Zera Api
Failed to resolve a dispute resolution thread.
- Jun 28, 2013
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Can you ship within America even when you personally live in Australia ??
Amazon slashed your affiliate rates? here is a solution
- Thread starter IG Professor
- Start date
- Jan 17, 2015
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The only problem I see in the strategy is the fact that Amazon cross-sells and they know this (this is why they keep pressuring up the affiliate commissions).
Most of the times you won't be earning by selling the product you affiliate, unless maybe certain more specific niches.
Amazon is a proficient seller while a Shopify dropshipping site tends to a mediocre seller with an increasingly bad reputation (younger people start to detect the classic patterns that make Shopify... Shopify) for just 15% profit.
The big question is: with a 3% in Amazon vs 15% shopi site, do you really think you could outrank (1/5+ sales) the Amazon process?
I'm not 100% sure.
Don't forget that the Amazon affiliate site generally is looking for an autopilot method to scale on what he already masters (content). But going "vertically" is including more steps on where mastery doesn't exist
Example: I have an ice cream shop... and buy the product to an ice cream manufacturer which has been increasing the costs in the past few years. Now I've bought an ice cream machine, I've rented space near my shop to start creating that ice cream and I don't have enough budget to have a guy creating that product, so I have to split my time between selling and making product... I'm really good at selling icecream but I suck hard at making icecream (the machine gets stuck constantly, I forget to purchase some of the ingredients or I miss the control of which are about to be depleted).
Although it is true that despite my errors, I have reduced my costs by 30%, also my sales will be reduced (I have less time to spend on the counter).
Personally I don't think dropshipping for an affiliate site is a great idea unless you can leverage your time and you don't have anything else great to do or you are the kind of guy that loves to do like 10 different things. But I know a ton of affiliates that are just good at that: developing tons of affiliate contents.
I think that is a way better option, to chase for businesses that give good alt affiliate commissions and eventually start replace Amazon for them (aliexpress? 8%, 30-day cookie...) and A/B test which reports better profits.
Most of the times you won't be earning by selling the product you affiliate, unless maybe certain more specific niches.
Amazon is a proficient seller while a Shopify dropshipping site tends to a mediocre seller with an increasingly bad reputation (younger people start to detect the classic patterns that make Shopify... Shopify) for just 15% profit.
The big question is: with a 3% in Amazon vs 15% shopi site, do you really think you could outrank (1/5+ sales) the Amazon process?
I'm not 100% sure.
Don't forget that the Amazon affiliate site generally is looking for an autopilot method to scale on what he already masters (content). But going "vertically" is including more steps on where mastery doesn't exist
Example: I have an ice cream shop... and buy the product to an ice cream manufacturer which has been increasing the costs in the past few years. Now I've bought an ice cream machine, I've rented space near my shop to start creating that ice cream and I don't have enough budget to have a guy creating that product, so I have to split my time between selling and making product... I'm really good at selling icecream but I suck hard at making icecream (the machine gets stuck constantly, I forget to purchase some of the ingredients or I miss the control of which are about to be depleted).
Although it is true that despite my errors, I have reduced my costs by 30%, also my sales will be reduced (I have less time to spend on the counter).
Personally I don't think dropshipping for an affiliate site is a great idea unless you can leverage your time and you don't have anything else great to do or you are the kind of guy that loves to do like 10 different things. But I know a ton of affiliates that are just good at that: developing tons of affiliate contents.
I think that is a way better option, to chase for businesses that give good alt affiliate commissions and eventually start replace Amazon for them (aliexpress? 8%, 30-day cookie...) and A/B test which reports better profits.
- May 2, 2010
- 9,943
- 16,050
I already do this and can confirm it works, but to address your point directly, amazon only hold something like 30% stock, the rest are the 3rd party marketplace sellers. So they won't necessarily be receiving amazon packaging, but so what if they do, many sellers across multiple marketplaces use amazon fulfillment.
Basically, don't knock it till you tried it.
fasttrak
Elite Member
- Sep 12, 2016
- 3,514
- 3,988
Thanks for the idea my man. I really appreciate all these Amazon posts right now, as it is saving me having to work out what the hell I am going to do in the future with these sites!
My current philosophy is to not worry about it, and wait for helpful people like you suggest a few alternatives. Let them percolate a little in the old noggin, and then make a decision on Monday.
This idea has been floating around my head for several months already, but like @SirLouen says, one of the benefits of an Amazon site, is that you only have to focus on content and SEO, they do the rest. Probably why I have not moved forward until now.
Will make a decision on Monday, but I think it will be different approaches for different niches.
- Jan 17, 2015
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The only issue, is that you get too many returns, for deceiving they can file you a dispute. Or the fact that a client contact straightly to amazon in your name since they have your info in the postal package (at least in my country, not sure how they operate in other countries).
Be aware that this is a blackhat technique so you could face issues at some point although, it's unlikely if you don't sell too much.
I think it may work better if you only sell marketplace sellers (not amazon FBA), because the client won't be expecting from where it comes from (And the FBM don't send with Amazon packaging). Technically is similar as doing this with any other marketplace like eBay or Aliexpress.
Also, the automation is seriously limited. There is plenty of manual work in the process although some plugins can slightly help. As you may see in most plugins they suggest going for a big % for selling. It will be a massive work to keep prices updated constantly based on Amazon pricing. As I said, possible but unlikely.
IG Professor
BANNED
- Feb 22, 2017
- 4,855
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Sir... by reading your replies, It's obvious that you have no experience with dropshipping from Amazon. So at least, don't spread false information. people need to wake up and understand ... that the next move of Amazon will be to wipe them out completely from the business. Working for 3%? this is nonsense. Amazon is not looking for affiliates anymore.
I appreciate your detailed replies, don't get me wrong. But... don't try to be smart when actually you are not. also, when you claiming for too many returns, back it up with some proofs. no one really knows what motivates you to decline this method.
Have a good day
- Jan 17, 2015
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As I said, this is probably the minor of the problems you will find.
The one that should be backing this, is you, who proposed it.
My reasons to put in doubt this strategy, are mostly explained in the second post: I don't clearly see the strategy to keep it right according to prices for that 15% profit you mention.
Also, are you 100% confident that this is not against Amazon TOS?
Also thinking: With a good affiliate site, with 100+ orders per month, how can you automate all the dropshipping process? Are you going to manually place the orders from your Amazon account to hundreds of different addresses across the country?
I'm not saying that this strategy is not viable, I'm just having a ton of doubts that maybe shall be rethought. Or maybe it's easier than I think... who knows.
IG Professor
BANNED
- Feb 22, 2017
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I have already backed it up, Sir. with hundreds of clients who use a similar business model. https://i.imgur.com/fMXqDQF.png.
I saw before... you claimed that 15% isn't much.
- (Dropshipping) 15% @ 5000$ = $750
- (Amazon) 3% @ 5000$ = $150
Numbers talking. Not me. Not even mentioned the fact that you are under the mercy of Amazon. what will be their next move? maybe from 3% to 1%. Once they can't decrease it anymore... they will simply wipe you out if you don't understand their rumor ... they cannot wake up one day and close the ''shop''. so they doing it in stages 1,2,3.
TOS? you can use Amazon's business account to fulfill an unlimited amount of orders. Prime membership could also help you. (It's against the TOS with Prime)
the name of this forum is not digital point . I am 100% against breaking any law but there is a huge difference between the TOS of a company than Official laws.
at the same time... there are ways to do it without breaking the TOS too.
For example;
You are not sure about the product. At first, you could test if it working out for you. so you dropship 3-4 pcs directly from AMZ. have sales? buy bulk, ship it a Wearhouse who offer fulfillment services. If it's called breaking the TOS, then 90% of Amazon / eBay sellers are breaking the rules.
This is just 1 example. I will not spoonfeed anymore, but you got the point.
There are many tools in the market that can help you automate it. it can become much easier when you have a Prime account and decide to ship only to USA. since shipping is free for all orders and Amazon support services is the best in the world when you need to return an item. you will have to learn more about it.
In simple words, buy cheap, sell high. this is what everyone does.
Last edited:
- Dec 16, 2017
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use gift packing or wrapping whatever its called, i was doing this back in 2018. The problem that you will face after some time is that when you will start bulk ordering amazon will start declining your card.
IG Professor
BANNED
- Feb 22, 2017
- 4,855
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Giftcard could be a solution.
- Dec 16, 2017
- 2,522
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but u also have to keep changing your amazon account because you are ordering bulk for different addresses
The Optimist
BANNED
- Oct 31, 2018
- 436
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Exactly am too thinking of the same...
WANTED MAN
Power Member
- Feb 14, 2018
- 524
- 118
Great share....
ziko12345
Elite Member
- Sep 29, 2019
- 2,524
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Can you mention any please?
HustleTong
Elite Member
- May 30, 2019
- 13,466
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Sounds like a plan. Great share, at the right time.