Tradd
8-20-11, 9:02pm
I wrote this up at the request of a few friends. I've made several thousand dollars selling books on Amazon since 2003 or so. I've got a perfect 5-star seller rating, and since I was given many of these tips on another board years ago, I like to share them when I can. When my office had some layoffs almost a month ago, I immediately went home that day, culled through my books, and started listing them on Amazon, along with a few DVDs (that I'd bought a few months ago but hadn't watched yet). I've made about $200 so far, and I posted more books yesterday (I'm in the midst of major dental work and my car needs brakes).
The Amazon site can be a bit confusing and the book-selling procedures were changed a few years ago, so I wrote a very clear how-to.
How to sell books, movies, music on Amazon
Gather up the items you want to sell. Mass market paperbacks (the small ones) aren't usually worth selling on Amazon. Give those away or donate to your library. Trade paperbacks (the larger ones, often the size of a hardcover) are usually worth selling.
One of the most important things to note: you must ship within 2 business days of receiving the order. So if you sell something on a Friday, it must ship by Tuesday at the latest. There is no way around this. Not shipping on time puts you in violation of the selling agreement and is one of the best ways to get a negative rating from a buyer. If you can't commit to this, get rid of your books some other way.
Also, each book must have an ISBN number. If it's so old it doesn't have an ISBN, you can't sell it on Amazon.
Go to the Amazon website on your computer. In the search box, simply type the ISBN number (or bar code number for CDs and DVDs) into that box. When the product page comes up, make sure it's the correct item you have. For books, you might have to choose a different format (hardcover or paperback) from the different editions available. On the right side, you will see a "sell yours here" button. Click on that. Simply follow the steps to list your item.
When it comes to the field asking about condition, read the little explanation of conditions. It's very important to correctly state the condition of your item. Go through a book to make sure there is no writing in it. If there is any writing, even a pen line in a margin, you have to note it. Mention things like: dust jacket missing, spine slightly bent, CD missing insert, DVD/CD case slightly cracked.
Pricing: it's best to price your items just a wee bit under the lowest price shown. That way, your item shows up first in the Amazon listing for that item, with a lowest price icon next to.
Sometimes, given the other prices listed, it's not worth to sell your item. My rule of thumb is that if I'm not going to get at least $7 for an item, it's not worth it. Consider your time, as well as if you need cash badly or are simply decluttering and the cash is a plus.
Shipping options: unless you have the capability to drop everything to get to the post office to ship something out next day or priority mail, don't choose to offer these services. Just pick "standard shipping" which is the default option. Standard shipping is media mail with the US Postal Service, 4th class mail.
Once your items are listed, it's very helpful to keep an eye on your inventory every day (especially if you're selling to raise cash). Simply go to Amazon's website, then your account, then your seller account (this link is on the right hand side, in the middle, on account page). Go to "manage your inventory." If any of your items are no longer the lowest price (green check mark in that column), then adjust the price (usually just a few cents) to make it the lowest one again. Staying on top of this really helps to sell your books.
Shipping: Get yourself a black Sharpie marker and padded envelopes of various sizes that will fit your items. I like the plastic 3M ones. Target has the best deal. If you have access to Sam's Club or Costco, check out the prices for multi-packs (not usually available at Target or Walmart). They may or may not be cheaper than buying individual ones. Don't buy too many envelopes at first, in case your stuff doesn't sell very well. 4-5 are a good start. It's also good to have some clear packing tape in case you want to tape an envelope shut.
I don't bother to print out packing lists from Amazon's website. I simply write "Your Amazon.com order" under my return address on the envelope. You may want to print the packing slips. It's your option.
When an item sells, you will get two emails from Amazon. First, one telling you a listing has sold out. Second, one telling you the payment has been processed from the buyer and you can ship.
Go to your seller account and choose "manage orders." Choose the proper item and click on long order ID number to get full details, including ship-to address. If the ship-to address doesn't have the Zip+4 for the zip code, just look it up quickly on the usps.com website (just enter the address). Adding the +4 numbers to the zip code seems to get it there a bit faster.
Now you will see several buttons on the far right side of a listing. One is to print a packing slip and one is to confirm shipment. You HAVE to confirm shipment AFTER you've mailed something in order to get paid. If you don't confirm, you don't get paid. Period.
Pack up your items, take them to the post office, and ship via media mail. I don't bother with delivery confirmation unless it is a more expensive item, such as a multi-disc DVD set. Remember that Amazon only gives you a $3.99 shipping credit. If you buy all the extra services (delivery confirmation, etc.), it eats into your profits and can add up quickly.
When you come home from the post office, confirm items shipped. Voila! Done! :D
Getting paid: Amazon will direct deposit your earnings into the checking account you designate every two weeks. You can initiate it sooner.
Going on vacation: if you're going to be away for a time, even a weekend, it's best to put your "store" on vacation, too. Go to your seller account and then "seller account information." Scroll down to where you see "active" status and then click edit to change it to "inactive."
The Amazon site can be a bit confusing and the book-selling procedures were changed a few years ago, so I wrote a very clear how-to.
How to sell books, movies, music on Amazon
Gather up the items you want to sell. Mass market paperbacks (the small ones) aren't usually worth selling on Amazon. Give those away or donate to your library. Trade paperbacks (the larger ones, often the size of a hardcover) are usually worth selling.
One of the most important things to note: you must ship within 2 business days of receiving the order. So if you sell something on a Friday, it must ship by Tuesday at the latest. There is no way around this. Not shipping on time puts you in violation of the selling agreement and is one of the best ways to get a negative rating from a buyer. If you can't commit to this, get rid of your books some other way.
Also, each book must have an ISBN number. If it's so old it doesn't have an ISBN, you can't sell it on Amazon.
Go to the Amazon website on your computer. In the search box, simply type the ISBN number (or bar code number for CDs and DVDs) into that box. When the product page comes up, make sure it's the correct item you have. For books, you might have to choose a different format (hardcover or paperback) from the different editions available. On the right side, you will see a "sell yours here" button. Click on that. Simply follow the steps to list your item.
When it comes to the field asking about condition, read the little explanation of conditions. It's very important to correctly state the condition of your item. Go through a book to make sure there is no writing in it. If there is any writing, even a pen line in a margin, you have to note it. Mention things like: dust jacket missing, spine slightly bent, CD missing insert, DVD/CD case slightly cracked.
Pricing: it's best to price your items just a wee bit under the lowest price shown. That way, your item shows up first in the Amazon listing for that item, with a lowest price icon next to.
Sometimes, given the other prices listed, it's not worth to sell your item. My rule of thumb is that if I'm not going to get at least $7 for an item, it's not worth it. Consider your time, as well as if you need cash badly or are simply decluttering and the cash is a plus.
Shipping options: unless you have the capability to drop everything to get to the post office to ship something out next day or priority mail, don't choose to offer these services. Just pick "standard shipping" which is the default option. Standard shipping is media mail with the US Postal Service, 4th class mail.
Once your items are listed, it's very helpful to keep an eye on your inventory every day (especially if you're selling to raise cash). Simply go to Amazon's website, then your account, then your seller account (this link is on the right hand side, in the middle, on account page). Go to "manage your inventory." If any of your items are no longer the lowest price (green check mark in that column), then adjust the price (usually just a few cents) to make it the lowest one again. Staying on top of this really helps to sell your books.
Shipping: Get yourself a black Sharpie marker and padded envelopes of various sizes that will fit your items. I like the plastic 3M ones. Target has the best deal. If you have access to Sam's Club or Costco, check out the prices for multi-packs (not usually available at Target or Walmart). They may or may not be cheaper than buying individual ones. Don't buy too many envelopes at first, in case your stuff doesn't sell very well. 4-5 are a good start. It's also good to have some clear packing tape in case you want to tape an envelope shut.
I don't bother to print out packing lists from Amazon's website. I simply write "Your Amazon.com order" under my return address on the envelope. You may want to print the packing slips. It's your option.
When an item sells, you will get two emails from Amazon. First, one telling you a listing has sold out. Second, one telling you the payment has been processed from the buyer and you can ship.
Go to your seller account and choose "manage orders." Choose the proper item and click on long order ID number to get full details, including ship-to address. If the ship-to address doesn't have the Zip+4 for the zip code, just look it up quickly on the usps.com website (just enter the address). Adding the +4 numbers to the zip code seems to get it there a bit faster.
Now you will see several buttons on the far right side of a listing. One is to print a packing slip and one is to confirm shipment. You HAVE to confirm shipment AFTER you've mailed something in order to get paid. If you don't confirm, you don't get paid. Period.
Pack up your items, take them to the post office, and ship via media mail. I don't bother with delivery confirmation unless it is a more expensive item, such as a multi-disc DVD set. Remember that Amazon only gives you a $3.99 shipping credit. If you buy all the extra services (delivery confirmation, etc.), it eats into your profits and can add up quickly.
When you come home from the post office, confirm items shipped. Voila! Done! :D
Getting paid: Amazon will direct deposit your earnings into the checking account you designate every two weeks. You can initiate it sooner.
Going on vacation: if you're going to be away for a time, even a weekend, it's best to put your "store" on vacation, too. Go to your seller account and then "seller account information." Scroll down to where you see "active" status and then click edit to change it to "inactive."