Signed books generating "potential pricing error"
New seller here in used and rare books.
I uploaded some books a few days ago using Biblio.com's routing system.
A number of signed-by-author books generated a "listings deactivated due to potential pricing error" email from Amazon.
I have a Boolean field in my spreadsheet for "signed/not signed," and I queried Biblio to verify that this field was being uploaded to Amazon; they assured me it was.
Not unnaturably my signed books are priced higher than unsigned copies.
How do I get these books taken off the deactivated list?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Signed books generating "potential pricing error"
New seller here in used and rare books.
I uploaded some books a few days ago using Biblio.com's routing system.
A number of signed-by-author books generated a "listings deactivated due to potential pricing error" email from Amazon.
I have a Boolean field in my spreadsheet for "signed/not signed," and I queried Biblio to verify that this field was being uploaded to Amazon; they assured me it was.
Not unnaturably my signed books are priced higher than unsigned copies.
How do I get these books taken off the deactivated list?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Seller_i6S8knzW6zU6Z
Hi @Seller_In1OZHF5lABCL,
I'm not familiar with Biblio's routing system, but I can share what Amazon's help pages say about listing signed books.
According to the 'Standard Book Loader Instructions' help page (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G200385470), a simple signed/not signed boolean field isn't sufficient. For collectible signed books, Amazon requires several specific fields:
- "signed-by" field must indicate the specific role of the autographer (Author, Illustrator, Editor, Photographer, or Other)
- "item-note" field is required for collectible books to describe the item's condition
- "edition" field should be used to indicate editions and printings
- "dust-jacket" field (if applicable) needs a numerical entry for condition
- "main-offer-image" field for collectible listings
The pricing errors you're seeing might be because Amazon's system isn't recognizing your books as proper collectibles without these required fields. I'd recommend working with Biblio to ensure their routing system maps your data to these specific Amazon fields.
Kind regards, Michael
26 replies
Seller_i6S8knzW6zU6Z
Hi @Seller_In1OZHF5lABCL,
I'm not familiar with Biblio's routing system, but I can share what Amazon's help pages say about listing signed books.
According to the 'Standard Book Loader Instructions' help page (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/G200385470), a simple signed/not signed boolean field isn't sufficient. For collectible signed books, Amazon requires several specific fields:
- "signed-by" field must indicate the specific role of the autographer (Author, Illustrator, Editor, Photographer, or Other)
- "item-note" field is required for collectible books to describe the item's condition
- "edition" field should be used to indicate editions and printings
- "dust-jacket" field (if applicable) needs a numerical entry for condition
- "main-offer-image" field for collectible listings
The pricing errors you're seeing might be because Amazon's system isn't recognizing your books as proper collectibles without these required fields. I'd recommend working with Biblio to ensure their routing system maps your data to these specific Amazon fields.
Kind regards, Michael
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
If the signature is what is increasing the value, that falls under "Collectible" for the condition. Selecting "Collectible" instead of "Used" will get rid of the price alerts.
Note that you should indicate in the condition notes why it is collectible. "Signed" certainly counts; Amazon has also stated that "Out of Print" is a legitimate collectible;; useful for those books that are rare, but Amazon want's them priced based on a 50 year old "List Price".
Be aware that Collectible books do not have as much visibility as Used; they will not get the BB, and do not show up on all searches. But it lets you price properly, and the people looking for such an item will tend to know how to find them.
Hopefully, the FTC investigation will end up with stopping Amazon's price-fixing bots; but until then, "Collectible" is the way to go.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Amazon likes to change things around; for a time, there was a field for DJ condition, although it was optional. And being Amazon, sometimes it wasn't even there when you created a listing (sometimes you'll get an older or newer or "beta" version of whatever page you're trying to use; very aggrevating).
Since it doesn't show up in the regular listings, and I so far sell only on Amazon, I've never paid it much attention, but I don't think I've seen it lately, and AFAIK, it's never been a required field for listing as Collectible condition.
One clarification that is confusing to even seasoned Amazon sellers:
You can sell something as a "Collectible". That is its own category (I think that it's now closed and being slowly depreciated).
But in some categories, including books, you can sell with "Collectible" as a CONDITION. So it's quite possible that you saw requirements for selling in the Collectible category, not as a condition in the books category.
Looking forward to seeing you on the other forum. Glad you were able to track it down. Especially since I'm looking to go the other direction from you, and expand to Biblio, so don't be surprised if I come to you with questions! ;-)
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Right. There is a difference between the Collectible "Category", and an item which is in 'Collectible CONDITION. A book in collectible CONDITION is still within the regular "Books" category, right beside (or below) "New" and "Used".
Michelle_Amazon
Hi @Seller_In1OZHF5lABCL,
Thanks for reaching out and thanks @Seller_i6S8knzW6zU6Z and @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw for being so helpful!
This is the help page that Michael is trying to have you review. Please let me know if that doesn't work for you. Can you also provide me with the ASIN that is showing your signed book as the main image on the detail page so I can remove it, or you can remove it from your inventory page by clicking on the button on the right of the listing, clicking 'edit' and then removing your images that show signatures.
I would also recommend that you follow the help page on Collectible Books, which will ensure that you are listing your books correctly and that should allow our system to know that your books are not just a used book, but collectable.
Did @Seller_i6S8knzW6zU6Z or @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw solution solve the issue?
If yes, feel free to mark it as “Most Helpful Reply”. You can do so by using the 3 dots in the corner of their post. This helps other sellers find the answer to your question at the top of the post just in case they find themselves in a similar situation.
If you need additional help, please contact Seller Support and provide them with the ASIN's you are having issues with. If you need additional help after they have fully investigated, please provide me with your case ID so I can take a look.
I hope this information was helpful!
Regards,
Michelle
Seller_In1OZHF5lABCL
Thanks to all for the helpful replies.
An update that may help any others using Biblio's routing to upload to Amazon:
On the Amazon Pro Routes form, there's a box labeled "Approved for Collectible listings?" which, if you check it, will be used by Biblio to upload your signed and first edition books as "Collectible - <condition>" rather than "Used - Condition."
Biblio has now marked my signed books as Collectible condition and they (at least the ones that aren't brand-gated) are now active.
