10 Myths about Working on Amazon

Amazon has its pros and cons, and it’s important to understand these myths in order to make the most of your experience selling on the site. Here are some common myths about working on Amazon, debunked.

1) I can do it on my own:

Many independent contractors make a common mistake when they start working with new clients: they say yes to any job, without doing much research. You might make more money by accepting more work, but you’ll also find yourself spreading yourself too thin. Before you decide to take a new job offer, be sure to learn as much as possible about your client so that you can determine whether it’s worth taking.

2) I will only be competing with other sellers in the US:

Not really. There are plenty of sellers in other countries, and many don’t speak English as their first language, so you won’t be alone. What you will be competing with is hundreds of thousands of copies of your books sitting in warehouses all over America, but that’s something to worry about later—if ever. For now, concentrate on building up a decent number of sales per day while worrying more about quality than quantity.

3) It is a legitimate business:

Many online shoppers believe working for Amazon is an easy way to get rich quickly. In reality, working for any company means a lot of hard work and dedication—and also a lot of long hours. It's important to be mindful of that before committing to working for an employer full-time. If you're expecting a shiny new car out of it, don't even think about applying—most employees say they actually make less than they did in their previous jobs.

4) Low fees make it attractive:

If you’re new to selling online, it can be hard to know where to start. One of the easiest ways is through online marketplaces, including Amazon. That’s because you can sign up for a seller account and begin selling right away without needing to purchase your own inventory. But that doesn’t mean every shopper will find your offerings attractive.

5) If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is:

There are a lot of companies out there claiming to be something they aren’t. Before you commit, make sure you ask plenty of questions and do your research. Scammers and shady organizations often try to lure people in with promises of large sums of money right away. It isn’t until you deposit that first check that it hits you: The numbers just don’t add up—and now they have your money!

6) There are no risks involved:

While it’s true that there are risks to every business, be aware that working for Amazon in a fulfillment center is not without risk. Many workers have suffered serious injuries while performing their jobs, from burns and cuts from machines to sprains and strains from moving heavy products. Additionally, many workers are required to stand all day, which can result in long-term physical damage such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

7) The process is simple:

I know what it’s like to work a full-time job and still want to make money online. And I know how important your time is to you. So I will never ask you to do anything that wastes it. If it doesn’t bring value or help you make money, then I don’t include it in my course. That way, we can focus all of our efforts on creating as much value as possible for you, every single day of your business!

8) If I don’t like it, I can always leave:

False. You can leave, but you’ll lose your credibility and won’t be able to use it again. You must treat it like a job, not a get-rich-quick scheme. The better you are at what you do, the more likely people will trust that you are who you say you are. That means providing good service and reviews for your clients so, they keep coming back to work with you. It also means paying attention to every detail of their requests so, they don’t have reason to complain or go elsewhere. Remember: Your reputation is everything!

9) They are customer-friendly:

No, they are not. Most of their policies are very anti-customer, and they don’t care to make it easy for you to return any product that you buy from them. As a seller myself, I know how much effort it takes to get returns from them and how almost impossible it is sometimes. They treat sellers like crap: No, they don’t.

10) And more!

The 10 myths above are just a few of the common misconceptions workers face when joining the platform. There are many more outs there, including that it’s a pyramid scheme (it’s not), that workers will make hundreds of dollars per hour with no skill required (they won’t), and that there is an employment background check process for everyone. We hope these myths have been dispelled. But if you have any others to add to our list, please share them in the comments below! We love hearing from our readers.