How to Sell Stuff on Amazon, Part Two: Adventures, GTIN Exemptions, and Rookie Mistakes!

Welcome to Part Two of My Amazon Selling Adventure! 🛍️

So, here I am, in the middle of a whirlwind Amazon journey! I’m tackling selling my designs on Amazon, learning the ropes of GTIN exemptions, and navigating multiple marketplaces across the globe. If you missed part one, here’s the quick scoop: I decided to start selling my designs on Amazon and use Print-On-Demand (POD) to keep things simple. But of course, it’s Amazon, so simple isn’t always on the menu!

I’ll be covering how I ended up applying to way too many Amazon marketplaces, why GTIN exemptions are a life-saver (when they work), and how rookie mistakes turned this process into a mini-adventure. Buckle up; it’s a bumpy but exciting ride!

What’s a GTIN Exemption Anyway? 🤔

Before we dive in, let’s talk about GTIN exemptions because they are super important when selling on Amazon without your own barcodes. GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number – essentially, those barcode numbers that help track products. Getting an exemption means you don’t need a GTIN or a barcode for your product. It’s especially handy for custom, handmade, or unique products that don’t come with barcodes.

So, if you’re selling stuff you made yourself or products like Print-On-Demand designs, getting a GTIN exemption can be a huge relief. It’s like getting a free pass from Amazon saying, “Sure, you don’t need a barcode for this.” Sounds great, right? Well, getting it isn’t always a walk in the park.

My GTIN Exemption Journey: The Good, the Bad, and the Huh? Moments

I started applying for GTIN exemptions with high hopes. I was ready to list my products in multiple markets, so I applied for twelve marketplaces and I had to apply for GTIN exemptions in these twelve marketplaces. Yup, that’s right – twelve. One by one. Rookie mistake number one! My marketplaces so far:

1. Belgium
2. Canada
3. France
4. Germany
5. Italy
6. Mexico
7. Netherlands
8. Poland
9. Spain
10. Sweden
11. United Kingdom
12. United States

Was I overconfident? Maybe. Was I over-enthusiastic? Definitely! At the time, it seemed like a great idea to expand my reach across these markets. But, oh boy, I didn’t realize what I was signing up for.

The Rookie Mistake: Hitting “Apply” for Almost Every Marketplace

After “applying” for GTIN exemptions in all those markets, I quickly learned that sometimes less is more. It turns out each market has its own set of forms (actually same form but under different markets), and getting an exemption in one doesn’t mean you’ll get it in another?! I ended up getting approved for GTIN exemptions in seven markets, but I was not getting any response in five, including some major ones like the US, France, and Germany. Now, I am stuck in a loop of adding product preview and not getting any response!

So now I’m approved in places like the Netherlands and Poland, but blocked from the big players like the US. Not exactly ideal, but hey, it’s a start! I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out what I did wrong for the ones not giving me any response, and Amazon’s support didn’t exactly offer much help there.

Amazon Support: When Answers Aren’t Really Answers 😅

Naturally, I turned to Amazon Support. I was expecting, well, support! But what I got was pretty much a copy-paste of standard replies that didn’t answer my actual questions. Their “help” was more like a guessing game of, “Let’s see if this answer fits!”

I asked them why my GTIN exemption applications were left without any response (just a blank field on a page) on five marketplaces, but I kept getting these vague responses that were about as helpful as a soggy map in the rain. So, if you’re going down this Amazon road, just be prepared to navigate a lot of it yourself.

Shipping Costs: Why Selling in Some Markets Just Isn’t Worth It 🚢💸

In the future, I would like to add my own products (not only POD). But – shipping! International shipping can make or break your Amazon game. Shipping to countries like the US or UK from EU is pricey! So, it may not be worth the cost unless I’m selling massive quantities. Think huge shipments – like boatloads of T-shirts – because only then would the shipping costs make sense.

For now, my focus will be on markets where shipping is more affordable, like the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Italy. I’ll give the US and UK a try, but my hopes aren’t exactly sky-high here.

Print-On-Demand: My Game Plan for Product Listings 🎨👕

While I sort out the GTIN exemptions, I’m moving forward with my designs through Print-On-Demand (POD). POD is perfect because I don’t have to hold any stock or worry about inventory. Customers order, and my designs get printed and shipped directly to them. Simple, right? Well, mostly!

So, while I wait for Amazon’s system to catch up with my POD products, I’ve been putting my digital designs up on my Etsy store, Five Cats Graphics, where things are already rolling smoothly. In the end, these are digital product, so there are no shipping costs at all. By the way, there’s a 25% off sale running until the end of November! If you’re into unique clip art and fun designs, definitely check it out.

Speaking of Etsy

One thing I’m doing to boost my listings is adding product videos. Videos can be a game-changer because they show customers what they’re actually getting. People love to see how a product looks and feels before buying it. I made a quick video showcasing my “Gold Stars Clip Art” so people can get a real feel for it.

And here’s what customers are saying about this digital download:

Lessons Learned (So Far) on Amazon Selling 📚

1. Start with Fewer Marketplaces: Stick to a handful of markets at first, then expand if it makes sense. Trust me; this will save you from a lot of headaches.
2. Patience with Amazon Support: Be prepared for generic answers and brush up on your problem-solving skills. Sometimes, Amazon support can feel more like a “support yourself” system.
3. Watch Out for Shipping Costs: Unless you’re selling a ton of products, high shipping fees might make certain markets less profitable.
4. Get Creative with Product Listings: Adding videos, customer reviews, and unique descriptions can make your listings stand out. Even if you’re just starting, these small touches go a long way.
5. Stay Flexible: Amazon’s policies can change, and what works one day might not work the next. It’s all part of the adventure!

Wrapping Up Part Two: The Adventure Continues!

That’s where things stand in my Amazon journey right now! Between GTIN exemptions, marketplace mishaps, and figuring out shipping costs, there’s a lot to juggle. But hey, every challenge is just one more step toward becoming an Amazon pro (or so I tell myself).

For now, I’m focusing on the markets where I got the GTIN exemptions and working on building my presence there. And while Amazon takes its time syncing all my product data, I’ll be adding more designs to Five Cats Graphics on Etsy, where things are already looking promising!

So, stay tuned for the next update on my Amazon adventure. Who knows what will happen next? If you’re thinking about selling on Amazon, I hope these tips and tales make your journey a little easier – and a lot more fun.