Introduction to Dropshipping with MasonHub

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item directly from a brand and has it shipped directly to the customer. As a result, the retailer never sees or handles the product.

MasonHub has a few ways that we can support expanding your business by selling on another retailer’s website, such as Target.com, Amazon.com, and NeimanMarcus.com. 

Automated Features

• Order Creation
• Shipment Notifications
• Order Tracking
• Third-Party Shipping Account
• Carrier Service Codes
• Retailer Packing Slip Generation

The following guide walks you through how to get started.

Ways to Connect for Dropshipping

We offer three convenient methods for our clients to dropship. First, you can connect to a dropshipping retailer through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to MasonHub, ensuring seamless and automated order processing. Second, you can integrate your store via Shopify, allowing for an easy connection to MasonHub for efficient dropshipping management. Lastly, you have the option to manually create and process orders directly in the MasonHub platform, providing flexibility for unique or customized order handling.

1. Connect to a dropshipping retailer through EDI
2. Connect to a dropshipping retailer through Shopify
3. Manually create and process orders directly in the MasonHub platform

Dropshipping retailers often require you to ship on their third-party shipping account and also use their packing slip design to provide their branded experience to the customer. If this is a requirement of the retailer, MasonHub can support this with the ample notice and requirements documentation.

Just a few of the retail partners MasonHub is connected with and dropshipping to:

• Target
• Saks
• Nordstrom
• Neiman Marcus
• QVC 
• Moda Operandi
• Amazon

Connect to a Dropshipping Retailer Through EDI

MasonHub has a partnership with SPS Commerce, a leading provider of EDI solutions, that allows us to be fully compliant with top retailers. Through this integration, we automate order creation and shipment notifications, ensuring seamless and efficient dropshipping operations. This automated workflow streamlines communication and enhances accuracy, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

What MasonHub Needs to Get Started with SPS EDI Connection

First, ensure that the retail partner is added to your SPS Commerce agreement. If you do not already have an agreement with SPS Commerce, your Customer Success Manager will make an introduction to get you started.

Once the retailer has kicked off the integration project with SPS Commerce, they will send MasonHub a test file to confirm our configurations and setup are correct before we go live. 

Before we get started with testing, MasonHub will need the following information from you and your retail partner:

• Inform us which facilities will fulfill the orders.
• Retailer’s routing guide that specifies all packing and shipping requirements.
• A third-party shipping account number, if the retailer requires it. 
  • For example, we may need to ship on their FedEx account.
• Provide the carrier service codes, which indicate the ship method(s) the retailer will support and send on the orders. 
  • For example, the retailer may support FedEx Home Delivery (FDXHM) and FedEx Express Saver (FDXSV)
• Packing slip design requirements, if required.
  • Provide the approved company logo and any other assets required to be printed on the pack slip, along with data mapping instructions.
• Return shipping address
  • Since the dropshipper is buying the inventory from you when it ships, they often want return to sender packages to be diverted back to their company.

These steps ensure a smooth and compliant setup for your EDI dropshipping connection.

Steps to Test with SPS Commerce

To begin testing with SPS Commerce, follow these high-level steps. First, reach out to your SPS Commerce account representative to initiate the process. The retailer will then start the project with SPS Commerce and send them a test file. SPS Commerce will process this file and generate a test order file for MasonHub to handle. MasonHub will run this order through our development environment to verify our configurations, "ship" the order, and generate an Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) file. We will then send the ASN file back to SPS Commerce, who will check it for EDI compliance with the retailer. MasonHub will confirm that the correct shipping account and service codes are used and that the packing slip meets the retailer's requirements. Once everything passes, SPS Commerce and MasonHub will sign off on the testing and inform you that we're ready to go live. Finally, you'll notify the retailer that you're ready to start taking orders.

Timing Expectations to Connect to an EDI Dropshipper

Our guidance is to allow for 6 weeks to do set up and testing from the time MasonHub receives the first test order from SPS Commerce.

Connect to a Dropshipping Retailer Through Shopify

If your retail partner does not require an EDI connection but uses a Shopify app for order integration, follow these steps to connect:

1. Confirm the Third-Party Application
   • Check with your retail partner to identify the specific third-party application they use to connect orders to your store. They may use an app like Mirakl.
2. Verify Shipping Requirements
   • Determine if MasonHub needs to ship using the retailer's third-party carrier account.
   • Obtain the necessary account information and ship rate language options for the Shopify orders.
3. Branded Packing Slip
   • Confirm if the retailer requires a specific branded packing slip.
   • Ensure the packing slip MasonHub develops meets their specifications.
4. Coordinate a Test Order
   • Work with your retail partner to process a test order through their app.
   • Verify that the order data accurately reflects their requirements and confirms its origin.

All of these steps are essential before MasonHub can begin configuring your account to automatically create and ship orders according to your retailer's specifications. This ensures a smooth and compliant dropshipping process. 

Example of a Shopify order created by a third-party Shopify app. This source on the order helps MasonHub to identify it as a dropship order.

Example of a Shopify order created by a third-party Shopify app. These additional details on the order helps MasonHub to identify it as a dropship order. Some of this information may be used to generate the packing slip.

Example of a retailer-branded packing slip with redacted customer data.

Timing Expectations to Connect to a Dropshipper in Shopify

Setting up the automation for a new Shopify dropshipping retail partnership can take a few weeks depending on the retailer’s requirements. So provide your Customer Success Manager with all the necessary information to kickstart the process and coordinate testing.

Manually Create and Process Dropship Orders in the MasonHub Platform

You have the option to manually create and process orders directly in the MasonHub platform, providing flexibility for unique or customized order handling. This allows you to get started right away with an EDI partner before the integration is complete—given they have a platform where you can manually download orders and upload tracking numbers—test out partnerships before you commit to a long-term relationship, or support smaller retailers that do not have an automation option with them.

Steps to Manually Create and Process Orders in the MasonHub OMS and Your Retailer’s Platform

1. Access the MasonHub OMS
   • Log in to your MasonHub account to access the order management dashboard.
2. Download Orders
   • Manually download orders from your retail partner's platform.
   • Ensure all order details are accurately captured, including customer information, product details, and shipping instructions.
3. Create Orders in MasonHub
   • Verify inventory availability  and prepare the orders for upload or manual creation..
   • Navigate to the Orders section in the MasonHub platform.
     1. Use the Order Upload CSV template to create your orders in bulk by copy and pasting the order information into the MasonHub-supported order format.
     2. For a smaller number of orders, you can use the Order Create form to manually enter order details into the system.
     3. Be sure to use the Order Type = dropship and Value Added Service = the VAS tag for the retailer so our Operations team will know how to handle these orders according to your retailer’s requirements.
   • Generate Shipping Labels on Third-Party Account?
     1. If MasonHub is required to use the retailer’s third-party shipping account, then use the ship method of WILL CALL when creating the order and then open a support@masonhub.co ticket with the list of orders and ship method for each.
        1. Download and attach the shipping labels to the email / support ticket.
     2. If MasonHub will ship on your account, then choose the correct shipper and service level that’s on the order in the retailer’s platform.
     3. Be sure to use the Order Type = dropship and Value Added Service = the VAS tag for the retailer so our Operations team will know how to handle these orders according to your retailer’s requirements.
   • Generate Retailer-Branded Packing Slip?
     1. If MasonHub is required to use the retailer’s branded packing slip, then open a support@masonhub.co ticket with the list of orders.
        1. Attachment each packing slip to print and include in the package.
     2. Be sure to use the Order Type = dropship and Value Added Service = the VAS tag for the retailer so our Operations team will know how to handle these orders according to your retailer’s requirements.
   • Read more about how to create individual manual orders using our web form here.
   • Read more about how to create multiple orders using our CSV upload here. 
4. Process Orders
   • Once the order is created, it will be allocated and process through the MasonHub platform.
5. Ship the Order
   • MasonHub will pack the order according to the retailer's specifications.
   • Be sure to use the Order Type = dropship and Value Added Service = the VAS tag for the retailer so our Operations team will know how to handle these orders according to your retailer’s requirements.
   • Be sure to attach the retailer-generated shipping label and/or packing slip to a support@masonhub.co ticket.
6. Upload Tracking Numbers
   • Navigate to the Orders section of the MasonHub platform and click on Orders & Shipments.
   • Search orders with the following criteria:
     1. Status = Completed
     2. Value Added Service = this will be the VAS tag created for this retailer during configuration (e.g. FAIRE)
     3. Shipped At = enter the date range since your last upload
   • Manually upload the tracking numbers back to your retail partner's platform according to their file specifications, or manually enter the tracking number into their platform.

By following these steps, you can manually create and process orders in the MasonHub platform, providing flexibility and ensuring smooth order fulfillment even without automated integration.