Amazon Best Sellers Best Entertainment Collectibles

Amazon VP Discusses Collectibles, Clothing and Other Popular Categories

By Ina Steiner

In part two of our interview with Marketplace Vice President Peter Faricy, he provides an update on Amazon Marketplace's new collectibles stores and discusses Amazon's growing clothing and other popular categories. Could vintage clothing and handmade goods be next? He also talks about Amazon's curation features called Amazon Collections, which launched in the spring.

Collectibles on Amazon

EcommerceBytes: I'm curious about Amazon's collectible stores. That's something that's new - how is it going?

Peter Faricy: We're very pleased with how it's going so far. I think the two ways that among many that we use to judge it, from the seller side, we've been very pleased with the number of sellers we have in sports collectibles, entertainment collectibles.

We recently launched, as you may know, wine and fine art. We're very, very pleased with the reception from sellers in all those categories. We continue to add more and more sellers who are interested, more and more sellers who are joining, and more and more selection.

And then we're equally as interested in judging the customer feedback. In those stores, if you take a look at the upper left hand corner, we have a little link where customers can give us their feedback - it says "tell us what you think." The feedback from customers so far has been very, very positive. So they are off to a very good start and we're very pleased so far.

EcommerceBytes: Are you considering adding additional collectibles categories?

Peter Faricy: Everything we do is, we start with customer feedback and work backwards. But I would say customers are anxious for us to add more categories, so probably the best answer I can give would be, "stay tuned."

EcommerceBytes: What about vintage clothing, handmade goods, they are incredibly popular with online shoppers. Does Amazon currently offer or think about adding those categories?

Peter Faricy: Those are currently not listed out as distinctive categories on Amazon. I think those are very interesting categories, and at the risk of repeating my answer I guess I would say, "Stay tuned."

EcommerceBytes: Sellers can sell those types of products in the marketplace as Everything Else?

Peter Faricy: That's correct, they can. I think that's an experience that's acceptable but not as good as an experience as having a dedicated store where the customer experience of that store really focuses on what customers need to browse and make good purchase decisions.

As we think about every one of these new categories, the very first place we start is, we talk to customers. What is it they are looking for when they're shopping?

The more we can make this customer experience outstanding, the more attractive it is for sellers. Sellers want to sell on a marketplace that has a great customer experience. A quick example of that that I know you're already aware of: we focus a lot on authenticity in our collectibles stores. It's a very different model than you see elsewhere in ecommerce. We're very careful about choosing partners we know sell authentic products.

We made some changes to the detail page so customers can actually see who the third party authenticator is. They often can even see a picture of the authenticate certificate that provides proof of authenticity for those products. That's really good for customers. But I get equally as positive feedback from our sellers because they really appreciate having a store that serves customers that well.

EcommerceBytes: And are you able to talk about how many sellers you have in these collectibles categories?

Peter Faricy: Sure. In sports collectibles right now we have nearly 15 million unique items. We're very pleased with that selection. It's been very popular with customers. We have hundreds of sellers in that category.

In entertainment collectibles we have nearly a million unique pieces. We also have hundreds of sellers in that category as well. We're very, very pleased. Both sellers and selection continue to grow each and every week. If you took a snapshot of both of those stores at the beginning of this year and the end of this year, you would have seen a large amount of growth from new sellers and new selection for customers.

EcommerceBytes: Can sellers apply to sell in those categories?

Peter Faricy: Yes they can, I would strongly encourage sellers who are interested in these categories to apply. The number one factor we are looking for are sellers who serve customers well and who sell products with some sort of third-party endorsement of their authenticity. That's what our customers tell us they want. It's important that our customers know they can trust every single product they see on Amazon. I think it's really important for our sellers to sell alongside other sellers who have that same kind of business model.

EcommerceBytes: And for sellers who don't have an account manager who want to apply, is there a link on the page?

Peter Faricy: There is. It's all self-service. You can go in and apply self-service. We list out the criteria for every category. We give sellers responses rather quickly.

Clothing on Amazon

EcommerceBytes: Clothing is another category that is kind of a walled off or invitation-only category. Is that a category - clothing, shoes and accessories - is that a category that is also seeing that kind of growth?

Peter Faricy: It is. We've added hundreds of sellers this year. We've had great selection growth. It's a very popular and fast-growing category on Amazon. I think the seller interest in participating in clothing and for all of our soft line categories is very high.

Much like we did with fine art and wine, the customer experience in our clothing store is unique and special and really meant to serve the needs of customers who are shopping in that category. It's very popular with customers and therefore is also very popular with sellers as well.

EcommerceBytes: And this is not a category like some others where you can sell used goods, is that correct?

Peter Faricy: That is correct, we do not allow the sale of used clothing today.

EcommerceBytes: Is it similar to the collectibles categories where there is a link to apply to sell in the clothing category?

Peter Faricy: Yes, it's the exact same process, in fact, it's the same technology. We try to list out the criteria so sellers know in advance what the criteria are for any of these categories. Then we allow them to apply with their answers for those criteria, and we try to get back to them very quickly so they know whether or not they're approved and what things they need to do if they want to be approved for those stores.

Other Popular Categories on Amazon

EcommerceBytes: What are some of the other more popular categories on Amazon? Are there any overlooked opportunities in any particular categories? Another one I'll throw out there is jewelry. These are the kinds of categories that I hear sellers talk about a lot.

Peter Faricy: I do think there is a wonderful opportunity in jewelry, but I would broaden it to all of soft line: jewelry, watches, clothing, shoes, accessories, handbags. Those are categories that are growing very fast on Amazon and are very popular with customers, and I think without question there is still a lot of unique selection that sellers are able to bring on to Amazon that could be very popular with customers.

Obviously you know the ecommerce world very well. Electronics as a whole, and all our hard line categories, are very popular. They continue to grow very fast and those categories are very popular with customers. There are still wonderful opportunities there. I also wouldn't overlook an area like consumables - particularly health and beauty products. There's lots of great opportunities for great sellers to come join Amazon and sell a lot of those products as well.

EcommerceBytes: Do sellers have to be the manufacturer of those items or do they have to be an authorized distributor?

Peter Faricy: It depends on the brand, but I would say in general they have to be an authorized reseller. That would be the safe, broad answer to give. If they are an authorized reseller of those goods for the manufacturer, we would love to have them come join Amazon.

Curation on Amazon

EcommerceBytes: I want to shift gears a bit and talk about curation features. They're really popular on the web these days. Does Amazon offer those features?

Peter Faricy: Give me some examples when you say curation features so I know what you mean?

EcommerceBytes: You can have a customer who decides - maybe they're a fashionista - and they can create a collection so they look at the Amazon site and say, "I like this outfit," and they put together a pocketbook and shoes and a belt, or a collector might put together a themed item. Whether it's a seller, whether it's a - they call them "taste makers" now, fashion bloggers, or just customers who can create these collections and share them with other people. Does Amazon have those kinds of features?

Peter Faricy: We do. We launched earlier this year Amazon Collections. This allows, exactly as you are describing, a customer to pull together a collection of a bunch of different products that may have a common theme. The categories we were just speaking about - collectibles, and art and wine - we think are going to be very popular collection categories.

You could even think about use cases. I read some customer feedback the other day about our fine art store. The customer was an interior designer, and she was saying how excited she was to be able to sort the art by color. Often you're trying to design a room around a theme of a color. It's hard to see over 45,000 unique pieces of fine art and be able to divide them up by color. But these collections are going to play a similar role.

You know, as you think about being an interior designer, I can imagine pulling together a collection that would include furniture and art and other accessories for the room. I think they're going to make a huge difference in soft lines, where you can pull together clothing, shoes, accessories. I know there's a number of collections that already exist, and it's a very popular feature on Amazon right now.

You can find Part One of our interview with Amazon Marketplace Vice President Peter Faricy where he discusses how sellers can showcase their products on Amazon's holiday promotion shopping pages. Part Three of the interview will appear in this week's Newsflash newsletter where he discusses Amazon's advertising and online payment solutions for merchants, and talks about the outlook for holiday sales.

About the author:

Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes. com.

You may quote up to 50 words of any article on the condition that you attribute the article to EcommerceBytes. com and either link to the original article or to www. EcommerceBytes. com.

All other use is prohibited.

Email this story to a friend.



3 of 6

Amazon Best Sellers: Best Entertainment Collectibles

Pencetakan 3D mengacu pada proses di mana material digabungkan atau dipadatkan di bawah kendali komputer untuk membuat objek tiga dimensi, dengan material ditambahkan bersama-sama (seperti molekul cair atau butiran serbuk yang disatukan).

Pencetakan 3D digunakan dalam pembuatan prototip dan manufaktur aditif cepat (AM).

Benda bisa hampir sama bentuk atau geometri dan biasanya diproduksi dengan menggunakan data model digital dari model 3D atau sumber data elektronik lainnya seperti file Additive Manufacturing File (AMF) (biasanya dalam lapisan sekuensial).

Stereolithography (STL) adalah salah satu jenis file yang paling umum digunakan untuk 3D Printing. Jadi, tidak seperti material yang dikeluarkan dari persediaan dalam proses pemesinan konvensional, pencetakan 3D atau AM membangun objek tiga dimensi dari model CAD atau file AMF yang dibantu komputer, biasanya dengan menambahkan lapisan lapis demi lapis secara berturut-turut.

Sumber: Wikipedia

Condition guidelines

Assigning the correct condition to each product you list on Amazon is the first step toward providing a great customer experience. It is important to make a careful assessment of your product before specifying its condition.

For information about selecting a condition for your product, see Selecting Conditions.

General condition guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all product categories unless otherwise indicated in the Category-Specific Condition Guidelines:

Just like it sounds. A brand-new item. Original manufacturer's warranty, if any, still applies, with warranty details included in the listing comments. Original packaging is present for most New items but certain items like shoes may be re-boxed.

A pre-owned product that was inspected and tested to work and look like new by an Amazon-qualified supplier (a seller or vendor) or by Amazon. The product has minimal to no signs of wear, no visible cosmetic imperfections when held 12 inches away, and may arrive in a brown or white box with relevant accessories that may be generic. The product comes with a warranty giving you a replacement or refund within 90 days of purchase if the product does not work as expected. A selection of products are eligible for the Amazon Renewed Guarantee. Any exceptions to this condition description will be mentioned on the product detail page.

A product that was inspected and graded by a qualified supplier (a seller, vendor, or by Amazon) in working condition with no structural imperfections that could impact the functionality. The products may be packaged in a generic box and come with relevant accessories as expected for a new product. Any exceptions to this condition description will be mentioned on the product detail page.

Used - Like New or Open Box:

An item in perfect working condition. Original protective wrapping may be missing, but the original packaging is intact and in good condition with minor damage possible. Instructions are included.

Used - Very Good:

A well-cared-for item that has seen limited use and remains in good working condition. The item may show some limited signs of wear with small scratches or cosmetic blemishes. Item may arrive with damaged packaging or be repackaged and could be missing some accessories. Missing accessories are clearly defined for each item.

Used - Good:

The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and functions properly. Item may arrive with damaged packaging or be repackaged. It may be marked, have identifying markings on it, or have minor cosmetic damage. It may also be missing some parts or accessories such as screws (in the case of furniture) or an instruction manual.

Used - Acceptable:

The item is fairly worn but continues to function properly. Item may arrive with damaged packaging or be repackaged. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, and worn corners. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. Item may be missing some parts or accessories such as screws (in the case of furniture) or a mouse or USB cable (in the case of a laptop).

Unacceptable and prohibited items

Items in any of the following conditions are unacceptable for listing on Amazon:

Item is not clean, including signs of mold, heavy staining, or corrosion. Item is damaged in a way that renders it difficult to use. Item is missing essential accompanying material or parts. This does not necessarily include instructions. Item requires repair or service. Item was not created by the original manufacturer or copyright holder. This includes copies, counterfeits, replicas, and imitations. Item was originally distributed as a promotional copy, promotional bundle, product sample, or advance reading copy. This includes uncorrected proofs of in-print or not-yet-published books. Item has passed the expiration date (includes "best by" and "sell by" dates), has an unacceptable portion of its shelf life remaining, or the expiration date has been tampered with or removed. Item is prohibited for sale on Amazon.

For more information about prohibited products, see Restricted Products.

Only full retail versions of software may be sold on Amazon. See Software & Computer Games for a list of software products that are prohibited for sale on Amazon.

Category-specific condition guidelines

The following category-specific condition guidelines should be used as indicated in addition to or in place of the general condition guidelines.

Acceptable rental condition means:

No water damage (wavy, swollen, discolored, crinkled, stains, or rings) No broken spine or binding Cover is not torn or taped No missing, torn, or loose pages No burns, fire, or smoke damage No strong odor of any kind (including musty odor, cigar or cigarette odor) No excessive writing or highlighting

Musical instrument rentals:

Acceptable rental condition means:

No functional imperfections that could impact instrument's playability Carrying case and accessories are not missing May not be in original packaging

Books – New and Used

In addition to the general condition guidelines, apply the following guidelines to new and used books:

New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached may not be listed as New condition. Used - Like New: Item may have minor cosmetic defects (such as marks, wears, cuts, bends, or crushes) on the cover, spine, pages, or dust cover. Dust cover is intact and pages are clean and not marred by notes. Item may contain remainder marks on outside edges. Item may be missing bundled media. Used - Very Good: Item may have minor cosmetic defects (such as marks, wears, cuts, bends, or crushes) on the cover, spine, pages, or dust cover. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may contain remainder marks on outside edges, which should be noted in listing comments. Item may be missing bundled media. Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media. Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media. Unacceptable: Has missing pages and obscured or unreadable text. We also do not permit the sale of advance reading copies, including uncorrected proofs, of in-print or not-yet-published books.

Books – Collectible

To be considered collectible, a book should be unique in a way that could reasonably be assumed to increase the book's value to a collector:

First editions and first printings Signed, inscribed, or scarce copies Advance reading copies and uncorrected proofs of out-of-print books

Collectible books do not include the following:

Uncorrected proofs of in-print or not-yet-published books Former library books Remaindered books Book club editions

The General Condition Gu >Collectible - Like New: All pages and the cover are intact. The dust jacket is intact, if applicable, with no noticeable or very minor nicks or flaws. Spine has no signs of creasing. Book may have very small but virtually unnoticeable flaws. Collectible - Very Good: Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. Spine shows no sign of creasing. Dust jacket, if applicable, shows signs of some rubbing or chipping. Collectible - Good: All pages and the cover are intact, including the dust jacket, if applicable. Spine may show signs of wear. Generally, books in Good condition are not considered to be collectible grade. Collectible - Acceptable: A readable copy showing significant wear. Dust jacket may be missing. For all but the rarest items, books in Acceptable condition are not considered to be collectible grade.

Music – New and Used

Music formats include vinyl, magnetic tape, and disc.

If you are listing a club edition against the detail page for the standard edition, use the listing comments to indicate that your item is a club edition. For more about listing club editions, see the exception under Matching product offers inaccurately in Prohibited Seller Activities and Actions.

CDs and cassettes must be sold with a protective jewel or cassette case. You may substitute newer packaging when a jewel or cassette case is damaged, but you may not substitute copied cover art or liner notes for the originals.

In addition to the general condition gu >Used - Like New: The jewel case, cassette case, or album cover has no scratches or scuffing. Cover art, liner notes, and inclusions are in perfect condition. Packaging may have a remainder cut-out, which should be noted in the listing comments. Used - Very Good: The packaging, cover art, liner notes, or inclusions may show limited signs of wear. Used - Good: The item or packaging may have identifying markings from its owner. Used - Acceptable: The item plays perfectly but is otherwise the worse for wear. Packaging and inclusions may be damaged, marked, or missing. Note any missing items in the listing comments.

Music – Collectible

To be considered collectible, the item should be unique in a way that increases value for a collector, such as signed, inscribed, scarce, or unique characteristics such as special pressings, unusual aesthetics (colored vinyl), or limited edition packaging.

Seller comments for collectible music should include the following:

Further detail on condition or completeness of item and packaging Notes about the presence of signatures, inscriptions, or other personalization

Make sure you describe your CDs, MCs, and records accurately. An accurate product description increases buyer satisfaction. Should an item have an obvious cosmetic flaw, sellers are strongly encouraged to make a note in the comments field. The presence of remainder marks or cut-outs should always be noted in comments. Recopied media is not permitted. CDs with surface scratches may be listed as Good or Acceptable, subject to the above guidelines, as long as the quality of the playback is not affected.

Electronics, Camera & Photo, and PC

You may be required to obtain approval to list certain products in the Electronics category. For more information, see Categories Requiring Approval.

See Selling International Camera & Photo Products for specific listing policies on international version products.

Software & Computer Games

You may be required to obtain approval to list certain products in the Software & Computer Games categories. To submit a request to sell restricted products in Software & Computer Games, please contact us.

Only full retail versions of software may be sold on Amazon. The following types of software are prohibited for sale:

Copied or duplicated software, in any format OEM software Back-up copies Fulfillment software Promotional software Beta (pre-release) copies Unauthorized freeware or shareware Academic software requiring pre-purchase verification

In addition to the General Condition Guidelines, please apply the following guidelines to Software & Computer Games.

New: Includes the original Universal Product Code (UPC). Used - Like New: The box and jewel case are pristine, with no signs of wear. UPC should be visible. Used - Very Good: Outer box may be damaged or come repackaged. Jewel case shows no signs of wear. Disc may have up to 1cm marking but is in great working condition. Used - Good: Outer box may be damaged or come repackaged. Jewel case may have small cosmetic damages. Disc may have up to 1.5cm marking but is in great working condition. Used - Acceptable: Original UPC, the original jewel case, or both are missing. Disc may have markings greater than 1.5cm but is in great working condition. Unacceptable: See the list of prohibited software and computer games earlier in this section.

For more information about listing software for sale on Amazon, see Selling Software.

Cell Phones & Accessories

For more information on listing products in this category, see Selling Cell Phones & Accessories.

Before shipping a used or renewed cell phone to a buyer, you must do the following:

Cancel the existing account associated with the phone. Remove the SIM card from the phone, if present. Clear the phone's memory and restore the default settings.

Personal Computers

Before selling a computer on Amazon, you must restore the computer's hard drive and any software on it to its original state in one of the following ways:

Use the Restore discs included with the computer. Reformat the computer's hard drive and reinstall the original software.

Include in your shipment any documentation provided with the computer itself and any software installed on the computer.

You must comply with the terms of any software licenses or other agreements governing any software on the computer. This includes any restrictions on transferring software or retaining copies of any software.

Consumer Electronics

You may be required to obtain approval to list certain products in the Electronics category. For more information, see Categories Requiring Approval.

Toys & Games - Collectible

Collectible toys and games must be rare, exclusive, one-of-a-kind, or otherwise unique.

The general condition guidelines do not apply to Collectible Toys & Games.

Use the following condition types for Collectible Toys & Games:

Collectible - Like New: An apparently untouched item in perfect condition. The original protective wrapping, if any, may be missing, but the original packaging is intact. There are absolutely no signs of wear. Suitable for presenting as a gift. Collectible - Very Good: A well-cared-for item that has seen limited use but remains in great condition. Item and instructions are complete and undamaged but may show some signs of wear. Collectible - Good: Item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition. The original instructions are included and in acceptable condition. The item may be marked, identified, or show other signs of previous use. The item works perfectly and is in good shape overall.

Home & Garden

All Home, Kitchen, Garden and Large Appliances equipment, whether new or used, must be safe (that is, there is no risk that the equipment will cause death, personal injury, or damage to property) and, where applicable, come with the standard plug for the country where they are sold. The seller must have used and renewed equipment tested by an expert prior to listing to verify that it is safe. You must not list any product that has been the subject of a product safety recall.

What we will not accept for sale on Amazon:

Items that do not work perfectly in every regard or are damaged in ways that render them difficult to use Items not manufactured or printed by the original manufacturer and for which essential accompanying material is missing (this does not necessarily include instructions) Consumable items where any part has been used Products that require repair or service Products whose commercialization is prohibited under the applicable law (for example, some cutlery products) Unclean items are not acceptable

Ink and Toner Cartridges

All ink and toner cartridges should be listed as New, with "Remanufactured," "Compatible," or "Refilled" in the Title field.

See also Office Products.

Video, DVD & Blu-ray Discs -- New and Used

We suggest that you list videos and DVDs at a price that is the same as or lower than the Amazon price.

Collectible videos and DVDs

Must be rare, out of print or otherwise unique--you will have an opportunity to say why your copy is collectible.

New videos and DVDs

A brand-new, unused, unopened video or DVD in perfect condition in its original packaging and with all original packaging materials included.

What we will not accept for sale at Amazon: Video or DVD recordings not created by the copyright holder, including recopied media in any form. In addition, promotional media is prohibited for sale through Amazon, as are recordings in which any aspect of the film is missing or obscured.

Please note: 18-certificate videos or DVDs can only be listed if the seller is at least 18 years of age.

Rental DVD and Blu-ray discs are only permitted for sale on Amazon in Used condition. If you are listing a rental DVD or Blu-ray disc edition against the detail page for the standard edition, use the listing comments to indicate that your item is a rental edition. For more information about listing rental editions, see the exception under Matching product offerings inaccurately in Prohibited Seller Activities and Actions.

In addition to the general condition gu >Used - Like New: Any codes for digital copies or downloadable content must be included and unused. Used - Very Good: Case may be damaged or come repackaged. Disc may have up to 1cm marking but is in great working condition. Used - Good: Case may be damaged or come repackaged. Disc may have up to 1.5cm marking but is in great working condition. Used - Acceptable: A product with extensive external signs of wear, but is in great working condition. The case may be damaged. The cover art, liner notes, or other inclusions may be marked, or one or all of these items may be missing.

Video, DVD & Blu-ray Discs -- Collectible

To be cons >Signed or inscribed Scarce

Seller comments for collectible media may include the following:

Further detail on condition or completeness of item and packaging Presence of signatures, inscriptions, or other personalization

Video Games

You may be required to obtain approval to list certain products in the Video Games category. For more information, see Categories Requiring Approval.

In addition to the general condition gu >New: Unless specified in the product title, all new video game items are assumed to be in full retail packaging. Bulk, plain white box, or other types of packaging are not allowed unless specifically called out in the product title. Used - Like New: Activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Product may not include downloadable content. Used - Very Good: Activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Product may not include downloadable content. Used - Good: Activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Product may not include downloadable content. Used - Acceptable: It must be noted whether the box or instructions are missing in the condition notes field. Activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired. Product may not include downloadable content. Unacceptable: Video games without essential accompanying material are not permitted. This does not necessarily include the box or instructions.

Tools & Hardware

To sell a product as New in the Tools & Hardware category, the product must be unopened in its original packaging. All original accessories must be intact in the package, and manuals included.

If the original packaging is missing or opened, you must list the product as Used even if the product appears unused. You can clarify the condition of the product and packaging in the condition comments.

Used - Like New: Item will come in pristine, original packaging. No cosmetic damages are present. All parts and accessories are present and item is functioning. Used – Very Good: Item may be repackaged. Packaging may have slight cosmetic damage. Glass housing or wrist strap may have scratches that are less than 4”. Parts and accessories are present and item is functioning. Used – Good: Item may be repackaged. Packaging may have slight cosmetic damage. Glass housing or wrist strap may have scratches that are less than 10”. Some parts and accessories are missing but item is functioning.

To ensure that customers are able to buy with confidence from all sellers on Amazon, sellers must be pre-approved to sell products in the Watches category. For more information see Categories Requiring Approval.

Individual vs. Professional Amazon Seller Account (How to Choose)

A common question I get asked from new sellers is about what type of Amazon seller account they should set up. Specifically, they ask if they should set up an individual seller account or a professional seller account.

Each type of selling account has its respective benefits, and it really depends on your specific needs. To figure out what type of Amazon seller account you need, let’s start by looking at how Amazon describes each account type:

The Amazon Individual Seller Account

Here’s how Amazon describes the individual seller account option:

“The Individual selling plan is for sellers who don’t need access to inventory tools and reports for volume selling. Under the Individual selling plan, you don’t pay a monthly subscription fee. You pay a per-item fee in addition to applicable fees.”

The Amazon Professional Seller Account

Here’s how Amazon describes the professional seller account option:

“In the Professional selling plan, you pay a nonrefundable monthly subscription fee regardless of whether you list or sell anything. You don’t pay a per-item fee when an item sells. All other fees are charged as applicable. The Professional selling plan gives you access to inventory tools to upload batch files and manage your orders through feeds and reports. These tools are beneficial to most medium - to large-size businesses.”

Key Differences between the Amazon Individual Seller Account and the Amazon Professional Seller Account

Below is a chart that shows the key differences between the 2 account types:

The above chart is directly from Amazon and does a nice job of comparing the two account types. That said, there’s a lot here, and it’s important to drill down to the details that are most important:

The Amazon professional seller fee rings in at $39.99 per month. However, that $39.99 monthly fee removes the individual seller fee of $0.99 per item. So, if you are selling more than 40 items it almost always makes sense to get the professional seller account. Only Amazon professional sellers are eligible to have their items featured in the “buy box.” The buy box is the featured seller on a listing within Amazon. For example, on this listing “Windy Castle Gift Shop” is the seller in the buy box:

This means that if the seller clicks the “add to cart” or “buy now” buttons (red arrow), they will be purchasing from Windy Castle Gift Shop, as they are the seller in the buy box. If you are selling this item and are not in the buy box, you will show up as one of the sellers featured below the buy box, or in the list where it says used & new (37) by the blue arrow. As you can see if you aren’t in the buy box it’s a bit more difficult for customers to buy from you.

Only professional seller accounts have the ability to have sales tax collected on items they sell. Sales tax for FBA sellers is a bit of a tricky issue, but if you want to collect sales tax you need the professional seller account. Amazon requires an additional level of approval to sell in certain categories on the platform. Below are examples of categories that require you to have a professional seller account to seek approval:

Automotive & Powersports Jewelry Watches Sports Collectibles Video, DVD, & Blu-ray Collectible Coins Entertainment Collectibles Fine Art

The final major difference that I will point out is the ability to use product data feeds, and granting access to other users. These features are only available on the professional selling plan. If you want to use 3rd party apps and tools, then you will need a professional seller account. In my case, the tools that I use to help run my business require me to be signed up through a professional seller account.

Which Amazon seller account type is best for you?

The individual Amazon seller account is best for someone who:

Wants to get their feet wet selling on Amazon and keep costs as low as possible at the beginning Is selling less than 40 items per month Doesn’t have the need for the additional features of the professional seller account

The professional seller account is best for:

Any sellers selling over 40 items per month Any seller wanting to collect sales tax on their items Any sellers who want to use 3rd party apps and tools Sellers who want to be displayed in the buy box Sellers who want to sell in certain restricted categories

Can I start off as an individual seller account and then switch to a professional seller account later?

Yes, you can switch at any time you would like.

This is the route I took when I first started selling on Amazon. When I was doing it part-time as a hobby I used an individual seller account. Then, once I was selling over 40 items per month, I upgraded to the professional seller account.

Here’s how to upgrade your Amazon seller account:

Login to your Amazon Seller Account Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Account Info under Settings In the Your Services section click Manage Click Upgrade next to the account type

Note: If you want to switch from a professional seller account to an individual seller account, steps 1 to 3 are the same, and in step 4 click downgrade.

Conclusion:

This post walks through the main decision factors that I would look at when determining which account type is right for you. If you are in doubt as to which option is right for you, and you are selling less than 40 items per month, I’d start off with the individual seller account. Then, once you are selling 40 items per month or need additional features, upgrade to the professional seller account.

Want to learn more about getting started selling on Amazon? Here’s a general overview of my recommendations for getting started selling on Amazon.

You can also take my free email course where I share some of the tips I’ve learned from operating my own multi-million dollar business to help you get your first sale on Amazon.