Why do I need to "request approval" to sell some used books?
It is not illegal to sell used books. How is it for some of my books Amazon/publishers are demanding "approval" to sell them? This is well-established copyright law. What would be the point of this?
21 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yes, it's legal to sell used books that were obtained legitimately (so not stolen, not fakes, etc.)
But that doesn't mean that Amazon has to allow you to sell them here.
For some categories, mainly textbooks, there are so many counterfeits that the publishers have asked Amazon to restrict the sales. A few other publishers also want their books restricted, either totally or to only select sellers. All they have to do is tell Amazon that they will not sell wholesale to Amazon if Amazon allows their used books to be sold.
Fair? No. But legal? Yes.
There are also cases where Amazon bots can't distinguish between a book and a computer or appliance, which has resulted in restrictions for some people about selling anything published by Dell or Viking. That's just poor programing by Amazon.
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
I've learned it's easiest to just accept that it is AZ's site and they get to make the rules. Acceptance!
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_kYZEpG2COQsjJ
Really? Come on, man. Don't post that crap here.
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_qTJiCxRI8PpIZ
I second everything @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrwsaid. It is not illegal to sell used books obtained properly. But any publisher can decide they want to be the only one to sell certain books. That is legal as well. The best advice is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Sell on multiple venues. When it comes to selling used books on Amazon there is a lot of trial and error. Selling anything Disney related, textbooks, published by Dell or Viking or a few others (that you will discover) won't work on Amazon.
I've come to the conclusion that since Amazon bought ABEbooks they're trying to move all booksellers there but unfortunately, they're starting to mess up ABE as well.
Seller_XSqPquQH4FvW1
This is happening a lot lately, not just normally restricted books, but even publishers I've been selling for years. I request approval & it is almost always given, but you have to wait until the next day to list it.
Seller_4Sh29kRkwLHjN
To me, it's also very anti-competitive. You're right, it's been established that once someone owns a book or a CD or any physical media, they're allowed to sell it.
Sure we can sell it on other sites, but Amazon is the most shopped website in the world. Appearing in the top 10 list 3 times worldwide
Amazon.com
Ebay.com
Amazon.co.jp
Rakuten.co.jp
Aliexpress.com
Temu.com
Etsy.com
Ozon.ru
Amazon.de
Wildberries.ru
I'm no regulator, but it seems like very anti trust behavior to dictate who can and can't sell a used book on the most popular sales site in the world.
Seller_keSnEDesLFVwv
When I get aproved, I can list within 30 seconds.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
In the 2000's AMZ was involved in lengthy lawsuits involving several of the then Big 6 publishers. That changed the landscape.
If AMAZON meant to directly sell those publishers' books on-line, at lower prices (sometimes lower than wholesale on older titles), they needed contracts/cooperation w/ the publishers. Publishers, who needed the high volume of sales AMZ could offer, withheld their co-operation unless the platform was selective in which dealers could sell the publishers books. From NEW volumes, their agreement went on to cover sellers of USED titles, too.
To ask for occasional approval usually okayed on the basis of one's record or watching a video, in our experience, is easier than getting a sudden notice of no-longer-able-to-sell . This was inevitably before the holiday season, removing 100-200 titles at once, with no appeal.
Why do I need to "request approval" to sell some used books?
It is not illegal to sell used books. How is it for some of my books Amazon/publishers are demanding "approval" to sell them? This is well-established copyright law. What would be the point of this?
Why do I need to "request approval" to sell some used books?
It is not illegal to sell used books. How is it for some of my books Amazon/publishers are demanding "approval" to sell them? This is well-established copyright law. What would be the point of this?
21 replies
21 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yes, it's legal to sell used books that were obtained legitimately (so not stolen, not fakes, etc.)
But that doesn't mean that Amazon has to allow you to sell them here.
For some categories, mainly textbooks, there are so many counterfeits that the publishers have asked Amazon to restrict the sales. A few other publishers also want their books restricted, either totally or to only select sellers. All they have to do is tell Amazon that they will not sell wholesale to Amazon if Amazon allows their used books to be sold.
Fair? No. But legal? Yes.
There are also cases where Amazon bots can't distinguish between a book and a computer or appliance, which has resulted in restrictions for some people about selling anything published by Dell or Viking. That's just poor programing by Amazon.
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
I've learned it's easiest to just accept that it is AZ's site and they get to make the rules. Acceptance!
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_kYZEpG2COQsjJ
Really? Come on, man. Don't post that crap here.
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_qTJiCxRI8PpIZ
I second everything @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrwsaid. It is not illegal to sell used books obtained properly. But any publisher can decide they want to be the only one to sell certain books. That is legal as well. The best advice is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Sell on multiple venues. When it comes to selling used books on Amazon there is a lot of trial and error. Selling anything Disney related, textbooks, published by Dell or Viking or a few others (that you will discover) won't work on Amazon.
I've come to the conclusion that since Amazon bought ABEbooks they're trying to move all booksellers there but unfortunately, they're starting to mess up ABE as well.
Seller_XSqPquQH4FvW1
This is happening a lot lately, not just normally restricted books, but even publishers I've been selling for years. I request approval & it is almost always given, but you have to wait until the next day to list it.
Seller_4Sh29kRkwLHjN
To me, it's also very anti-competitive. You're right, it's been established that once someone owns a book or a CD or any physical media, they're allowed to sell it.
Sure we can sell it on other sites, but Amazon is the most shopped website in the world. Appearing in the top 10 list 3 times worldwide
Amazon.com
Ebay.com
Amazon.co.jp
Rakuten.co.jp
Aliexpress.com
Temu.com
Etsy.com
Ozon.ru
Amazon.de
Wildberries.ru
I'm no regulator, but it seems like very anti trust behavior to dictate who can and can't sell a used book on the most popular sales site in the world.
Seller_keSnEDesLFVwv
When I get aproved, I can list within 30 seconds.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
In the 2000's AMZ was involved in lengthy lawsuits involving several of the then Big 6 publishers. That changed the landscape.
If AMAZON meant to directly sell those publishers' books on-line, at lower prices (sometimes lower than wholesale on older titles), they needed contracts/cooperation w/ the publishers. Publishers, who needed the high volume of sales AMZ could offer, withheld their co-operation unless the platform was selective in which dealers could sell the publishers books. From NEW volumes, their agreement went on to cover sellers of USED titles, too.
To ask for occasional approval usually okayed on the basis of one's record or watching a video, in our experience, is easier than getting a sudden notice of no-longer-able-to-sell . This was inevitably before the holiday season, removing 100-200 titles at once, with no appeal.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yes, it's legal to sell used books that were obtained legitimately (so not stolen, not fakes, etc.)
But that doesn't mean that Amazon has to allow you to sell them here.
For some categories, mainly textbooks, there are so many counterfeits that the publishers have asked Amazon to restrict the sales. A few other publishers also want their books restricted, either totally or to only select sellers. All they have to do is tell Amazon that they will not sell wholesale to Amazon if Amazon allows their used books to be sold.
Fair? No. But legal? Yes.
There are also cases where Amazon bots can't distinguish between a book and a computer or appliance, which has resulted in restrictions for some people about selling anything published by Dell or Viking. That's just poor programing by Amazon.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yes, it's legal to sell used books that were obtained legitimately (so not stolen, not fakes, etc.)
But that doesn't mean that Amazon has to allow you to sell them here.
For some categories, mainly textbooks, there are so many counterfeits that the publishers have asked Amazon to restrict the sales. A few other publishers also want their books restricted, either totally or to only select sellers. All they have to do is tell Amazon that they will not sell wholesale to Amazon if Amazon allows their used books to be sold.
Fair? No. But legal? Yes.
There are also cases where Amazon bots can't distinguish between a book and a computer or appliance, which has resulted in restrictions for some people about selling anything published by Dell or Viking. That's just poor programing by Amazon.
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
I've learned it's easiest to just accept that it is AZ's site and they get to make the rules. Acceptance!
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
I've learned it's easiest to just accept that it is AZ's site and they get to make the rules. Acceptance!
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_kYZEpG2COQsjJ
Really? Come on, man. Don't post that crap here.
Seller_kYZEpG2COQsjJ
Really? Come on, man. Don't post that crap here.
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_psWuK9nb1xzEI
[Moderator Edit: removed inappropriate commentary]
Seller_qTJiCxRI8PpIZ
I second everything @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrwsaid. It is not illegal to sell used books obtained properly. But any publisher can decide they want to be the only one to sell certain books. That is legal as well. The best advice is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Sell on multiple venues. When it comes to selling used books on Amazon there is a lot of trial and error. Selling anything Disney related, textbooks, published by Dell or Viking or a few others (that you will discover) won't work on Amazon.
I've come to the conclusion that since Amazon bought ABEbooks they're trying to move all booksellers there but unfortunately, they're starting to mess up ABE as well.
Seller_qTJiCxRI8PpIZ
I second everything @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrwsaid. It is not illegal to sell used books obtained properly. But any publisher can decide they want to be the only one to sell certain books. That is legal as well. The best advice is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. Sell on multiple venues. When it comes to selling used books on Amazon there is a lot of trial and error. Selling anything Disney related, textbooks, published by Dell or Viking or a few others (that you will discover) won't work on Amazon.
I've come to the conclusion that since Amazon bought ABEbooks they're trying to move all booksellers there but unfortunately, they're starting to mess up ABE as well.
Seller_XSqPquQH4FvW1
This is happening a lot lately, not just normally restricted books, but even publishers I've been selling for years. I request approval & it is almost always given, but you have to wait until the next day to list it.
Seller_XSqPquQH4FvW1
This is happening a lot lately, not just normally restricted books, but even publishers I've been selling for years. I request approval & it is almost always given, but you have to wait until the next day to list it.
Seller_4Sh29kRkwLHjN
To me, it's also very anti-competitive. You're right, it's been established that once someone owns a book or a CD or any physical media, they're allowed to sell it.
Sure we can sell it on other sites, but Amazon is the most shopped website in the world. Appearing in the top 10 list 3 times worldwide
Amazon.com
Ebay.com
Amazon.co.jp
Rakuten.co.jp
Aliexpress.com
Temu.com
Etsy.com
Ozon.ru
Amazon.de
Wildberries.ru
I'm no regulator, but it seems like very anti trust behavior to dictate who can and can't sell a used book on the most popular sales site in the world.
Seller_4Sh29kRkwLHjN
To me, it's also very anti-competitive. You're right, it's been established that once someone owns a book or a CD or any physical media, they're allowed to sell it.
Sure we can sell it on other sites, but Amazon is the most shopped website in the world. Appearing in the top 10 list 3 times worldwide
Amazon.com
Ebay.com
Amazon.co.jp
Rakuten.co.jp
Aliexpress.com
Temu.com
Etsy.com
Ozon.ru
Amazon.de
Wildberries.ru
I'm no regulator, but it seems like very anti trust behavior to dictate who can and can't sell a used book on the most popular sales site in the world.
Seller_keSnEDesLFVwv
When I get aproved, I can list within 30 seconds.
Seller_keSnEDesLFVwv
When I get aproved, I can list within 30 seconds.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
In the 2000's AMZ was involved in lengthy lawsuits involving several of the then Big 6 publishers. That changed the landscape.
If AMAZON meant to directly sell those publishers' books on-line, at lower prices (sometimes lower than wholesale on older titles), they needed contracts/cooperation w/ the publishers. Publishers, who needed the high volume of sales AMZ could offer, withheld their co-operation unless the platform was selective in which dealers could sell the publishers books. From NEW volumes, their agreement went on to cover sellers of USED titles, too.
To ask for occasional approval usually okayed on the basis of one's record or watching a video, in our experience, is easier than getting a sudden notice of no-longer-able-to-sell . This was inevitably before the holiday season, removing 100-200 titles at once, with no appeal.
Seller_ToPPYvOWlyp9j
In the 2000's AMZ was involved in lengthy lawsuits involving several of the then Big 6 publishers. That changed the landscape.
If AMAZON meant to directly sell those publishers' books on-line, at lower prices (sometimes lower than wholesale on older titles), they needed contracts/cooperation w/ the publishers. Publishers, who needed the high volume of sales AMZ could offer, withheld their co-operation unless the platform was selective in which dealers could sell the publishers books. From NEW volumes, their agreement went on to cover sellers of USED titles, too.
To ask for occasional approval usually okayed on the basis of one's record or watching a video, in our experience, is easier than getting a sudden notice of no-longer-able-to-sell . This was inevitably before the holiday season, removing 100-200 titles at once, with no appeal.
