[SFTB] 🤞 Amazon: We “Pinky Promise” No New Fees
Read time: 8.5 minutes
You and 2,385 other readers will be enjoying this newsletter or i’ll make you drink orange juice after brushing your teeth.
Welcome to the +92 new people at the beach!
🌴Tropical Trivia🌴
(Scroll to the bottom to see the answer)
How many Rivian Electric Delivery Vans has Amazon ordered?
✅The Instant Value Section (IVS)✅
(aren’t you glad you opened the email now?)
How to Check Your Amazon Listing Content for Compliance Issues
A big thank you to Brett Bohannon for supplying this week’s IVS. If you don’t yet know Brett, he runs Amazon Cowboy, a high-value exclusive Amazon community.
Here’s how you ensure adherence to Amazon’s Guidelines:
Step 1: Export Each Listing to Document
  • Navigate to the Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
  • Identify and select the listings that need to be reviewed for compliance.
  • Export each listing’s content (title, description, bullet points, images, etc.) into a Word document (.doc or .docx format).
  • Ensure all relevant details of the listing are captured accurately in the document.
Step 2: Push Document Through Compliance Check
(ChatGPT Agent)
  • Submit the exported document to the compliance team or compliance tool. AGENT LINK
  • Verify that the content adheres to Amazon’s listing guidelines, including:
  • Prohibited content (misleading claims, restricted products, etc.)
  • Formatting requirements (capitalization, punctuation, use of special characters, etc.)
  • Image standards (resolution, content, and format)
Review feedback and suggested changes from the compliance check.
Step 3: Review Suggested Changes with Bullet Point
Checker (ChatGPT Agent)
  • Take the suggested changes and review each bullet point using the bullet point checker tool. AGENT LINK
  • Ensure each bullet point adheres to character limits and formatting standards.
  • Check for clarity, conciseness, and relevance to the product.
  • Confirm that the bullet points highlight key features and benefits of the product.
Make necessary adjustments based on the checker’s feedback, use this as part of your
tool kit. Follow the steps below:
3-Step Process:
  1. Conduct a data dive with your competitors.
  2. Build your listing based on this analysis.
  3. Refine bullet points to maintain ranking effectiveness.
Finalize the document ensuring all compliance issues are addressed and bullet points are optimized.
Step 4: Update Listing on Amazon
  • Return to Amazon Seller Central dashboard.
  • Update each listing with the revised and compliant content.
  • Double-check the updated listings to ensure accuracy and adherence to guidelines.
Conclusion
By following this process, you can efficiently check and ensure that your Amazon listings comply with Amazon’s guidelines, enhancing the quality and credibility of your product listings.
Happy Selling!
Amazon will tip drivers $5 (you pay nothing)
This was one of my favorite things lately. It’s quick, easy, and helps someone else. Get into the Christmas Spirit!
  • Search “Thank my driver” on Amazon (only works on Amazon.com).
  • Then, click “Thank my driver.”
  • If you do, your delivery driver will get a $5 tip. Paid by Amazon not you!
Merry Christmas! Thanks Ryan Cramer for the share
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This book is all about what we do here. Empower you to move somewhere you’ve always dreamed about, and give you the skills to do it. So, if you’re ready to try a location-independent lifestyle…
Discover Living the Digital Nomad Dream by Marsha Cosman—a comprehensive guide designed to help digital nomads master financial literacy and achieve long-term stability.
And as a special THANK YOU, dear reader:
🎁 Launch Bonus: To celebrate, Marsha is offering a FREE 30-minute Zoom call for anyone who purchases and reviews the book.
This is your chance to chat one-on-one about your digital nomad plans, get advice, and ask questions. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out on this amazing offer!
Tailored for Americans and Canadians, this practical resource covers everything you need to thrive financially while living a nomadic life, including:
  • Budgeting for a global lifestyle
  • Navigating taxes and investments
  • Currency management and financial preparation
  • Real-life examples and actionable templates
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting your journey, this guide offers invaluable insights and tools to help you manage your money effectively across borders.
With a focus on resilience, adaptability, and embracing the joys of untethered living, Marsha provides a roadmap to financial freedom that supports your adventurous lifestyle.
Plus, get a free workbook to enhance your planning and financial success here.
Start building your dream lifestyle today!
Today’s Newsletter: More value than an air fryer to soggy french fries 🍟
  • Amazon’s profits soar at the expense of sellers
  • Marsha’s digital nomad book hits the shelves
  • Why a 4.2 rating is the worst thing ever
  • The cheapest short-term rentals in Costa Rica
  • Travel anywhere – live for free (with a cute catch! 🐕)
Here are the category-specific prizing “dead zones” on Amazon.
What’s a dead zone?
A dead zone is an area where you should never price your product.
Why?
Amazon gives referral fee breaks at different prices. If you price even one cent above the break, your referral fee doubles (in many cases).
For example:
If you price your box of cookes at $15 instead of $14.99 your referral fee jumps from 8% to 15%.
…But it isn’t just $15 where you make less, it’s $15.01, $15.02, $15.03 etc.
Eventually, pricing higher actually leads to more profit. But, until that occurs — you’re in the dead zone.
You’re charging more and making way less.
Review your catalogs. Are any of your prices in this range? If so, you’re making a lot less then you could.
Amazon Logistics Takes Over 
Thanks for the share, Jon Derkits
Merry Christmas from Rob, Marsha and Max!
The scariest number on Amazon you must avoid:
Dropping from 4.3 to 4.2 looks like this 🙁
A 4.2 Rating.
Inspired by a post from Carly McMillen, here’s what happens when your review rating drops a half star (in most categories)
Firstly, you lose the 4 1/2 filled stars and go down to only 4 stars.
Then, according to Carly’s case study,
  • ACOS 2.5X’ed
  • PPC Revenue: -50%
  • PPC CVR: -5%
Scary stuff. PPC Doesn’t occur in a vacuum and can only be successful when the PDP looks good. If the product drops even a half star, everything suffers.
So.. what do we need to do?
First, find any of your products that are in that 4.3-4.5 danger range. Then:
  • Pay a company to actively go in and remove TOS-infringing reviews (let me know if you want a recommendation)
  • Use Sellerise‘s review puncher to instantly message someone who’s left a negative review
  • Refund, compensate, or sell your kidney to a negative reviewer (but don’t break TOS)
Falling to 4.2 is a killer.
Travel Abroad and Stay for Free
Tried not to make the headline quick-bait-y but it was impossible. It really is this great. If you aren’t tied down by family or other commitments, check out Trusted Housesitters.
TH connects pet owners with reliable house sitters (you, Mr. or Ms. reliable!) who care for their pets and homes while they are away. The platform works on a membership model, where owners get free pet care and sitters enjoy a place to stay at no cost.
Pet owners save money and avoid the stress of kennels, while sitters get the chance to travel and stay in unique places. As a sitter, you could visit… like almost anywhere!
And with all the credit card points that you have from Amazon PPC, it’s probably free to fly, too.
In about 30 seconds I found a nice apartment in Madrid, Spain with a beautiful rescue dog 🙂
Empty Rentals in Reserva Conchal!
Holiday season in  Reserva Conchal (where we live) is peak short-term rental time. Many residents move out to cash in on high holiday rates.
But this year, the community WhatsApp chat is buzzing with rentals still available and last-minute cancellations (or maybe it’s just a marketing ploy to fill spots).
Typically, tourists from North America drive Christmas demand, while San Jose city folks fill rentals for New Year’s. This season feels different. Whether it’s the economy, exchange rates, or travelers choosing alternative destinations, demand seems lower in an area known for high holiday traffic.
If you’re eyeing a vacation rental, now is a great time be the time to check flights and take advantage of softer demand.
  • It takes a special type of person to like GST.
The Amazon Update That Screams “We Don’t Care”
I don’t think i’ve ever seen so many people in the community outraged over a single idea like this before.
Amazon is now going to reimburse sellers on the product manufacturing cost of their item instead of the sale cost.
And guess what – this isn’t your landed cost. It’s your manufacturer cost. And you have to give them the cost (or they’ll guess what it might be).
Either way, it’s bad.
Give away our COGs & Manufacturing cost = YOU LOSE
Let Amazon estimate your COGs = YOU LOSE
But… but… Dharmesh said “No new fees for 2024-2025!”
SIKE! It’s not “technically” a fee! Gotcha!
2024-2025 Amazon can now “lose” (steal) your inventory, and then reimburse you a fraction of the cost.
You still pay logistics, wages, shipping, prep, etc.
This one hurts.
It really hurts.
What say you?
Speak Up! Community Comments & Questions:
Want to have your question answered in the newsletter? Want to give us a piece of your mind? Send us an email at info@sellingfrom.co
“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”
-Seneca
How was today’s newsletter? Love it? Hate it? Just want to wrap some christmas lights around a palm tree? 🏝️🎅🏻
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If you liked this newsletter, here’s where we share more stuff like it:
1. 🤓Just getting started? Check out the Free Amazon FBA Course
2. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episodes of The SFTB Podcast
3. 💸 Increase your income today with Online Arbitrage Training
4. 👔 Need an Accountant? Accounting Services
5. 📧 Want some 1-on-1 time? Rob & Max
6. 📣 Interested in sponsoring the newsletter? E-mail info@sellingfrom.co
All the best,