I have an order for a book I sold over a year ago
Today I came across a weird Amazon glitch, an order for a book I sold over a year ago. To put this further into context, we are a used bookstore. I definitely haven't listed a second copy of this book or it would show on Art Of Books that I had another copy. So today I receive this order that doesn't have our normal 6 digit SKU number and turns out to be for a book that we sold 2/24. The weirdest part of this is that the price on this order is double the price we originally had it listed for. Has anyone ever encountered this before? Will canceling this order effect my ODR? Is there any way to keep this from happening again?
I have an order for a book I sold over a year ago
Today I came across a weird Amazon glitch, an order for a book I sold over a year ago. To put this further into context, we are a used bookstore. I definitely haven't listed a second copy of this book or it would show on Art Of Books that I had another copy. So today I receive this order that doesn't have our normal 6 digit SKU number and turns out to be for a book that we sold 2/24. The weirdest part of this is that the price on this order is double the price we originally had it listed for. Has anyone ever encountered this before? Will canceling this order effect my ODR? Is there any way to keep this from happening again?
0 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
This type of thing has been reported off and on for years. Usually referred to as a "Ghost Listing". Amazon denies that it could ever happen, but plenty of people have seen otherwise.
Yes, canceling will affect your ODR (since Amazon insists that there is no problem). But having a single ding is not a big deal.
To help prevent it from happening in the future, get in the habit of fully deleting sold offers (I usually wait about 6-8 weeks, in case of returns).
Seller_YBfUTeoG971hG
I find this happens more often after I have put my inventory On Vacation, even for a couple of days. When I reactivate on my return from being away, there seem to be more "Zombie Listings" (and, regrettably, Zombie Sales) that pop up. Happens on other selling sites as well, but no one will admit to a problem on their end, so we are left with it.
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
I've had lots of Ghost listings over the years. In every case the price & SKU is always the same as what we had originally listed. Has anyone else experienced a change in these things?
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
Yes, it will effect your ODR.
"Ghost Listings" a glitch in their system, TPTB airily call them, have been happening since we started our store 13+ years ago. The worst is that one occasionally occurs just after vacation, which just happened to us. Likely have only a few or no sales reflected on account health page -then a cancellation prior to fulfillment. which makes the ODR worse!!. Ours is presently 12.5%!!
We came off a weeks vacation on Monday the 5th. The ghost listing, for a book we sold in April 1st, occurred Wed.5-7-25. Often, it's a ghost for years earlier and difficult to locate!!
At least didn't have to go through gyrations to locate previous order. Since other metrics are 100% or zero, we had no other ill effect. Usually won't have an issue if only the one seller cancellation for 7 days.
Seller_dy0iaamuixQa3
I have had several "ghost listing" sales. In some cases, I managed to find copies of the book in other sources and fulfilled the sale. In one case, it was a book I've never offered. Ironically, I'd just seen that same title at a thrift store I frequent. It was still on the shelf when I drove there. The customer had purchased a softback was delighted with the hardback in its place. Just avoid the temptation to drop ship. It could cause a lot of problems.
