Dropshipping and Reselling — The Game Has Changed. Now What?
Reselling is not what it used to be. You’ve probably felt it. Maybe you’ve tried to contact a supplier recently and got ghosted. Or they hit you with a "we're not taking on new resellers right now." It stings, especially if you’re trying to build a serious eCommerce business on Shopify.
But it’s not personal. The landscape has shifted—and fast. Brands want more control. Manufacturers want more profit. Customers want authenticity. The traditional reseller model? It’s caught in the crossfire.
So what’s really going on? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
The Shift: Brands and Manufacturers Are Going Direct
Over the past decade, the DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) movement has reshaped eCommerce. But in the last 2-3 years, especially post-pandemic, that shift has accelerated.
Here’s what the data says:
According to Shopify's Future of Commerce 2024 report, 62% of consumers now prefer to buy directly from brands rather than third-party retailers.
50%+ of manufacturers in North America now sell directly to consumers through their own channels, bypassing resellers entirely (McKinsey 2023).
71% of Gen Z shoppers trust brands more when they purchase directly from them (Forrester).
This isn’t just a trend; it’s a structural shift.
Brands now want:
Full control over pricing, brand voice, and messaging
Direct access to customer data and analytics
Higher profit margins and lower operational complexity
Manufacturers are following suit, realizing they no longer need to rely on wholesale or distribution partners to sell their goods. Platforms like Shopify have made it incredibly easy to go solo.
The emotional driver here? Control and trust. Brands want to own the customer relationship from start to finish. They want to deliver experiences that reflect their values, not be diluted by third-party retailers.
Why Resellers Are Getting Squeezed Out
In this new world, resellers are often seen as unnecessary middlemen.
Let’s be real: most resellers don’t add much value in the eyes of the brand. They don’t manufacture. They don’t innovate. They don’t build loyal communities. So what do they bring to the table?
In many cases, it’s just another listing, another price point, another discount that devalues the brand.
This has led many suppliers to cut off reseller partnerships completely or restrict them with tight MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) policies, limited inventory, and tiered pricing models that kill your margins.
And for new resellers? It’s almost impossible to break in unless you already have a proven customer base and a serious purchase order.
Dropshipping: A Model in Decline
Now let’s talk dropshipping.
Ten years ago, it was the perfect gateway drug into eCommerce: no inventory, no fulfillment, just a laptop and a dream.
But the reality in 2025 is very different:
AliExpress shipping times still average 14-30 days
Product quality is inconsistent
Branding is nonexistent
Margins are razor-thin
Your product is likely sold by 300 other stores running the same TikTok ad
There’s been a race to the bottom in pricing and quality. And the customer experience? It suffers.
More importantly, you’re not building equity. There’s no brand. No story. No defensibility. Just another generic store that looks like 10,000 others.
Even Shopify’s own roadmap reflects this shift. Dropshipping is no longer the future. Creating original products is.
Shopify's Evolution: From Resellers to Creators
Look at where Shopify is investing:
Shopify Collective: Helping merchants connect with creators and suppliers for unique product collaborations, not generic reselling.
Shopify Magic (AI): Making it easier for product creators to generate copy, descriptions, and ideas that match their brand.
Shopify Audiences: Helping original brands use shared data to find high-intent customers for new products.
Shopify Markets: Simplifying international expansion for creators who want to take their original product global.
These tools are not built for resellers. They’re built for makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who want to bring new ideas into the world.
There’s an emotional undertone here: Shopify is betting on you. The creator. The indie brand builder. The founder who cares deeply about what they’re putting into the world.
So What Should You Do Instead?
If reselling is drying up and dropshipping feels like a hamster wheel, where does that leave you?
Here’s the good news: the opportunity now is bigger than ever. It just requires a different mindset.
Instead of reselling, create your own product
Instead of buying inventory upfront, validate demand first
Instead of guesswork, build with your audience
And how do you do that? With crowdfunding and pre-orders.
The Power of Crowdfunding & Pre-Orders
Crowdfunding is more than just a launch tactic. It’s a business model.
With the right tools, you can:
Test new ideas before spending a dime on inventory
Involve your audience in the creative process
Collect cash flow upfront to fund production
Create buzz before your product even exists
And most importantly, you can approach suppliers with something no reseller has: proof of demand. Real numbers. Real customers. Real traction.
That’s what changes the conversation. That’s what gets you taken seriously.
Enter Fundlify: A Smarter Way to Launch
Fundlify was built to empower the new generation of Shopify entrepreneurs—the ones who create, not just sell.
Here’s how it works:
Validate demand before you start production
Launch pre-order or crowdfunding-style campaigns directly on your Shopify store
Tell your product story and set funding goals
Allow customers to back the project or commit to a pre-order
Automatically convert successful campaigns into draft orders in Shopify
You get:
Upfront validation
Community engagement
Cash before production
Supplier leverage
And the best part? You’re not guessing anymore. You’re building with clarity, confidence, and community.
Real Possibilities
Let’s paint a picture.
You’re a Shopify merchant with an idea for a new product—let’s say a modular travel backpack.
With Fundlify, you can:
Create a branded pre-launch page in minutes
Set a funding goal of $5,000
Promote it to your email list, social followers, and communities
Reach your goal in 10 days
Use the funds to order from your supplier
Fulfill orders with confidence, knowing demand is real
Now imagine doing this for every new product you launch. Suddenly, your store becomes a platform for innovation, not just transactions.
Final Thoughts: Build Something That Lasts
The old model is fading. Reselling is getting harder. Dropshipping is uninspired. But what comes next is far more exciting.
We’re entering a creator-driven era of commerce. One where the most successful brands are the ones who:
Build something original
Connect with their audience
Deliver real value and experiences
Fundlify is your partner in that journey.
It’s more than an app. It’s a mindset shift. From passive reseller to active creator. From noise to signal. From guessing to growing.
So don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for a supplier to say yes. Start with your idea. Start with your audience. And launch it with Fundlify.
Want to try Fundlify? Get in touch at support@fundlify.com or visit our website to learn more.
#ecommerce #Shopify #Fundlify #Crowdfunding #Preorder #Entrepreneurship #DTC