Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on ecommerce.
by Ina Steiner, Editor of EcommerceBytes.com
Wed Mar 9 2016 12:08:27

Would You Sell through a Real-Life Amazon Store?

By: Ina Steiner

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Amazon surprised many people when it opened a real-life bookstore in November in its hometown of Seattle. Since then, rumors have surfaced that the company might open hundreds of such stores around the country.

While Amazon hasn't signaled its plans, the company has confirmed it will open a second bookstore, this one in San Diego.

While indie bookstores may be fearful, many are saying the stores are more about introducing consumers to Amazon's gadgets. Its smartphone may have bombed, but its Echo smart-speaker is proving popular, and Amazon just introduced the Dot and Tap.

Amazon also has its line of Kindle tablets as well as its TV streaming device called Fire TV that competes with Rokus and Google Chrome TV sticks.

If and when you were to visit a bookstore, would you visit an Amazon-branded store over a chain (Barnes & Noble) or indie store? Many of us might visit an Amazon bookstore to check it out, but after that first-time visit, what would compel you to return?

Knowing Amazon, the company might not stop with bookstores - what about a clothing store, for example, especially now that it has its own fashion lines?

Which leads us to wonder, if you had the opportunity, would you be in favor of letting Amazon sell your items in a store, whatever you happen to sell? How likely do you think it is that Amazon would open up the same kind of inventory it sells through FBA to a real life store?



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by: FeelingFroggy This user has validated their user name.

Wed Mar 9 19:47:04 2016

Wouldn't have a problem selling there..

Wouldn't have a problem shopping there either. I don't hold grudges I shop where I can get the best deal even if it is chinese or WalMart.

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This user has validated their user name. by: RKTOYS

Thu Mar 10 12:27:37 2016

Absolutely would not sell through one.  Besides the joys of FBA rental fees, co-mingling with counterfeits, warehouse theft, and fraudulent returns, now you can get your stuff fondled and damaged by people who aren't even buying it first too.

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by: Paul W This user has validated their user name.

Fri Mar 11 03:53:00 2016

Theft is a problem in one's own store.  Not likely I would place my products in a store where I have no control at all.

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by: mindelec This user has validated their user name.

Fri Mar 11 05:33:52 2016

I do sell books, I'd never let  them sell for me.  However I would scout them for deals ;)

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by: pace306 This user has validated their user name.

Fri Mar 11 10:07:53 2016

Lets see just how long the store lasts before any one goes jumping to conclusions about them opening MORE stores.

Amazon has only ONE ADVANTAGE over regular B&M stores - they can absorb indefinite losses on the store and keep it there "just to prove a point".

For most people, the high Seattle rent, the $15 an hour or more pay, the high costs of electricity and gas would bring a normal person to their knees. Not with Amazon who just writes off losses like its Halloween candy.

Lets see the store get up and running for a year, lets see them pay the high real estate taxes, eat all the books that get damaged from people turning it into a library, lets see Amazon eat all those things before we get to clothing.

Theres a reason Ultimate Electronics and all the others got out of retail - its something Amazon has yet to get a grasp on.

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This user has validated their user name. by: RKTOYS

Fri Mar 11 11:57:55 2016

Come on, we all know that they won't ever pay a dime in taxes.  They'll be handed a multi-year deferral and get the hell out of dodge the instant it's set to expire.

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by: mcposty This user has validated their user name.

Fri Mar 11 15:05:27 2016

Id never partner with amazon in any capacity.

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This user has validated their user name. by: Shop and Ship

Sat Mar 12 10:05:24 2016

A coffee bar and an audio listening room with overstuffed leather chairs would prompt me to return to look at their books ... the demise of Borders has in fact left an unmet need for big box bookstores on rainy days and Sundays. A jazz combo playing "Take Five" about 3pm would be a nice touch too!  

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This user has validated their user name. by: iheartjacksparrow

Sat Mar 12 11:09:57 2016

pace306 writes: "... they can absorb indefinite losses on the store and keep it there 'just to prove a point.'"

In the city where I live, there was this huge, independent book store which seemed to have every book in print, and where I spent hundreds of dollars every month. Then a couple of years ago there was a going-out-of-business sale. I asked why they were closing and was told they had been losing money for years, but that the owner kept it going because he thought he owed it to the residents to have a good, local bookstore.  

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This user has validated their user name. by: bitbybit

Sat Mar 12 13:11:23 2016

If this works in Seattle, my guess is Amazon will do a buyout or merger of some sorts with Barnes & Noble. I have been getting a lot of B&N email of late.

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This user has validated their user name. by: Shop and Ship

Sun Mar 13 09:54:06 2016

No one actually asked me for marketing advice, but if I had warehouses and distribution centers full of CDs, DVDs, Books, and other merchandise, and USPS bumped their postage rates again, then I'd be looking for a way to connect with Buyers who do not want to pay a $4 surcharge on generic descriptions of used media. It seems to work for goHastings Entertainment.  

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This user has validated their user name. by: Shop and Ship

Sun Mar 13 09:57:01 2016

PS: In March, 2017, I mailed a 13 Volume Set of Books by USPS Priority mail within my postal zone for less than it would have cost me to use Media Rate. The opposite would have been true in December, 2015.  

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This user has validated their user name. by: Shop and Ship

Sun Mar 13 09:58:33 2016

PSS: I posted "2017" so that Marie and ToolGuy would have something to comment on. ;-)  

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This user has validated their user name. by: toolguy

Mon Mar 14 11:42:32 2016

Question for Amazon sellers.

If Amazon loses or damages your product while being held in FBA do they reimburse you for your loses?

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by: maxmad This user has validated their user name.

Mon Mar 14 15:03:55 2016


Sure no problem, Amazon can purchase as much of our product as they want to, we will even include free shipping.





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