Clear out your clutter with Marketplace! (Amazon Marketplace)

Member Name: sambam000

Product:	Amazon Marketplace
Date:	07/06/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to list

Disadvantages: Some items not in the catalogue. Beware postage charges to buyer

Most of us with internet access will have probably stumbled onto Amazon.co.uk at some point - you can find just about anything and everything available for sale here (the site has come a long way since the early days when it specialised in books and other media products). Whilst the company itself sell an untold number of items, you can also buy from private sellers & other businesses through what is known as 'Amazon marketplace'.

I myself have sold numerous items through the marketplace - just find the product you have to sell, click the 'got one to sell?' button, give your item a rating with regards to condition, add a description (not compulsory) & a price & bingo! your item is up for sale!

Shipping costs are usually fixed, dependant on the category the item is in. A CD will be one price, a book another, a kitchen item another and so on. The shipping fee is something to consider before listing your item for sale. I have sold numerous books that have actually cost me more to ship than the amount charged to the buyer. Amazon just takes into account a 'general' shipping weight for each category, so if you have a really hefty book to ship you may end up out of pocket. The thing to consider is how much you can charge for the product in the first place, & if it is viable to be out of pocket on the postage. Very often it is. I find I can often sell an item for a higher price on Amazon than on eBay for example.

Beware of the selling fees - they can be very high. Prior to submitting your listing you will be told how much the fees will be should your item sell & how much you will actually receive if sold. The great thing about Marketplace is that when you submit your listing it remains active on the site for 30 days, or until sold. If not sold, simply relist. You will not be charged any fees for listing, or if your item doesn't sell.

As a private seller, if the item you want to sell isn't in the product catalogue, you will not be able to add the item. Only business sellers can do this by making an item suggestion. However, it's rare to find something that isn't already in the catalogue, so don't let this put you off.

Once sold, your earnings can be easily transferred to your bank account within just a few days! Simples!

(Also published on Ciao under the same name).

Summary: A great alternative to auction sites, with a large audience.