_edited.jpg)
What Happens if My Amazon Products Don’t Sell?
- Saad Ahmed
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
If your product isn’t selling, Amazon will still charge monthly storage fees and may deduct refund/return costs from your revenue. Over time, unsold stock risks long-term storage fees and you may need to remove or dispose of it (small per-unit fee). The good news: there’s a clear, step-by-step way to diagnose and fix slow sales before costs snowball.
On our platform, we receive your labeled inventory at our warehouse, check basics, then forward to Amazon. We set minimum 20 units, max 500 units per shipment, and we flag slow stock at 90 days; by 120 days we recommend removal/disposal (fees covered from your refundable €50/SKU deposit if needed).
What actually happens behind the scenes
Storage fees keep ticking: Amazon charges monthly based on volume; Q4 months are pricier.
Returns reduce payouts: Customer refunds are auto-deducted; unsellable returns can require paid removal/disposal.
Ranking decays: Low clicks or conversions → worse placement → even fewer sales.
Opportunity cost: Cash stuck in inventory means you can’t test a better product.
Why products don’t sell (the 7 usual suspects)
Wrong price band for your niche (too high vs. similar offers).
Weak main image (low CTR) or confusing gallery.
Poor keyword indexing (you’re not showing for the right searches).
Low relevance in title/bullets; missing backend terms.
Category/browse node mismatch (you’re in the wrong aisle).
No reviews / weak social proof (conversion stalls).
Demand misread (seasonality, trend already passed).
Day 0–14: Fast fixes to get movement
Check indexing: Search asin + keyword to confirm you’re indexed for 10–20 core terms.
Tighten title & bullets: Lead with primary keyword + benefit, clean formatting, no spam.
Swap the hero image: Pure white, tight crop, high contrast; add a clear differentiator in image #2.
Price test a band: Try a 7–10% temporary reduction; monitor CTR/CR for 3–5 days.
Coupons/light promo: A small coupon can jumpstart clicks (don’t train for permanent discounting).
Keywords refresh (Helium 10): Remove junk, add high-intent terms you’re missing.
On our paid tiers we include keyword research (Helium 10), listing build/refresh, and an A/B test plan. If you want ad support, we can create campaigns with a prepaid ad deposit (so your spend is protected).
Day 15–45: Optimize for conversion (not just traffic)
A/B test title or main image (one change at a time).
Image set upgrade: Add 1–2 infographic/lifestyle frames clarifying size, use cases, and benefits.
Backend terms & attributes: Fill to byte limits; map correct attributes (material, compatibility, target user).
Browse node check: Fix mis-categorization that buries you.
Review-safe playbook: Use TOS-safe methods (insert compliance, follow-up via buyer-seller messaging if allowed).
Day 45–90: Decide: iterate, bundle, or exit
If CTR up but CR low: Improve images 3–7, enhance benefits, consider small bundle (e.g., 2-pack).
If demand just isn’t there: Don’t sink months of storage—plan removal/liquidation.
Our policy: We flag at <5 units sold in 90 days. By 120 days, we recommend removal/disposal (fees come from the €50/SKU deposit if there’s no balance).
Returns & refunds: how they hit your payout
Amazon refunds the buyer → your settlement balance gets reduced.
Resellable returns go back to inventory; unsellable become “unfulfillable”.
Removal/disposal fees apply for unsellables; we’ll coordinate and deduct from deposit if needed.
Storage timeline (simplified)
Monthly storage: Charged automatically; higher in Oct–Dec.
Long-term storage: Kicks in for aged inventory (365+ days). Avoid by acting at 90/120 days.
Prevent slow movers before you ship
Start lean: 20–50 units first (your model supports 20–500 per shipment).
Small, light, non-seasonal to minimize FBA and freight costs.
Compliance check: Avoid restricted/IP-sensitive categories; use our WEEE (small household) coverage where eligible.
Price banding: Know your floor, target, and promo price before launch.
Simple margin math (know your breakeven)
Selling price– Referral fee– FBA fulfilment fee– Monthly storage (estimate)= Net after Amazon fees– Product + freight/import– Platform fee (5% of net payout)= Your gross profit
If that’s <10–20% for a starter SKU, reconsider price, pack size, or product choice.
When to remove inventory (and how it works)
Decide before long-term fees hit.
We submit a removal/disposal order; Amazon charges a small per-unit fee.
We use your €50/SKU deposit first if there’s no available balance; any remainder is refunded after settlement.
If you’re stuck right now (no sales for 14+ days)
Index check → 10–20 core keywords
Main image & title refresh
Price test for 3–5 days
Add one coupon
Tighten bullets + backend terms
Consider ad pilot (only with prepaid ad deposit)
If no lift by day 45 → plan bundle, repack, or exit at day 90
Final thought
Unsold stock isn’t a failure—it’s feedback. The winners adjust fast: fix discoverability (keywords/images), fix desirability (price/proof), or move on and reallocate capital to a better product. Our platform is designed for this: small batches, fast learning, clear rules.
Need help right now? Book your free 20-minute call → we’ll review your listing and give you a 7-day rescue plan.
FAQ
Do I pay Amazon if nothing sells?
You won’t get a separate bill, but storage fees still deduct from your settlement. If there’s no balance, you’ll need to cover removal/disposal; on our platform this comes from your €50/SKU deposit first.
Should I lower my price or run ads?
Test price first (3–5 days). If CTR is fine but conversion is low, fix images and bullets. Only then consider a small ad pilot with a prepaid deposit.
When should I remove inventory?
If you’re <5 units sold at 90 days, decide by day 120 to avoid aged fees and opportunity cost.
Will returns kill my profit?
Returns reduce payout; focus on expectation-setting (images, sizing) to cut return rates. Unsellables should be removed promptly.
Comments