Finally Sold a Book on Amazon!
By patgalca
@patgalca (18481)
Orangeville, Ontario
December 23, 2015 2:16pm CST
But I am less than thrilled about it. Amazon charged the customer an estimated amount for shipping. An estimated amount that turned out to be half of the actual standard postage price. Know what that means? Not only did I not make any money on the "sale" of this book (though Amazon did), I lost money.
I complained to Amazon and they said since I wasn't a professional seller they couldn't do anything about it, that I could go in and change the prices of the books I still have on there to make up for the postage. Okay, I'll do that. But I'm not selling on Amazon anymore. And I told them that. 
8 people like this
9 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
23 Dec 15
In case it is your own book, why not try their Kindle versions? The big advantage I find with Kindle is that these are downloadable and as such there are no shipping or extra (hidden) costs. Of course, there are some extra inputs that need to go in with formatting books for Kindle but then, t becomes easier and hassle free in the long run.
But yes, if it is a book in print (that) needs shipping, costs get added to the book. Sad that they did not mention this right on day one.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
23 Dec 15
No, it's not my own book. I am trying to get rid of some of the hundreds of books in my house. I think ebay may be a better option. I can get them the shipping price after they've agreed to buy the product and then send the invoice.
2 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
24 Dec 15
@patgalca Okay, I get it. Maybe you should also consider- selling in a specific region. That way you can have a control on the pricing (inclusive of shipping) and still have some profits. I mean, if you put it online and say someone from India or farther, purchases one of your books, it would only increase the shipping costs (and this cannot be foreseen). So a wiser (or rather a better) way out would be to restrict the countries from where people can buy. That way you will know what is the highest possible charge and include it in your prices.You can consult the Support before offering the next set(s).
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Dec 15
Oh... I don't know what's the difference for a professional seller in Amazon? Will Amazon charge them less? In fact it will be a long term relationship if both sides also earn from it. Amazon shall think about it. Besides, a book can be heavy and therefore the shipping can cost more.
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
29 Dec 15
@jvincent_129 I ever bought stamps from Ebay but I haven't received them. Since the seller sent by normal post, I didn't know what's wrong with it. But my foreign friends sometimes sent me parcels or mails, they all arrive. The seller said he sent them, but the truth is I have never got them. After that, I haven't bought from Ebay any more. There are better online shopping stores here and I will never choose Ebay.
@jvincent_129 (4994)
• Philippines
29 Dec 15
@youless Yeah I know there are local online shops there in China common to you and tested already. I think the seller sent the item to you but there are circumstances that maybe the item got lost on the way to your country. Did he show you proof of shipment?
@jvincent_129 (4994)
• Philippines
29 Dec 15
Yeah the book can be heavy and cost more. But I think Ebay is more better than amazon. Do you think so?
1 person likes this
