posted on July 20, 2001 08:45:42 AM new
I am glad to see more people posting here right now! I've been reluctant to consider some of the Amazon programs like zShops, because I don't like investing monthly fees if I am not sure I'll make enough sales per month.
On the flip side, I find selling on Marketplace nerve-wracking in many ways. I always email my buyers to let them know their book will go out media mail, and offer to work out Priority shipping. But they already pay $4 for shipping so it's asking them to pay ME more money to upgrade. it's either that or , probably, waiting a good while. I read seller FB a lot on Amazon and constantly see complaints about slow "shipping", some of which has to be confusion about how long MM takes.
If you have a zshop, you negotiate your own shipping, right? I've never bought from a zshop myself. I wonder if folks are just as likely to click that option if the price is right. Also, do most buyers at zshops use Amazon Payments, or do you end up waiting for checks and MOs?
Basically I am wondering: stick with the Marketplace model because it works, even though it bugs me on a fundamental level, or get a zshop? I'd appreciate any thoughts on how you made your decision which to use
posted on July 20, 2001 12:31:26 PM new
I am a Pro Merchant, which means I pay the $40 a month to Amazon for the privilege. I have around 2100 listings as of today. Almost everything I list is a Marketplace item, as that's where the action seems to be right now. However, everything I list also shows up in zShops and my shop in particular. It's nice, and I like having it, but the main reason I signed up for Pro Merchant was NOT because I wanted the zshop but because I didn't want to pay the .99 fee on everything I sold. In the last 15 days I've sold almost 200 items, and that would have been a LOT of .99s out of my pocket and into Amazon's.
I HAVE sold some few items through zShop alone, and liked being able to set the shipping fee to cover the actual cost of such on some heavy books, etc.
posted on July 20, 2001 06:09:40 PM new
Hi Keziak -
I'm in the same quandry as you. I've been debating joining up for the Pro Merchant, but I guess I was under the impression that once you did that your listings would go into your z-shop. I guess you're saying Lyonis that you can list with either the MP or Z-shop (or both) with a Pro Merchant account? Thanks for your information...I guess I'd better look into the PM Account a little more carefully. Maybe it'll be worth it with the new upgrades...hopefully there will be less glitches to look forward to.
posted on July 20, 2001 07:14:06 PM new
Yes, you do have the choice when you list where you want your merchandise to go. In your seller account options, when you select 'list an item to sell', or whatever its exact title is, they will ask you if you want to list it in Marketplace, and if not, you select zShop.
The thing to remember about selecting Marketplace, is that it automatically is listed in zShop and your zShop offerings, as well. However, if someone buys that item, BECAUSE you listed it as Marketplace, the Marketplace fees, and the automatic shipping fee Amazon puts on Marketplace items, apply.
This is true whether they buy it from Amazon's product page, or directly from your zShop.
You can only control the shipping and handling charges if you ONLY list it in zShop. However, the cuts down, significantly, on the exposure you get. People like Marketplace because it's easy to navigate.
posted on July 20, 2001 07:34:34 PM new
Thanks again for the information Lyonis. I really appreciate it. I have one more question, if you have the time for it. You said:
However, if someone buys that item, BECAUSE you listed it as Marketplace, the Marketplace fees, and the automatic shipping fee Amazon puts on Marketplace items, apply.
When you say that "the Marketplace fees apply" does that mean only the 15% commission, and not the $.99 listing fee that I pay now for every listing that I sell? Also, is the automatic shipping fee that Amazon puts on MP items clear to the buyer? I apologize...since I've never had a z-shop it's a little confusing!
posted on July 20, 2001 09:56:54 PM new
Yes, when you're a Pro Merchant, you pay the 15% fee, but NOT the 99 cent fee, which is why I switched over about a week into selling, I could tell I would sell more than 40 items a month easily. When the buyer makes the purchase, Amazon tells them they are being charged a flat shipping fee of $3.49 (on books) lower on CDs, don't remember the exact amount. What they don't tell the buyer, and what makes problems for us sellers sometimes, is that they only give us 2.23 of the 3.49 and keep the rest. :P
posted on July 21, 2001 03:38:48 AM new
Ah...that clears it up...thanks Lyonis! You've really helped me to make a decision on this - much appreciation! It looks like it's time to make the jump into a PM account, although I don't look forward to the work involved, having to close and relist all of my listings. Easier now than later though. Thank you very much for all of your help!
posted on July 21, 2001 06:18:38 AM new
on the topic of shipping fee,what amzn keeps and what we get- i sold a large book on marketplace and shipped in a box etc for mroe than what amzn gave me,which is okay as i understand we need to build that extra into book price.
but the buyer called one day and said it arrived damaged(box) and the book as well,and wanted to know what i can do.
so i told him i did the best i can,if he wants another copy he would have to pay.
so he said he will contact amzn first .
i have never heard from him since.
since then i notice competition really heats up on marketplace,it just make it more difficult for us to build that extra shipping cost into the book price.
there is so much supply out there,we are working on third country wages.
posted on July 21, 2001 07:21:55 AM new
I don't exactly ignore competition, but if a book has a lot of sellers, I either donate it, or price it midway or a little above in the listings. If it is "like New" it may find itself in the upper prices.
I can't afford to take the time to buy books, list them, take pictures, pay to ship, etc. and give books away.
It is interesting how many of these "midway" or above books sell on Marketplace...
I think sellers do themselves a disservice by lowballing...
posted on July 30, 2001 08:00:24 AM newwatafind..........
I noticed that too! In fact in my records I have started keeping just a few notes only occasionally, to get a feel for what the customer had to choose from when they bought my book. I cannot 'work for nothing' either, so most of mine are at the higher end, many are the very top priced. Many sellers put NO description, I put GOBS! I cram in as much as I can. In my little personal notes I put how many were available IN THE SAME OR BETTER CONDITION at a LOWER PRICE than my book. Often there are ones available for half of my price at equal condition. I will be monitoring my sales for a while to see what I think. My books aren't necessarily better. My prices are admittedly higher. I think it is a combo of; a good description / good feedback / always a photo scan.
posted on July 30, 2001 09:19:15 PM new
immykidsmom:
I agree that the reason folks buy a higher priced book is the detailed description -
I like to list my books under Collectible on the Marketplace because most of them are out of print and I can put a lot more information.
The books that I descript condition AND take the time to put an extra short punchy description (usually an excerpt from book) - such as - Great gift for cat lover...Over 400 health food recipes...etc. - that makes the book sound interesting moves the book quicker than Good, Very Good, Acceptable or NEW.
Sales have been very good for last week or so...This week-end - GREAT!!
