Q&A for How to Sell Books on Amazon

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  • Question
    I belong to a non governmental organization and we have published a book with the UNHCR for survivors of torture. We sell it for very cheap ( it is a donation really of $4). It is in English and Tigrinya. Can we sell it through Amazon?
    Community Answer
    You could look into Amazon's FBA service which makes it available to a very wide audience (as you will ship your stock to Amazon and they will be the ones packing and shipping it). People prefer to buy stuff if it is sent by Amazon and if it is FBA, then it allows Prime members to get it quicker also.
  • Question
    If I'm near an Amazon fulfillment center, can I simply drive my books there?
    Community Answer
    No. I spoke with a man at Amazon who said it was a very complicated process and in-person delivery was not conducive to their process.
  • Question
    How do you get paid?
    Community Answer
    When you set up your account, it will ask for your credit card information, and it will put the money from the buyer into your account.
  • Question
    As a Nigerian, how do I complete the "Add credit information" section while in the process of registering to sell my book, if Nigeria is not included in the listed countries?
    Community Answer
    Join PayPal then you can put any country as it's an internationally recognized safe payment service.
  • Question
    If I upload my novel as an E-book on Kindle for sale and available on Kindle Unlimited, am I restricted from printing and selling the book as a paperback through independent book stores and Amazon?
    Community Answer
    You are not restricted as long as the contract that you sign with Amazon states that it is non-exclusive.
  • Question
    If I have Amazon Prime, does that reduce the cost of selling a book?
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, it does not. However, you can use Fulfillment by Amazon to ship and manage the inventory of your product, which lets Amazon do the work for you. There is a small fee per item. Items above 300 units of your local currency (dollars, pounds) are free to ship with FBA.
  • Question
    Is there a market in the USA for French books?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! There aren't a lot of native foreign language books on the Amazon US store, they will typically have no problem selling.
  • Question
    Does Amazon charge a fee or take a portion of the payment?
    Community Answer
    Yes, Amazon will typically take a commission if you choose to sell through them.
  • Question
    If the book is a paperback weighing about 1 pound and will be shipped to Britain, how much is the shipping cost, and who pays for it?
    Community Answer
    You pay for it. How much the shipping cost is depends on your Kindle.
  • Question
    Is there a way to send boxes of books to an Amazon fulfillment center?
    Community Answer
    No. It's not conducive to their process, therefore they don't accept in person drop offs.
  • Question
    Who pays the shipping of a book if I sell it, the buyer or me?
    Community Answer
    You will have to pay the shipping when you go to send it. However, you can add the cost of shipping to the purchase price when you list the item.
  • Question
    Can I sell books that are available through Amazon?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anybody can sell any item on Amazon, even if it is not yours. Amazon will not penalize you for selling an item.
  • Question
    Do I need to have a credit card account to sell books on Amazon?
    Community Answer
    In order to sell on Amazon, you do need to have a valid credit card or debit card registered to your seller account.
  • Question
    How can I sell my books on Amazon, and how many copies can I sell per day?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Create a seller account on Seller Central, then list your books by searching for their ISBN or entering the details manually. Set a price and choose your fulfillment method (FBA or FBM). There’s no limit on how many copies you can sell per day; it depends on demand and how well you fulfill orders. The more exposure your book gets, the more you can sell.
  • Question
    Can I recover my Amazon Seller account without access to my old email address?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    You can recover your Amazon Seller account without access to your old email. First, try recovering the email through your provider's process. If that doesn't work, contact Amazon Seller Support and explain the situation. Be ready to provide details like your business name or past transactions to verify your identity. Amazon support should help you regain access to your account.
  • Question
    I am an author living in Iran. Does Amazon send OTP codes to my mobile number?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon might not send OTP codes to mobile numbers in Iran due to international restrictions and regional limitations. If you're having trouble receiving an OTP, try using email for verification instead. You can also consider linking a phone number from another country where Amazon supports mobile verification. If you continue to face issues, it's best to contact Amazon support for guidance.
  • Question
    Who is responsible for checking the spelling and grammar of a book before it is sold on Amazon?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not check books for spelling or grammar mistakes before they are published. As a self-publisher, you are responsible for ensuring the quality of your book. You can hire a professional editor or proofreader to help with grammar, spelling, and formatting before uploading your book to Amazon. Once published, readers can leave reviews, which may point out any errors they notice. It's a good idea to review your book thoroughly to avoid issues later on.
  • Question
    Do I need to provide credit card information if I choose to use PayPal?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not accept PayPal for seller payments. You must provide a valid credit or debit card during account setup, even if you plan to receive payments through a bank account. PayPal cannot be used to pay Amazon’s seller fees or receive earnings from sales.
  • Question
    Do I need to provide credit card information if I choose to use PayPal?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not accept PayPal for seller payments. You must provide a valid credit or debit card during account setup, even if you plan to receive payments through a bank account. PayPal cannot be used to pay Amazon’s seller fees or receive earnings from sales.
  • Question
    Can I specify no returns but exchanges only for my books that include an audio CD to prevent illegal copying and returning?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    You can set a "no returns" policy on Amazon, but you can't fully prevent returns if they meet Amazon’s return criteria. However, you can specify "exchange only" for defective items in your product listing. Amazon typically allows returns within 30 days, but you can limit returns on used or opened items by setting conditions like "defective or damaged goods only." Clearly explain this in your product description, and consider contacting Amazon support for guidance.
  • Question
    I am trying to set up a seller account, and it says I will be charged $39.99, but the instructions say 99 cents per book. Which is correct?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon offers two types of seller accounts: 1) Individual plan – You pay 99 cents per book sold with no monthly fee, best for small-volume sellers. 2) Professional plan – Costs $39.99 per month without per-book fees, best for sellers who list many books. If you see the $39.99 charge, you are selecting the professional plan. Switch to the individual plan during setup if you prefer the 99 cents per book option.
  • Question
    How do I send my books to Amazon's fulfillment center in Houston after signing the seller agreement?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    After signing the seller agreement, create an FBA shipment in your Amazon Seller account under Inventory and select Send/Replenish Inventory. Enter book details, set the quantity, and select Amazon’s Houston fulfillment center if assigned. Print and apply Amazon’s FBA labels if required. Pack the cases following Amazon’s packing guidelines, choose a carrier, print shipping labels, and send the cases to the address Amazon provides. Once received, Amazon stores and ships them when customers order.
  • Question
    How much does Amazon charge to sell books?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon takes a 30% commission on eBook sales, leaving you with 70% of the royalties if the book is priced between $2.99 and $9.99. For books outside this range, you earn 35%. For print books, Amazon charges a printing fee based on page count and size, plus a 60% commission on the list price. Additional fees may apply if you use Amazon Ads for promotion.
  • Question
    How can I market a printed version of my self-published book through Amazon?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    To market your printed book and eBook on Amazon, sign up for a seller account at sellercentral.amazon.com. For both versions, use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) at kdp.amazon.com. Upload your manuscript, cover, and set the price for the Kindle/eBook version. For the print version, select paperback or hardcover and upload the same details. Set your pricing and royalty options. Amazon will print and ship the paperback. You can also promote your book using Amazon Ads. If you need more help, contact Amazon KDP support.
  • Question
    I'm having trouble registering for an individual account because I have an old account that was discontinued. The website won't let me open a new account. What should I do?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Clear your browser cache or use a different browser. If the old account is linked to your email, try using a new one for the new account. If the issue persists, contact Amazon support for assistance.
  • Question
    How do I find the link to sell my book on Amazon?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    To sell your book, sign in to Amazon Seller Central at sellercentral.amazon.com. Click "Inventory," then "Add a Product." You can search for your book using the ISBN or enter the details manually. Choose whether you’ll fulfill orders yourself (FBM) or use FBA. Set your price, add a description, and upload any images. Once done, your book will be listed for sale on Amazon.
  • Question
    Can I sell my own printed book on Amazon without using the Advantage program? I want to sell my books like any other product on Amazon.
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can utilize Amazon Seller Central to list and sell your printed books like any other product. You'll need to set up a seller account, list your book under the "Books" category with details like title, author, and price, and decide between fulfilling orders yourself or using FBA. This method allows you to sell your book directly to customers.
  • Question
    Do I need approval from Amazon to send my books to them for FBA? Will they list the books?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    To use FBA, sign up for Amazon Seller Central and choose FBA. List your books with details like title, author, and condition. Create a shipment plan in your account, then send your books to Amazon's fulfillment centers. They'll handle storage, packing, and shipping for a fee.
  • Question
    Does Amazon pick up large boxes of books from a home?
    Snakey006550
    Top Answerer
    Amazon does not pick up large boxes of books from homes. To sell on Amazon Marketplace, you need to pack and ship the books yourself. If you have many books, you can use a shipping service like UPS, FedEx, or USPS for bulk shipments. Some local charities or bookstores might offer pick-up services if you choose to donate the books.
  • Question
    I have around 400 books, both hardcover and softcover, most purchased from Amazon. Does Amazon buy books in bulk?
    Community Answer
    Amazon doesn’t buy books in bulk, but you can sell them on Amazon Marketplace.
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