3 and sell it for $30.
But you pay for that cheap price with Time. The package has to:
- Leave the factory.
- Go to a sorting center.
- Get on a plane.
- Fly across the ocean.
- Pass through Customs (The slow part).
- Get to the local post office.
- Get to the customer.
It is a long journey. If you accept this reality, you can manage it. If you fight it, you will go crazy.
When you look at AliExpress, you usually see a “Free Shipping” option. It is tempting. It saves you money.
Do not use it. Free shipping usually means “Sea Freight.” Your package goes on a boat. It might take 45 to 60 days. That is business suicide.
Look for these “Special Lines” instead:
- YunExpress: This is currently the gold standard. It usually takes 8-12 days to the USA/Europe.
- CJPacket: If you use CJ Dropshipping, this is their private line. Very fast.
- ePacket: This used to be the best, but now it is slow. Only use it as a backup.
If YunExpress costs $4 but delivers in 10 days, pay the $4. Happy customers come back. Angry customers charge back.
The biggest mistake beginners make is lying. They write: “Shipping takes 3-5 days” because they want the sale.
When day 6 comes, the emails start flooding in.
The Fix: Be brutally honest, but make it sound normal. Put this on your product page (in bold):
“Because we ship our unique items directly from our specialist partners, please allow 12-20 days for delivery. We promise it’s worth the wait!”
If you tell them before they buy, they usually don’t mind. They only get mad if they are surprised.
Even if you are honest, people will email you. They get anxious. Don’t panic. Use this template. It calms them down 99% of the time.
The “Calm Down” Template:
Hi [Customer Name],
Thanks for checking in! No need to worry, your order is safe and sound.
As mentioned on our site, our international shipping usually takes about 15-20 days. Looking at your tracking number, it just cleared Customs in [City] on [Date]. That means the hard part is over!
It should be with you very soon. If it doesn’t arrive by [Date + 5 days], email me back and I will issue a full refund immediately.
Thanks for your patience!
Why this works:
- You are friendly.
- You prove you are watching the tracking.
- You give them a specific “Safety Date” so they stop worrying.
Here is a pro tip that saved my business.
If a package is taking way too long (like 30 days), don’t just apologize. Distract them.
Send an email saying: “I see your order is delayed. I am so sorry! While you wait, here is a 20% discount code for your next order.”
OR, send them a free digital guide (PDF) related to their product.
- Selling dog toys? Send a PDF called “10 Tricks to Teach Your Dog.”
They go from “Angry” to “Oh, that’s nice” instantly.
You will get angry emails. It is part of the game. But remember, You are offering cool products at great prices. That is the value.
Don’t let the fear of a long shipping time stop you. Be honest. Use the fast shipping lines. Be nice to your customers.
