"I'm From Amazon and I'm Here to Help": Amazon Surveys Sellers on Tariffs

Marketplaces
Written By Rick Watson

Are these the 8 Scariest Words in English Language? (h/t The Gipper, RIP)

Vanessa Hung posted yesterday about a new seller survey from Amazon about how tariffs are impacting Amazon sellers. As if Amazon does not know!

Amazon plays on all sides of the fence. They buy inventory and negotiate with suppliers. They have intimate knowledge of manufacturer financials and sourcing. They understand the impact of margin on seller's ability to market.

The same Amazon that says they are maniacally obsessed about the consumer, yet the top of search results is completely pay to play.

The same Amazon who when they lose your inventory in their warehouse that they are responsible for, tells you you just lost your margin too - trust us with your cost of goods so you can get a little bit of money back.

The same Amazon who celebrates when one year they don't happen to raise your fulfillment fees.

You get the idea. So Amazon is asking =questions about tariffs and how they affect your business. Do you think they are looking to subsidize the impact of tariffs for its sellers? Hell no.

So what do I think is going on? Amazon (and similarly eBay) has at times lobbied Washington DC on behalf of sellers in an olive branch. I think this data could potentially be used in such an effort.

I wouldn't be surprised if I see similar behavior from Shopify soon, but I have not yet. So, should you answer?

Unclear. Amazon has millions of sellers. Chances are, if they are going to learn something, they are going to learn it one way or the other. Can it hurt too bad to tell them? The cynical side of me says yes, of course.

The pragmatic side says, what can it truly hurt? So today, perhaps the pragmatic side wins. Amazon is going to learn what it wants to know one way or the other -- if you're feeling proud and stubborn, go ahead. Give Amazon a piece of your mind.

If you're feeling generous and helpful, you can answer the survey as completely as possible. Let me know if you're a seller and get the survey!

Rick Watson

Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes.

Watson’s work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.

Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.

In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/
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