Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Several of my client’s print titles had an unexpected dramatic increase in “Retail Price” on Amazon. (ebooks seem to be fine). While Amazon technically has the right to do this, they must also increase the publisher’s royalty. What is worst, It is hard to “sell” books if the price is $10 or higher than retail. What a Holiday Headache!

This is not intentional. It is a glitch. 

And it couldn’t have come at a worst time
Amazon Prime Day, Holidays —
everything you’ve planned for this moment, possibly lost because of a Glitch!

When I contacted Amazon with a list of affected titles, Amazon stated that they do not currently have a date of *when* the issue will be fixed and that KDP and Amazon are working on the issue

Hmmm. This isn’t the first time Amazon has had “issues” and while I am sure other online stores have problems, I rarely see them in the “news.”

So, In light of this “glitch,” I reported the problem to Amazon with a list of the affected titles to help Amazon understand how widespread the issue is as well as create a paper trail, and recommend you check your titles and do the same.

TO REPORT A PROBLEM

1. First, check to see if your title is listed correctly in the Amazon bookstore
2. If incorrect, Log into your KDP publishing account (kdp.amazon.com)
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Contact Us”
4. From the choices on the left, I chose: “Amazon Store & Product Detail Page”
5. Then I chose: “Amazon Detail Page Features.”
6. Include:
   • Your Name
   • your email associated with the KDP account
   • The ISBN number of the affected title
   • The Actual Retail price and
   • The price listed (this to show the discrepancy)

I chose to send the email. However, I also tried the Online Chat with a “real person.” I didn’t get any more information that what I just said above: Amazon is aware of the problem and are working on the issue.”

So, send them an email, to create your paper trail!

BE KIND

It really seems like Amazon has hit some tech glitches this month. I KNOW it is frustrating. Continue to report the issues and you can then hold them accountable for the royalties they owe authors.

AT THE SAME TIME… remember that the person who receives our complaint, either by phone or email, didn’t do this to you. They are employees doing their best. We must be patient with them. Know they are trying. And, most importantly, be kind. I’m pretty sure they’re having almost as bad of a week as we are.

THOUGHTS FOR ONLINE BOOKSTORES

Perhaps it’s time to direct customers to our own sites for sales (set up a shopping cart) or perhaps ultilize other less glitchy online stores like Barnes & Noble.

Nearly every online bookstore will have your print/ebook for sale if you published through IngramSpark. I’ve been considering switching sales to helping out the local stores or “little bookstore” in their area, which is pretty much everyone when compared to Amazon. Consider this as a viable option, particularly with the problems Amazon has been having (and will continually have.)

Have Questions, Comments? Let me know below.

Enjoy the day,

Suz

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