AliShipping addon issue

[clazie]

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to be here. I’ve been on my AliExpress dropshipping journey for about three months now, and while it's been exciting, I've also encountered some significant challenges that I’ve been working hard to solve every day. If anyone could shed some light or share any advice on how to fix these issues, I’d be incredibly grateful. Your support would mean the world to me.

Before I get into the details, I want to express my thanks to the developers for the continuous improvements they’ve made to the AliDropship plugin and its add-ons over the years. The dedication really shows.

Issue 1:
I’m using the AliShipping add-on, but I’ve hit a roadblock. Even after following the FAQs and troubleshooting, I can't seem to resolve this: When a product has different variants from the same supplier, each variant is assigned a separate shipping charge. For example, if a blue variant has a $1.99 shipping charge, the green variant of the exact same product adds another $1.99. This stacks up — so if I have five variants, I’m looking at nearly $10 in shipping for items that total less than $50. As you can imagine, customers are turned off by this, and I feel like it's a bad approach for dropshipping. Has anyone else dealt with this and found a solution?

Issue 2:
Another problem with the AliShipping add-on is that it doesn’t display enough shipping options, and some variants from the same supplier show no shipping options at all. The weird thing is, on AliExpress, those shipping options exist. Additionally, I noticed that shipping options for countries outside the U.S. are missing entirely. Is this because I’m based in the U.S., and the plugin is detecting my location and restricting the shipping options? Any thoughts on how to fix this?

Issue 3:
Lastly, I’m wondering about delivery times. Right now, they average around 11-15 days from AliExpress. Is this considered good or bad? And if it’s bad, how can I reduce the shipping times?

I know these issues are probably common, and I’ve spent a lot of time diving into forums for answers but haven’t had much luck. I’d really appreciate it if anyone who has experienced something similar could guide me in the right direction. While I can’t share admin access, I’m more than happy to do a remote desktop session if needed, though I’d prefer to learn how to fix this myself as I continue to grow as a business owner.

Thank you again for any guidance you can offer — it truly means a lot.

 

[chris37]

Hello @clazie ,

Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your dropshipping journey with us! It’s always exciting to see new entrepreneurs dive into the world of dropshipping, and I’m confident that with a bit of guidance, you'll achieve great success. Let's tackle each of the challenges you're facing step by step so we can get you moving forward!

Issue 1:
I’m using the AliShipping add-on, but I’ve hit a roadblock. Even after following the FAQs and troubleshooting, I can't seem to resolve this: When a product has different variants from the same supplier, each variant is assigned a separate shipping charge. For example, if a blue variant has a $1.99 shipping charge, the green variant of the exact same product adds another $1.99. This stacks up — so if I have five variants, I’m looking at nearly $10 in shipping for items that total less than $50. As you can imagine, customers are turned off by this, and I feel like it's a bad approach for dropshipping. Has anyone else dealt with this and found a solution?

Answer to Issue 1:
Regarding your issue with the AliShipping add-on, I completely understand the frustration. AliShipping can be quite complicated to set up, especially when dealing with multiple variants from the same supplier. The challenge you're facing, where each variant gets a separate shipping charge, is something I’ve encountered before, and it can indeed lead to higher costs that turn customers away.

To be fully transparent with you, I eventually stopped using the AliShipping add-on for two key reasons. First, if you aren’t working with a single supplier, it’s extremely difficult to configure correctly and often leads to pricing discrepancies like the one you’re experiencing. Second, I found that focusing on just one or two target countries simplifies the shipping process significantly. This allows you to establish fixed shipping rates with your suppliers, making your pricing more predictable and appealing to customers.

By narrowing your target markets and working closely with suppliers who offer reliable and consistent shipping costs, you can bypass the need for complex solutions like AliShipping. This strategy not only streamlines the process but also creates a better customer experience with clear, straightforward shipping rates.

Issue 2:
Another problem with the AliShipping add-on is that it doesn’t display enough shipping options, and some variants from the same supplier show no shipping options at all. The weird thing is, on AliExpress, those shipping options exist. Additionally, I noticed that shipping options for countries outside the U.S. are missing entirely. Is this because I’m based in the U.S., and the plugin is detecting my location and restricting the shipping options? Any thoughts on how to fix this?

Answer to Issue 2:
Check answer to issue 1

Issue 3:
Lastly, I’m wondering about delivery times. Right now, they average around 11-15 days from AliExpress. Is this considered good or bad? And if it’s bad, how can I reduce the shipping times?

Answer to Issue 3:

In terms of delivery times, an average of 11-15 days from AliExpress can be considered somewhat standard, but it ultimately depends on your target market and customer expectations. If your competitors are offering faster shipping, this could be seen as a drawback.

For full transparency, it’s essential to communicate shipping times clearly. Make sure to display the estimated delivery times prominently on your product pages, as well as in a dedicated shipping and return policy page. This not only sets proper expectations for your customers but also helps build trust in your brand.

To reduce shipping times, consider the following strategies:

1. Select Suppliers with Faster Shipping Options: Look for suppliers who offer expedited shipping methods like ePacket or AliExpress Standard Shipping, or even those with warehouses in your target countries.
2. Use Local Warehouses: Some suppliers provide fulfillment centers closer to your customers, which can significantly speed up delivery times.
3. Explore Alternative Platforms: Consider using services like Sellvia that specialize in faster shipping solutions and have warehouses in multiple locations.

By being transparent about delivery times and actively seeking ways to improve them, you can enhance the overall customer experience.

I know these issues are probably common, and I’ve spent a lot of time diving into forums for answers but haven’t had much luck. I’d really appreciate it if anyone who has experienced something similar could guide me in the right direction. While I can’t share admin access, I’m more than happy to do a remote desktop session if needed, though I’d prefer to learn how to fix this myself as I continue to grow as a business owner.

Thank you again for any guidance you can offer — it truly means a lot.

I’m more than happy to assist you with these issues, but I want to be transparent that providing in-depth support and guidance will be a paid service. This allows me to dedicate the necessary time and resources to help you effectively.

If you’re interested, we can schedule a session to walk through your concerns and work on solutions together. I’m here to support your journey and help you build a successful dropshipping business.

Thank you again for reaching out, and I look forward to the possibility of working with you!