Amazon and Walmart are using different shipping sources that make it difficult for dropshippers to track and confirm orders
Changing the way dropshipping businesses operate
The dropshipping business has been shaken up again by the recent changes in how packages are being delivered by two online retail giants. If you’re an e-commerce seller, or even just a frequent shopper, you’ve probably noticed that Amazon and Walmart are now using some different types of shipping services to get their packages into the hands of their customers quicker.
Amazon has been using their own fulfillment services to pick and pack orders for a long time, but now they're also using their own drivers to deliver them. This means they can offer two-day delivery on many items. When that happens, the shipping information provided by Amazon includes "TBA" in the tracking number. These tracking numbers can be searched on Amazon.com and a handful of other websites.
Not to be outdone, Walmart followed suit and recently started to use Doordash drivers to fulfill inventory from their physical stores to homes and offices. Doordash’s large network of couriers means that Walmart can provide extremely fast same-day delivery for certain packages and customers, which has allowed them to compete against Amazon Prime in the battle for your online shopping dollars.
Both of these developments are changing the way that dropshipping businesses must operate. Confirming and fulfilling orders is now a lot more complicated if you are sourcing from either retailer. If you want your business to stay competitive in this new marketplace, then it's time to start tracking how these companies are doing things so you can adapt successfully!
The problem with TBA tracking numbers and Doordash
These two fulfillment methods might seem awesome on the surface. Products are getting into the hands of customers faster, increasing demand from happy customers and sparking more orders for your store. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple as TBA and Doordash actually pose a huge issue for dropshippers.
Neither Amazon or Walmart sellers are able to confirm shipments using TBA tracking numbers. eCommerce platforms do not accept TBA as valid tracking info, so if you are sourcing a package from Amazon that they are going to deliver themselves, you won’t be able to fulfill the order on your e-commerce store or marketplace.
For the reverse scenario, Doordash doesn’t provide tracking numbers at all, but even if they did, you wouldn’t want to put those into the marketplace to confirm a shipment, since this would be a surefire way for the marketplace to identify the source of these products and put your account at risk of suspension.
And in both cases, you can’t simply grab a random FedEx or UPS tracking number. Customers are accustomed to watching their packages move closer and closer to delivery, so if they notice the wrong destination city or an incorrect delivery date, you’re going to wind up with a lot of complaints and nosediving seller metrics. Definitely not a scenario you want as both retailers continue to tighten up restrictions around dropshipping.
How dropshippers can navigate TBA tracking and Doordash deliveries
So what’s the solution? Should dropshippers just try canceling orders when they get TBA tracking info or packages being delivered by Doordash drivers? This would certainly cause a lot of bad reviews, headaches, and lost revenue. Approximately 50% of all orders are being shipped via these internal fulfillment methods.
Luckily, there is a better way to continue dropshipping from Amazon and Walmart without letting alternative shipping services slow you down. Simply create a user-friendly valid tracking number that follows the movement of an actual package to the right destination at the right time.
You might be thinking that’s impossible. After all, we just talked about why you can’t grab just any old FedEx tracking number and use that instead. But Tracktaco utilizes data and analytics to provide easy-to-use tracking numbers that can be used on TBA, DoorDash, etc.
Getting started with the Tracking Number Solution
All it takes to get started is registering for an account and buying a package of credits. Each tracking number you use will deduct one credit from your account. There are bulk discounts available, so the cost of one tracking number ranges from $0.12-$0.25 cents. Whatever package you choose, avoiding cancelled orders and lost revenue will surely make it worthwhile.
If you’re a serious dropshipper though, you should consider trying OAGenius flagship software for inventory management, order fulfillment, and price monitoring. Sage for Amazon and Sage for Walmart help dropshippers automate many tedious parts of their day-to-day business, allowing them to really scale up their profits. The best part? You can try them FREE for 7 days.
