Seller Essentials Blog
Guides and updates for Amazon sellers
Practical guides, policy updates, and supply reviews for people selling on Amazon, written by sellers who have been doing it since 2015.
Is Retail Arbitrage Dead? The Answer for Amazon Sellers in 2027
Retail arbitrage is not dead, but the gap between a store price and an Amazon price tells only part of the story. This post explains how Amazon's selling requirements and a full cost calculation affect each purchase, and how to test with a small budget.
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Best Shipping Scale for Amazon FBA (2026)
A digital shipping scale pays for itself in accurate postage. We pick the best postal, package and platform scales for Amazon FBA sellers.
Your Account Health Rating Now Rewards Customer Service
Amazon just gave FBM sellers a rare piece of good news. Your Account Health Rating can now earn extra points for good customer service, up to 12 of them, and Amazon says weak numbers won't cost you anything. Here's how the new customer service points work and how to earn them.
Amazon’s New Liability Insurance Rules: What Changes on November 2, 2026
Starting November 2, 2026, Amazon is closing two gaps in its seller insurance policy: sellers in children's, cosmetic, ingestible, and lithium-battery categories must carry $1 million in liability coverage no matter how little they sell, and sellers based in Mainland China must buy through Amazon's own insurer network. Here's what changed, what stays the same, and why Amazon is pointing this one at China.
The History of Amazon FBA Prep Services
Amazon FBA prep services grew from a dozen informal operations into a global industry. Here's how prep centers evolved from 2013 to 2026 — the sourcing strategies that fueled them, the truth about tax-free states, and the fee changes that made prep more essential than ever.
Rollo Label Printers for Amazon Sellers: Wireless vs. USB
Why Rollo is the go-to label printer for Amazon sellers and FBA prep businesses — commercial-grade, no ink, one-second labels, easy setup. See the lineup on Amazon.
Amazon FBA Long-Term Storage Fees: 2026 Guide
Amazon FBA long-term storage fees are now assessed monthly under the aged inventory surcharge, starting at 181 days. With updated 2026 rates and steep Q4 storage costs, this guide breaks down the current fee tiers, real dollar impact, and five actionable options to clear at-risk stock before monthly assessment deadlines.
Why You’re Not in the Buy Box (Featured Offer)
Amazon's Seller Assistant now shows why you're not in the Buy Box (Featured Offer): the 4 factors it checks — and how to fix each one.
The Regional Buy Box: Why the Amazon Featured Offer Varies by Region
Win the Buy Box in one region and lose it in another? Here's why the Featured Offer is regional — and what FBA and FBM sellers can do about it.
How to Add a Sales Tax Exemption to Your Amazon Account
Amazon lets you add a sales tax exemption to a personal or business account through ATEP. Submit a signed exemption certificate, not a sales tax permit or W-9, and keep resale purchases on a separate non-Prime account. Setup takes about 15 minutes with the wizard.
How to Check and Act On Your Amazon FBA Returns Report (2026 Guide)
FBA Operations · 2026 Guide How to Check and Act On Your Amazon FBA Returns Report (2026 Guide) The [...]
Link Your Carrier Accounts to Amazon Buy Shipping
Amazon Buy Shipping now supports linking your own carrier accounts for USPS, UPS Roadie, UPS Mail Innovations, OnTrac, and DHL eCommerce — so self-shippers can apply their negotiated rates while keeping Buy Shipping's delivery protections.
AWD vs. 3PL: The Honest 2026 Storage Comparison
AWD and a 3PL reserve warehouse do the same job — hold your bulk inventory and feed FBA — but one hands replenishment to Amazon's algorithm and the other keeps you in control. We compare real 2026 rate cards from both coasts and show which model fits which seller.