12 Insanely Absurd Drop Shipping Hacks (That Are So Dumb, They Actually Work)

by Mark Murawiecki · April 28, 2025

If you want to succeed in drop shipping, you sometimes need to think outside the box. Here are some of the weirdest, strangest – but highly effective – drop shipping tips that have worked for successful entrepreneurs:

Sell Ugly, Not Pretty

Conventional wisdom says you should sell aesthetic products, but some of the ugliest and weirdest products tend to go viral.
Example: The “Ugly Christmas Sweater” niche thrives because people love tacky humor.
Test odd or novelty items – think bizarre pet beds, peculiar home decor, or oddly shaped furniture.

Exploit Late-Night Impulse Buys

People make irrational purchases late at night, especially after a few drinks.
Tip: Run ads between 11 PM – 3 AM targeting impulsive buyers.
Works best for gag gifts, relationship products, or quirky problem solvers.

Use “Secret” Keywords That Don’t Seem to Fit

Instead of targeting direct product-related keywords, find odd, loosely related search terms with less competition.
Example: Selling LED toilet lights? Instead of “bathroom lighting,” try “midnight snack lighting” or “ghost hunter essentials.”

Make People Angry (Strategically)

Some viral ads work because they trigger controversy.
Example: Ads that poke fun at common annoyances (e.g., “Your phone battery lasts shorter than your relationships? Get this ultra-long-lasting power bank!”)
Just be careful – controversy can boost sales, but avoid topics that could backfire.

Create a Fake Rivalry

People love choosing sides – so create an imaginary rivalry to boost engagement.
Example: Selling pet products? Market a “Dogs vs. Cats” item, encouraging debate in the comments.
Engagement spikes sales because Facebook & TikTok reward heated discussions with more reach.

List Your Store in Odd Marketplaces

Everyone focuses on Shopify and Amazon, but have you tried:

- Etsy (even if it’s not handmade)
- Craigslist (for local urgency)
- Facebook Buy/Sell Groups
- Reddit Marketplaces
- TikTok Shop (still massively untapped)

Some of these platforms have less competition and let you sell at higher markups.

Use “Boring” Products with an Insane Angle

Instead of selling a product as-is, package it as something weirdly specific.
Example: A simple beard grooming kit can be rebranded as “The Viking Beard Domination Kit”.
A basic standing desk can be sold as “The Anti-Sitting Disease Workstation.”
People buy the idea, not the item.

Turn Customer Complaints into Products

Go to Amazon reviews of popular products and find the most ridiculous, common complaints.
Then sell an alternative that fixes that problem.
Example: If people complain that a yoga mat is too thin, sell is as “The World’s Thinnest Yoga Mat,” as well as sourcing and selling “The World’s Thickest Yoga Mat,” too.

Send Freebies That Make People Laugh

Instead of a basic thank-you note, include hilarious or unexpected free gifts.

Examples:

A “Certificate of Awesomeness” for buying.
A tiny toy version of your product.
A random funny sticker (like “Certified Big Spender” for a $5 item).

Do Live “Unboxing” and “Try Not to Laugh” Sales

Drop Shippers who react to their own products on TikTok/YouTube drive viral traffic.

Example:

Order your own weirdest product and do a hilarious unboxing review.
Do a “Try Not to Laugh” challenge with a ridiculously bad product (ironically boosting sales).