Selling On Amazon?

[probyn]

I am thinking of setting up an Amazon Webstore on Amazon.com (not Amazon.ca) to sell vitamins and supplements. I have been reading stuff on selling on Amazon, and I may get a part-time retail job in a store specializing in vitamins/supplements. There are alot of bright people on Terb, and I was wondering if there is any advice that I should heed? Has anyone sold items on Amazon.com? I figure vitamins are good to sell, since I might get repeat orders. Should I consider another product to sell?

 

[nobody123]

I am thinking of setting up an Amazon Webstore on Amazon.com (not Amazon.ca) to sell vitamins and supplements. I have been reading stuff on selling on Amazon, and I may get a part-time retail job in a store specializing in vitamins/supplements. There are alot of bright people on Terb, and I was wondering if there is any advice that I should heed? Has anyone sold items on Amazon.com? I figure vitamins are good to sell, since I might get repeat orders. Should I consider another product to sell?

Maybe. Maybe not. But you should definitely consider another partner. Amazon are assholes. Surely there are better places to hitch yer wagon.

 

[kkelso]

Maybe. Maybe not. But you should definitely consider another partner. Amazon are assholes. Surely there are better places to hitch yer wagon.

I've done a fair bit of business with Amazon. A few things to keep in mind:

- They charge a sizable rev-share fee
- They have legal access to all of your data, so if you are selling something and it takes off, Amazon will be selling it soon undercutting you
- Amazon can get a better deal on anything than you can, so your best bet is selling a product that is unique or selling an existing product with a significant value-add
- If you are using Amazon as a storefront-only, a convenient way for customers you serve in other channels to get your goods online as well, be aware that Amazon can and will market to them

Not trying to be a downer, these are hard-learned lessons.

Best of luck - KK