Frequently Asked Questions

Most retailers start by using the supplier’s suggested MSRP, which is available to make pricing simple and fast. This approach works well out of the gate and keeps pricing consistent while you get comfortable selling online. From there, many retailers adjust pricing by category, seasonality, or product popularity—marking up items that move faster, are in high demand, or are harder to source. You have full control over pricing and can mark up products as you see fit, as long as the supplier is paid their agreed-upon cost. Margin and profit are entirely determined on your end. We encourage you to review other members’ online stores for real-world pricing examples and to join our Google Group email list to exchange ideas, strategies, and insights with fellow retailers. Because customers may purchase from anywhere in the U.S., retailers are encouraged to price strategically — not solely based on local in-store pricing. Consider broader market conditions, shipping distances, product availability, and national competition when setting prices.

Yes. We are actively working with our growers to introduce pre-order capabilities within the program so their dropshipping catalogs can remain available year-round. This allows retailers to continue selling during the off-season and generate revenue even when plants are not actively being shipped. Pre-orders will flow through the system to the grower, and the orders will be fulfilled once the grower’s shipping season begins. A shipping calendar will be provided on the E-Commerce Connect website so retailers know when items will begin shipping. Independent Garden Centers should also display this timing on their Shopify or WooCommerce product pages so customers clearly understand when to expect delivery.

Yes. The growth of the E-Commerce Connect supplier network is largely driven by retailer demand. As more garden centers participate and request specific vendors, it creates a strong incentive for additional suppliers to join the program. In addition, we are actively in discussions with several new suppliers to expand the network. This includes companies in both rooted plant material as well as hardgoods and fertilizers, helping retailers continue to broaden their online assortment without increasing in-store inventory.

E-Commerce Connect™ is a program that provides far more than just product access. Membership fees support the infrastructure, services, and ongoing management required to operate a national dropshipping network for independent garden centers. Your membership includes: Supplier onboarding and integrations Retailer onboarding and integrations Technology coordination with our platform partners Program management and support Marketing assets, templates, and promotional campaigns (including Hot Buys) Education, training, and workshops Expansion of new suppliers and product categories Strategic partnership that support compliance, operations and network growth.

Yes—and this is where most people underestimate the risk. Dropshipping creates exposure faster than in-store retail because your customer base is no longer local. You can start generating sales across multiple states almost immediately. Even at low volume, those transactions are being tracked by states. Many retailers assume they’ll “deal with it later,” but by the time you realize you’ve crossed a threshold, you may already have filing obligations going back months. Starting with visibility early prevents that backtracking. We have partnered with Numeral. Numeral is a sales tax compliance platform built specifically for e-commerce businesses managing multi-state sales. As garden centers expand into dropshipping, they quickly move beyond local tax rules into a patchwork of state-by-state requirements. That’s where things break down. We partnered with Numeral because they solve the exact problem our members run into: tracking where you owe tax, registering properly, and filing on time—without requiring you to become a tax expert. Instead of piecing together spreadsheets, state websites, and guesswork, Numeral centralizes everything into one system designed to scale with your online growth. Contact:  Ruben Tang Email:      ruben@numeralhq.com Book:       Meet with me Phone:     (281) 788-9787 E-Commerce Connect™ Members Link