What is "Third Party" Seller?

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   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   I got some Amazon sales for several items I don't think I'm selling on my hubs (phone accessories) from a "Third Party" seller. I'm happy dancing for the sales but I don't understand what "Third Party" seller means. Please enlighten. Thank you.

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      Beth Eaglescliffeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      A "third party seller" is anyone other than Amazon (dot) com.
      
      For example, if you search for a general term e.g. 'cat food' on Amazon, then scroll down the menu on the left hand side and you will see a category "seller". For most items Amazon is the cheapest as they have free p&p, but not always. However, the conditions for returning items can be slightly different is you use a third party seller, so it's swings and roundabouts.
      
      A "third party seller" is a company (or person) independent of Amazon, but who is using Amazon as a selling platform.

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         jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Okay. (blank silence) So, the reader started at my hub, clicked on a product, went to Amazon, then wandered out to another site (seller) and bought something? Sorry, I don't get it.

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            Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            They don't go to another site. The seller uses Amazon to sell their items but the items are not shipped or stocked by Amazon. You purchase the item through Amazon.

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               jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Got it, thanks Cardisa. So Amazon is like a hub or warehouse and also sells their own stuff? Or they really don't sell anything of their own except for Kindles, lol.

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                  susi10posted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  If they have the products in stock, in their own warehouse, then the product is sold by Amazon. But, Amazon work in conjunction with other third party companies. You pay for the product through Amazon and the third party company ships it.

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                     Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     But don't forget 'fulfillment' by Amazon. It's a service Amazon offers allowing third party sellers to store their products in what Amazon calls 'fulfillment centers', where Amazon packs, ships and provides customer service for the seller's products.

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                     jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                     Thanks, susi10 and Jayne.

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                  Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  They have warehouses all over the world.

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      mariexotoniposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Weirdly enough, this happened to me too. Except my amazon items are american literature books. I just thought it was a glitch

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   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Other vendors can sell on Amazon also.  Not all items come from Amazon.  For example, I order supplements online and often other vendors have them listed on Amazon as well.  I go with whoever is the least expensive - usually amazon, but not always.  Like Ebay, you can pay a fee and sell items through Amazon's website as well.

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      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Okay. Thanks.

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         sallybeaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Anyone can sell items on Amazon for instance you may have some books, games or a camera on your shelves at home.  No problem - you can list them on Amazon and sell them.    You then become a third party seller.   It is another way to make a few more pennies.  I have done it myself.

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   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   Thanks, everyone for helping me understand what "third party seller" means. However, I think I asked the wrong question. I realized after all that I did know what it was, I get stuff all the time from Amazon from a "third party seller."
   I guess my confusion is how am I getting commission for selling accessories for the new Samsung Galaxy phone if I'm not advertising it on my hub? Just curious and a little dense.

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I sell stuff quite frequently that I haven't advertised on my hubs.  If someone visits a hub I've written reviewing shampoo and click that link, then they don't buy shampoo but remembered they needed some other item and then search and go to that item - then I get a commission from that because they clicked through from one of my links and shopped on Amazon. 

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         jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Got it! That's the explanation I was looking for. Thanks, ChristinS.

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   Helena Rickettsposted 10 years ago

   When someone clicks on your Amazon link, it also puts a cookie on their computer which will last for 30 days.  As long as they don't click on anyone else's link, when they return to the site to buy something, you will receive that commission.
   
   There's a report on your Amazon Associates (on Amazon's website under your ID, not on HubPages) page that you can look at that will show you what products with your affiliate ID have received clicks and how many clicks those items have received.  In essence it shows you how many possible computers are out there with your ID cookie currently on them.
   
   I don't know if the HubPages Amazon Program allows that cookie, that's one of the reasons why I didn't switch over, but if it does, that could possibly be the reason for what you are describing.

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      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Many thanks for that explanation, Helena. I understand. I rarely check my Amazon Associates reports but do get those emails.

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   cur123posted 10 years ago

   gracious.stephanie curry

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