Topic Wiki

    Selling On Amazon
    When signing up for an account there are two options. If you're just starting out, get the Individual Plan, you can upgrade the account whenever you want.

    Individual Selling PlanProfessional Selling Plan
    $0.99 fee for each item sold. If you sell 40+ items/month, you will need the Professional plan.  Flat fee of $39.99/month and more powerful and flexible tools to manage inventory, reports, feeds and access to web services.

    Amazon is an amazing platform that offers great opportunities for starting a business and making money. However when starting out, take it slow.
    There is much to learn and get used to. Before investing all your savings on a product you hope will quickly turn a profit take the time to familiarize yourself with the system.
    Perhaps start out with a smaller investment just to get your feet wet. Go through the basic guidelines offered by Amazon here.

    Below are tips, clarifications and insights from members of this forum. Feel free to pitch in or ask you questions.

    Some factors to consider before investing in a product to sell:

    1) Price: How much did the item cost you? Have you taken into account shipping costs (both to you and to the customer)? Will you have to pay taxes? Amazon keeps a percentage of every sale (including shipping fees). It’s 15% for most product categories besides a few like electronics that are 8%. You can see the full schedule of fees here. There are several online tools to help you price your products including an FBA Revenue Calculator here and an Amazon built iOS app. A quick way to figure out how much you’d need to charge just to break even after amazon fees is to take the total product cost and then multiply it by 1.1766 (for 15% fees) or 1.087 (for 8% fees).

    2) Velocity:  How fast will the item sell? It's nice to find a product for $10 that you can flip for $100.  But if you’ll only sell 1 a year, it won’t be a very good investment. The best way to determine the velocity of an item is to check the sales rank. Sales rank indicates the popularity of a product compared to other products in its category. The lower the ranking the more popular it is. The iOS app has sales rank baked in too. To get a proper feel for the turnaround time of an item, you'll need to dip your toes in slowly. Note: An item may have a great sales rank due to a recent sale, make sure to check price history on camelcamelcamel.com or keepa.com to get a better picture of the real price and rank of an item.

    3) Return Rate: Even after you sold a few laptops and tablets profitably, you'll have to take into account that a buyer may want to return the item. Certain items have higher rates of return, so make sure to take that into account when deciding whether it's profitable/worth your effort to sell the item.


    Fulfilled By Amazon (FBA):
    The seller sends the items to Amazon warehouse. Amazon takes care of fulfilling the order, and customer service related to the order.

    Pro's Of FBA
    Con's Of FBA
    • Easier to get in the Buy Box
    • You're able to offer Prime shipping
    • For anything above $300, Amazon only charges the standard referral fee. This actually makes FBA cheaper when you take the discounted shipping to Amazon into account.
    • If you have a large or heavy item, shipping the item to the customer can be expensive especially if it is going to a residential address. If you send that item to amazon FBA charges will be much lower than your shipping would have cost. (Including shipping it to FBA)

    • Returns (See this post for a more detailed explanation)
      • Returns are accepted without any restocking fee.
      • Items that are Damaged/missing parts are taken back.
      • Since Amazons is super lax on returns, your return rate will be significantly higher.
      • Refunds may harm your cash flow. When a buyer selects "Return" on his order history, often Amazon will immediately issue him a refund, and debit your account.
    • If the item is not a fast selling item, it will sit in their warehouse. Amazon charges a fee for every 30 Days an item remains their warehouse, it is usually a tiny fee, but it adds up.


    Q: How can I move inventory from one ASIN to another ASIN without having them returned on FBA listings?
    A:
    Before I Teach you guys the method you must keep 2 things in mind:
    1) This Method isn't guaranteed! As we all know how seller support is operating, Since this processes involves them its only about %95 accurate but its still a YMMV!
    2) This is kind of grey whether its in violation of Amazon's policy so i do not take responsibility if you get hit!
    Its a 4 step process make sure to follow them properly! Follow this link

    Q: If I have 3 items to send into FBA and they are splitting me to 3 different locations. Can I ship all 3 items to one location?
    A:
    Yes, you can choose "Inventory Placement Service" in FBA settings to send all your inventory to one nearby warehouse. Amazon charges an additional fee ($.30, CMIIW) per item.
    Note: That even once your inventory reaches Amazon, if Amazon is moving it to a different warehouse, the item will be "back-ordered"

    Q: I'm having a hard time finding a box for a large product, can I just ship with the box the way it came from the store?
    A:
    There might not be a clear cut answer for every scenario. But, some have sold many large printers through FBA, by just putting the shipping label directly on the box and not having an issue.

    Q: What is considered case pack when sending in items to Amazon FBA?
    A:
    Case pack is when all the items in the box are from the same ASIN.

    Q: I'm doing FBA shipping for the first time. and it says "prep required". What does that mean?
    A:
    Prep Required means there is some preparation for the products that will need to be done before it could be added the the Amazon inventory. Typically, it is either labeling the items, taping the boxes shut, or poly bagging. If you do not prepare the items yourself, Amazon can/will do it for a charge.
    Q: What is the buy box? How do I win the buy box?
    A:
    The Buy Box is the box on a product detail page where customers can begin the purchasing process by adding items to their shopping carts.
    To give customers the best possible shopping experience, Sellers must meet performance-based requirements to be eligible to compete for Buy Box placement. All Buy Box eligible offers are then further evaluated to determine the Buy Box winning offer. One "New" and one "Used" condition offer, as applicable, will receive Buy Box placement.

    Q: What is an A-Z claim?
    A:
    When you buy from third-party sellers on Amazon.com, the condition of the item and its timely delivery are guaranteed under the A-to-z Guarantee.
    Therefore, a buyer may open a claim if the above is not met to his expectations.

    Q: I have an item that is handmade how do I go about selling it on?
    A:
    Create your own listing and buy a UPC code.

    Q: Any advice on packaging and shipping?
    Check the Shipping Master Thread

    Q: Why are some items on Amazon missing the Amazon sales rank number?
    A:
    Go to add a product > sell yours  it should be in the top right corner. If it's not there usually it means no one bought yet.

    Q: How do you compare Ebay/paypal fees to Amazon fees?
    A:
    Depends on the category. For a lot of categories,Please Update Categories it may be cheaper, as with Amazon there is just one fee, but for eBay sales there also is a Paypal fee.

    Does the Amazon sales rank mean a lot when researching a product to sell?
    A:
    Yes





    Q: How do I get customers to leave feedback (I tried emails)? I sold multiple items
    recently and no feedback yet
    Please Update

    Q: I Got an email from a buyer where's my stuff? I have a Fedex/UPS delivery confirmation signature. How should I go about this?
    A:
    Firstly, tell the buyer that UPS/Fedex shows that it was signed for, and they should check if the item was delivered to a neighbor, from desk of building ect... Next open an investigation from your end with UPS/Fedex to have them do research and contact their driver of what may have happened to this item. It all depends on how co-operative the buyer is, on exactly how to precede. If they are trying to scam you, then there is not much as a seller you could do. They may open an A-Z claim (you would have to weigh your options if it is worth having a claim) Amazon may or may not grant it in your favor. I have never had this with Amazon. Such a claim is not typical.
    What is more common is if there was no signature, and tracking shows it was delivered, and the buyer is claiming they have not received it.
    For myself - Fedex has reimbursed me multiple times with such instances

    Scams
    Q: I posted an expensive item on Amazon. Somebody sent me a message, asking to clarify the condition of the item is (it was clearly stated in the description), along with a request to reply to his own email, and he'll pay through PayPal. Is there anything this buyer can so to screw me over, after I send him the item? Anything else I should know?

    A: SCAM SCAM SCAM. There is NO reason you should EVER do this. There is a reason why Amazon has this policy. This is how the scams works.
    The guy sends a FAKE email from an email account such as paypal1@realpaypal.com. In reality no money was sent to your account and its bogus. The scammers are hoping that you will think that you got the money and will send the item.
    You should report it to paypal each time. beware! always check your paypal account if the money came.
    Another reason not do this-you will get kicked off amazon for good,sometimes competitors set this up.[/list]



    Commonly used resources

    A List of lots of links to resources commonly used in Amazon selling
    http://www.asgtg.com/amazon-services/


    « Last edited by mgarfin on January 02, 2018, 09:07:51 PM »

    Author Topic: Selling on Amazon Master Thread  (Read 975904 times)

    Offline Naftuli19

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4200 on: July 29, 2019, 03:57:52 PM »
    I went to print a shipping label today, and they had posted that effective Aug 8th FedEx will not be a partner shipper
    Ye i heard Amazon is cutting off with FedEx
    Sometimes You Will Never Know the True Value of A Moment Until It's Become A Memory...

    Offline ~King Lake~

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4201 on: July 29, 2019, 05:12:14 PM »
    Ye i heard Amazon is cutting off with FedEx
    Next one on the list is UPS, and then you'll only be able to ship via Amazon (and who knows if the prices won't hike up?)
    I’m in shape, round is a shape…

    Offline Z56

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4202 on: August 04, 2019, 01:39:15 AM »
    anywhere that has good food and wine will work for me ;D

    Still happening ?
    “I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

    Offline Naftuli19

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4203 on: August 04, 2019, 02:19:29 AM »
    Sometimes You Will Never Know the True Value of A Moment Until It's Become A Memory...

    Offline Z56

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4204 on: August 04, 2019, 02:23:05 AM »
    Im still down!
    We need a time and place
    “I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

    Offline ~King Lake~

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4205 on: August 04, 2019, 10:20:21 AM »
    To all sellers out here.
    I'm currently selling on Amazon a private label item I made, and thought about expanding in eBay.
    Now, I've had my product listed on Amazon and on eBay from day one, and in the time I had sold 800 of this product on Amazon I sold 5 on eBay!
    Now my question is, is it worth trying to get more sales on eBay? Meaning to ask if it's possible to get much more sales on eBay that it should pay to work on it?
    I’m in shape, round is a shape…

    Offline LNS

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4206 on: August 04, 2019, 09:30:48 PM »
    To all sellers out here.
    I'm currently selling on Amazon a private label item I made, and thought about expanding in eBay.
    Now, I've had my product listed on Amazon and on eBay from day one, and in the time I had sold 800 of this product on Amazon I sold 5 on eBay!
    Now my question is, is it worth trying to get more sales on eBay? Meaning to ask if it's possible to get much more sales on eBay that it should pay to work on it?

    My whole business (aside from my day job) is on eBay and i believe in it much more then amazon
    for starters amazon competes against you where as eBay tries to help you
    I don't know what kind of product your selling but there are definitely some things that are much easier to sell on eBay
    and for some products much less competition then on amazon
    In my opinion its very worthwhile to build yourself up on eBay but what your selling does makes a difference.
    With that said even if your item wont be as successful on eBay as long as it brings you sales what to you have to lose?

    Offline ~King Lake~

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4207 on: August 05, 2019, 12:28:01 PM »
    My whole business (aside from my day job) is on eBay and i believe in it much more then amazon
    for starters amazon competes against you where as eBay tries to help you
    I don't know what kind of product your selling but there are definitely some things that are much easier to sell on eBay
    and for some products much less competition then on amazon
    In my opinion its very worthwhile to build yourself up on eBay but what your selling does makes a difference.
    With that said even if your item wont be as successful on eBay as long as it brings you sales what to you have to lose?
    Thanks for your reply, I'm taking about a toy for kids.
    Any tips on how to build up on eBay?
    I’m in shape, round is a shape…

    Offline mendyt

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4208 on: August 07, 2019, 07:16:00 PM »
    Anyone here planning to go?

    « Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 07:19:24 PM by mendyt »

    Offline Crunchy

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4209 on: August 13, 2019, 12:22:04 AM »
    Why do I sometimes see that the price paid for an item is $0.00  ?

    Offline mendyt

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4210 on: August 13, 2019, 12:49:49 AM »
    Why do I sometimes see that the price paid for an item is $0.00  ?
    Cause a buyer reported the item as damaged Etc. and Amazon sends out a replacement

    Offline Naftuli19

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4211 on: August 13, 2019, 10:28:33 AM »
    Why do I sometimes see that the price paid for an item is $0.00  ?
    replacement for return
    Sometimes You Will Never Know the True Value of A Moment Until It's Become A Memory...

    Offline nobiggy

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4212 on: August 13, 2019, 12:29:53 PM »
    Anyone here planning to go?
    Such a waste to do it in Reserve Cut.

    Offline mendyt

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4213 on: August 13, 2019, 12:31:31 PM »
    Such a waste to do it in Reserve Cut.
    +100

    Offline Yehuda57

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4214 on: August 16, 2019, 11:45:51 AM »
    Have an infant/baby item available for free for review. PM for details.

    Offline incendia

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4215 on: August 20, 2019, 07:49:29 PM »
    I'm on a branded listing with multiple sellers, where thee pic keeps on changing back and forth.  One is  a basic generic pic and the other is unprofessional and looks like it was taken from a customer review
    Is there any way to lock in the the professional pic?

    Offline ib3

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    Offline Hjay

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4217 on: September 11, 2019, 04:19:41 PM »
    Asked this on ASGTG & didn’t get any answer hoping somebody here can help me.

    Is this a new thing that all expiration dates products need to have an amazon barcode (fnsku X00 instead of B00)? & is there an exemption for brand owner? All my products are expiration dated & I never needed amazon labels. I created new listings yesterday & was told they need to be X00 & when I asked if brand owner has exemption they said yes & then next rep said no. Just trying to figure out what is true over here.

    Offline Hjay

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4218 on: September 16, 2019, 03:29:30 PM »
    Asked this on ASGTG & didn’t get any answer hoping somebody here can help me.

    Is this a new thing that all expiration dates products need to have an amazon barcode (fnsku X00 instead of B00)? & is there an exemption for brand owner? All my products are expiration dated & I never needed amazon labels. I created new listings yesterday & was told they need to be X00 & when I asked if brand owner has exemption they said yes & then next rep said no. Just trying to figure out what is true over here.

    Now I realized it’s not just new listings. I tried sending a shipment of old listings & it says they can’t be stickerless commingled, & I need to create new listings not stickerless. Will doing this affect my sales at all? How do I create new listing of the exact thing I’m selling? It’s not just gonna error out & tell me it exists? Would really appreciate any help

    Offline incendia

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4219 on: September 16, 2019, 09:32:35 PM »
    Now I realized it’s not just new listings. I tried sending a shipment of old listings & it says they can’t be stickerless commingled, & I need to create new listings not stickerless. Will doing this affect my sales at all? How do I create new listing of the exact thing I’m selling? It’s not just gonna error out & tell me it exists? Would really appreciate any help

    You shouldn't need new listings just to print and attach the fnsku

    I think if you are brand registered you can still use a upc.