I have been selling on Amazon since 2013. Yesterday, I decided that October 15, 2025 would be my last day for selling. That should be plenty of time to take care of any bogus returns before December 31, 2025. I will be passing the business to my kids in 2026.
I figured I would just state some random facts/thoughts/observations and other tidbits in no order.
1. Age 54. Married 20 years. Two kids (18 & 23)
2. I started selling on Ebay in 2000, then Amazon in 2013. Also sold on Walmart and Newegg.
3. I started on Amazon with 5k in 2013. From that 5K I was able to grow my business considerably. My best year profit wise was 250k in 2020. Overall I made about 1.5 million in net profit.
4. Amazon was soooo much better at first, then as time went on, it became worse and worse with ever changing metrics and gated merchandise. My biggest issue(s) was the scammers and just plain stupid customers who don’t read the listings or look at the pictures provided. Of all the selling platforms Amazon just has the dumbest customers.
5. Overall, Amazon did treat me pretty well. Amazon did provide me access to millions of potential customers. I don’t think I would have been this successful if not for Amazon. Yes, I had some sleepless nights and sometimes wanted to quit, but I almost always prevailed. It was rare when I did lose an A-Z case, but it happened. Take the “L” and move on, that is all one can do.
6. The UPS/USPS/FedEx “adjustments” are collusion between Amazon and the shippers. Eventually, I predict a class action lawsuit will come if it is not already in the works.
7. I will look forward to having my life back in the sense I can just go on vacation without looking at my phone only to see some “return authorization” email from Amazon.
8. I have discussed with my kids to look at Amazon as a way to make a few extra bucks on side. DO NOT think this as a 20+ year career. I would say this to ANY seller on Amazon.
9. I may be adding to this post if I have any more words of wisdom.
