Print on demand is different. No stock is kept, but stock is never unavailable because the publisher/seller has the digital media ready to produce the one-off demand as it arises.
Drop-shippers take money for something they don't have but expect to be able to get. Too many steps between the item and the buyer...
Supplier >> faulty communication (because supplier is Chinese) >> wrong items supplied out of ignorance or lack of concern >> items sent by ship because it's the cheapest method >> container lost at sea >> container's items damaged at sea >> supplier doesn't even HAVE the items >> supplier is conducting a fraud and doesn't even send the items >> items sent but they're substandard and fake because China's copyright laws are not Australian copyright laws >> items held up at the wharf by customs >> items have to be unpacked by seller and sorted out >> items need to be sent to the buyers >> buyer finally gets something (assuming no fraud).
All of those steps and the possibilities of things that can go wrong... I'm not in favour of drop-shipping at all.
