Publishers' Permission Needed to Sell a Used Book?
Over the last 12 years I have listed over 5,000 used books on Amazon, but now Amazon is stopping me from selling one specific out-of-print title I'm trying to list. I'm sure others have run into this Amazon requirement to "Request Approval" from the original publisher, including original invoices, blah-blah-blah. I bought this book from an individual owner, not from the publisher. It is not new; it's used. I started a case and talked to an Amazon "Seller Support" guy in India, but he could not help, so I asked to have a supervisor or someone else who could explain this odd requirement to call me.
If I want to sell a piece of furniture, I don't need the manufacturer's permission. Same with a car, a dog, a camera. This requirement by Amazon seems to be coming oddly close to restraint of trade. Why, Amazon, is this process in place? Tell me a good justification, please.
From other posts in the forum, I see that I am not alone. Amazon, you need to re-examine this unworkable policy. Will you please do so?
Thanks.
Publishers' Permission Needed to Sell a Used Book?
Over the last 12 years I have listed over 5,000 used books on Amazon, but now Amazon is stopping me from selling one specific out-of-print title I'm trying to list. I'm sure others have run into this Amazon requirement to "Request Approval" from the original publisher, including original invoices, blah-blah-blah. I bought this book from an individual owner, not from the publisher. It is not new; it's used. I started a case and talked to an Amazon "Seller Support" guy in India, but he could not help, so I asked to have a supervisor or someone else who could explain this odd requirement to call me.
If I want to sell a piece of furniture, I don't need the manufacturer's permission. Same with a car, a dog, a camera. This requirement by Amazon seems to be coming oddly close to restraint of trade. Why, Amazon, is this process in place? Tell me a good justification, please.
From other posts in the forum, I see that I am not alone. Amazon, you need to re-examine this unworkable policy. Will you please do so?
Thanks.
4 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
It's an annoyance, and as someone selling ONLY books on Amazon, I've run across a few that I cannot get permission to sell, even used (mostly textbooks, but also Disney brands and a smattering of others).
It's not a restraint of trade; you are still legally allowed to sell it. But Amazon is NOT required to allow you to sell it on their site.
And I don't think it will ever get any better.
Oh, and on Amazon, approval might indeed be required for some of the other products you mentioned; it's not just books.
Seller_XSqPquQH4FvW1
Yes, it's gotten ridiculous. I have been told I don't have permission to sell an OP 60 year old book. Just today, Amazon wanted me to provide invoices for a 30 year old book club ed. Clearly, no one at Amazon knows anything about selling OP books any more.
Seller_lw7jo3IcnAlSm
Update: I emailed the original publisher and asked them to send me a note that I can show to Amazon. If enough of us did this, the publishers might get tired of it and tell Amazon their permission isn't needed.
C'mon, Amazon, let's hear from you. Why is this silly policy in place, and when will you change it? We are your "partners," right?
Manny_Amazon
Hello @Seller_lw7jo3IcnAlSm,
I'm sorry you're running into issues with selling your book. The books category is very popular. I am not sure what types of books you are trying to list, but textbooks sellers have seen an increase in requests for approval to sell certain books based on what I have seen around the forums.
I recommend continuing to monitor the 'Products That Require Approval' and 'Overview of Categories' help pages for any updates to approvals to sell certain products, brands, categories, and sub-categories. While Amazon's catalog grows, we continuously make new determinations on which products should be restricted, which is based on a number of factors. Amazon does this to ensure authenticity and customer satisfaction.
Thanks for your understanding.
- Manny
