What if you, as a seller were bestowed upon you the gift of free unlimited sponsored ads on Amazon for life? Wouldn't that be a game-changer, albeit an unfair advantage over every other seller)? Well that's exactly what Amazon is doing here, and I am not gonna sit down quietly about it. Let me digress......

In MY little slice of the Amazon world, they have been acting as the "seller" on my competitors product for 7+ years now. Once upon a time the competitor used to wholesale his item to a multitude of Amazon sellers, but I noticed one day many years ago Amazon THEMSELVES was showing as the seller. Cleary they went directly to the manufacturer and started buying them....Okay, fair enough (I guess?).

Starting this last xmas however, This 3rd-party owned product "sold by Amazon" starting running aggressive PPC sponsored ad campaigns. Who do you think the massive ad bill is being paid by? The seller who is running the ads of course. And who is the "seller"? Bingo.

Am I the only one that thinks this is an outrageously unfair tactic? Amazon (in this case), is acting as a SELLER just like the rest of us. The REST of us pay thru the nose for sponsored ads. I've had the good fortune of getting the #1 organic page placement and Amazon's Choice/Overall Choice Banner for 7 years because I've busted my tail on improving the product and providing excellent customer service. Now, both are gone because a "Seller" on Amazon has a free unlimited, lifetime sponsored ad budget.

I've already voiced my concern to Amazon and vowed to go to the media with this story after the xmas selling season. I'm sure they will somehow penalize my #1 seller, but I'm not gonna just idly sit by and watch a bully push the little guy around without at least drawing attention to this sleazy, possibly illegal tactic Amazon is now employing.