Early evidence new textbooks restrictions are minimal as
Is this in fact the most overblown drama in
In this article:
Amazon ‘s delists few books after implementing new restrictions.- Early evidence
Amazon textbook restrictions apply to New and Like New books only. - How to tell if books in your
Amazon inventory have been affected. - Live webinar: “Online Book Arbitrage” is back (register here).
Here’s the
Amazon sends “textbook apocalypse” email in June, requesting receipts for “certain popular textbooks”- Due to the ambiguity of
Amazon ‘s email, theories proliferate as to what restrictions may be coming. - I theorized (among other things) the restrictions may be limited to some New and Like New textbooks.
- This week,
Amazon rejects many (most?) receipts, in new email. Amazon sellers report few if any of their textbooks are taken down.- Virtually all delisted books are New or Like New (from early reports)
Is the feared
That’s the earliest indication after
This week,
Thank you for your application to sell certain popular products in the Textbook category. We decided that you may not sell in this category.
We made this decision because we were unable to verify the information you provided, and/or because of specific information related to your seller account.
Sincerely,
Seller Performance Team
Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com
Reminder:
At every step of the way (over my two previous articles), I’ve said the same things:
Amazon is not banning textbooks.Amazon is not banning sellers from selling textbooks.Amazon never said they were banning sellers from selling textbooks.
While
Those predisposed to panic will do it no matter what, but any chatter that “
A week ago, I started getting emails from sellers
“Help!
I got many emails stating some variation of this, after a seller received the latest email from
Funny thing about that email: It doesn’t say
Read it again:
“…you may not sell in this [ the ‘popular textbooks’] category.”
Yes that’s basically a meaningless statement, since “popular textbooks” is not only not an
So my next question is always:
“So you say you’re banned from textbooks. How many of your textbook listings did
This is where it gets better
We don’t even have to speculate as to what
This is where
Let’s recap:
Problem: “
Solution: Go to the page where
Problem solved.
So this is what I asked every
“Look at your stranded inventory page. How many books did
Translation: “Go to your ‘Stranded Inventory’ page and tell me what you see.”
Here is a roundup of the evidence I collected:
- Without exception, the answer was very few (if any) books.
- Everyone reported it represented a small handful of books (very low single digit percentage, or fraction of one percent of their total inventory – or none at all).
- It was seemingly random: I heard examples of 1970s physics textbooks and children’s books being among the restricted “popular textbooks.”
- Nearly all delisted books were in Like New or New condition.
By my rough translation, this (so far) indicates:
Amazon isn’t restricting many textbooks (or other books) at all.Amazon ‘s restrictions appear to be totally random, and not just affecting textbooks (I consider this good news)Amazon is restricting books largely (or entirely) based on book condition.
It all comes back to New and Like New condition
My survey size was pretty small (I have not personally faced any restrictions), but almost everyone I heard from reported the books
But wait, I said “almost everyone.” So if some people are reporting Acceptable to Very Good books being restricted, wouldn’t that mean
I’m definitely not saying any sellers I talked to are lying (and I didn’t have time to probe them more before getting this article up), but it’s important to note that books end up on the
So its not a big leap to wonder if some reports of Good or Very Good books getting restricted is actually inventory stranded for other reasons.
(Please share in the comments below if you have stranded books in Acceptable to VG condition that you’ve confirmed are related to
What you can do about any delisted inventory right now
- Create removal order.
- Relist as Very Good.
- Move on with your life.
The next question is: Is it possible
It is certainly possible that the limited number of delisted (“stranded”) books is just the first wave of removals. It wouldn’t make a lot of strategic sense for
I wrote this article fast based on limited evidence. Like the last article, would love to get closer to the truth in the comments.
Jump in the comments and let the
- Did you provide
Amazon textbook receipts and get approved? - If yes, what kind of receipts did you provide?
- If you were not approved, what percentage of your
Amazon inventory was delisted (check the “stranded inventory” page)? - What trends do you see among the delisted titles (condition, or otherwise)?
Let’s hope this article is the final word, and that the feared “
If there’s any more news to report, you’ll find it here.
-Peter Valley
PS: Guess what?
“Online Book Arbitrage – The Webinar” is back (register here).
After an 18 month hiatus, the webinar that brought Online Book Arbitrage to the world is returning… for one night (maybe two) only.
I’ll go in depth into why the biggest source of textbooks for textbook season is
It’s live. And it’s free. But it is very limited.
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Thank you Peter for cutting through -er igonoring – the hysteria and just focusing on what’s real (as usual)
I stand on the shoulders of the Malik giants who have come before me…
More anecdotal evidence.I woke up this morning and had another book in Stranded inventory. I happen to have 4 copies of this book listed. 3 VG and 1 LN. Guess which one was stranded. Yup… the LN. The only bad thing here is I don’t know if AZ. is done yet. So far AZ. has only deactivated .3% of my listed inventory.
Thanks for this. The trend is holding…. so far.
After submitting my initial GW receipts, Amazon sent me an email last night to supply more receipts from main supplier for up to 10 units purchased in the last 180 days. They delisted 28 books. My inventory is small, 1458, about 25% being textbooks. All delisted books were New and Like New.
I went ahead and provided ‘Amazon designed’ invoices from one of my main supplier of OA books sourced mainly on Amazon. I don’t know what Amazon will say, though. I started selling a 1 year ago.
Question for Peter. How do I realist as Very Good without having the stranded books sent to me? Thanks
Unfortunately, you will have to have the stranded units sent to you so you can relist them as a different condition. The FBA sticker includes the condition, and it will be a different SKU once you change the condition.
Just delete it from your inventory, then go to your stranded inventory and relist it in VG/G condition once it says you can.
Just like Rick I had only one title restricted (for titles that were in Inventory). It was listed as Like New. Pulled it back and am relisting as Very Good. When adding it back to Inventory the add listing tool indicated I wasn’t approved for New or Like New in that category; acceptable through very good I’m approved for.
The only other evidence I can share on this is that there are several “popular” titles that, incidentally, are published by the three publishers with the active lawsuit brought against Follett. All were out of stock but originally listed in Like New condition.
Your theory seems to be holding true!
Thanks a ton for sharing this. So glad this is not even close to as bad as some early theories.
Thanks for your email today, Peter. Apparently what happened to me is EXACTLY what happened to a lot of folks.
Amazon asked for 3 receipts, then 10 more. I sent them and got the reject letter. Suddenly, my inventory report showed I was no longer buy box eligible. I called the legendary Amazon support who told me that my account looked good but I needed to get my volume up. NOT. Three days later, with declining volume, I was eligible for the buy box again. Typical.
The only stranded inventory that appeared was one non-textbook in GOOD condition. It said something about an incomplete listing. I just slated it for destruction.
Two weeks ago I was beginning to think I was finished until I noticed that nothing was really happening. After your email today, I’m not too worried. I’m cautiously stocking up for textbook season.
No wonder Jeff Bezos is worth $39B. He’s so customer-centric!! (that was a joke)
I would suggest no one build their business strategy around the Buy Box ever, but especially now. Too capricious.
I got the email, I supplied receipts which were from thrift stores to auction houses and a couple other email receipts, but nothing with details on the books, because nobody details used books. I did send in 10 new textbooks i bought from another seller and i think that was the sku that threw me in the pot. Long story short they did not approve and today I had 9 new textbooks and 4 others like new removed. So all were either new or like new. One in particular was a 1999 textbook. I was told i would be given a more detailed answer as to what i could send in for textbooks within 24 hours. your email helped me see that i will keep sending in this inventory again asap as very good and in the details i will comment they are in Like new or new condition. Move along indeed! thanks
I got the first email June 20th I responded within an hour with AZ “Invoices” from MF flips , June 27th I got the second email ” thanks for applying to sell certain popular textbooks” I sent 19 Itemized invoices ( No ISBN just tittle ) from a retailer I made sure to include the Isbns on the attachment , July 3rd I got the 3rd email asking for more invoices this time I ignored it because I had nothing else to send. So far no approval or denial email and I can still List New and Like new. So I wonder if this it??? If the restriction was condition base it wouldnt affect me I have never listed New or Like new
I have like 100 textbooks sitting in my living room I guess I am just going to send them in
would be hilarious if the only people who faced restrictions are the ones who actually sent receipts to Amazon.
I would hate that, but it makes you wonder. I didn’t have any recpts. (all my books were from family members at college or retail arbitrage) and only about 8 “textbks” were Delisted,
all as New, including some (required reading?) Paperbacks like Zombies…etc. Lol.
I sent in 3 copies of Amazon textbook purchases on 7/8/17, since those were the most descriptive book receipts I have.
7/11 I received a letter that said since Amazon “hadn’t heard from me, they would be delisting my affected textbooks.” Nothing was in my stranded inventory, and no titles were cited in the email. I replied to say that I had sent in receipts, but got an autoresponder that the email wasn’t read…
Busy week, I hadn’t been back into check my inventory. Last night I got a message from Amazon: “We appreciate your efforts to comply with our selling policies. We have updated your account with the information that you provided.”
I currently have three stranded textbook titles. All are listed as New condition, ones I bought from MF sellers on Amazon to flip. I had sent receipts for 2 new condition and one like new. Two of the titles I sent receipts for are currently stranded.
Just gonna remove & relist as very good… Moving on!
I’m a little puzzled by what showed up in my stranded inventory. 3 textbooks went stranded. However 2 were in acceptable condition and one in good. All 3 say I need approval to list in this brand. They went into stranded inventory the morning after I received the email. So I guess some other conditions are being restricted too.
I pulled all of my New and Like New listings and cancelled those listings on FBA. I relisted the books on FBA as Very Good and sent them back in (about a dozen all together). I heard nothing else. I had one book I missed and sent it back in under the old listing as New. I then received a stranded book notice for 2 of that volume even though I only had one. The one new book is sitting in the Reserved column and has not been processed yet. The Stranded notice is still in effect with 0 books listed. Worst case, I will pull the New listing and relist it. Should have done that and not tried to show off, I guess. I received no other communication about my invoice submittals but maybe that is coming…or maybe they feel sorry for me? I doubt it.
I am also in the process of systematically pulling all of my FBA listed books (non TEXT) back to sell as MF. My sales have jumped dramatically with the new MF listings which tells me that FBA books are overpriced even at almost break even pricing. And one last amazing find are the number of books that have been “orphaned” on FBA AND on MF! Page after page of underpriced money losing books are still listed after the price increase. I guess Amazon will clean them out when the Long Term Storage Fees aren’t paid?
Hi Larry –
So sales are up. good, perhaps… How are profits vs. selling FBA previously?
Thanks
Interesting, Peter. I just checked my stranded, and I have 22 of which most are CD’s, and I currently have an inventory of almost 4200. And of the 4200, at least 1100 were online purchases of which 98% are textbooks. You know, I havent seen it mentioned whether having sold a high number of textbooks is relevant. I just checked IL, and I have sold over 1500 OA sourced books in the past 12 mos, and that doesnt include field sourced TB’s,. Again, who knows, maybe tomorrow I will be restricted. At this point, I tend to believe that the fact that I have good feedback, have sold quite a bit of textbooks without any complants, and that I dont have any TB’s listed as N or LN might have something to do with my luck so far. Like many of the Az complaints, even if this is true, so what? Its not like its actionable. Kinda like the box destination splitting, which is driving me F…ing crazy, but it seems, nothing to do, but keep working. As an aside, with all the stuff happening, I decided to diversify, and have started Ebay with the intention of getting up to 500 lists by the EO year, and 1000+ by end of next year. Yeah, its a lot of work, but it feeds that part that loves to find those treasures you can sell for $300-$1000 or more. And I am there at the thrift/garage sales/etc anyway. Well, I dont know what that has to do with anything except, since AZ (or Ebay too) controls so much, better to have your eggs in more than one basket. The other basket is my 40 hr regular job. Another basket is saving a bunch of $$ and sticking it in index funds. The Scavenger Life Ebayers, they invested in real estate and are doing AirBnB. Anyway, just random thoughts triggered by Amazon, probably quite unintentionally, screwing with us all the time.
Thanks for this.
What’s weird is that Amazon sent me an email telling me I was restricted from certain CDs, then didn’t delist any of them. Out of hundreds.
I got the Amazon textbook apocalypse email back around 6/20, immediately opened a case asking for clarity, got very little of it, was told by rep to submit receipts from *any* source and explain where and how I source books in a reply to the initial email. I screenshotted Non-Prime “receipts” from Amazon, and I scanned in every receipt I could find from library sales, thrift stores, estate sales, etc., and sent all those. Then a few days or so ago, I got the “We decided that you may not sell in this category” email. I looked at all my textbooks, saw they were all still active, decided to just leave sleeping dogs lie for the time being. Then today, 8 textbooks of the same ASIN I have in “Like New” condition were suddenly inactive. I only have one other ASIN with “Like New” textbooks, and those were left unmolested. I opened up yet another case to just keep building that paper trail/documentation showing that I replied to the initial email in a timely fashion, gave them receipts, explained my sourcing, etc., and now I’m waiting to hear back from them to see if they’ll just relist the deactivated/stranded books. My thinking now is if I don’t hear from these fools in about 48 hours, I’m going to do a removal order, send those bad boys back as Very Good, and just never list a textbook as Like New ever again. Interestingly, one other non-textbook in Like New condition got “delisted” today, but I have probably 300ish Like New books (non-textbooks), and that was the only one (so far) to get deactivated besides the 8 copies of the one textbook ASIN.
So basically, I think this all much ado about nothing. I think getting my blood pressure all amped up every 4-6 months is probably good for my cardiac health, so big shout out to Amazon for providing that service!
Awesome insights. Thank you.
I’ll throw my in experience, or lack thereof, just for information’s sake…
I’ve been selling for less than a year. I have ZERO inventory listed as New or Like New and I NEVER list in those two conditions. I have several books in my inventory from Pearson, but currently none from Cengage or McGraw-Hill, although I have sold books from those publishers in the past as well and have. I have not (yet) received the “dreaded” email from Amazon. None of my current inventory, which is very small at the moment, has been delisted. I do have new inventory from those publishers almost ready to be listed, so we’ll see if they block me from listing any of that.
I will keep an eye on how this all progresses, but for me, personally, I’m not panicking. I’m slowly building my Amazon book selling business and will continue to do so. I’ll leave the hysteria for the forum warriors and Facebook back-patters.
I already commented in the other article, but will summarize again:
1) Got the email
2) Responded with invoices from McGraw-Hill for cheap-o workbooks I just bought to fool amazon and lame Goodwill receipts
3) Got emails from Amazon that nothing has been received (typical)
4) Eventually got email formally banning me from “certain popular textbooks”
5) 4 Days after ban, had 9 books out of 3,397 in inventory removed from Active.
6) All books removed were listed LIKE NEW, 7 were textbooks, 1 cookbook, 1 self-help paperback
7) Attempted to relist from scratch same books that were removed in less than LIKE NEW condition–went through no problem
8) Created removal order and will resend back to warehouse all books in VERY GOOD condition.
9) Continue to receive “You are not approved to sell in this category” (in any condition) on very limited percentage of textbooks (less than 1%).
I was one of the sellers who had 2 used-good condition books deactivated along with 2 like new (one other like new was left alone). I went through the same rigamarole as everyone else has already detailed, sent in requested invoices, was denied, and had 4 books out of around 200 made inactive. Peter mentioned in the article above that it was important to try and sort out if the other used category books were deactivated for any other possible reason. I did a test and put in the ISBNs of the 2 used-good condition books that were deactivated on the add a product page, and there it said I was restricted from selling one of them in any condition new or used (ISBN 0030839939), and the other (ISBN 1557485798) apparently I can sell only in new condition but not any used or other conditions. So there are restrictions on some used condition books, the problem is that we have no way of knowing which ones will be affected. I asked Amazon to clarify this more for me; who knows if they’ll respond. In the meanwhile I’m checking restrictions on books as they come in to be able to return them in case they have full restrictions, and in the future I may check each book before I purchase (I do online arbitrage only).
I think you have this figured right. I didn’t bother sending in receipts because I knew they wouldn’t make any difference. So i got the email saying I couldn’t sell certain books. So far nothing has been delisted from my (currently small) inventory.
Peter, I know you have warned about listing in “Like New” condition. A few months ago I bought a lot of 262 military history books, of which 238 were worth listing. Most of them really were “Like New” and I listed them as such, mostly in the $25-40 range. Most have sold, and so far no problems. The main advantage of listing as “Like New’ is when there are several offers in “Very Good” condition, all at the same price, and I think I have something better to offer, On the other hand, textbook buyers mainly want clean pages and a binding that won’t fall apart, so it is not really worth the risk to list as “Like New”.
We have to assume changes like this will keep coming. I don’t know if selling used books on Amazon will even be a viable propostition 10 years from now. Amazon may be thinking “These people are making too much money. I wonder how much more we can squeeze out of them?” So we adapt or fall by the wayside. Yesterday I saw an ad on Craigslist for someone who was quitting Amazon FBA and selling his books as a lot. I looked up 10 of his titles and found not one I would bother to list. I had half a thought to call him with some advice, but there is already too much competition here in Amazon’s home town.
So my advice: 1. Dont panic. 2. Diversify your business 3. Listen to Peter.
I got the dreaded letter.
Didn’t have receipts less than 180 days old.
Was advised that I could no longer sell in that category.
Nothing in my currently small inventory was delisted.
Thanks Peter, I’m just going to keep working.
I got the letter and ignored it since I didn’t have any recent receipts. Go the email that I can no longer sell in that category. One 2004 Like New textbook removed.
I responded to the first email with the pitiful “small seller” story and three Goodwill store invoices. Found out I had 3 deactivated “new” condition textbooks after that. Had them sent back so I can relist as Good condition.
I just got the email stating that I have been accepted to sell textbooks but not in “New” condition.
Random question about new books. Have you still been listing books with remainder marks as new ever since books have been eligible for the buy box? I know Amazon released a notification stating that “No selling remainder mark books as new.” Have they actually been cracking down on that? Thanks in advance!