books that are no longer profitable
I'm wondering what the best way is to handle books in inventory that at this point aren't showing any profit and are close to 90+ days in stock. Should I create a removal order or wait for an automatic removal from Amazon? Or any other suggestions
books that are no longer profitable
I'm wondering what the best way is to handle books in inventory that at this point aren't showing any profit and are close to 90+ days in stock. Should I create a removal order or wait for an automatic removal from Amazon? Or any other suggestions
5 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
If they are FBA, marking down to even when you are selling at a loss can be cheaper than a removal order; but keep in mind that you are still paying storage fees.
If it's not a fast seller, remove it. If a fast seller, marking it down and hoping for a sale in the next month or two might be cheaper. No real reason to wait for auto removals if you are pretty certain it will be removed; you're paying storage until it happens.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Why not accept a lower price that saves you money? A removal order is going to cost you $1.53-$2.27 for most books (larger ones even more). So unless you plan to resell these elsewhere, selling at a price that only covers the FBA fees, or even loses money after the fees are deducted, might actually save you money.
Although I can also understand the certainty of solving the problem by going ahead and creating a removal or disposal order.
It's a problem that we all face at one time or another. Part of the business (although extra painful when Amazon decides that they will sell the $30 book for $2.89 now; always right after you shipped it in...)
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
I don't do FBA, but am strictly a FBM seller. I hear what you are saying that you do not want to pay fees for books that aren't selling. I would ask that you not just drop the price of your books simply to move them, even at a loss.
Amazon has been squeezing its sellers with the 'competitive price' nonsense. And, prices on books seems to be deteriorating left and right. What used to be a solid seller at over $50 is now fetching $30. And if I try to price it back at $50 (where it really belongs), then I am told I priced it too high. This is because sellers are racing to the bottom of the pricing totem pole. They are devaluing books left and right.
I understand that FBA sellers don't want to pay the fees and lose too much money. I just have to wonder if FBA is the right solution for most titles. I can see new best sellers going fast. But do you list books that are over 500K for FBA? How long do you normally keep your books at FBA? Do they really sell enough to justify the length of time and the fees?? Or are they like FBM books when you sell some times that have been around for years and some that are newly added. I've had books in inventory for years (FBM).
I do not want to insult anyone, especially since I don't do FBA at all. I just wonder if it is a viable solution for most books. I want us all to succeed. I think there are plenty of books and plenty of customers with plenty of dollars to be had by all. I just really don't want to see the deterioration of prices just so FBA sellers can unload their inventory before they have to pay more fees.
