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 975906 times)

    Offline ilherman

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
    • *********
    • Join Date: Jun 2013
    • Posts: 8935
    • Total likes: 227
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
      • View Profile
    • Location: Brooklyn
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #600 on: January 22, 2014, 11:10:06 AM »
    I'm talking about cased pack.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline mgarfin

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Dec 2012
    • Posts: 2569
    • Total likes: 294
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #601 on: January 22, 2014, 03:48:56 PM »
    Anyone getting Gateway error on Seller Central?

    yes

    Offline mgarfin

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Dec 2012
    • Posts: 2569
    • Total likes: 294
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #602 on: January 22, 2014, 04:36:31 PM »
    Why do I see items in reserved on my FBA inventory list?

    Offline Name Changed

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Sep 2011
    • Posts: 4831
    • Total likes: 6
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
      • View Profile
    • Location: Lakewood
    • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #603 on: January 22, 2014, 05:23:36 PM »
    Why do I see items in reserved on my FBA inventory list?
    Item is either purchased, pending shipment, being sent to a different warehouse, was a customer return that has not been added back to your inventory

    Offline ilherman

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
    • *********
    • Join Date: Jun 2013
    • Posts: 8935
    • Total likes: 227
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
      • View Profile
    • Location: Brooklyn
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #604 on: January 22, 2014, 05:59:26 PM »
    Why do I see items in reserved on my FBA inventory list?
    Check by orders, there is a option for advanced search do a advanced search and it should bring up if you have any pending orders.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline mgarfin

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Dec 2012
    • Posts: 2569
    • Total likes: 294
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #605 on: January 22, 2014, 06:04:09 PM »
    Item is either purchased, pending shipment, being sent to a different warehouse, was a customer return that has not been added back to your inventory
    Check by orders, there is a option for advanced search do a advanced search and it should bring up if you have any pending orders.

    Thanks thats nice, if not for you guys....

    A pending order means waiting for fulfillment?

    How long will a order be in pending? until Amazon will ship it?
    « Last Edit: January 22, 2014, 06:07:12 PM by mgarfin »

    Offline Name Changed

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Sep 2011
    • Posts: 4831
    • Total likes: 6
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
      • View Profile
    • Location: Lakewood
    • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #606 on: January 22, 2014, 06:08:23 PM »
    Thanks thats nice if not for you guys....

    A pending order means waiting for fulfillment?

    How long will a order be in pending? until Amazon will ship it?

    Yea, Pending is waiting for it to be fulfilled/shipped. It could be that payment is pending approval ect.

    Once it ships it will be released from reserved and your account will be credited for the sale.

    Offline AharonInIsrael

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
    • *******
    • Join Date: Oct 2013
    • Posts: 1168
    • Total likes: 1
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
      • View Profile
    • Location: Israel
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #607 on: January 23, 2014, 07:25:36 AM »
    I seem to recall this being addressed before, but couldn't find it now.

    I'm hoping to send in my first shipment of 3 of the same item to FBA, but have just gotten to the shipping page and they tell me to send the three to three different locations. Does that make any sense? If I ship to Amazon using their service will that cost me more money than if I just had to send all three to one place?

    TIA!

    Offline ilherman

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
    • *********
    • Join Date: Jun 2013
    • Posts: 8935
    • Total likes: 227
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
      • View Profile
    • Location: Brooklyn
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #608 on: January 23, 2014, 08:19:08 AM »
    You can select "case pack" when setting up your shipment (this only works when sending in the same SKU) I'm doing it all the time, however officially you're not allowed to use case pack only if it was previously packed by the manufacturer like this, so do it on your own risk. There is also an option in your fulfillment settings where you can set up for I think 20 CPP that they should all your stuff in to 1 warehouse. Again I am using case packed and so far never had any problems B"H.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline Name Changed

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Sep 2011
    • Posts: 4831
    • Total likes: 6
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
      • View Profile
    • Location: Lakewood
    • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #609 on: January 23, 2014, 10:28:16 AM »
    You can select "case pack" when setting up your shipment (this only works when sending in the same SKU) I'm doing it all the time, however officially you're not allowed to use case pack only if it was previously packed by the manufacturer like this, so do it on your own risk. There is also an option in your fulfillment settings where you can set up for I think 20 CPP that they should all your stuff in to 1 warehouse. Again I am using case packed and so far never had any problems B"H.
    I think its $.30 for small units, and $1.30 for large.

    Offline mgarfin

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Dec 2012
    • Posts: 2569
    • Total likes: 294
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #610 on: January 23, 2014, 12:49:57 PM »
    I think its $.30 for small units, and $1.30 for large.

    I think that is significantly changing in the new FBA fee

    Offline AharonInIsrael

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
    • *******
    • Join Date: Oct 2013
    • Posts: 1168
    • Total likes: 1
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
      • View Profile
    • Location: Israel
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #611 on: January 23, 2014, 01:42:38 PM »
    Thanks all! I t hink I'll pay the fee.

    Offline AharonInIsrael

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
    • *******
    • Join Date: Oct 2013
    • Posts: 1168
    • Total likes: 1
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
      • View Profile
    • Location: Israel
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #612 on: January 24, 2014, 02:57:15 AM »
    Once I click on "complete the shipment" for FBA, does that mean that UPS is just going to come by at some point and pick up the package, or do I need to speak with them separately?

    Offline ilherman

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
    • *********
    • Join Date: Jun 2013
    • Posts: 8935
    • Total likes: 227
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
      • View Profile
    • Location: Brooklyn
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #613 on: January 24, 2014, 08:54:25 AM »
    Once I click on "complete the shipment" for FBA, does that mean that UPS is just going to come by at some point and pick up the package, or do I need to speak with them separately?
    You most schedule a pick up.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline yitzf

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Mar 2011
    • Posts: 2623
    • Total likes: 52
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #614 on: January 25, 2014, 08:51:40 PM »
    You most schedule a pick up.

    For a fee, or drop it off at a drop off center for free.

    Offline AharonInIsrael

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
    • *******
    • Join Date: Oct 2013
    • Posts: 1168
    • Total likes: 1
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
      • View Profile
    • Location: Israel
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #615 on: January 26, 2014, 01:41:37 AM »
    For a fee, or drop it off at a drop off center for free.
    Thanks!
    We have one near us.

    Offline mgarfin

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Dec 2012
    • Posts: 2569
    • Total likes: 294
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
      • View Profile
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #616 on: January 29, 2014, 04:41:14 PM »
    My Prime just expired

    Is there a reason not to use the same account for your seller and personal?

    Offline Name Changed

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Sep 2011
    • Posts: 4831
    • Total likes: 6
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
      • View Profile
    • Location: Lakewood
    • Programs: Avis Presidents Club, National Executive Elite, Hertz Presidents Circle, Sixt Platinum, SPG Gold, eBay Platinum
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #617 on: January 29, 2014, 05:13:37 PM »
    My Prime just expired

    Is there a reason not to use the same account for your seller and personal?
    I have 2 Amazon Prime accounts, one of them is the same as my seller account, so far no issues (about 2 years)

    Offline Super Speed

    • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
    • ********
    • Join Date: Jul 2013
    • Posts: 4849
    • Total likes: 50
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • Gender: Male
      • View Profile
    • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle, Avis First, National Executive Elite, Sixt Platinum.
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #618 on: February 02, 2014, 11:38:46 PM »
    Do I have indicate that I will charge a restocking fee or can I just charge one? If the latter where is it stated?

    Offline ilherman

    • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
    • *********
    • Join Date: Jun 2013
    • Posts: 8935
    • Total likes: 227
    • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
      • View Profile
    • Location: Brooklyn
    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #619 on: February 02, 2014, 11:50:24 PM »
    Do I have indicate that I will charge a restocking fee or can I just charge one?
    That. But I think there is a limit 15/25% not sure off hand.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.