Is this an Amazon Sale or Not?
I was going to put this as a question to the community but I don't seem to be able to upload an image if I do it that way so I'm blogging.
So I got a bit excited (AGAIN!) when I logged into my Amazon account to see this:
Too me it looks like someone ordered a book, it's a paperback, OMG my first legit sale!!!
BUT then I look closer and I have no earnings and there is nothing under product link clicks or conversions so does that mean I actually didn't sell anything? It was ordered back on June 18th and hasn't shipped, so does that mean the person didn't pay for it (again it's not really a sale then).
I am confused! It's not about the money but I need three Amazon sales soon or else my affiliate account will be closed and I kinda hoped this was the start.
What does this mean? Any help for a newbie most appreciated.
Recent Comments
53
Yes it is an order with potential commission of 7.69%. The has yet shipped to buyer the reason you can't see earning value. Once it is shipped, it should be reflected in the earning column. It will wait 60 days before it is actually paid to you if the min threshold met. e.g. Jun's Sale - commission paid in end Aug18.
Congratulations! You've made a sale.
:)
Joe
OMG!!! Thank you Joe!
WOOHOO I made a legit sale!
I reckon it will be all of about 90c so I won't expect any payments just yet, but that's not the point lol.
Happy for you Heidi! Something is working on your site. Identify what is working well and scale up.
Please check to make sure your site is all compliance with Amazon TOS as this is the time they are going to 'audit' your site. Some that I can remember:
1) The customer review is shown as it is from Amazon and not reviews from your site visitors (I was once banned due to this).
2. If you are using images from Amazon sellers, make sure they are not saved to your server.
3. The site structure is similar to what your submitted during the application - Blog / Shop comparison / E-commerce /
4. Affiliate Earning Disclaimer must be there and visible to visitors.
5. No Link Cloaking (grey)
Keep the ball rolling Heidi.
:)
Joe
Thanks Joe, I have just completely freaked out and gone and checked and updated some images which would not have complied with the TOS. Been meaning to do it since I read another post about 2 weeks ago and realised I was in breach.
Your comment gave me the kick in the backside I needed. Just hope I have them all now!
Not too worry Heidi. But it's better to take the precaution as Amazon, as know is very strange. There are many terms in their TOS are in grey line. But there is no avenue for us to challenge anything - once they ban someone's account, there is no way to get it back. I have experienced it twice. Ended up I am using my wife's account now (sshhhhhhhh - keep it quite).
Wish you all the success!
:)
Joe
Just a slight correction if you don't mind :)
The 7.69% is the conversion rate (how many clicks and how many orders ratio), not the commission for the book.
According to Amazon, the commission for a physical book is 4.50%
https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/policies
Surely it does not matter if it is a "friend". Or relative. Who cares. Is Amazon that bad/ picky, etc?
If they are on your prime plan, or if they share a similar IP address, then Amazon assumed the purchase was planned and not a unique one.
Yes Amazon is picky, and no relatives or friends count, in fact, it's against Amazon's terms and services to ask friends and relatives to purchase through your links.
My mother inlaw ordered some items through my links off her computer but had them shipped to my address for my son and I never got anything for it. It still shows it didn't ship, but the items arrived about a month ago. It shows no commission. I figured it was because it shipped here.
Ohh that's interesting to know Marla. Yeah I was thinking I could get them shipped to our work address, but maybe even that's too close to home.
I don't want to upset Amazon, just don't want to have to remove all my links and have to reapply them if I get approved again. I feel like I could be on the cusp of getting some traffic but then again I might be dreaming!
I shall keep my fingers crossed for a couple more sales in time.
Amazon is very smart. If they see any semblance between the purchaser, your standard Amazon (Prime) account, and your affiliate account, they will assume it was a planned purchase and they won't pay for that.
They pay for unique referrals.
Thanks for the information. That is too bad, she ordered the stuff to see if it works, since I am just getting started.
Amazon has a crazy (hard to imagine) way of determining whether the purchase was from a friend, relative etc. If found to be so, they will discount the sales and not give any commission.
Hmmm I thought if I just ordered through a different computer (new IP) that would be OK but maybe not! I have about 6 more weeks I reckon so maybe I'll be OK, fingers crossed.
All the best and if it doesn't work out, you can try to send Amazon an email to appeal for grace of time. I read from someone's blog that it's possible. I was close to my Amazon's expiry when a few sales started to come in.
Thanks, this is a good point. Computers in the same network share the same public IP in which case Amazon will detect.
Doesn't each computer have a unique IP address? I just assumed that was how they would know if it was me ordering, so if it didn't come from my IP it would be OK? '
Feeling a bit relieved I didn't try this now, don't want to get slapped by Amazon!
But if I used a computer at my work then the IP address would be different?
Not that I am going too now, I am going to take my chances and be confident I can get a few more before my time is up.
You would have to order from a different Prime account, IP address, specify an unrelated shipping location, and use a payment form that isn't on file for that to work. Amazon is very smart.
Hopefully it's just an item that Amazon doesn't have in stock yet (so it can't be dispatched). If I remember rightly, you don't get credited with the sale until it ships because that's when the customer's card is actually charged.
Ahh hadn't thought about that angle Phil, I just assumed the buyer didn't pay lol and the sale would slip into obscurity eventually, maybe there is hope for me yet then.
Thanks for your reply.
Don't worry too much, if your Amazon account is closing, you always can re-applied to another account I think on Amazon, check out for that.
Jacqueline
Thanks for your comment Jacqueline. I'm not overly concerned just I will have to redo all my links, assuming I get re-approved.
I will be doing as Soozk says below and getting family and friends to buy something before my time is up, but it would be great if I could get them on my own :)
Amazon confuses me too. I got the same notice. I just had a relative order 3 things at 2 different times. Then I paid them. Just to keep with Amazon. I'm still hoping to make the money back as I go through training?
Yep I'm thinking about getting on my bosses computer and ordering something today lol. Not that I actually need anything but I'm sure I can find something cheap I want.
If you do that, Heidi, make certain that you don't use your credit card or have it shipped to your address. They won't give you any commission that way.
Wendi
Usually you are credited when the item ships. Keep checking and see if that happens. - shirley
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They don't seem to want people taking advantage of family accounts!
And I suppose it is then not a true indication that they will make ongoing sales, I see the logic, it is just frustrating to think of the links I will need to replace, and I have some great products represented, when I feel I am so close to being OK with this.
Anyway we shall see what happens.