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Selling on Amazon Beginners' Mistakes

  • Writer: Cindy Jackson
    Cindy Jackson
  • Dec 6, 2021
  • 4 min read

Updated: Nov 14

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*Part of the Mrs Prime Classics series – early seller experiences, revisited and refreshed for 2025.* First published December 2021. Updated for the new Mrs Prime site, November 2025.

Learning the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

Selling on Amazon is one of the best ways to build a flexible income - whether that’s a part-time side hustle or a full-time business. But let’s be honest: it’s a steep learning curve.


It’s not hard, but it is complex. There’s a lot to get your head around, and beginners often stumble on the same avoidable mistakes. The good news? With a bit of structure and the right tools, you can sidestep most of them completely.

Here are the biggest lessons I learned early on - and what I wish I’d known when I started.


Sourcing - Finding the Right Deals

The best kind of deal is a replenishable one that other sellers haven’t flooded yet. You’re unlikely to find those at big retailers like Argos because as soon as multiple sellers jump on the same listing, prices drop and profits vanish.


A common beginner mistake is relying on the Amazon Seller app for profit calculations. It doesn’t include VAT or storage fees, so the profit shown isn’t accurate. Those small charges can quickly eat away at your margin.


I use Buy Bot Pro for deal analysis because it’s accurate, easy to adjust for VAT, and gives clear profit breakdowns. Its manual sourcing accelerator even lets you right-click any product online to check potential profit instantly.


Admin - Get Organised Early

As soon as possible, open a separate bank account for your Amazon business. It makes bookkeeping and tax prep much easier. Banks like Starling and Tide are simple to set up and ideal for small businesses.


Keep digital copies of every receipt and invoice. Amazon can request proof of authenticity at any time. Take photos immediately - printed receipts fade fast - and make sure each one clearly shows the product name (e.g. “Cadbury Chocolate Fingers 400g,” not just “Chocolate”).


Cashback and Discount Codes

Always earn a little extra when you buy stock. My go-to cashback sites include:


For instant discount codes at checkout, install Honey or Pouch.


Small savings add up quickly when you’re making regular purchases.


Prepping and Shipping for FBA

If you can physically touch a product, polybag it. Even if Amazon doesn’t require it, it keeps items clean and protected in warehouses. I buy mine from Polypostal Packaging - fast delivery and great prices.


When shipping to FBA, make sure to:

  • Use UPS Partnered Rates and factor VAT into the cost.

  • Keep boxes under 15kg for better pricing.

  • Delete unused shipping plans so they don’t affect your restock limit.


Account Health and Monitoring

The first thing I do every morning is check Account Health. Look for red markers under:

  • Customer Service Performance

  • Policy Compliance

  • Delivery Performance

  • Product Compliance Requests


If something looks off and you’re unsure what to do, post in our Mrs Prime Facebook Group.


If Amazon asks for a Plan of Action, contact the Get Unsuspended team - they offer free reviews and can help you respond the right way. Avoid spamming Seller Support; it usually makes things worse.


Also check Performance → Voice of the Customer daily. It can warn you if listings change or if customers are flagging issues.


Inventory and IPI Score

Keep your inventory tidy. Close and delete listings you’re not replenishing - even inactive ones can trigger IP violations.


If you’re not using Buy Bot Pro for brand-checking, try FastTrack FBA’s Brand Checker before listing. BBP integrates with Get Unsuspended, giving access to thousands of known restricted brands.


Your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score should stay above 500 to maintain healthy storage limits. Check Inventory → Inventory Planning weekly and focus on:

  • Excess Inventory - Avoid overstocking.

  • Sell-Through Rate - Send only what will sell within 90 days.

  • Stranded Inventory - Fix any inactive listings quickly.


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TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

What’s a TL;DR?It’s a quick-read summary for busy sellers and voice-search users - a short recap that gives you the key points fast.


Summary:Selling on Amazon is full of opportunity but also full of beginner traps. Get your numbers right with Buy Bot Pro, stay organised with clean receipts and separate banking, use cashback and discount extensions to save more, and check account health daily. Keep your IPI score above 500 and never assume Amazon will warn you before trouble starts.



FAQs

Q: What’s the biggest beginner mistake?

A: Relying on Amazon’s profit calculator without accounting for VAT and fees - it gives a false sense of profit.

Q: How can I protect my account?

A: Check account health and Voice of the Customer daily, and save every receipt in case Amazon requests proof.

Q: How do I find replenishable deals?

A: Look beyond the obvious stores, use Buy Bot Pro for analysis, and aim for low-competition listings that sell consistently.



Tools and Resources Mentioned



Note (November 2025): This post reflects experiences from 2021. Always double-check that Amazon’s policies, software tools, and compliance processes are up to date before applying any advice.

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