Overview

In just a quarter‑year, a newcomer to Amazon’s marketplace generated approximately $350,000 in gross sales by running a pure drop‑shipping operation. The strategy combined swift product validation, ultra‑low‑cost overseas sourcing, and a tightly managed Sponsored Products campaign. Sellers who want to grow quickly without tying up capital in inventory should study the tactics that turned a modest ad budget into six‑figure turnover.

Key Points

• $350 K in 90 days — The seller posted $350,000 of revenue, which translates to an average of $3,889 per day.
• $71 average order value — Selling around 5,500 units kept the typical basket size near $71, supporting healthy gross margins.
• $45 K ad spend for 13 % of sales — About one‑thirteenth of total revenue was reinvested in Sponsored Products, delivering a return on ad spend (ROAS) of roughly 4.2 ×.
• 48‑hour supplier dispatch — A Chinese manufacturer guaranteed shipment within two days, allowing the seller to meet Amazon’s Prime two‑day delivery promise without using FBA.
• 22 % net profit after fees — After accounting for Amazon commissions, shipping costs, and advertising, the operation netted roughly $77,000 in profit.

How Drop Shipping Works

1. Product Discovery — The seller leveraged Helium 10’s Black Box to filter for items with at least 5,000 monthly searches, competition below 30 %, and a price window of $50‑$100. For instance, a compact portable projector satisfied all criteria and showed a 3.8‑star rating on rival listings.
2. Supplier Vetting — Alibaba was searched for factories willing to ship a single unit (MOQ = 1) and guarantee dispatch within 48 hours. A Shenzhen‑based plant quoted $38 per unit, including a $5 shipping charge to Amazon’s fulfillment hub.
3. Listing Creation — Using Helium 10’s Scribbles, the seller crafted a keyword‑rich title such as “Portable Mini Projector – 1080p, 200‑Lumens, HDMI & USB,” and uploaded high‑resolution lifestyle photos supplied by the manufacturer. Bullet points emphasized “Plug‑and‑Play” operation and “Travel‑Ready Design.”