Selling on Amazon

If you’ve been on the fence about taking your Amazon business across the pond, I’m here to tell you why right now might be the perfect moment to make that leap. With the recent US tariffs on Chinese suppliers shaking things up, there’s a golden opportunity knocking for sellers who…

In recent years, Amazon’s Fair Pricing Policy has become increasingly controversial among third-party sellers on the platform. What was once positioned as a consumer protection measure has evolved into a rigid system that’s strangling seller profitability. As a seller currently battling these issues firsthand, I’ve watched Amazon’s approach to “fair…

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, Amazon’s returnless refund policy was initially welcomed as a customer-friendly approach to streamline the shopping experience. However, this seemingly convenient policy has created an unexpected loophole that’s costing legitimate Amazon sellers thousands of dollars through a sophisticated arbitrage scheme. Today, we dive into how…

The recent imposition of a 54% total tariff on all Chinese goods by the US government represents a significant challenge for Amazon sellers who source products from China. This significant tariff increase has disrupted established business models and supply chains, requiring sellers to quickly adapt their strategies to maintain profitability…

In the vast marketplace of Amazon, where millions of products compete for consumer attention, launching a new product without a strategic approach is akin to navigating uncharted waters without a compass. Establishing a robust set of criteria for product selection is not merely a preliminary step—it’s the foundation upon which…

Over the past 30 days, I filed a SAFE-T claim after receiving a return that was completely different from what we sell. One of the accounts I manage specializes in kids’ furniture, yet the customer sent back a box full of roof tiles. Yes, you read that right—roof tiles! The…

If you’ve been grinding away at your e-commerce business, you might be overlooking one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal: your seller feedback rating. Sure, we all know it matters somewhat, but let’s talk about just how crucial this little number actually is for your success on Amazon….

If you’ve been thinking about diving into the Amazon marketplace or looking to level up your existing business, I’ve got some juicy data that might just give you the edge you need. I recently got my hands on Amazon’s “Consumer Search Trends Report: 2024 Year in Search” and wow—there are…

If you’re selling on Amazon, managing inventory is just as important as choosing the right product. One thing that can seriously eat into your profits is the Aged Inventory Surcharge—a fee Amazon charges when your inventory sits in their fulfillment centers for too long. Let’s break it down, especially for…

So, you want to sell on Amazon, but you’re stuck on the most important step—what product should you sell? Choosing the right product isn’t just about picking something that “looks cool” or “feels trendy.” It requires strategy, research, and a bit of creativity. Here’s how to get started with product…

I launched a product on Amazon last November, and even before my stock was available, customers were already placing orders—willing to wait two weeks for delivery. I took it as a great sign and hoped for the best. It did not disappoint. Since launch, I’ve sold over 150 units, and…

If you’re an Amazon seller who sources products from China, you will feel the pinch (or full-on punch) of Trump’s imposed tariffs. These tariffs will add extra costs to imported goods, directly impacting sellers’ profit margins. But how exactly do these tariffs affect your business, and what can you do…

So, you’ve got a killer product idea, a solid supplier, and a burning desire to crush it on Amazon. But hold up—before you hit that launch button, timing matters more than you think. Launching at the right moment can make all the difference between a slow start and a sales…

So, you’ve got a product idea, done your homework, and started chatting with suppliers—things are looking great! But before you dive headfirst into the world of Amazon selling, there’s one crucial step you can’t skip: opening an Amazon seller account. You have to do this early in the process to…

If you’ve decided to dive into the Amazon marketplace, you’ve probably realized there’s more than one way to succeed. Retail arbitrage? Wholesale? Private label? Each model has its quirks, pros, and cons. Let’s break them down to help you figure out which one suits your vibe. 1. Retail and Online…

When I first considered starting my Amazon business, one of my biggest questions was about taxes. It’s a valid concern—eCommerce taxation can feel like navigating a gray area. With ever-changing rules and country-specific policies, clear-cut answers are rare. Imagine buying products from China, shipping them to the U.S., and selling…

New Year, new set of goals to accomplish. Perhaps one of your goals is to start selling on Amazon and turn it into passive income eventually. Not gonna lie, it is doable and feasible but selling on Amazon is far from being a passive income. But once you understand the…

Here we are, at the finish line of another year—and this post is a special one. It’s my 100th since restarting this blog! A big deal? But, of course. Ever since I started blogging back in 2014, it’s been a rollercoaster of starts and stops. Life got busy, work took…

As an Amazon seller, it’s tough to admit defeat—especially when you’ve poured your time, money, and advertising budget into a product. But let’s face it, if a product has been sitting in your FBA inventory for six months, collecting dust instead of glowing reviews, it’s time to have the talk….

Coming from the holidays, we have a lot of buyer messages waiting to be answered and most of them are already over the 24-hour SLA target. But let’s be real—sellers can’t be expected to reply to buyers 24/7 especially on weekends and holidays. However, Amazon really loves happy customers, and…

Amazon recently announced a policy update requiring sellers to enter their Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for FBA inventory. While it’s framed as a step to improve transparency and streamline inventory reimbursement processes, many sellers are raising concerns about the drawbacks of this mandate. What’s Changing?Under the new policy, sellers…

Ah, December 26th—the day after Christmas. While most people are lounging around in holiday PJs, nursing food comas, and marveling at their gifts, Amazon sellers are stepping into what feels like a whirlwind. Here’s what you can expect: So, sellers, while the holiday hustle might feel like it’s slowing down,…

To all the hardworking Amazon sellers out there—Happy Holidays! You’ve survived inventory headaches, price wars, and customer messages that start with “Where’s my package?” And to all the holiday shoppers? We love you, we really do. But as you sip your eggnog and unwrap those deals, please shop wisely. That…

If you’re an Amazon seller expecting a sales surge on Christmas Eve, let’s be real—Santa’s sleigh has already left the building. By now, shoppers are sipping cocoa, wrapping gifts, or panicking over that one forgotten item (sorry, it’s too late). Sales? They’ve hit the brakes. Appreciate the calm before the…

Planning an extended holiday break? Don’t let your Amazon sales come to a screeching halt! Instead of activating the holiday setting and removing your listings, you can simply increase the handling time on a SKU level. This way, buyers can still place orders, but they’ll be aware of a longer…

Do you have high return rates and low NCX (Negative Customer Experience) scores? If yes, Amazon’s probably keeping a watchful eye on your account—and your funds. Why? Because they anticipate future returns or refunds and are holding a reserve just in case. It’s like Amazon saying, “We’re just being cautious,…

Black Friday burned you out, huh? We get it. But should you jump into the Boxing Day sales madness? Here’s the deal: if your inventory didn’t fly off the shelves during Black Friday, it’s probably still sitting there, judging you. Boxing Day is like a second chance—your shot at tempting…

Here’s a quick tip for anyone selling multiple variations of a product in a less competitive category: skip the parent-child listing. Why? Because listing each variation as its own standalone product means more digital shelf space for you—and more chances to grab a shopper’s attention. I’ve actually done this on…

“When’s the last day I can order from Amazon to get my gifts by Christmas?”—the question on everyone’s mind this time of year. If you’re knee-deep in last-minute shopping panic and wondering if that perfect gift will make it under the tree in time, don’t worry—Amazon’s got your back. Thanks…

Welcome to the Amazon Rollercoaster! One minute you’re popping champagne because your new product sold out in a day. The next, you’re staring blankly at a listing that hasn’t moved for weeks, even after you slashed the price so low that you’re practically giving it away. I’ve seen this happen…

If you’re selling in the EU, or thinking of selling in Amazon EU marketplaces, there is one thing you can’t afford to ignore: GPSR compliance. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) isn’t just another acronym—it’s the golden rule for keeping your products on the market (and out of trouble). Think…

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are the Super Bowl of e-commerce. It’s when millions of shoppers are on Amazon, credit cards ready, hunting for deals. If your product didn’t make the cut during this shopping frenzy, it might be time for some tough love: your product probably won’t sell…

Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) is like doing your own laundry instead of sending it to the cleaners. Sure, you save on service fees, but you also have to deal with the mess yourself. So, is FBM the right choice for your Amazon business? Let’s break it down. The Pros of…

So, you’ve got a product that wasn’t exactly winning hearts (or stars) on Amazon. Maybe the material wasn’t top-notch, or the design left customers unimpressed. Reviews came pouring in—and let’s be honest, they weren’t glowing. But hey, you’ve taken the feedback like a champ and upgraded the product. New design,…

In 2025, the mantra for e-commerce success is simple: “If you can’t beat them, sell to them.” And where are millions of eyeballs glued daily? TikTok. But this time, they’re not just dancing—they’re buying. Enter TikTok Shop, the social media marketplace you didn’t know you needed. Why TikTok Shop? Don’t…

Ireland has officially joined the Amazon fold, and let’s just say, 2025 is already looking brighter (and greener). The land of leprechauns, legends, and lyrical accents now has a direct pipeline to Prime. Gone are the days of long shipping times and currency conversions for Irish shoppers. Now, you can…

Thinking about dropping your prices significantly on Amazon? Brace yourself—you might just become the star of a surprise encore called “Return, Rebuy, Repeat.” Here’s the plot: a savvy customer buys your product at $50 on Monday. Then on Wednesday, they see you’ve slashed the price to $35. Cue the “Oh…

Imagine this: you’re staring at a sea of Amazon data—sessions, unit session percentages, conversion rates, ACoS, TACoS (and no, they’re not edible)—and your task is to make it digestible for your colleagues, who think “Buy Box” is a toy and “FBA” is a trendy acronym for “Fashion Bloggers Anonymous.” Welcome…

Ah, strike-through pricing—the holy grail of online deals. Who doesn’t love the sight of a slashed price, boldly announcing, “Yes, I’m on sale!”? If your customers love a bargain (spoiler: they do), Price Discounts might just become your favorite Amazon tool. But how do you get that coveted strike-through? Let’s…

When selling on Amazon, product reviews and ratings are often the focus of attention. They influence customer purchasing decisions and build trust around a product. However, seller feedback is equally important, yet frequently overlooked. Here’s why seller feedback matters and how it impacts your Amazon business. 1. Builds Seller Credibility…

For Black Friday week, one of the accounts I manage faced a unique challenge: none of its ASINs were eligible for Lightning Deals or Best Deals. This was due to the Seller account’s recent transition from Vendor, leaving us with limited promotional options. To drive sales, I implemented two strategies—coupons…

Amazon’s Automated Pricing tool can be a powerful feature for sellers looking to remain competitive in the marketplace. However, whether you should enroll your products depends on your business goals, product type, and competition level. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide. What Is Automated…

Over the weekend, I have been waiting for sales to pickup on one of the accounts I’m managing. But it never did. As a matter of fact, there was only a minimal increase in sales week over week. It was concerning to say the least because if there was no…

Let’s get real: a rating below 4 stars on Amazon is like showing up to a dinner party with soggy fries—it’s not going to win anyone over. If your product is languishing at a 3.8-star rating or worse, the problem boils down to one of two things: your product or…

One of the accounts I’m managing has high expectations for this year’s Black Friday to be the biggest sales event yet. This optimism is completely understandable given the season’s reputation as a peak shopping period. However, as I write this, sales have yet to gain momentum, and I’m uncertain if…

Launching a product on Amazon is a strategic process that requires careful planning, and while Q4 is the most lucrative time of the year for eCommerce, it’s not necessarily the best time to debut a new product. Here are a few reasons why launching in Q4 might be a risky…

Deal Tenets on Amazon are a set of guidelines and best practices that sellers must follow to participate in special promotions like Lightning Deals, Deal of the Day, and other time-sensitive offers. These tenets ensure that deals provide genuine value to customers while maintaining a high standard of quality and competitiveness….

One of the reasons why launching a product in Q4 is bad idea is because the marketplace will be saturated with promotions for Black Friday and holiday shopping season, not to mention advertising costs are at an all-time high because countless of sellers are bidding to get to page 1…

I’ve seen it happen on several occasions where newly-launched products performed exceptionally well, even without reviews. Surprisingly, it wasn’t because these products offered the lowest price. Instead, their success was rooted in their unique selling proposition (USP). Despite the presence of similar products in the market, it was the product…

Yesterday, I went to La Roca Village, an outlet shopping destination located 40 minutes outside of Barcelona. I went there 2 years ago and spent more than I planned because of all the crazy deals available, so I was expecting to have the same experience this year. Unfortunately, I ended…

Managing Amazon accounts and running my own Amazon account have easily taken over my life especially during this time of the year. If I keep doing this, burnout is just around the corner waiting for me to breakdown. So for today, I am making a conscious effort not to open…

Today I got hit with another charge as an Amazon seller–the long-term storage fee or also known as aged inventory surcharge. I thought they only start charging this once FBA inventory is stored for 270 days and more but I couldn’t be more wrong. The aged inventory surcharge is charged…

I have been offered to manage more marketplaces in the UK and at first I was hesitant to accept because managing Amazon alone is challenging enough. But I’m always up for new challenges and learning new things, so I accepted the offer. Not gonna lie, I’m excited and anxious at…

If I’m being honest, return notifications impact me far more than sales notifications. While a sale is a win-win for everyone involved, a return carries a heavier weight, as it has a greater negative impact on my seller account. For sellers, returns often feel like a loss, both financially and…

I feel like I have a secret weapon because 3 times in a row, I’ve succeeded in resolving complicated issues with the help of this secret weapon. The first issue–when all products of one of the accounts I’m managing lost the buy box overnight and it went on for a…

As an Amazon seller, deciding between growth and profitability is crucial, but aiming to achieve both simultaneously is often unrealistic. Each objective requires different strategies, and understanding their trade-offs is key to building a successful business. Growth: Building for the Future If your goal is growth, you’ll focus on scaling…

On many occasions, I’ve relied on ChatGPT to assist me in crafting product details, including titles, descriptions, and bullet points, complete with relevant keywords for the accounts I’m managing and for my own Amazon business. It has been a game-changer, saving me significant time and allowing me to focus on…

The holiday season is one of the busiest shopping times of the year, and Amazon makes it even easier for customers to shop confidently by extending its return window. During the holiday period, Amazon offers a 3-month return policy, allowing items purchased between early October and December to be returned until…

For Amazon sellers managing multiple products, efficiency and accuracy are key to success. Manually creating or updating listings can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially as your catalog grows. This is where Amazon’s Listing Loader Template comes in—a powerful bulk upload tool designed to streamline the process of creating and managing…

Amazon Affiliates, also known as Amazon Associates, are content creators, influencers, and bloggers who earn commissions by promoting Amazon products. Partnering with affiliates can be an effective way to increase your product’s visibility and drive more sales, especially if your products are new or competing in a crowded market. Here’s…

I think I’ve mentioned in several articles how dealing with Seller Support can be frustrating and overwhelming. But once in a blue moon, one particular person from Seller Support will step up and actually do a good job in helping sellers resolve an issue or 2. And I had the…

Over the years, Black Friday has grown from a single day of deals into a multi-week shopping event, sometimes even a month-long event, with early discounts, Cyber Monday follow-ups, and even holiday “flash sales.” But with so many promotions crowding the calendar, both retailers and shoppers are noticing a phenomenon:…

From June until mid-September, I was advertising aggressively to promote my newly-launched products, 4 SKUs to be exact. I limit my spend to $1000 per month but the results were not as great as I want them to be. So I paused all campaigns mid-September and let organic ranking takeover….

This week alone I had to create a price comparison table involving different marketplaces in the UK–i.e. Wayfair, Very, B&Q, Bedkingdom–and I had to monitor it regularly. Unfortunately, there’s no price comparison chrome extension or software that exists (yet). I tried looking and testing what’s available but none worked based…

Today’s priority is creating 12 new listings for one of the accounts I’m managing. As soon as I had all the details ready–i.e. product title, description, bullet points, and search terms–I created a feed file. Everything was filled out correctly, not missing any required information, so in my mind, this…

Early this year, just before I launched my first product, I hit a major roadblock. I received an email from Amazon Seller team informing me that my account has been deactivated. It was both surprising and stressful, as I had no idea what could have caused it. I immediately called…

I saw a video on Instragram–a guy explaining this Amazon and Temu shipping loophole that you can take advantage as a shopper. Amazon is the go-to online marketplace mainly because of its reputation of offering a 2-day or even same-day delivery to customers. Customers are known to be impatient so…

This afternoon I received an email from Amazon with the subject line: Action required to avoid account deactivation. I went into panic mode because I had no idea what could have caused this. So I immediately checked Account Health and Performance Notifications. But upon checking, there was no alert whatsoever…

TACOS (Total Advertising Cost of Sale) is a critical metric for Amazon sellers that provides a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of advertising campaigns in relation to overall sales. Unlike traditional metrics like ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale), which only considers the sales generated from advertising, TACOS takes into account…

Here’s another barcode-related mistake that I myself made. When I launched my 2nd-4th products (one product type with 3 variations) under a ‘generic’ brand, I bought a set of 10 UPC barcodes through GS1. This set of 10 comes with a company prefix and initially, I didn’t quite understand what…

With all the Amazon accounts I’ve handled and currently managing, here’s one of the most common mistakes that Sellers make–creating a product listing under a wrong brand name. Why is this a mistake? Because there’s no going back. Once you’ve created a listing using a UPC/GTIN/EAN barcode and under a…

Selling on Amazon offers tremendous opportunities, but understanding and monitoring key performance metrics is crucial for long-term success. By tracking the right metrics, sellers can gain insights into their business performance, identify areas for improvement, and optimize their listings to drive more sales. Here are some essential metrics that every…

The last week of October has given me a lot of wins on Amazon. First, I managed to resolve a major issue that put an account at risk of deactivation and restricted access to payment funds. A day later, I resolved another major issue–a brand-related one–which was preventing me to…

Early this year, one of my goals was to learn a new marketable skill. It can either be one of these 3 things–launch a kickstarter campaign, launch a book using Amazon KDP, or launch a TikTok shop. And I’m happy to say that less than a week ago, I published…

Amazon Vendor Direct Fulfillment, sometimes referred to as “dropshipping” within Amazon’s Vendor Central, is an invite-only vendor program where Amazon vendors ship products directly to customers on Amazon’s behalf. Unlike Amazon’s typical Vendor Central model, where vendors receive purchase orders from Amazon and fulfill these POs by sending inventory to…

Amazon’s Business Pricing is a powerful tool for sellers who want to tap into the lucrative B2B market on Amazon. By setting specific pricing for business customers, you can increase sales volume, attract bulk buyers, and build long-term relationships with companies looking for reliable suppliers. Here are the main reasons…

I mentioned in one of the articles I wrote that creating a variation on Amazon is one of my least favorite tasks to do. Why? Because I never get it right the first time especially when uploading a feed file. There’s always some kind of error code that would prevent…

Who is Rufus? Rufus is an expert shopping assistant trained on Amazon’s product catalog and information from across the web to answer customer questions on shopping needs, products, and comparisons, make recommendations based on this context, and facilitate product discovery in the same Amazon shopping experience customers use regularly. Rufus…

What is the Amazon Vine Program? The Vine Program allows Amazon sellers to provide free products to pre-vetted reviewers, called “Vine Voices.” These reviewers are chosen based on their reputation for providing helpful, thorough feedback. In return, sellers receive honest reviews that can increase credibility and visibility for their products….

In the past week, I’ve contacted a few Amazon agencies to seek insights and possibly a collaboration. Getting outside perspective helped me a lot because I was stressed about unrealistic sales targets and I felt way out of depth. Talking to industry experts allowed me to gather my thoughts, take…

It has been exactly a week since the featured offer went from 98% to 0% on one of the accounts I’m managing. Sales took a hit naturally and we couldn’t advertise because there is no point if there’s no featured offer available. But sometime today, the buy box on all…

When selling on Amazon, one of the most important factors to consider is your profit margin. A good margin ensures that your business is sustainable. But what exactly qualifies as a “good” margin on Amazon, and how can you achieve it? Let’s explore the basics of Amazon profit margins and…

The first 4 products I launched on Amazon have ‘generic’ brand name because I thought I needed a trademark to be able to use my own brand. But I was wrong. With the 5th and 6th product, I was able to get brand approval even if I don’t have a…

Friday morning, I opened my laptop and went about my daily routine of checking the Amazon accounts I’m currently managing. To my surprise, all active listings of one of the accounts have lost the buy box. Featured offer % literally went from 98% to 0% in a matter of 24…

As an Amazon seller, understanding the difference between organic sales and ad sales is crucial for building a successful business strategy. Both play a vital role in growing your Amazon presence, but they operate in different ways and have unique benefits. In this blog post, I will break down what…

Conversion rate is one of the most important metrics for any Amazon seller. It refers to the percentage of people who visit your product listing and then make a purchase. Understanding what qualifies as a good conversion rate can help you assess how well your products are performing and identify…

If you’re an Amazon Vendor, you may have been enjoying the simplicity of Amazon managing your inventory, pricing, and shipping. However, many vendors are now reconsidering their position and switching to Amazon’s Seller Central model. Here are a few compelling reasons why transitioning from being an Amazon Vendor to an…

Once you’ve clocked in and ready to work, make sure to check these 3 things first as these are crucial in making sure your account is in good standing. Account Health This page contains the following account performance metrics–customer service performance, policy compliance, delivery performance, and payment policy. If your…

Here I am still dealing with unrealistic monthly targets. Why? Because the management thinks that Disney branded products should be to sell on Amazon, that reaching 500k in sales shouldn’t be that hard, and only minimal advertising budget is needed. Worst of all–they’ve decided next year’s target to be 1M…

If you’re launching a new product and just shipped the inventory into Amazon FBA, you will soon see the product as ACTIVE and purchasable with delivery dates depending on when Amazon will start receiving the inventory. This is commonly known as forward selling or the pre-selling of a product to…

Stressing about the unrealistic monthly targets last week really made me doubt myself and my capabilities. I started questioning if I really know what I’m doing or if I’m really good at this or if it would be best if someone, who can do a better job than me, should…

Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program works the same as any other subscription and everyone should take advantage of it. If you are selling products that customers use frequently–i.e. skin care and beauty products–or products that are consummable, or products under the food & beverage category, then those can be eligible…

Apparently it came into effect last June 1st and I only found out today when I checked the Payments report and saw this line item under FBA fees. The amount charged was not a lot but when you’re paying so much to Amazon already, a penny seems like a lot!…

It’s one of those days where I feel overly stressed because one of the accounts I’m managing asked earlier today to summarize the reasons why we’re behind this month’s target. I wanted to be frank and say, ‘the target that the management has set is too high and unrealistic also…

If you’re in the process of transitioning from Vendor Central to Seller Central and you need an API integration between Amazon Seller Central and MS Business Central to automate your FBM order processing, then read on. Actually, whatever your reason is for looking for an API integration between Amazon Seller…

One of the accounts I’m managing is a vendor account or it was until last month when the management decided to move to Seller Central. I’ve also seen several posts on LinkedIn recently where vendor accounts have started receiving agreement termination emails from Amazon and Amazon encouraging these vendor accounts…

That question seemed vague so let me elaborate. One of the accounts I’m currently managing is getting hit with FBA shipment issues specifically using a manufacturer barcode. What is a manufacturer barcode? It’s a scannable barcode on each product unit so it can be tracked throughout the Fulfillment by Amazon…

In one of the companies I worked for, I was approached by a colleague who asked if I wanted to collaborate with her and start selling on Amazon. Since I have the experience with Amazon and she has experience with sourcing products, I thought it was a good idea. 4…

Prime Big Day Deals 2024 (aka October Prime Day) is just around the corner, happening on 8th and 9th of October. Deal submission deadline for sellers has been long over and if you weren’t able to create a deal before the deadline or none of your ASINs were eligible, no…

If you are selling on Amazon and other marketplaces—i.e. Walmart, Wayfair, etc.—know that Amazon price matches almost always. What that means is, if one of the marketplaces drop their prices, you can expect Amazon to do the same. As a result, you will lose the buy box until you match…