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    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 975378 times)

    Offline Hjay

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4480 on: December 07, 2020, 12:59:07 PM »
    I created a shipment of 3 diff items. I realized I put in incorrect info for one item. It’s 6 per carton instead of 4. I’m sending small parcel with UPS, I was supposed to ship today. What should I do? I don’t want to delay any longer is it bad if I send in as is?

    Offline sddd

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4481 on: December 07, 2020, 10:16:59 PM »
    is there anyway to force amazon to let you send multiple skus to one warehouse? I choose inventory placement but still it gets split up. frustrating because i already packed up 100s of mixed sku boxes

    Offline SamDaMan

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4482 on: December 08, 2020, 12:04:39 AM »
    I created a shipment of 3 diff items. I realized I put in incorrect info for one item. It’s 6 per carton instead of 4. I’m sending small parcel with UPS, I was supposed to ship today. What should I do? I don’t want to delay any longer is it bad if I send in as is?
    Are you talking about an fba shipment? You can cancel the labels and make a new shipment. I wouldn't recommend sending it in with that wrong info as you don't want them to receive it wrong.
    But I'm still proud to be from clev!

    Offline SamDaMan

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4483 on: December 08, 2020, 12:06:06 AM »
    is there anyway to force amazon to let you send multiple skus to one warehouse? I choose inventory placement but still it gets split up. frustrating because i already packed up 100s of mixed sku boxes
    you can try to make a much larger shipment and when they split it hope they split it better and only ship what makes sense.
    But I'm still proud to be from clev!

    Offline doovid d

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4484 on: December 09, 2020, 01:23:36 AM »
    HELP!
    I emailed amazon mx too find out if i was being charged for a professional seller account. the title of the complaint was close account.
    I got an email right away saying the account can't be closed due to a recent order. I then said this order was on the U.S account and not the mx account so I asked if they were all connected. To which he replied by closing my account! I am really at a loss for what to do.  :'(
    where are you located uk or us? Us canada and mexico are under the same professional plan so if you paying for US ,mx is included free

    Offline E.c

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4485 on: December 09, 2020, 10:52:50 AM »
    where are you located uk or us? Us canada and mexico are under the same professional plan so if you paying for US ,mx is included free
    Us. I ended up getting account reinstated b"h but was not under professional selling plan

    Offline lifetimedeals

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4486 on: December 28, 2020, 11:49:43 AM »
    Are people still trusting US Postal to deliver small boxes these days? Many packages taking 15 days to deliver even priority, do you think will be better now after the holiday?

    Online KSMH

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4487 on: December 28, 2020, 11:55:58 AM »
    Are people still trusting US Postal to deliver small boxes these days? Many packages taking 15 days to deliver even priority, do you think will be better now after the holiday?
    I had mixed luck, but mostly sticking with UPS.

    I did have some small items delivered surprisingly fast, but for others waited 1month + 
    at times I have to refund buyers and make them return it when it arrives.
    Always praying for delayed baggage.

    Offline lifetimedeals

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4488 on: December 28, 2020, 12:15:22 PM »
    I had mixed luck, but mostly sticking with UPS.

    I did have some small items delivered surprisingly fast, but for others waited 1month + 
    at times I have to refund buyers and make them return it when it arrives.
    This is what we got for the higher holiday season prices, hope they get their act together now after the holidays, wondering if can trust them now after the holiday.
    « Last Edit: December 28, 2020, 01:55:35 PM by lifetimedeals »

    Offline Crunchy

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4489 on: December 31, 2020, 11:52:00 AM »
    What could I do for a MF order that tracking shows delivered and customer claims they didn't get it ?

    Offline simplicity

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4490 on: December 31, 2020, 12:44:21 PM »
    Are people still trusting US Postal to deliver small boxes these days? Many packages taking 15 days to deliver even priority, do you think will be better now after the holiday?
    i only do usps and my longest delivery time thru out holidays was 12 days, but again there is luck, some were really fast

    Offline Entrepreneur

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4491 on: January 14, 2021, 10:29:15 AM »
    How do you file a UPS claim for lost item? I called UPS and they said I can't file a claim and that Amazon has to. They sent to me to the regular Amazon consumer contact page which makes no sense.  When I try to make a claim, UPS says the shipper is

    Shipped From *
    AMAZON.COM
    333 BOREN AVE N
    SEATTLE, WA
    981093536, US

    Thanks

    Offline SamDaMan

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4492 on: January 15, 2021, 01:59:08 AM »
    How do you file a UPS claim for lost item? I called UPS and they said I can't file a claim and that Amazon has to. They sent to me to the regular Amazon consumer contact page which makes no sense.  When I try to make a claim, UPS says the shipper is

    Shipped From *
    AMAZON.COM
    333 BOREN AVE N
    SEATTLE, WA
    981093536, US

    Thanks

    Did you ship with Amazon buy shipping? If you did you need to open a case with Amazon and they will refund you.
    But I'm still proud to be from clev!

    Offline YouWouldNeverThink

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4493 on: January 20, 2021, 12:23:47 PM »
    Opened removal order investigation one day prior to 18 months deadline.  Keep going in circles with seller support as they say case has to be opened within 18 months. No matter how many times I spoon feed the math to then it explain, I get the same robotic response.  Anyone have any recommendations?  I have requested multiple times for the case to be escalated but still getting the robotic (almost automated) response of “18 months”. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated

    Offline Zevwolf

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4494 on: January 31, 2021, 11:39:31 AM »
    Does the trick to swap FBA inventory to different ASIN still work?

    Offline Yehuda57

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4495 on: February 10, 2021, 11:44:08 AM »
    Excuse me for breaking the crossposting rule

    In search of an experienced Amazon PPC manager to run our PPC accounts ($10 M annual spend) in house. Salary + commission commensurate with experience, starting at $100,000. Please PM.

    Offline yzj

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    Offline Hjay

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4497 on: March 31, 2021, 08:11:35 AM »
    Did Amazon change when the meltables restriction begins? I remember it starting may 15 last year & now I got an email that it starts April 15

    Offline urielh36

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4498 on: April 12, 2021, 03:11:36 PM »
    Does anyone know someone who can help me with a response to a cease and desist letter that I received from VORYS law firm??

    Offline sddd

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    Re: Selling on Amazon Master Thread
    « Reply #4499 on: April 13, 2021, 05:40:03 PM »
    I have an individual account and am granfathered in selling currently gated brand names.
    If i upgrade to professional will they require invoices from distributors for these items or just simply license and utlity