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How Is It Possible To Sell On Amazon

by Tommyg123
14 replies
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Hi guys

Ok I'm not going to do my usual and quit before I even start. I know from having 'some' business success just getting going is half the battle.

I'm researching selling goods on Amazon. Done a tonne of research and finding product suppliers, shipping logistics and learning about how to list products. It all seems relatively straight forward.

The issue I have and what caused me to have that sinking 'it's too competitive' feeling is can you only ever sell if you're listed in the top 1-3 seller spots for your product?

There are so many people selling just about every product imaginable. Even weird little nuts and bolts and shower caps your have 6 or 7 PAGES of listings. It's common sense to assume not everyone can be on the number 1 position. So it just seems like yet another business that's controlled by a handful of large players that just comes down to a more and more sneaky game of how to be top ranked.

Or am I being overly negative/simplistic? Do you still stand a chance of selling some product if you aren't on the first page of search results? Is it a bit like google ads where you might not be the highest bidder but some people will at least view your ad?

I know there are different levels of competition. Some niches have more competitors than others. But if the only way to make money on Amazon is find a product hardly anyone else is selling AND game the system to be number one ranked to stand any chance then that's a million to one shot anyway.


Hope someone can tell me ive got it wrong and it's not just a closed up shop unless you find a totally unique product nobody else is selling.

Thanks
#amazon #sell
  • Profile picture of the author ZanyZebra
    Originally Posted by Tommyg123 View Post

    Hope someone can tell me ive got it wrong and it's not just a closed up shop unless you find a totally unique product nobody else is selling.

    Thanks
    You're wrong.

    Good luck with your venture.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hearn
    Well most of the products are from China at least on Ebay not sure about Amazon.

    If you sell in your country or EU(if you are in EU) you will have way less competition and the advantage of fast shipping compared to China.

    But I am not sure you want to buy and sell or just dropship.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tommyg123
      Thanks for the reply Hearn,

      I'm in the UK yes,, is it an advantage to just market on the .co.uk extension of ebay/amazon?

      Im just trying to get an idea of whether ebay/amazon is a realistic venture. By realistic I mean not completely dominated by a few players that just know how to get around the system like so many businesses. Hard work, capital and time I have in abundance. But if the only way you can get ahead is 3-4 years of learning how to crack the SEO game before you sell anything it doesn't really seem a feasible option.

      As for dropshipping versus buying wholesale, i was actually thinking buying wholesale as private labeling seems essential to give your product any sort of unique element and not just get into a price war with other people selling branded items.

      But im honestly open to whatever is advisable. Maybe dropshipping could be a decent place to start to test the process out. But im just trying to get a measure of whether the whole business is a closed shop now?
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    Amazon top eBay on sales and income.
    The few times I sold things on eBay they got sold off in a few hours.

    How is it possible to sell on Amazon?
    The problem is YOU.

    Give it a try with a few selected items.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tommyg123
      Originally Posted by johnben1444 View Post

      Amazon top eBay on sales and income.
      The few times I sold things on eBay they got sold off in a few hours.



      The problem is YOU.

      Give it a try with a few selected items.
      I never said there was a problem. But thanks for highlighting its me

      I simply asked if the market is saturated or not
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      • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
        Originally Posted by Tommyg123 View Post

        I never said there was a problem. But thanks for highlighting its me

        I simply asked if the market is saturated or not
        I'm sorry for misunderstanding you.
        Amazon is still freshly available for beginners like you.
        Setting a competitive price will go a long way in helping
        you stand out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Importexport
    One of the keys to success is to remember that profits begin with buying. I have taught thousands how to do safe product sourcing direct from manufacturers.

    Most of my students buy from China, but more and more are taking my advice to look at other countries.

    Safe sourcing and direct importing is a lot easier than many people think. Because there are so many myths and there is so much misinformation published on forums and blogs and in importing courses, I started my AMA. You might like to have a look at it here: Ask Me Anything About Product Sourcing And Importing For Profit. ― Veteran Importer Here.

    If you have high profit margins to work with, you not only have a competitive advantage, but you can also have money available to advertise if you so choose.

    Walter
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    Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Ok I'm not going to do my usual and quit before I even start.
    But isn't that what you are setting up in the paragraph or two after you say that?

    You have quickly come up with reasons this might not work - and that might not work - maybe there's too much competition - maybe it takes too long.

    You are overthinking - and that leads you to decide "it won't work so why try" and you quit before you start. Recognize the thought patterns that are holding you back - and stop doing the same thing over and over.
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  • Profile picture of the author seodeveloping
    Selling Chinese products is tough unless you have enough money in the bank to buy in bulk. Quantity purchases lower the prices.
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    • Profile picture of the author Importexport
      Originally Posted by seodeveloping View Post

      Selling Chinese products is tough unless you have enough money in the bank to buy in bulk. Quantity purchases lower the prices.
      Here we see the old myth repeated yet again. You don't need heaps of money to buy direct from genuine manufacturers in China.

      I have taught thousands of people how to enter the high profit world of direct importing without lots of money in the bank. Many of them have started off with as little as $300.

      Starting that small is slower than if you have more to invest in inventory, but if you have mark ups of 300 - 500% or more, as some of my students have posted on this forum, and you put the profits back into the business, it can soon be a worthwhile business.

      Walter.
      For some ideas see my thread Ask Me Anything About Product Sourcing And Importing For Profit. ― Veteran Importer Here.
      Signature
      Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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      • Profile picture of the author Tommyg123
        Originally Posted by Importexport View Post

        Here we see the old myth repeated yet again. You don't need heaps of money to buy direct from genuine manufacturers in China.

        I have taught thousands of people how to enter the high profit world of direct importing without lots of money in the bank. Many of them have started off with as little as $300.

        Starting that small is slower than if you have more to invest in inventory, but if you have mark ups of 300 - 500% or more, as some of my students have posted on this forum, and you put the profits back into the business, it can soon be a worthwhile business.

        Walter.
        For some ideas see my thread Ask Me Anything About Product Sourcing And Importing For Profit. ― Veteran Importer Here.
        To be honest sourcing the products doesn't seem that hard. 10 years ago was extremely hard but now there are so many websites, agencies, public reviews of various wholesalers etc.. sure, if you have a huge business and want to bypass the wholesaler and go right to the manufacturer that takes expert knowledge but the biggest issue for me isn't the buying in of stock its the selling it.

        Amazon and Ebay both have hundreds of people selling every possible item you can think of. And its a world where the top few listing get 90% of the sales. So you have to outperform established power sellers with all the tricks of the trade and scale of economy they employ to get to the top to sell anything. Id be more interested in learning how to crack the Amazon SEO game
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        • Profile picture of the author Importexport
          Originally Posted by Tommyg123 View Post

          To be honest sourcing the products doesn't seem that hard. 10 years ago was extremely hard but now there are so many websites, agencies, public reviews of various wholesalers etc.. sure, if you have a huge business and want to bypass the wholesaler and go right to the manufacturer that takes expert knowledge but the biggest issue for me isn't the buying in of stock its the selling it.

          Amazon and Ebay both have hundreds of people selling every possible item you can think of. And its a world where the top few listing get 90% of the sales. So you have to outperform established power sellers with all the tricks of the trade and scale of economy they employ to get to the top to sell anything. Id be more interested in learning how to crack the Amazon SEO game
          I agree that there is no point buying something just in the hope of selling it. Market research is the first item in my list of steps to take. You will find that list in my thread: If your secret B2B portals are so safe why don't you share?

          You will also find a lot of helpful information in my AMA linked in the post before yours.

          It is possible to find unique products, and one of my book readers has done just that by following my advice to look at countries other than China. This product would be difficult to copy, so he has the opportunity to cash in for a long time before anyone is willing to spend the big dollars needed to make a copy.

          They will have little chance of finding the manufacturer, because so few look outside China.

          Walter
          "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
          Signature
          Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
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        • Profile picture of the author Importexport
          Originally Posted by Tommyg123 View Post

          To be honest sourcing the products doesn't seem that hard. 10 years ago was extremely hard but now there are so many websites, agencies, public reviews of various wholesalers etc.. sure, if you have a huge business and want to bypass the wholesaler and go right to the manufacturer that takes expert knowledge but the biggest issue for me isn't the buying in of stock its the selling it.

          Amazon and Ebay both have hundreds of people selling every possible item you can think of. And its a world where the top few listing get 90% of the sales. So you have to outperform established power sellers with all the tricks of the trade and scale of economy they employ to get to the top to sell anything. Id be more interested in learning how to crack the Amazon SEO game
          I agree that there is no point buying something just in the hope of selling it. Market research is the first item in my list of steps to take. You will find that list in my thread: If your secret B2B portals are so safe why don't you share?

          You will also find a lot of helpful information in my AMA linked in the post before yours.

          It is possible to find unique products, and one of my book readers has done just that by following my advice to look at countries other than China. This product would be difficult to copy, so he has the opportunity to cash in for a long time before anyone is willing to spend the big dollars needed to make a copy.

          They will have little chance of finding the manufacturer, because so few look outside China.

          Walter
          "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
          Signature
          Use emotions and perceptions to build a great brand. Ask me about my book LabelsThatExploit. For safe sourcing and easy importing from 41 countries globally, see https://provenglobalsourcing.com
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10709106].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JosephI
    Anyone can sell on Amazon, so says Amazon
    Sign up for a free account and start selling your items.
    That’s the beginning and ending of the easy part.

    Selling on Amazon, a place like no other, requires a lot of research and a steep learning curve.
    Finding and sourcing a product can be the easiest part. Learning how to sell it and getting it found on Amazon is the challenge.

    Amazon has many, and I mean many, strict outlines and regulations on how to use “their” site and they’re also your potential competitor.

    Don’t go in expecting any hand-holding. Amazon considers you a professional seller, a business man and expects you to interpret their regulations correctly and they don’t hesitate to swing the ax quickly.

    Do sell private brand, this gives you the buy box, FBA helps, and follow through as if you were opening a B&M store. You may also opt to sell products that are restricted that require approval to be sold. That cuts down the competition some. Start building your business on Amazon.

    There are tons of people/individuals selling on Amazon and making a comfortable living selling same products as others. They’ve learned how to handle the competition. Just don’t expect to do it overnight, unless of course your product goes “Viral!” 

    Good Luck
    Joe
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  • Profile picture of the author seodeveloping
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