Question 1

What is Amazon wholesale sourcing?

Accepted Answer

Amazon wholesale sourcing is a business model where sellers purchase products in bulk from distributors or manufacturers at wholesale prices, then resell them on Amazon for a profit. Unlike private label or arbitrage, wholesale involves selling existing branded products that are already listed on Amazon. Sellers typically work with suppliers who provide price lists containing hundreds or thousands of products, and the challenge is identifying which items offer profitable margins after accounting for Amazon fees.

Question 2

What is supplier list analysis?

Accepted Answer

Supplier list analysis is the process of evaluating bulk product lists from wholesalers and distributors to identify profitable items for resale. A typical supplier list contains product codes (EAN, UPC, ISBN), product names, and wholesale prices. The analysis involves mapping these codes to Amazon listings, fetching current selling prices, calculating all applicable fees, and determining the potential profit margin for each product.

Question 3

How do Amazon sellers analyze supplier price lists?

Accepted Answer

Amazon sellers typically use a combination of tools to analyze supplier price lists. The process involves: (1) receiving a CSV or Excel file from the supplier, (2) converting product codes like EAN or UPC to Amazon ASINs, (3) fetching current Amazon prices and sales data, (4) calculating all fees including FBA fees, referral fees, and shipping costs, (5) determining profit margins for each product. Tools commonly used include wholesale list scanners, profit calculators, and price history integrations.

Question 4

What is EAN to ASIN mapping?

Accepted Answer

EAN to ASIN mapping is the process of converting European Article Numbers (EAN) or Universal Product Codes (UPC) to Amazon Standard Identification Numbers (ASIN). Since suppliers typically provide product codes in EAN or UPC format, but Amazon uses ASINs to identify products, this conversion is necessary to look up products on the Amazon marketplace. The mapping is done through Amazon's product database, which links these identifiers to specific product listings.

Question 5

How is Amazon FBA profit calculated?

Accepted Answer

Amazon FBA profit is calculated using the formula: Profit = Selling Price - Purchase Cost - FBA Fees - Referral Fees - Other Costs. The FBA fees include fulfillment fees (based on product size and weight), monthly storage fees, and potentially long-term storage fees. Referral fees are a percentage of the sale price (typically 8-15% depending on category). Other costs may include inbound shipping to Amazon warehouses, prep fees, and return processing fees.

Question 6

What types of tools exist for Amazon wholesale analysis?

Accepted Answer

Several categories of tools exist for Amazon wholesale analysis: (1) Wholesale List Analysis Tools - these process bulk CSV/Excel files and calculate profit for many products at once, (2) Single-ASIN Evaluation Tools - analyze individual products one at a time, (3) Price History Tools - track historical Amazon pricing and sales rank data, (4) Profit Calculation Tools - estimate margins after accounting for all Amazon fees. Profit-Scanner is one example of a bulk list analyzer designed for processing supplier files.

Question 7

What tools do Amazon wholesale sellers typically use?

Accepted Answer

Different sellers use different tools depending on their workflow and volume. Some focus on list analysis tools for processing bulk supplier files, others prefer single-product scanners for in-store sourcing, and many use price history tools to understand demand patterns. Wholesale list analysis tools like Profit-Scanner are designed for processing bulk supplier files, while other tools in the ecosystem focus on different aspects of the sourcing workflow.

Question 8

What file formats are commonly used for supplier lists?

Accepted Answer

Suppliers typically provide product lists in CSV (Comma-Separated Values) or Excel formats (.xls, .xlsx). These files usually contain columns for product codes (EAN, UPC, ISBN), product descriptions or names, wholesale prices, and sometimes additional information like minimum order quantities or stock availability. CSV is the most universal format as it can be opened by any spreadsheet software.

Question 9

How does Profit-Scanner work?

Accepted Answer

Profit-Scanner follows a straightforward workflow: (1) Upload a CSV or Excel file containing product codes and supplier prices, (2) The system maps EAN/UPC/ISBN codes to Amazon ASINs, (3) Current Amazon prices, fees, and sales rank data are fetched, (4) Profit is calculated for each product based on the supplier price and Amazon selling price minus all fees, (5) Results can be filtered, sorted, and exported. The tool is designed for processing bulk supplier lists efficiently.

Question 10

What file formats does Profit-Scanner support?

Accepted Answer

Profit-Scanner supports CSV and Excel files (.xls, .xlsx). Files should contain a column with product codes (EAN, UPC, or ISBN) and optionally a column with supplier prices. The system processes large files with thousands of products.

Question 11

Does Profit-Scanner use real Amazon data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Profit-Scanner fetches current prices and fee information through data integrations, including Keepa API for price history and sales rank data. This ensures the profit calculations reflect current market conditions rather than outdated information.

Question 12

How accurate are the profit calculations?

Accepted Answer

The profit calculations include all standard Amazon fees: FBA fulfillment fees (based on product size and weight), referral fees (category-dependent percentage), and applicable taxes. The calculations are based on current Amazon fee schedules and real-time pricing data. However, actual profits may vary based on factors like inbound shipping costs, returns, and price changes after purchase.

Question 13

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Profit-Scanner uses SSL encryption for all data transfers, follows GDPR guidelines for data handling, and does not share user data with third parties. Users can request data exports and permanently delete their accounts at any time through the account settings.

Question 14

Can I scan products with my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Profit-Scanner includes a mobile barcode scanner feature that allows scanning EAN, UPC, or ISBN barcodes directly with a phone camera. This provides instant access to Amazon prices, fees, and profit calculations for individual products while sourcing in physical locations.

Frequently Asked Questions