At some point this year, I set up an Amazon Advantage account . . . I thought. I never utilized it and actually couldn't remember. When things started appearing on my sellers page I didn't like, (exclusively affiliated books showing up for sale with my non-affiliated book *gasp*)I contacted Amazon. They said I could control this through my Amazon Advantage account. So . . . I tried to log-in.
I couldn't remember my password though and asked for help. I was then told, I didn't have an Amazon Advantage account. Okay. Whatever. So I attempted to apply. I entered my company name in the appropriate blank and was told that company already existed in the database. So I couldn't apply for Amazon Advantage unless I made up a company name. I contacted Amazon Advantage (e-mail of course) and was told I DID have an Advantage account and they gave me a password so I could access.
I know. Curious, isn't it?
I entered the password and immediately the screen came up with internal error. I contacted Amazon to let them know. 24 hours later I'm told that the tech couldn't duplicate my problem. He said I'd applied for an account in February and he'd fixed it so that I should be able to simply apply for a new application. I of course know what's going to happen. As soon as I enter company name, it says that company is already in the database and I can't go any further.
Boneheads!
I get to wait another 24 hours now for who knows what. I'm sure it will be exciting though. :)
In the meantime, since I can't control what shows up on my product pages, such as what books are selling with mine, (which isn't accurate actually, it has more to do with other authors tagging their work with yours etc . . . )please know that I don't suggest buying affiliated work with mine. It's very different and doesn't usually appeal to general market readers. Other than that, I don't like supporting publishers who affiliate themselves with organizations that exclude my work from their stores.
Fine if you like the work they put out. I just don't support that mentality.
I should be able to fix that as soon as Amazon Advantage removes their head from . . . that place where it is. :) I wouldn't hold my breath though.
UPDATE:
Well, I went ahead and slightly altered my company name and was able to start he application process. :) but O_o what's this? I have to pay Amazon Advantage $30.00 a year and THEY get to determine what they sell my book for and who gets to sell it!!!!
I wasn't even planning on selling anything through Amazon Advantage. I simply wanted control of my sellers pages and Amazon told me I needed to join Amazon Advantage to do this. *Sue stands and claps, which is difficult to do while typing* Good one Amazon. You almost had me there. I think I'll keep my $30.00 thank-you. For the record, that's why Forever Richard isn't selling through Amazon at this moment. They set the price. First they set it too high, higher even than some of their authorized and non-authorized sellers and then they set it so low that my publisher was making about 2 cents off each book which meant I'd make a nickel . . . maybe.
Oh to be like Amazon. NOT!
Sue -
ReplyDeleteThe Amazon Advantage program is actually quite fantastic. If you own the rights to distribute the book, simply add it to your Advantage account and you can control the detail page for your book (price, image, title, description, etc).
You do not have control over what Amazon displays in reference to what other customers purchased or negative customer reviews. You need to go with the flow unless there is a truly inflammatory customer review - you can ask to have it removed.
RE Amazon setting the price
With Amazon Advantage, you set the price and you are paid based on the price you set. Amazon may decide to discount the price for its customers, but you are always paid based on the price you set.
Amazon may lower the price in order to be competitive based on a variety of factors.
Regarding other sellers - this is called Marketplace and you have no control over who lists the book for sale. Some people don't like this, but overall it's a positive because it allows customers choices.
Overall, the Advantage program is a great way to list and sell your title to Amazons' customer base which otherwise you would not have access to.
*Sue blankly staring ahead in reference to last blog post* If I did not know better, I'd say Amazon just posted on my blog. LOLROFL
ReplyDeleteAnd tis all true except one must remember you have to pay to belong to Amazon Advantage which is okay I guess.
As far as what Amazon decides to display on my page along with my book. I do not like not having control of this BUT Amazon fixed what I didn't like even when they said they couldn't. So that's certainly all right.
I particularly have a soft spot for what books Amazon decides to bundle with mine. I think an authors other books should be bundled and not a book from a publisher who doesn't even recognize me as being an author and certainly not a Christian (garden variety.)
But Amazon nipped that so it's all good now. My audience is so varied I have to watch what shows up bundled with mine because there's no way Amazon can keep up with it. LOL