Sellers are discussing a new format in how Amazon displays offers in the book category. The issue is important to sellers since it can make a big difference in the exposure they get. Not everyone is seeing the change, and for some it’s intermittent, leading sellers to wonder if it is simply a test Amazon is running.
The new format is displayed on the Listing Offer Page, not on the main Product Detail Page. An EcommerceBytes reader explained, “The change is this – when a buyer goes to a main product page and clicks on any one of the 3 offers links (New, Used or Collectible) they used to be taken to a list that showed all of the offers in that category. Now what they see is 3 big boxes that show the lowest price offer ONLY.”
Those three boxes he references are similar to the Buy Box on the main product page, with one for “Lowest price in New”; another for “Lowest price in Prime”; and a third for “Lowest price in Used, Like New.”
Clearly Amazon is focusing on low prices.
The reader went on to explain, “If the (shopper) now wants to see all the offers, they must scroll to the bottom of the page to a very small tab that says “Displaying lowest priced offers” ” Show all offers.””
Many sellers who discussed the change were not thrilled, believing it would encourage sellers to “over grade” items – in other words, grade used items that are not in great condition as “Like New” so they could get better exposure.
But one seller said that now, shoppers often think the offer in the Buy Box is the only one available – “this new format puts several options right in front of the buyer’s nose and helps them realize they have choices.” The seller also hoped the change would give greater exposure to products from sellers not using Amazon’s FBA fulfillment service.
Amazon did not choose to comment on this story.
