

Clear the Shelf with Chris & Chris
Chris Grant & Chris Racic
The show that meets at the intersection of education and entertainment to discuss online arbitrage, retail arbitrage, wholesale, and all facets of selling on Amazon.
We'll bring you news, tactics, strategies, insights, stories, and interviews to help you grow your Amazon business.
Welcome to the show!
We'll bring you news, tactics, strategies, insights, stories, and interviews to help you grow your Amazon business.
Welcome to the show!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 18, 2024 • 1h 53min
Amazon FBA Section 3 Suspension | A Step-by-Step Guide to Reinstatement
Has your Amazon account been hit with a Section 3 suspension?
🔴 Download the 7-Page Step-by-Step Guide to Getting reinstated FAST: https://cleartheshelf.com/amazon-fba-section-3-suspension-guide/
In this episode of The Clear the Shelf Podcast, Chris Grant and Chris Racic dive into Chris's recent experience with an Amazon Section 3 suspension and how he successfully got his account reinstated. If you're an Amazon seller, this video is a must-watch to avoid common pitfalls and learn exactly how to recover your account and keep your business running.
In this episode, Chris walks through every step he took, from understanding why Amazon suspended his account to submitting documentation and going through Amazon's video verification process. You'll learn the secrets to preparing a solid plan, organizing your documents for easy review, and handling the stressful video verification like a pro.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• What triggers Amazon Section 3 suspensions and how to avoid them
• How to prepare the right documentation to prove your compliance
• The video verification process: What to expect and how to succeed
• How to organize your documents for fast review and account reinstatement
• Tips for writing an effective Plan of Action (POA) that gets results
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to Chris’s Amazon Section 3 Suspension Story
3:10 - What is an Amazon Section 3 Suspension?
5:50 - Breaking Down Amazon’s Terms: Why Suspensions Happen Without Warning
9:15 - Common Triggers for Section 3 Suspensions (Counterfeit, Account Health, etc.)
12:30 - How Amazon Communicates a Section 3 Suspension: What the Email Says
15:45 - First Steps After Receiving a Section 3 Suspension: Stay Calm, Assess
18:30 - Chris’s Initial Reaction and Gathering His Documentation
21:00 - Understanding Amazon’s Request for Invoices and Receipts
24:20 - What Documentation Amazon Typically Asks For During Section 3 Suspensions
27:45 - How to Organize Your Invoices and Proof of Delivery for Amazon
31:10 - Chris’s Experience Preparing Documents and Working with His Suppliers
34:05 - Why Receipts are Acceptable and What Details to Include on Invoices
37:20 - Submitting Supplier Contracts and Payment Confirmations: What Worked
40:45 - Preparing for Amazon’s Video Verification Process
43:30 - Chris’s Video Verification Experience: What Amazon Asked For
46:15 - The Importance of Having Physical and Digital Copies Ready for Verification
49:30 - How to Conduct Yourself Professionally During Amazon Video Verification
52:00 - Why Amazon Requests Business Registration Documents and IDs
55:15 - Steps to Follow After Video Verification: Submitting Final Documents
58:45 - Organizing and Merging All Documents Into a Single PDF for Amazon
1:01:50 - Using Cover Pages and Labels to Guide Amazon Reviewers Through Your Submission
1:05:25 - Chris’s Strategy for Submitting 62 Pages of Documentation: Key Lessons
1:08:40 - Writing a Clear and Effective Plan of Action (POA)
1:12:30 - How Chris Structured His Plan of Action to Address the Suspension
1:15:20 - Explaining the Root Cause in the POA and Offering Preventative Measures
1:18:45 - Detailing Preventative Actions to Avoid Future Suspensions in Your POA
1:22:10 - Follow-Up Steps After Submission: How Long to Wait Before Reaching Out
1:25:30 - Common Mistakes Sellers Make During the Reinstatement Process
1:29:50 - Why Incomplete Documentation Can Delay Your Reinstatement
1:33:10 - How Poorly Organized Submissions Can Hurt Your Case
1:36:25 - How to Handle a Second Request for Information from Amazon
1:39:45 - Chris’s Final Steps to Getting His Amazon Account Reinstated
1:43:00 - Reflecting on the Process: Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned
1:46:30 - Advice for Sellers Facing Section 3 Suspensions in the Future
1:49:50 - Final Thoughts and Chris’s Best Practices for Preventing Suspensions

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 27min
How Shannon Sold $12M Flipping Watches & Purses
How did Shannon Jean turn purses and watches into a multi-million dollar resale business?
In this episode of The Clear the Shelf Podcast, Chris Grant, Chris Racic, and guest interviewer Saul dive deep with Shannon Jean into his journey of selling $4M in purses and $8M in watches.
They break down his exact strategies for sourcing profitable products, building supplier relationships, and scaling through multiple platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and more.
Follow Shannon Here: https://x.com/ShannonJean
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
• How to build relationships with suppliers and source profitable inventory
• The importance of vetting products before scaling your purchases
• Shannon’s favorite tools like for product research
• Why you should sell on multiple platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and others to maximize profits
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We'd love to hear from you.
What pain points can we solve? What questions do you have?
Who would you like to hear as a guest?
Email us at chris@cleartheshelf.com
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RESOURCES FOR YOU:
🧰 https://www.ClearTheShelf.com (The Blog)
🧰 Keepa Academy - https://www.oachallenge.com/keepa-academy
🧰 OA Challenge - https://www.OAChallenge.com
🧰 Repricer Challenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/repricer-challenge
🧰 RabbitTrailChallenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/rabbit-trail-challenge
🧰 revROI Chrome Extension (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/revroi-extension
🧰 Goal Tracking Spreadsheet (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/goal-tracking
SOFTWARE & SERVICES I USE & RECOMMEND:
✅ IP Alert (Code YT30 to Save $30) - https://entreresource.com/ip-alert-2/
✅ Tactical Arbitrage (Code CLEARTHESHELF for a 10-Day Trial) - https://tacticalarbitrage.com/?frnd=12
✅ Boxem - https://cleartheshelf.com/BoxemLive
✅ AURA Repricer (Code CTS to Save 20% Off Your First 3 Months) - https://goaura.com/cts
✅ RevSeller (Code PRO20 to Save $20) - https://www.revseller.com/32851/258.html
✅ OA Buddy (Code CLEARTHESHELF Saves $20): https://cleartheshelf.com/OA-Buddy
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
🐦 Twitter (Chris Grant): https://twitter.com/cleartheshelf
🐦 Twitter (Chris Racic): https://twitter.com/ChrisRacic
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to Shannon Jean and the topic of flipping high-end items
2:45 - How Shannon got started with selling $4M worth of handbags
6:20 - Transitioning into the luxury watch market: $8M in sales
9:15 - Building relationships with suppliers and sourcing opportunities
12:40 - The power of networking: Using LinkedIn and social platforms
16:00 - Analyzing deals: "You make your money on the buy side"
19:05 - Mistakes are tuition: Learning from errors in arbitrage
23:50 - Scaling up operations: How Shannon went from small warehouses to larger spaces
27:35 - Navigating auctions and sourcing from liquidation platforms
31:00 - The importance of curiosity and taking calculated risks
35:45 - Shannon’s “purchasing equation” for analyzing inventory deals
40:20 - The value of persistence and consistency in building supplier relationships
44:00 - Understanding liquidation products and vetting suppliers
48:30 - Selling across platforms: Amazon, eBay, Poshmark
52:45 - The transition from an analog to a digital marketplace
57:00 - Setting up systems for arbitrage success
1:01:15 - How to balance risk and reward when scaling your business
1:05:50 - Advice for new sellers: Start small, learn, and scale up
1:10:30 - Closing thoughts and advice for entrepreneurs

Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 14min
The Ultimate Guide to Prep Centers: Sell on Amazon FBA Without Touching Products
Want to grow your Amazon business without being bogged down by prepping and shipping?
In this episode of The Clear the Shelf Podcast, Chris Grant and Chris Racic sit down with Chaz from Network Prep to discuss how outsourcing your prep to a prep center can save you hours each week and help you scale faster!
Check out Network Prep Here: https://www.Networkprep.com
If you’re shipping 300+ units a month and spending way too much time prepping, this episode is a must-watch. We break down everything you need to know about finding the right prep center, what questions to ask, and how to use a prep center to take your Amazon arbitrage business to the next level.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• When it’s time to consider outsourcing your prep to save time and money
• How to choose the right prep center for your business and what questions to ask
• The key benefits of using a tax-free prep center to offset costs
• Best practices for working with prep centers, including communication and organization tips
• How outsourcing your prep can help you scale your business and increase sales without sacrificing your time
If you’re an Amazon seller struggling with the time-consuming tasks of prepping and shipping your products, this episode will give you actionable insights on how to streamline your process and grow your business by leveraging prep centers.
--------------------
We'd love to hear from you.
What pain points can we solve? What questions do you have?
Who would you like to hear as a guest?
Email us at chris@cleartheshelf.com
--------------------
RESOURCES FOR YOU:
🧰 https://www.ClearTheShelf.com (The Blog)
🧰 Keepa Academy - https://www.oachallenge.com/keepa-academy
🧰 OA Challenge - https://www.OAChallenge.com
🧰 Repricer Challenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/repricer-challenge
🧰 RabbitTrailChallenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/rabbit-trail-challenge
🧰 revROI Chrome Extension (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/revroi-extension
🧰 Goal Tracking Spreadsheet (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/goal-tracking
SOFTWARE & SERVICES I USE & RECOMMEND:
✅ IP Alert (Code YT30 to Save $30) - https://entreresource.com/ip-alert-2/
✅ Tactical Arbitrage (Code CLEARTHESHELF for a 10-Day Trial) - https://tacticalarbitrage.com/?frnd=12
✅ Boxem - https://cleartheshelf.com/BoxemLive
✅ AURA Repricer (Code CTS to Save 20% Off Your First 3 Months) - https://goaura.com/cts
✅ RevSeller (Code PRO20 to Save $20) - https://www.revseller.com/32851/258.html
✅ OA Buddy (Code CLEARTHESHELF Saves $20): https://cleartheshelf.com/OA-Buddy
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
🐦 Twitter (Chris Grant): https://twitter.com/cleartheshelf
🐦 Twitter (Chris Racic): https://twitter.com/ChrisRacic
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0:00 - Introduction: Why Prep Centers Are Essential for Amazon Sellers
2:45 - The Benefits of Using a Prep Center for Online and Retail Arbitrage
5:30 - When to Consider Outsourcing Your Amazon Prep
7:20 - Understanding the Role of Prep Centers in Scaling Your Amazon Business
10:10 - Choosing the Right Prep Center for Your Amazon FBA Business
12:50 - Key Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Prep Center
15:40 - How Prep Centers Help Save Time and Increase Efficiency
18:30 - Cost Considerations: Balancing Prep Fees and Profit Margins
21:15 - Tax-Free Prep Centers: How to Leverage Sales Tax Savings
24:05 - Common Mistakes Sellers Make When Using Prep Centers
27:30 - Communication Tips for Working With Your Prep Center
30:00 - How Prep Centers Improve Your Inventory Turnover
33:40 - The Importance of Documentation and Transparency with Prep Centers
36:10 - When NOT to Use a Prep Center: Situations to Prep In-House
39:00 - Case Study: How Prep Centers Have Helped Sellers Scale
41:50 - Preparing for Q4: How Prep Centers Can Help You Handle Seasonal Volume
44:20 - Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Using a Prep Center to Grow Your Amazon Business

Sep 27, 2024 • 1h 34min
How to Win the Amazon Buy Box | Step-by-Step Guide for Sellers
In this episode of The Clear the Shelf Podcast, Chris Grant and Chris Racic break down the critical strategies to win and dominate the Amazon Buy Box—the key to increasing your conversions and driving more sales.
🔥 Download the FREE Guide to Mastering the Amazon Buy Box Here: https://cleartheshelf.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-mastering-the-amazon-buy-box/
With 82% of all Amazon sales coming through the Buy Box, learning how to consistently secure it is essential for every Amazon seller.Whether you're into online arbitrage or retail arbitrage, this episode covers the exact steps you need to take to improve your Buy Box eligibility, optimize your pricing strategy, and compete effectively in 2024.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• How the Amazon Buy Box algorithm works and the factors that influence it
• Proven pricing strategies to help you win the Buy Box without tanking your margins
• Why shipping speed and fulfillment methods (FBA vs. FBM) play a crucial role in winning the Buy Box
• The common myths about the Buy Box that most sellers get wrong
• How to handle price wars and avoid common mistakes that hurt your Buy Box chances
• The best repricing tools and strategies to stay competitive in real-time
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SOFTWARE & SERVICES I USE & RECOMMEND:
✅ IP Alert (Code YT30 to Save $30) - https://entreresource.com/ip-alert-2/
✅ Tactical Arbitrage (Code CLEARTHESHELF for a 10-Day Trial) - https://tacticalarbitrage.com/?frnd=12
✅ Boxem - https://cleartheshelf.com/BoxemLive
✅ AURA Repricer (Code CTS to Save 20% Off Your First 3 Months) - https://goaura.com/cts
✅ RevSeller (Code PRO20 to Save $20) - https://www.revseller.com/32851/258.html
✅ OA Buddy (Code CLEARTHESHELF Saves $20): https://cleartheshelf.com/OA-Buddy
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: Why Mastering the Amazon Buy Box is Crucial for Sellers
3:10 - What is the Amazon Buy Box?
5:35 - The Importance of the Buy Box in Driving Sales
7:45 - How the Amazon Buy Box Algorithm Works
10:30 - Key Factors That Affect the Buy Box: Pricing, Shipping, and Seller Metrics
13:25 - Eligibility Requirements for Winning the Buy Box
15:40 - Seller Performance Metrics and Their Impact on the Buy Box
17:50 - Understanding Order Defect Rate (ODR) and Its Role in Buy Box Eligibility
20:05 - Pricing Strategies to Win the Buy Box
23:30 - Using Automated Repricers to Stay Competitive
25:45 - How to Set Minimum and Maximum Prices for Profitability
28:10 - Regional Pricing Differences and How They Affect the Buy Box
30:20 - Buy Box Rotation Explained
33:00 - How Amazon Rotates the Buy Box Between Eligible Sellers
35:15 - The Role of Fulfillment Methods (FBA vs. FBM) in Winning the Buy Box
38:00 - Shipping Speed and Its Effect on Buy Box Eligibility
40:30 - Why Shipping Times Can Outweigh Lower Pricing
42:50 - FBM Strategies to Compete with FBA Sellers
45:15 - Handling Price Tanking and Avoiding a Race to the Bottom
47:50 - How to Protect Your Margins While Competing for the Buy Box
50:20 - When to Adjust Prices and When to Hold Steady
53:15 - Common Myths About the Amazon Buy Box
55:45 - Debunking the Myth that the Lowest Price Always Wins
58:00 - Why Fast Shipping Can Outperform Lower Pricing
1:00:25 - The Impact of Stock Availability on Buy Box Performance
1:03:15 - In-Stock Head Start and Its Role in Buy Box Eligibility
1:06:05 - Tools to Optimize Your Buy Box Strategy
1:09:00 - Using Repricing Tools Like Aura and BQool
1:11:30 - How Keepa and Revseller Help You Track Buy Box Trends
1:14:10 - Monitoring Competitor Pricing and Adjusting Strategies
1:17:20 - Using Third-Party Logistics (3PL) for Faster Shipping and FBM Success
1:20:30 - Understanding Seller-Fulfilled Prime and Its Impact on the Buy Box
1:23:10 - How to Handle Buy Box Competition During Peak Seasons
1:26:45 - Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Mastering the Amazon Buy Box

10 snips
Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 46min
How to Use Mental Models to Think Like a 7-Figure Amazon Seller Part 2 | Clear the Shelf Podcast
Dive into the mental models that separate successful Amazon sellers from the rest! Discover how to use inversion to anticipate risks and tackle confirmation bias for better, data-driven choices. Learn about first principles thinking for breaking down complex issues and the importance of second-order thinking for long-term gains. Plus, navigate the paradox of choice to avoid decision paralysis, leverage feedback loops to optimize sourcing strategies, and understand loss aversion to embrace profitable risks.

Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 46min
The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Walmart Marketplace for Amazon Sellers
Looking to expand your Amazon business to Walmart Marketplace?
Grab the FREE 8-page Guide to Getting Started on Walmart: https://cleartheshelf.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-selling-on-walmart-marketplace-for-amazon-sellers/
In this episode we interview Joey and Chad from The Buy Box to bring you the ultimate guide for Amazon sellers wanting to start selling on Walmart.
Learn how to tap into Walmart's growing marketplace, master pricing strategies, and leverage Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) for bigger profits.
Whether you're a seasoned Amazon seller or new to arbitrage, this episode gives you everything you need to successfully navigate Walmart Marketplace.
From understanding the key differences between Amazon and Walmart to avoiding common seller mistakes, Joey and Chad share proven strategies that will help you diversify your income and grow your business.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The key differences between selling on Amazon and Walmart
• How to get started on Walmart Marketplace, including the application process
• Proven sourcing strategies to find profitable products
• The benefits of using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)
• Pricing tactics to maximize profits and avoid undercutting your margins
• Common mistakes to avoid when selling on Walmart
• How Walmart’s lower competition leads to higher margins for sellers
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RESOURCES FOR YOU:
🧰 https://www.ClearTheShelf.com (The Blog)
🧰 Keepa Academy - https://www.oachallenge.com/keepa-academy
🧰 OA Challenge - https://www.OAChallenge.com
🧰 Tactical Arbitrage - https://cleartheshelf.com/TA
🧰 Boxem - https://cleartheshelf.com/BoxemLive
🧰 Repricer Challenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/repricer-challenge
🧰 RabbitTrailChallenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/rabbit-trail-challenge
🧰 revROI Chrome Extension (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/revroi-extension
🧰 Goal Tracking Spreadsheet (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/goal-tracking
--------------------
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: Why Walmart Marketplace Matters for Amazon Sellers
3:20 - Walmart Marketplace: Less Competition, More Opportunity
6:45 - Key Differences Between Selling on Amazon and Walmart
10:30 - The Walmart Seller Application Process: What You Need to Know
14:50 - Tips for Getting Approved to Sell on Walmart
18:00 - Sourcing Products for Walmart Marketplace: Strategies That Work
22:10 - How Walmart's Lack of Data Tools Like Keepa Creates Opportunity
26:30 - Walmart's Brand Gating and Restrictions: Easier Than Amazon
29:00 - How to Source Products from Walmart Stores for Marketplace Flips
33:45 - Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) vs. Amazon FBA
38:15 - Using Walmart Fulfillment Services to Boost Your Rankings
42:30 - Walmart's Shipping and Storage Fees: How to Keep Costs Low
46:50 - How to Price Products on Walmart to Maximize Profits
51:30 - Testing Pricing Strategies: Why Walmart Isn’t Just About Undercutting
55:15 - How to Use Walmart’s Price Matching to Your Advantage
1:00:00 - Avoiding Common Mistakes on Walmart Marketplace
1:04:45 - Product Gating on Walmart: What You Need to Know
1:08:20 - Should You Cross-List Products on Walmart and Amazon?
1:12:15 - Why Walmart is Great for Arbitrage Sellers Looking to Scale
1:15:30 - Leveraging Walmart’s In-Store Inventory for Online Arbitrage
1:19:00 - The Benefits of Selling Walmart-Exclusive Products
1:22:45 - Building a Diversified Arbitrage Business Across Both Platforms
1:26:15 - How to Leverage Third-Party Tools to Find Deals on Walmart
1:30:45 - How to Use Walmart’s Algorithms to Improve Sales Velocity
1:35:00 - Managing Inventory for Both Amazon and Walmart
1:38:30 - Using WFS to Simplify Your Walmart Business Operations
1:42:00 - Final Thoughts: Why Walmart is a Goldmine for Arbitrage Sellers

10 snips
Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 24min
How Saul Helps Sellers Spend $600,000+/mo Using Amazon-to-Amazon Flips | Clear the Shelf Podcast
Saul, a master of Amazon-to-Amazon flips, shares his expertise on how sellers can profit massively, spending over $600,000 a month. He discusses effective strategies like debundling multi-pack products and maximizing profits through cashback and discount gift cards. Listeners learn how to handle IP complaints using A2A invoices and navigate the complexities of ungating on Amazon. Saul emphasizes the importance of managing cash flow and offers tools like Flip Alert for tracking profitable price drops in real-time.

10 snips
Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 32min
How to Use Mental Models to Think Like a 7-Figure Amazon Seller | Clear the Shelf Podcast
Discover how top Amazon sellers leverage mental models for 7-figure success! The hosts break down essential frameworks like the Circle of Competence and Mr. Market to enhance decision-making. Learn about opportunity costs and navigating risk while maximizing profits. The concept of compounding returns and the time value of money are crucial for accelerating growth. Streamlining tasks through outsourcing is emphasized for improved productivity during peak seasons. Get equipped with actionable insights to transform your Amazon business!

7 snips
Aug 23, 2024 • 51min
How a College Kid Sells $200,000/mo on Amazon | Clear the Shelf Podcast
In this engaging discussion, young entrepreneur Sadeq shares his inspiring journey from selling candy in middle school to raking in $200,000 per month on Amazon while juggling college life. He reveals key strategies for effective inventory purchasing and navigating sales ranks that often deter beginners. Sadeq emphasizes the importance of positivity, community support, and cash flow management. Additionally, he discusses how to adapt to market trends and the role of virtual assistants in maximizing efficiency in online arbitrage.

7 snips
Aug 23, 2024 • 58min
How a Busy Mom of 2 Sells $320,000/mo on Amazon | Clear the Shelf Podcast
Sam, a busy mom of two, shares her inspiring journey of scaling her online arbitrage business to over $300,000 a month. She discusses crucial time management strategies like time blocking to balance family and business. Sam highlights the importance of cash flow management and the transition from outsourcing to in-house operations. Listeners will gain insight into effective sourcing, negotiating with suppliers, and the significance of reinvesting profits for sustainable growth, all while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and family life.