Having just created a Seller account, I came to the forums in hope of finding information helpful for beginners, but I was a bit disappointed to see such negative sentiment. That said, knowing negative feedback is often the loudest, I figure there must some of you who are still going strong in 2025.

So, who is enjoying the Seller in experience in 2025, and what's the best piece of advice you could give a newbie?

Background: I work a 9-5 and I'm looking into this as a way to bring in extra money, either through FBA or FBM (haven't decided yet). I don't have a private label product but would be interested in going that route once I've become familiar with the platform and first found success with OA or wholesale.

I've found Seller University to be helpful for understanding the platform, but it doesn't go as deep into the principles behind e-commerce as I was hoping. Shipping, fulfillment, and pricing, I feel good about. Product Discovery is where I'm hung up and would appreciate guidance. What are you using for product discovery? Second, any tips for Sourcing Suppliers? What qualities do possess as a seller that you believe have helped you secure sourcing deals?

Thanks,

Ciabatta

Can someone please help me understand the return/refund process here?

If a buyer places an order with a bad address or for "recipient not recognized at that address" or "Vacant" and item returns, why does Amazon confiscate the original shipping charges?

The reason the item does not arrive is due to error of the buyer. The refund should be just for the item and the buyer should not get the original shipping amount refunded. That amount is gone. The carrier has those funds. Why do seller have to pay for that cost? It is the BUYER'S mistake that caused the issue. WHY???

Time and time again I will refund the buyer for the cost of the item. Later they file an A-Z claim and Amazon awards them the shipping as well. I appeal, I lost, I appeal again, I lost again. Please help me understand this backwards logic.

Example. Buyer ordered item and expedited shipping. Buyer paid $38 for shipping. The Post Office had this address as "Vacant". Item returned. I refunded for cost of item. buyer placed A-Z claim and Amazon gave them the $38. I appealed 2 times and lost both time. That shipping cost is gone! Why does the buyer not pay for that shipping cost? Is that not the rule with Amazon? Why does the seller pay for the buyer's mistakes? Please explain how this is fair.

If I pre-refund (either before item returns or after return) before A-Z is filed, Amazon then takes the shipping funds whenA-Z is filed. If Amazon gets there first they make the full refund and I cannot appeal or request the shipping costs be given back, or all appeals fail.

This happens often and I am getting very frustrated with this ESPECIALLY when shipping costs are high (I had this happen with a shipping cost of over $70 for a large expedited order). There are many legal or illegal people in the states that are not official/recognized for their address but they expect to receive stuff there that are the biggest cause for this. They don't know how to have a valid address but they sure know how to milk Amazon for every dollar.

Please state the rule that allows this and how this makes any sense.

My account is deactivated, I have taken 3 negative feedback, these feedbacks are lie but Amazon doesn't care. One of them is ''I couldn't take good'', I set amazon delivery paper. Second is ''when will my good arrive me? '' I provided buyer with valid tracking number. Third is like second. I told to Amazon many times but I think they are using non-AI robots. They couldn't understand me, they sent me automatic messages. Anyway, I appelaed but rejected. I would like to blasphemy for Amazon unfair and maid policies. I want to close my account at the end. I hope one day, clever and having normal IQ workers will be here.

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