Amazon's Sandbox

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.

-Stephen Covey

If you want to play in Amazon's sandbox, then you must play by Amazon's rule.

This isn't ebay, baby!

There are those who follow the rules to the letter. There are those who bend the rules. And there are those who break the rules. Rule breakers eventually get caught.

You might get a warning. You might get a suspension. You might lose your account.

Don't risk it. This isn't a game of ask for forgiveness later. It's a business. Don't cut off the hand that feeds you.

Here is a little list of no-no's that keep popping up on Amazon:

Don't do this: Upload a crummy picture with a background. Amazon customers don't want to see their product on your bed or living room floor. Save the colors and borders for ebay. No watermarking pictures either. It's not YOUR listing. It's AMAZON's listing. 

Do this: Upload high quality pictures with pure white backgrounds.

Don't do this: Put your personal or business information in the Key Features (bullet points) or Description. Amazon listings are generic for the product. Any seller who has the exact same product should be able to list against it, so if you create a listing, keep your personal policies to yourself. 

Do this: Write professional, product specific, detailed Key Features and Descriptions for newly created listings.

Don't do this: Try to sell something as NEW when it's clearly NOT new. You can't list something as new and write a condition note that the shrinkwrap is missing (or whatever), but hey, it hasn't been used. You're tough out of luck. This will lead to poor feedback, returns, and A-Z claims. Don't go there.

Do this: The shrinkwrap is missing? The box has been damaged? But it's never been used or opened? List it as Used -Very Good. Like New means gift giving condition.

Don't do this: List against a listing where there is a difference of any kind between your product and the product picture or description. Your product must match the listing exactly as it is written.

Do this: If you absolutely can't find your exact product, go to ebay, buy UPC codes, and create a new listing. It's a little extra step, but it's worth it if the ROI is good.

Don't do this: Send a note, email the customer, or add a note in the product that links to your website (or away from Amazon). This will get you banned!

Do this: Let Amazon handle your customer service. That's what your paying those fees for.

If you make an honest mistake, apologize, learn from the experience, and move on. If you think you're above and beyond the rules, then expect to eventually pay the piper. Karma, baby!