Selling Lego on Amazon.com

[Bricklectic]

On 7/19/2022 at 8:55 AM, Bricklectic said:

UPS to FBA shipment hasnt yet been delivered. It's been 2 months. 

Anyone with experience - Is this situation reimbursable? What's the best channel to investigate this

Update - I went the old route of filing lost inventory with my target.com receipts. In the notes i noted this wasnt a claim against amazon rather UPS... still, amazon came back pretty quickly with a 428$ reimbursement for 6 whomping willows. Definitely pleased with the outcome!

[Darth_Raichu]

On 7/20/2022 at 11:43 AM, cladner said:

Anything that would go first class gets ups ground 10 cents cheaper than first class price.  For larger items I still am getting a better discount provided they are within 800 miles-ish.  Sales are up off the doldrums but still down compared to last 5 years.  Part of that is because I can’t keep up with all the overstocked undercutting FBA sellers who pricematch anything that has a pulse. 

Per a thread on Amazon forum, I am not the only one noticing the drop in discount rates from generous amounts to just 10 cents below USPS FC.  It was too good to be true but I still got to take advantage while it lasted

[Loghamel]

Another set Amazon has decided to jump into reseller pool with:

https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Police-Mobile-Command-Building/dp/B01KKTN9J4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=60139&qid=1658839874&sr=8-5

Real RRP $49.99.

[Loghamel]

https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Jurassic-World-Baryonyx-Face-Off/dp/B07PX3VP73/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=75935&qid=1658842087&sr=8-1

 

RRP $59.99

[Dark Helmet]

Amazon case support has never been the best but this is getting out of hand. I have two cases that are being looked into for over a month. They have been extremely slow in responding to any communication and it’s still their generic, I didn’t actually read the email but I’m being paid by how many cases I close, responses. Anyone else have this issue?

Edited July 26, 2022 by Dark Helmet

[HappyHawkeye]

1 minute ago, Dark Helmet said:

Amazon case support has never been the best but this is getting out of hand. I have two cases that are being looked into for over a month. They have been extremely slow in responding to any communication and it’s still there generic, I didn’t actually read the email but I’m being paid by how many cases I close, responses. Anyone else have this issue?

My issue with Amazon support is that they usually key in on some specific word in my description and then quickly auto-close it based on some "policy" they think applies. This has happened pretty much every time I've ever opened a case with them.

[Bricklectic]

9 minutes ago, HappyHawkeye said:

My issue with Amazon support is that they usually key in on some specific word in my description and then quickly auto-close it based on some "policy" they think applies. This has happened pretty much every time I've ever opened a case with them.

well said

[severalads]

1 hour ago, Loghamel said:

https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Jurassic-World-Baryonyx-Face-Off/dp/B07PX3VP73/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=75935&qid=1658842087&sr=8-1

 

RRP $59.99

It may be from another Amazon marketplace.

For example on Amazon.co.uk I also see sometimes items sold and delivered by Amazon.

But then couple of times I went to a German Amazon and there was that exact item for that price sold by a third party but fulfilled by Amazon.

So it might be that if the item is listed by third party with international shipping enabled, buyers on other Amazon websites see it as sold and delivered by Amazon.

But that's just my theory

[cladner]

14 hours ago, Darth_Raichu said:

Per a thread on Amazon forum, I am not the only one noticing the drop in discount rates from generous amounts to just 10 cents below USPS FC.  It was too good to be true but I still got to take advantage while it lasted

true it is only 10 cents under USPS FC but ur item is getting shipped UPS Ground and the actual discount from the UPS ground rate is usually 30-40% off but on some first class items i ship to west coast its more than 50% off the UPS ground rate.  able to better compete with FBA buybox price with quicker shipping but paying less than first class.

i am also happy to use UPS - i hate first class USPS - even now it is pretty inconsistent and still having items here and there "go silent" with shipping updates on USPS website which means u can't file a claim since technically the item is still in transit but ur customer wants the refund so u end up eating it - luckily first class is not high out of pocket cost.

Edited July 26, 2022 by cladner

[Bricklectic]

IS there anyway to edit this page back to not being a pre-release? I've never edited a page but I received orders and it looks like they havent shipped yet despite being in FBA warehouses months already.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ3PCSX?ref=myi_title_dp

[smittypop2]

5 minutes ago, Bricklectic said:

IS there anyway to edit this page back to not being a pre-release? I've never edited a page but I received orders and it looks like they havent shipped yet despite being in FBA warehouses months already.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ3PCSX?ref=myi_title_dp

Not that I know of. Once they set a release date in the system, then you are screwed. I have had this happen to many products over the years that were vary salable. IT sucks,

[Bricklectic]

23 minutes ago, smittypop2 said:

Not that I know of. Once they set a release date in the system, then you are screwed. I have had this happen to many products over the years that were vary salable. IT sucks,

Thanks. This has been my worst investment of the year by far. Followed by baking competition.

(If anyone wants my lot at 150 each for the teslas (i have 5) or 25 each for baking comps (i have 20) lmk)

[cmartin33]

7 hours ago, HappyHawkeye said:

My issue with Amazon support is that they usually key in on some specific word in my description and then quickly auto-close it based on some "policy" they think applies. This has happened pretty much every time I've ever opened a case with them.

Yes it's very frustrating. It takes at least 3 emails to actually get a problem fixed, sometimes much more. And they auto-close the case after 4 days so you have to stay on top of it or start the whole thing over again. I would recommend the phone option if you have an urgent case. The first representative hung up on me after getting my name. The 2nd representative's instructions actually fixed my issue!

On another note, I've noticed some listings have 'adult' tags on them which have hurt the resale prices. I've been able to fix about 5 of these SKUs, but it would be nice if some of the other players in the game would help as well. It really makes me question the ignorance/capability of some of the sellers who are actually selling these products now. They are simply paying Amazon to store their products for them with virtually zero sales on these SKUs. I wonder how long it would take them to notice their listings aren't searchable?

Okay rant over!

Also, check your removal order page for liquidations in the past year. I had a bunch of products liquidated back in the 1st half of the year for pennies on the dollar. PM me if anyone else had this problem. It appears Amazon just decided to add liquidations to the removal order flowchart ahead of your pre-set auto-removal settings, without letting you know. And apparently, if you visited the auto-removal settings page, the box for liquidations was automatically checked and saved unless you unchecked it each time. Other sellers have also reported that the liquidations box was auto re-checked the next day. So far, haven't gotten much reimbursement from Amazon but we will see.

[Darth_Raichu]

35 minutes ago, cmartin33 said:

Also, check your removal order page for liquidations in the past year. I had a bunch of products liquidated back in the 1st half of the year for pennies on the dollar. PM me if anyone else had this problem. It appears Amazon just decided to add liquidations to the removal order flowchart ahead of your pre-set auto-removal settings, without letting you know. And apparently, if you visited the auto-removal settings page, the box for liquidations was automatically checked and saved unless you unchecked it each time. Other sellers have also reported that the liquidations box was auto re-checked the next day. So far, haven't gotten much reimbursement from Amazon but we will see.

Best bet is to disable auto-removal altogether.  It sucks but that check box has been faulty since they forced everyone to opt-in to liquidation.

[Dark Helmet]

Supper annoying but I guess I’ll take what I can get. Item returned by customer. Gets lost in warehouse. After numerous emails and calls they resolve in my favor. I just looked and they paid me $35 for an item that’s selling for $59. I have no clue how they choose these arbitrary numbers to pay out. At least it covers the item and a bit. 

[brickvoyeur]

Amazon is insistent on having the UPS rate beat USPS First Class by a dime.

For anything under a pound, UPS prints out 1 pound labels. Whether the weight is 1oz or 15.9oz. 

I've just been setting the weight to 4oz for anything under a pound and getting minimum price labels since they are going to print out a 1 pound label anyways. 

Am I playing with fire at this point? Been going on for a few weeks now without any issues. Why pay more for a one pound label than you have to?

 

[Darth_Raichu]

44 minutes ago, brickvoyeur said:

Amazon is insistent on having the UPS rate beat USPS First Class by a dime.

For anything under a pound, UPS prints out 1 pound labels. Whether the weight is 1oz or 15.9oz. 

I've just been setting the weight to 4oz for anything under a pound and getting minimum price labels since they are going to print out a 1 pound label anyways. 

Am I playing with fire at this point? Been going on for a few weeks now without any issues. Why pay more for a one pound label than you have to?

 

It is not always cheaper than USPS.  My only concern is I would forget to enter actual weight when I mail via USPS and underpostage.  Last thing I need is an angry customer who is billed by USPS for the difference in postage.

 

[biking_tiger]

So I've noticed this lately in the Amazon Seller App: 

When I manage inventory, an item might say I a number available, but I still see an "Out of Stock" alert. Has anyone else seen this--? 

 

[bbr]

Can someone remind me what happens with a credit card chargeback on Amazon. It's been a while since I've had one. I bought shipping through Amazon's "Buy Shipping". I have responded with the requested info (carrier, tracking number, ship/delivery date, etc.). It's a $1300 set, so I'm assuming the buyer is just trying to get it for free but I want to prepare myself for disappointment if that's likely.

[Bold-Arrow]

1 minute ago, bbr said:

Can someone remind me what happens with a credit card chargeback on Amazon. It's been a while since I've had one. I bought shipping through Amazon's "Buy Shipping". I have responded with the requested info (carrier, tracking number, ship/delivery date, etc.). It's a $1300 set, so I'm assuming the buyer is just trying to get it for free but I want to prepare myself for disappointment if that's likely.

just respond to the email with the details they asked for, you should be fine as long as tracking shows delivered.

I usually respond via email and online portal . 

[vasp]

On 8/8/2022 at 11:03 AM, Darth_Raichu said:

It is not always cheaper than USPS.  My only concern is I would forget to enter actual weight when I mail via USPS and underpostage.  Last thing I need is an angry customer who is billed by USPS for the difference in postage.

 

Doesn't USPS charge amazon for the difference in postage? I have seen shipping adjustments for USPS in my account.

[vasp]

21 hours ago, Bold-Arrow said:

just respond to the email with the details they asked for, you should be fine as long as tracking shows delivered.

I usually respond via email and online portal . 

Very true. I just had this happen for a $1300 set. I shipped it via Fedex with DSR since UPS via buy shipping caps insurance at $999.

This is the latest MO for scammers on amazon. Buyer is a 21 year old woman from FL.

But - the risk is that they will re-file their chargeback and at that point amazon gives up and you loose. I have had this happen 4 times in the last 19 years selling on amazon.

[$20 on joe vs dan]

9 minutes ago, vasp said:

Very true. I just had this happen for a $1300 set. I shipped it via Fedex with DSR since UPS via buy shipping caps insurance at $999.

This is the latest MO for scammers on amazon. Buyer is a 21 year old woman from FL.

But - the risk is that they will re-file their chargeback and at that point amazon gives up and you loose. I have had this happen 4 times in the last 19 years selling on amazon.

what are the odds of two $1300 sets having this issue?

I understand a CC chargeback typically leads to being banned by the seller; this being Amazon seems to really up the stakes. 

[Darth_Raichu]

2 hours ago, vasp said:

Doesn't USPS charge amazon for the difference in postage? I have seen shipping adjustments for USPS in my account.

Is it? Good to know. 

I have not had any chance to use UPS lately since USPS still beat their discounts

[bbr]

On 8/23/2022 at 9:58 AM, bbr said:

Can someone remind me what happens with a credit card chargeback on Amazon. It's been a while since I've had one. I bought shipping through Amazon's "Buy Shipping". I have responded with the requested info (carrier, tracking number, ship/delivery date, etc.). It's a $1300 set, so I'm assuming the buyer is just trying to get it for free but I want to prepare myself for disappointment if that's likely.

 

On 8/23/2022 at 10:01 AM, Bold-Arrow said:

just respond to the email with the details they asked for, you should be fine as long as tracking shows delivered.

I usually respond via email and online portal . 

 Thanks BA! Luckily, there seems to be a quick resolution to this.....

 

Hello,

 

We understand that you are concerned about the chargeback related to order XXXXXXXX.

 

We have found that you are not responsible. No action is required at this time. We will contact you if we need any additional information.

 

Please contact us again if you have any other questions about this dispute.

 

---

 

Account Specialist

 

Amazon.com | Amazon Disputes Team