Episode #1 - Can 3P's take the Buy Box from Amazon 1P? How to get Vendor Central to update your ASIN content & images? Keepa to watch Amazon and more!
Aug 16, 2023
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Mike Monticue, a former Amazon book reseller, shares valuable insights from managing millions in Amazon VC sales. Topics include transitioning from retail arbitrage to working in Vendor Central, the differences between Amazon 1P and 3P, challenges in updating content, and the benefits of brand registry on Amazon.
Being a successful 1P vendor on Amazon requires volume and the ability to manufacture your own products.
Third-party sellers can compete effectively with Amazon in the buy box by using tools like Keepa and considering factors like pricing and competition.
Deep dives
Transition from 3P to 1P on Amazon
In this podcast episode, Mike discusses his journey from being a third-party (3P) seller to working with Amazon as a first-party (1P) vendor. He explains that starting off with retail arbitrage and selling books on Amazon FBA, he eventually transitioned to working for a brand and managing their online store. Mike highlights the importance of having volume and manufacturing your own products to be successful as a 1P vendor. He also shares insights on the challenges of winning the buy box against Amazon and provides tips for third-party sellers to compete effectively.
Differences between Amazon 1P and 3P for Brands
In this segment, Mike and Isaiah discuss the differences between Amazon 1P and 3P for brands. Mike explains that wholesale buyers and brands with a significant volume should focus on 3P, while 1P is more suitable for brands that manufacture their own products and can handle larger volumes and financial commitments. They also delve into the misconception that Amazon always dominates the buy box as a 1P vendor, highlighting that there are opportunities for third-party sellers to steal the buy box based on factors such as pricing, competition, and availability using tools like Keepa.
Content Challenges and Brand Registry
The podcast conversation moves on to discussing the challenges of updating content on Amazon, regardless of whether it's on Seller Central or Vendor Central. Mike shares his experience with brand registry on Seller Central, which provides benefits such as better content options, storefronts, and advanced analytics. However, he mentions that on the Vendor Central side, brand registry is not directly connected, and updating content can be just as difficult. They explore potential workarounds, including providing visible UPCs on the brand's website and linking to it during support inquiries for better content update success rates.
Guest interview with Mike Monticue! From Amazon book reseller in 2008 to managing $10,000,000's in Amazon VC sales! He has great value bombs all over! A must listen.