Is Amazon really a viable platform for businesses?
We are a UK bookshop selling on Amazon since 2003.
Gradually, prices have become more competitive and fees have risen, eroding what was already a pretty meagre living - ‘for the love’ seems to define many booksellers.
Before anyone explains it to me, the concept of ‘it’s their platform’ is absolutely understood. We can stay or leave, Amazon don’t care either way and, however unreasonable they become, we abide by the rules.
We have survived Verification, VTR, Brand Registry, and even product compliance that rejects books that mention the make of car! We adjust our delivery times when it snows and when we have a heatwave, and we’ll be on holiday settings during the Postal Strikes. All of these episodes are time consuming and frustrating but, beyond that, have very little impact outwardly on our business.
However, twice in the last few weeks we have had feedback left that demonstrably doesn’t apply to us. Seller Support, whether by bot or human, is pointless as we all expect as outlined below:
The point here is that Amazon, by offering no protection sellers in these cases DOES damage our business in the eyes of our customers.
Suggestions welcome, but the overriding feeling is that ‘All good things must come to an end’
0 replies
Seller_7VbclcPFFRTnc
I had one a couple of weeks back mirroring the same - SS can not deal with feedback removal requests
I was successful with an email to the MD though
Seller_lljyzgTxr5fgI
We’ve all had them. We had a similar about three years ago; said the item was received three weeks late but had only been ordered two days earlier. Buyers make mistakes and Amazon rarely correct them. Take it on the chin (as annoying as it is). If you’re making a profit, stick with it; if not then perhaps look at other options, like contacting the MD, as @The_Little_Shop suggests. You have nothing to lose