Is there any way to list a book which needs "permission to sell" or a book which doesnt have an isbn
I know there have been numerous discussions on these subjects but I think it is worthwhile to clarify the current position.
This morning I have tried to list a book publitshed by Thomas Nelson & sons. Amazon say I need permission to sell this "brand" . The requirements for this permission are quite beyond the normal second hand bookseller.
Also I tried several weeks ago to list several books without ISBNs. I have gone through the very long rigmarole of applying for GTIN exemption. I never heard back from Amazon on any of these applications.
Am I safe in assuming it is now impossible to sell books on Amazon in these 2 scenarios?
Is there any way to list a book which needs "permission to sell" or a book which doesnt have an isbn
I know there have been numerous discussions on these subjects but I think it is worthwhile to clarify the current position.
This morning I have tried to list a book publitshed by Thomas Nelson & sons. Amazon say I need permission to sell this "brand" . The requirements for this permission are quite beyond the normal second hand bookseller.
Also I tried several weeks ago to list several books without ISBNs. I have gone through the very long rigmarole of applying for GTIN exemption. I never heard back from Amazon on any of these applications.
Am I safe in assuming it is now impossible to sell books on Amazon in these 2 scenarios?
22 replies
Seller_mxez2L8QjE6WW
We list by bulk upload, so our experience is obviously different. We are tending now to concentrate on pre-ISBN/barcoded books as the ISBN/barcoded books market has been thoroughly trashed by WoB & the like. I just had a look at recent additions, and a lot of books have been added successfully to our inventory on Amazon that date from late 19thC to 1950s, so they have obviously been accepted with any quibble. But we still get this 'brand permission' rigmarole - they can have no understanding that once a book has been sold, it can be resold on the secondary market without necessity for 'permission'. And the ludicrous requirement for invoices for 10 copies........ Amazon trying to shoe-horn everything into one-size fits all.
Seller_eX5PU1b0GGPXn
As Thomas Nelson & sons Specialised in Bibles
Is that THE BRAND ?
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
As @Seller_mxez2L8QjE6WW says, Amazon do not know, or understand the rule/law of 'first sale doctrine' which allows you to resell books you've legally purchased, without requiring permission !
AI info: Copyright and Resale:
Copyright law protects the original work of an author, but it doesn't prevent the resale of lawfully acquired copies.. You can sell your used books without permission from the author or publisher. The right to sell a lawfully purchased copy is often referred to as the "first sale doctrine".
Glenn_Amazon
Hello @Seller_AlYpsVHv0gj21,
I'm sorry you are having challenges listing these products. In some instances Amazon requires that you provide the source of your inventory to ensure the authenticity of a product. I'm sorry for the difficulties this creates. You can learn more on the Guidelines to Source Products to sell on Amazon help page.
Regarding your GTIN exemption application, do you have a Case ID that I can review and see what options exist to escalate? Thank you for your understanding.
-Glenn
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
Well you can attempt to get Seller Support to fix these issues but when you have just one or two used copies of an affected title it just isn't worth the time or effort. It generally takes at least eight reopened cases to reach someone at SS who has any sort of understanding of publishing.
I still don't understand why the add a product page allows you to choose USED when it has already 'decided' that you must have multiple invoices for NEW, even for books (or CDs, DVDs) that are long out of print. It would appear to be a fault in the system.
It would save time if the 'used' options were greyed out so potential sellers of used copies could immediately move on.
[By the way, I have been selling books here for twenty years so I'm fairly familiar with the rules :) ]
