New Seller - help me understand fees?
Hello - I'm a new seller on Amazon. I'm losing out on every shipment so far and was wondering if someone could help me understand these fees.
I sell used books. Sale was $5.50 + $3.99 S/H + $0.76 tax total $10.25
If I'm understanding the fees correctly, it should be 15% for media (including books) plus $0.99/sale, so 15% of $10.25 is $1.53, plus the $0.99 per sale for a total of $2.53 - but the fee charged by Amazon for this sale was $4.21. That's almost half the entire sale.
Another sale was $1 + $3.99 s/h + $0.07 tax total $5.06, but the amazon fee was $3.54.
Please could someone help me understand how Amazon calculates the fees so I can better price the items? Thanks
New Seller - help me understand fees?
Hello - I'm a new seller on Amazon. I'm losing out on every shipment so far and was wondering if someone could help me understand these fees.
I sell used books. Sale was $5.50 + $3.99 S/H + $0.76 tax total $10.25
If I'm understanding the fees correctly, it should be 15% for media (including books) plus $0.99/sale, so 15% of $10.25 is $1.53, plus the $0.99 per sale for a total of $2.53 - but the fee charged by Amazon for this sale was $4.21. That's almost half the entire sale.
Another sale was $1 + $3.99 s/h + $0.07 tax total $5.06, but the amazon fee was $3.54.
Please could someone help me understand how Amazon calculates the fees so I can better price the items? Thanks
7 replies
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
You forgot the $1.80 variable closing cost. Did you use the fee calculator before listing your books? How much did you expect to make on a $5.50 book?
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
Because of the closing fee, selling any media item on Amazon for a low price is a mistake.
I suggest a minimum of at least $10 -- look to your own costs and make your own decision about a minimum.
And, of course, raise that minimum for any larger or heavier books. If it doesn't look to sell at that price -- don't list it.
Seller_9sdppuyjJGbMK
Thanks everyone - I missed the fine print with the $1.80 closing fee. I've fixed the prices and deleted listings that wouldn't sell at an increased price.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
One other cost you may not be considering is potential returns. You can sell perfectly described books in flawless condition, and you will still get the occasional return. Depending on the reason that the customer supplies for the return, you may be charged the return shipping, which will be via UPS, not the more reasonable Media Mail.
You also have your costs for shipping materials, etc., not to mention your time. If you're "not looking to turn a profit", then you're taking a risk with no reward. If your goal is to get rid of the books, it's much easier (and faster) to donate them. Realize that it's very common for a book to take months to years to sell, so Amazon is not the best way to just clear them out.
