@nyc_sellers (nyc sellers) posted a new topic, subject "Does a person have a future in amazon if hes not the cheapest of all seller". It read:

   does a person have a future in amazon if hes not the cheapest of all seller

To which @doubled727 (doubled727) replied

    I'm not the cheapest on most of my listing.

To which @books_online_1107 (Books-Online) replied

    You would need some reason why someone would pay more for yours.
    
    What more do you offer?

After which, @bookmaggot (bookmaggot) added

    As a seller, I have very few items for which I have the lowest price and I do alright.
    
    As a buyer, I get LOTS of stuff on Amazon and I can't remember the last time I bought something from the absolute cheapest seller. Distance, the item's condition, the seller's feedback rating, whether I can get faster shipping, all factor into which listing I pick.

Then @unique_app (Unique App) said

    It depends what that future entails. Be more specific.

So @Arizona_Dave (Arizona Dave) replied

    As a seller: I want others to be cheaper than my price and I hope they sell out quickly because it is one less competitor.
    
    As a buyer: Many buyers like myself will pay a slightly higher price if they believe the customer service would be better from the higher priced seller and that can be shown in the feedback they've received in the past.

To which @captain_clownfish (captain_clownfish) replied

    I have never been the cheapest unless I am the only Seller. My current lack of success on the Marketplace is due to other factors and not my pricing strategy.

Then @Toys4Sale (Toys4Sale) said

    I sell toys and I set my prices for the future. When everyone else is selling theirs below retail today, then when they are sold out the next thing you know my prices are the standard. Im not sure if its the same in other catagories but I say set the price you are comfortable with.

@bookscene (bookscene) replied

    What item categories do you sell? There can be different buyer behavior for each.
    
    For instance, if I am buying a New Electronics, I feel it doesn't matter who I buy from, as long as delivery time is standard and feedback score is high, then I will pick the lowest price. Although I might go a tad more for FBA for a more predictable shipping experience.
    
    On the other hand, with books, I may go way up the list to find a decent copy. Even in New book listings, the description field may say the book isn't new. And I won't buy from the Mega-pseudo charities, except when it is to big a bargain.

@cdsrus4 (cdsrus4) replied

    nyc sellers:
    
    > does a person have a future in amazon if hes not the cheapest of all seller
    
    Your brightest future would be to sell items that are hard to find or unique at high prices.

@justin (Justin) replied

    If I sell a product and notice it's in a race to the bottom I won't reorder that item. Not worth it.
    
    I'm also not the lowest cost. Generally people could save money with merchant fulfillment than ordering from me.
    
    I also think the average person accepts the price in the buy box most of the time. I do most times.

Then @outwest (OutWest) said

    I refuse to participate in the race to the bottom. You know, where people will jump on the selling of an item and fight for the buy box until they're losing money (or at least not making any).
    
    Sure, there's some inventory I have that didn't move, but the holiday shopping season isn't over yet.

To which @AccountXYZ (AccountXYZ) replied

    It strongly depends on what you're selling.

After which, @bookhermit (Bookhermit) added

    The need to be cheapest all depends on the nature of the item's market and the lower-priced competitors. I've been known to price at more than 3 times the low, or for more than $100 LESS than the former low price, based on such factors as condition, sales rate, relative feedback ratings, and simply my take on what a fair market value is. If I go under the low price, I do it by a LOT, never a penny. They can either let me sell mine, buy it from me, or bring theirs down to a fair market value.

Then @vending_toy_pride (Vending Toy Pride) said

    You can create a business model that doesn't depend on solely being the lowest price.
    
    I could ask the question, “do you have a future on Amazon if you prices are the cheapest?”  
    There a products where I can be the cheapest and move 20 or 30 units a day, but that doesn't mean I'm making a profit. It might be a case of selling less for more money.
    
    Your price should just be one part of your business plan.
    
    Good Luck

Then @rms (RMS) said

    In my experience, many of the sellers - at least in books - who go for being cheapest are desperately trying to stave off bankruptcy. ( A fate at which they arrived by failing to get a decent amount of money from each item that they sold in the past. )
    
    Participating in the rat race not only puts you in the company of rats, it puts you in the company of desperate rats.
    
    That is not where you want to be.

Then @poorcollegekidpgh (poorcollegekidpgh) said

    I sell mostly OOP books and do buy from Amazon frequently. I will tell you that I look for condition over price. Or if the item is new, I uroberts@example.com. Often times I am not the cheapest, but I only deal in nice condition books, and my buyers see this and come to me if I have what they want, paying more but getting a better product.

So @justafem (justafem) replied

    I would rather sell half as much at twice the price than undercut my profits!

After which, @reganscloset (reganscloset) added

    Arizona Dave:
    
    > As a seller: I want others to be cheaper than my price and I hope they sell out quickly because it is one less competitor.
    > 
    > As a buyer: Many buyers like myself will pay a slightly higher price if they believe the customer service would be better from the higher priced seller and that can be shown in the feedback they've received in the past.
    
    I agree with this. I don't compete with trying to be the lowest price, because my goal is to RAISE the price of the item. I will pay more for a seller with better feedback and TOS and I have buyers who feel the same way. I never try to match or beat the low price because that just encourages the other sellers to undercut me. Now if they would just quit undercutting each other…

@nyc_sellers (nyc sellers) replied

    So why does a person choose to buy from you?

Then @cell (cellstore33) said

    Starting out you want to be cheapest or amongst cheapest. Once you get feedback and a reputation, customers have a reason for paying more for your item rather than the cheapest one on the listing page. Most of mine, I'm not cheapest. The only time I am is when I'm aggressively trying to move inventory.

To which @captain_clownfish (captain_clownfish) replied

    nyc sellers:
    
    > So why does a person choose to buy from you?
    
    My winning personality and people tend to respect a snappy dresser.

To which @Style (Style) replied

    captain_clownfish:
    
    > nyc sellers:
    >
    >> So why does a person choose to buy from you?
    > 
    > My winning personality and people tend to respect a snappy dresser.
    
    Yes. Clownfish uses the “customer upload” feature to post a pic of himself in natty attire, holding a sign with his store name on it saying “buy from me! Free autograph with every purchase.”

To which @neverland_p (Neverland Pirate) replied

    The main thing I look at it is product reviews and if I'm buying through Prime, I really don't care THAT much about seller rating. If the product isn't as advertised, then I'll just return it.
    
    You don't have to be the cheapest seller out there, but you should aim to have the lowest cost of goods so you have the OPTION of being the lowest.

So @system (system) replied

    


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