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Amazon offers you tools and services that make it easy for anyone to submit a product for consideration.

One of the options is the Advantage Program. How does it work?

Here’s a few key Q&A:

What kinds of products do you accept into the Advantage program?
We currently accept books, calendars, single copy magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, VHS, vinyl LP records, software and video games. We do not accept digital content (e-books, MP3 downloads) or subscription-based items like magazines or journals. We are always looking at new opportunities, so please check back with us in the future to see if we have expanded our product categories.

How much does Advantage cost, and what are the terms?
There is an annual fee of $29.95 to be a member of Advantage. Your fee includes unlimited title enrollment, access to our Vendor Services team, and access to the Vendor web site to manage your account. The standard terms for Advantage vendors is 55% – you keep 45% of the List Price. That means that Amazon.com is entitled to 55% of the List Price for each unit that sells. You, the vendor, receive 45% of the List Price. You set the List Price, also known as Suggested Retail Price, of your products, and all payments made to you are calculated based on the List Price. If Amazon.com decides to further reduce the sales price to the customer below the List Price, the customer discount comes out of Amazon.com’s percentage. For example, if the List Price is $39.95, you will make $17.98 from each copy sold, even if the Customer Price or Our Price on Amazon.com is discounted from the List Price.

How is Advantage different from Marketplace?
Advantage is for new, retail quality, customer-ready merchandise. Titles enrolled in Advantage qualify as “ships from and sold by Amazon.com”. These titles also qualify for our Super Saver Shipping and Prime Shipping options. Amazon Marketplace is for selling new, used, refurbished and collectible items–you can list your item right alongside the same item carried by Amazon.com. Marketplace transactions occur between the seller and the customer directly. The seller is responsible for listing the product, shipping customer orders, and providing all customer service. Amazon.com simply handles payment processing for Marketplace transactions.

I don’t have physical inventory. Can I still enroll in Advantage?
Advantage is for physical inventory only. However, you can still list and sell your products via the Make-On-Demand services of Amazon.com affiliates BookSurge (for books) or CreateSpace (for books, CDs, or DVDs). BookSurge and CreateSpace are wholly-owned by Amazon.com and offer inventory-free fulfillment to Amazon.com’s customers. Visit www.booksurge.com or www.createspace.com for more information.

Of course the downside is that you earn less than you would per title than you would selling it yourself, however now you have the power of the Amazon search and the ease and integration of an already popular method. You may earn less per unit, however if you’re selling more units…

Contact us if you’re interested in setting up an advantage account.