Amazon Strategic Account Services (SAS) - Advice needed
We've been hearing about Amazon SAS (Strategic Account Services) for a long time and have always thought it wasn't worth it, based on numerous threads we've read on seller forums. However, we recently had a call with an SAS representative as a formality, and two things have us seriously considering enrolment:
1. One Free "Best Deal" Per Week: We extensively use "Best Deals," and with Amazon's new pay structure, a seven-day deal easily costs us $600-$800, including the $70/day fee plus a 1% performance fee. Based on our calculations, we would actually be in a better financial position if we ran one deal per week (which we currently do). It seems almost too good to be true that our monthly cost for SAS would be less than the cost of running those deals. Assuming we aren't missing something, I imagine other sellers might be in a similar situation. Is this actually true?
2. Dedicated Amazon Operations Team: We were told there's an Amazon Operations team that can help with catalog issues and will actually perform tasks for us once assigned. These tasks include creating new listings, merging/unmerging variations, and making category changes, among others. Currently, these issues consume a significant amount of our time, so having someone handle them would be a huge relief.
Given these two points, we are inclined to test it out. We have already reviewed all the posts where many people expressed dissatisfaction with SAS. However, since there is no cost to run it, it seems like it could be a good thing to try, with the hope of getting a good Customer Success Manager (CSM).
I'd like to hear thoughts and feedback on these assumptions from people who are already enrolled. Thank you.
Amazon Strategic Account Services (SAS) - Advice needed
We've been hearing about Amazon SAS (Strategic Account Services) for a long time and have always thought it wasn't worth it, based on numerous threads we've read on seller forums. However, we recently had a call with an SAS representative as a formality, and two things have us seriously considering enrolment:
1. One Free "Best Deal" Per Week: We extensively use "Best Deals," and with Amazon's new pay structure, a seven-day deal easily costs us $600-$800, including the $70/day fee plus a 1% performance fee. Based on our calculations, we would actually be in a better financial position if we ran one deal per week (which we currently do). It seems almost too good to be true that our monthly cost for SAS would be less than the cost of running those deals. Assuming we aren't missing something, I imagine other sellers might be in a similar situation. Is this actually true?
2. Dedicated Amazon Operations Team: We were told there's an Amazon Operations team that can help with catalog issues and will actually perform tasks for us once assigned. These tasks include creating new listings, merging/unmerging variations, and making category changes, among others. Currently, these issues consume a significant amount of our time, so having someone handle them would be a huge relief.
Given these two points, we are inclined to test it out. We have already reviewed all the posts where many people expressed dissatisfaction with SAS. However, since there is no cost to run it, it seems like it could be a good thing to try, with the hope of getting a good Customer Success Manager (CSM).
I'd like to hear thoughts and feedback on these assumptions from people who are already enrolled. Thank you.
3 replies
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
It's all shiny and new in the beginning, until it's not. That's a lot of money to throw down the drain for an "Account Manager" that disappears after a month, and you cannot contact anyone. Maybe it's better now, if you want to take the risk and spend the money, then try it.
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
"I'd like to hear thoughts and feedback on these assumptions from people who are already enrolled. Thank you."
I'm NOT enrolled because I can't afford to play with the big boys and pay the SAS $5000 per month in fees (the last time I checked).
The OTHER Forum where Sellers Ask (other) Sellers questions has a number of people enrolled. The general consensus is that, like everything on Amazon, it can be hit and miss. You can get a REALLY good one that can work miracles for you, they get promoted because they are GOOD, and the next one is a beginner that is next to useless/clueless.
If you can get a 'free test' it might be worth exploring (and check out the other Forum and ask there -- the most experienced sellers generally fled this site after they decided to 'out' all our information).
Seller_ZRl2jImJfnYfJ
We found it to be completely useless. 8 figure seller and was given a SAS rep with 1 month of experience!
