Buying on Amazon is something most of us do, but what I learned is that some people don’t know how it works. Although Amazon sells its white-labeled products (Kindle, Alexa, gift cards, etc.), they act as a middleman for third-party sellers in most cases. Most sellers are trustworthy, but some try to scam or deceive consumers by shipping products different from what the seller described. Knowing where a product is coming from is essential before making a purchase.
Three different sales methods on Amazon
- Sold and shipped by Amazon: Amazon-owned or white-labeled products are stored and fulfilled from an Amazon warehouse by Amazon.
- Sold by 3rd-party sellers and shipped by Amazon: Third-party sellers who own these products store them in an Amazon warehouse, and when you buy them, Amazon is fully responsible for the fulfillment (FBA).
- Sold and shipped by 3rd-party sellers: Products are owned, stored, and shipped by third-party sellers.
The brand name is not enough
Next time you visit a product listing on Amazon, look for the brand name above the product title:
It doesn’t mean that the brand displayed is the one that sells the product or that this brand verified that the product is genuine. This product is supposed to be manufactured by that brand and registered accordingly in Amazon’s product database.
The bottom line, if you see a brand name above the product title, it doesn’t mean you are buying it from the brand itself; it can be sold and even shipped by a third-party seller.
Identify who you’re buying from
There is an easy way to tell who is selling and shipping the product. It might be a bit confusing so pay attention:
Take a look at this product that is sold and shipped by Amazon:
The following screenshot is an example of a product sold by a third-party seller and shipped by Amazon (FBA).
The last example is for a product sold by a third-party seller and shipped by a third-party seller (FBM).
The image above is a great example of a branded product sold and shipped by a third-party seller. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but you should know a few things when buying from a third-party seller on Amazon:
- Amazon doesn’t control the shipping time. In most cases, the item might take longer to arrive.
- If you have to return the item, you’ll have to ship it directly to the seller rather than an Amazon return facility.
Summary
You don’t need to worry or panic; Amazon customer service protects you when buying from a 3rd-party seller on amazon.com (read more about A-to-Z Guarantee). But, regarding the shipping time, return policies, and shipping options, it’s always better to get it shipped and operated by Amazon.
Shop wisely and safely.