Books and Brand Registry
I have just been checking my inventory and have noticed many books being suppressed as they require approval to sell. (Take note, Amazon, books are published, and do not have a BRAND)
Firstly, they are secondhand books, therefore the principle of first sale doctrine applies and I don't need approval.
Secondly, when I look at the suppressed listings, I have found several of them are already inactive (although the listings screen doesn't tell me that) - if I had re-listed them then I wouldn't have them in stock - why are Amazon suppressing inactive listings?
Thirdly, has anyone had any joy with getting approved without submitting invoices (which would be impossible as I am not buying from the publisher, merely selling used books that I have bought from other sources)
Would be grateful if an Amazon rep could comment on the above please as well as forum posters.
Thank you
Books and Brand Registry
I have just been checking my inventory and have noticed many books being suppressed as they require approval to sell. (Take note, Amazon, books are published, and do not have a BRAND)
Firstly, they are secondhand books, therefore the principle of first sale doctrine applies and I don't need approval.
Secondly, when I look at the suppressed listings, I have found several of them are already inactive (although the listings screen doesn't tell me that) - if I had re-listed them then I wouldn't have them in stock - why are Amazon suppressing inactive listings?
Thirdly, has anyone had any joy with getting approved without submitting invoices (which would be impossible as I am not buying from the publisher, merely selling used books that I have bought from other sources)
Would be grateful if an Amazon rep could comment on the above please as well as forum posters.
Thank you
18 replies
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
It really doesn't have anything to do with brand registry (as far as i know ?), but does seem to just be some specific publishers, and goodness knows why when selling second-hand books.
I have had a few that have been approved, and obviously do not submit invoices - it seems to be very random !
You would only get a comment from an Amazon forum mod if you tag them in to your post.
Seller_FQHkqHJI5SqTh
It almost looks as if the big publishing houses are colluding with Amazon to suppress the sale of used copies of their books.
In the past I've simply had to apply for permission to sell and it's always been approved, but recently, like yourself, I've been asked for invoices. One was for a Helm title yet I have other Helm/Poyser/Bloomsbury Wildlife titles for sale on Amazon, not to mention other Bloomsbury imprints.
The first sale doctrine is established in law, but none us could challenge Amazon or the big publishers in court to address this anti-competitive behaviour and they know it.
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Your post has prompted me to check my inventory.
I have about 60 suppressed listings. divided almost equally between these:
Approval required
and
Invalid information: Your listing cannot be reactivated in its present state. Please resubmit the price.
(I don't understand that last one).
The vast majority of my stock is composed of books with the rest being CDs and DVDs . Most of my 'Approval required' are for CDs and DVDs.
Of the few books that require approval I find various American university publishers are the main culprits.
As far as I can tell, all of the items in my suppressed list (other than a few CDs and DVDs) are things I sold long ago and no longer have in stock anyway.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
I have come unstuck with Haynes car manuals & had to switch platforms for them all.
Seller_AlYpsVHv0gj21
When I'm going through my stock updating my prices I frequently get a message to the effect "you need permission to sell this book". This is often on books that have been listed for several years
It is yet another way that Amazon places completely un-necessary and pointless obstacles in the way of booksellers.
I do not believe that publishers actually have anything to do with these suppressions. It is simply Amazon being paranoid about upsetting them. I have never been told by ebay that I need to get the publisher's permission to list a book so why does Amazon need it?
Seller_N0kQDKMgwda6y
I have had a few of these but only one refused permission ( wanted invoices ) But now I am going to have to investigate all my listings to see if this has been applied retrospectively to any of them.
