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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 975682 times)

    Offline Yeki89

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #640 on: February 05, 2014, 01:23:01 PM »
    Amazon Returns are the worst IME. I heard of guys getting back computers without hard-drives, smashed cell phones you name it.

    Offline yid

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #641 on: February 05, 2014, 01:33:29 PM »
    Amazon Returns are the worst IME. I heard of guys getting back computers without hard-drives, smashed cell phones you name it.
    I sold something and the customer sent me back their old one which was clearly broken and  looked like it was 5 years old and still amazon took it back!

    Online mgarfin

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #642 on: February 05, 2014, 01:53:00 PM »
    Can I ship my inbound FBA order via UPS
    in a printed box full of wording and logo (from local grocery) is it ok with amazon and ups?


    P.S. This question can go here and in shipping so pardon me for asking it here

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #643 on: February 05, 2014, 01:54:33 PM »
    If you really get it back broken etc.....  you can open a case with Amazon and they may reimburse you.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline Yeki89

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #644 on: February 05, 2014, 01:54:42 PM »
    They don't care how the box looks.

    Offline Yeki89

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #645 on: February 05, 2014, 01:54:57 PM »
    If you really get it back broken etc.....  you can open a case with Amazon and they may reimburse you.
    Not always.

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #646 on: February 05, 2014, 01:55:44 PM »
    Can I ship my inbound FBA order via UPS
    in a printed box full of wording and logo (from local grocery) is it ok with amazon and ups?


    P.S. This question can go here and in shipping so pardon me for asking it here
    Yes. Just make sure the label is visible.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #647 on: February 05, 2014, 02:11:28 PM »
    There is no restocking fee for FBA returns.

    Amazon is not responsible for customer damage. So even if the buy intentionally broke the item, Amazon will not reimburse you.

    Welcome to the world of Amazon returns
    100% incorrect. Amazon is responsible for customer damage returns. They do reimburse you for this but you have to ask. Under FBA inventory... Unfulfillable - It has to say "Customer Damaged"
    « Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 02:15:30 PM by ya »

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #648 on: February 05, 2014, 02:11:37 PM »
    If you really get it back broken etc.....  you can open a case with Amazon and they may reimburse you.
    Not likely. There is a chance you could get lucky, but typically they do not reimburse.

    On that note. No need to feel bad to buy something that Amazon sells to "try it out"

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #649 on: February 05, 2014, 02:13:05 PM »
    100% incorrect. Amazon is responsible for customer damage returns. They do reimburse you for this but you have to ask.
    They are not responsible.

    As per the reimbursement policy

    https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/200213130/ref=ag_200213130_cont_201030350

    Examples of products not covered by this policy*:

        Excluded Products and Unsuitable Units as defined in FBA Product Restrictions and Inventory Requirements
        Any restricted products lost or damaged in a removal order
        Units that are defective or lost or damaged by customers, distributors or sellers
        Units damaged while being shipped to an Amazon fulfillment center using Amazon Partnered Small Parcel carriers and distributors due to inadequate packaging. Always follow our Shipment Packaging Requirements when you ship to an Amazon fulfillment center to avoid damage in transit.
        Units that arrive damaged at the fulfillment center that are expired or defective.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #650 on: February 05, 2014, 02:21:14 PM »
    They are not responsible.

    As per the reimbursement policy

    https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/200213130/ref=ag_200213130_cont_201030350

    Examples of products not covered by this policy*:

        Excluded Products and Unsuitable Units as defined in FBA Product Restrictions and Inventory Requirements
        Any restricted products lost or damaged in a removal order
        Units that are defective or lost or damaged by customers, distributors or sellers
        Units damaged while being shipped to an Amazon fulfillment center using Amazon Partnered Small Parcel carriers and distributors due to inadequate packaging. Always follow our Shipment Packaging Requirements when you ship to an Amazon fulfillment center to avoid damage in transit.
        Units that arrive damaged at the fulfillment center that are expired or defective.

    Not sure what you are showing me but they do reimburse me all the time just not in every case.

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #651 on: February 05, 2014, 02:23:14 PM »
    Not sure what you are showing me but they do reimburse me all the time just not in every case.
    Unless if it had missing contents, I do not think I ever got a reimbursement.

    I have fought with them countless times.

    I am quoting from their policy that they are not responsible for customer damage.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #652 on: February 05, 2014, 02:27:19 PM »
    Unless if it had missing contents, I do not think I ever got a reimbursement.

    I have fought with them countless times.

    I am quoting from their policy that they are not responsible for customer damage.
    I get reimbursed all the time. They just require a picture. I dont do anything special. Though if you fight them on a large % of your returns you will get nothing.

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #653 on: February 05, 2014, 02:56:53 PM »
    Unless if it had missing contents, I do not think I ever got a reimbursement.

    I have fought with them countless times.

    I am quoting from their policy that they are not responsible for customer damage.
    I can just agree. If they would reimburse for customer damage I would be a lot less busy....

    Customer damage doesn't necessary mean its damaged, it just means that they can't sell it as new.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline ya

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #654 on: February 05, 2014, 03:02:03 PM »
    I can just agree. If they would reimburse for customer damage I would be a lot less busy....

    Customer damage doesn't necessary mean its damaged, it just means that they can't sell it as new.
    Not sure what you guys are doing wrong but they reimburse me all the time.

    Offline Name Changed

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #655 on: February 05, 2014, 03:21:31 PM »
    I can just agree. If they would reimburse for customer damage I would be a lot less busy....

    Customer damage doesn't necessary mean its damaged, it just means that they can't sell it as new.
    When I am referring to customer damage, I mean actually damaged.

    Offline metziah

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #656 on: February 06, 2014, 12:56:19 AM »
    What does it mean when a product sent to FBA is unfulfillable due to "warehouse damage"?

    Offline ilherman

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #657 on: February 06, 2014, 01:07:59 AM »
    What does it mean when a product sent to FBA is unfulfillable due to "warehouse damage"?
    It got damaged in their warehouse, they will reimburse you for that.
    You can say what you think when you think what you say.

    Offline metziah

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #658 on: February 06, 2014, 07:40:53 PM »
    Is worth it to try to sell something FBA if it's considered "new not in retail packaging"?

    Online mgarfin

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    Re: selling on amazon
    « Reply #659 on: February 07, 2014, 09:10:05 AM »
    I receved an email on a FBA shipped item that amazon refunded a order to buyer

    I did not see online the reason for the return so I called support which said the buyer does not want this model he rather buy a different item

    Why wasn't he charged a restocking fee? (it was within 30 days)

    And what happens if it dose not come back in perfect condition as damaged or damaged box will amazon charge him or just place as unsellable items?

    So now its back as unfulfillable
    Is the first step to setup a removal order and see how it looks and then when I have it I can fill a claim