BSOB Rates Amazon’s aStore ‘B-’
I’ve been working with Amazon’s aStore system for the last couple of days as a way to funnel my distribution channels into 1 central store. I must say, I am a little disappointed.
The setup of the store is easy, the integration into your site is easy, the product selection is easy, in fact the whole thing is nice and easy - unless you want to feature just your book inventory.
The official word from Amazon is:
“You will be able to select a specific title to place in your aStore. However, you are correct you will not be able to direct customers to your Marketplace listing and only your Marketplace listing.
When a customer chooses to buy the title you have placed in your aStore they will be able to choose for themselves the seller of the item. This is where having a high seller rating and a good price will enable you to “beat out” the competition.”
As a book seller, I find it very frustrating that I cannot market the books I have available in the Amazon marketplace directly to the consumers. I also don’t think that’s the sharpest attitude for Amazon to take as book sellers will develop their own shopping cart solutions instead of referring them to the Amazon marketplace (thereby reducing Amazon’s revenue).
While I realize Amazon is primarily a distribution channel, I think it would be an excellent value add if the Marketplace service (either through the % or flat rate) would allow us to build an aStore that only has our inventory available.
Is it just me?
Comments are always appreciated - please email me: paul [AT ] booksellingonlineblog.com
