Amazon Tools, Supplies, Apps & General Resources

Follow the link below for a complete list of the Amazon Tools, Apps & General Resources we at EPS recommend:

http://www.eliteproductsource.com/seller-resources.html

Current List of Prep Centers for Preparing & Shipping Your OA Finds to Amazon

http://primezeroprep.com/ (TAX FREE in New Hampshire)

http://www.quickprepandship.com (launching Feb 1st)

http://preplabelbox.com/

http://www.centralwipreppackandship.com/

http://www.fulfillmentbutler.com/

http://selltecprep.com/ (TAX FREE in Montana)

http://www.prepitpackitshipit.com/

http://texaspps.com/

https://www.facebook.com/prepandshipplus

http://www.fbaprepandship.com/

http://www.myfulfillmentteam.com/

https://fbainspection.com/

http://smoperators.com/

http://www.fulfillmentrescue.com/

http://www.fbaexpress.com/

http://www.fulfillmentpackagingservice.com/

http://fbaforward.com/index.php

http://www.efulfillmentpro.com/Home.aspx

http://gdwinc.com/

http://www.efulfillmentservice.com/

http://simplepriceprep.com/

http://www.weship-USA.com (TAX FREE - located in Salem, NH)

Amazon Long Term Storage Fees - Make a Plan

LTS Fees - START PLANNING NOW

February 15th is the cut-off for Long Term Storage Fees on Amazon (fees for items that have been in the warehouse for longer than 6 months), so you need to start planning as far as what you're going to do with the product that is subject to fees.

I take this on an item by item basis - sometimes I have items that I have no problem paying the fees on - usually LTH (long term hold) items with high ROIs. For everything else you'll either want to sell them quickly, have them sent back to you or dispose of them. You can move a lot of the inventory by using Sellbrite or JoeLister to cross market your Amazon items on eBay. Another strategy that is often used is to drop the prices ridiculously low to quickly move the inventory out - even in some cases where you might be breaking even or losing money, it may net you more cash back than any other options - I like to think of it as getting as much money back as I can quickly so I can reinvest it. You win some you lose some - it's a strategy used by all businesses. 

To see your items, first click on Manage Inventory in Seller Central. Then look across the top of the page and click on the link to Inventory Dashboard. Now click on the link that says Manage Excess Inventory. This will bring up a report that shows all you inventory and how long it has been in storage.

For future reference - use Google Calendar to set this date (and August 15th) on repeat for each year. I also set a date a month or two in advance to start reviewing the inventory subject to fees so I can plan accordingly.

Subscriptions & Services for Running an Efficient Amazon Business

Subscriptions & services I use to run my business more efficiently (while attempting to move closer & closer to full automation)

• AppEagle - automatically reprices my Amazon inventory
• Amazon Replenish Alerts (Just a feature in Seller Central to remind you to replenish your items)
• List Label Ship - (used to create barcode labels instantly - this was necessary to run a Mac and a Dymo)
• Go Daddy - bookkeeping; tracks & categories my business profits & expenditures
• Inventory Lab - listing & inventory management
• Sellbrite - software that enables me to crossmarket and list products in multiple online marketplaces
• AutoMCF - used in conjunction with Sellbrite to monitor inventory levels across multiple marketplaces
• Oaxray - OA sourcing tool
• RetailAzon - OA sourcing tool
• Prime Zero Prep - prep service in a tax-free state that accepts, processes and ships out my OA inventory
• Tax Jar - tracks your collection of sales tax
• Slice - Tracks and organizes all your purchases & shipments for you by accessing your email account.
• Refunds Manager - opens Amazon cases for you regarding customer returns, etc. that need reimbursement

There are of course alternative subscriptions and services for things like repricing, bookkeeping, listing on multiple marketplaces, prep services, etc. but these are my preferred sources.

Tax Time Accounting

While my accountant does a fine job on my taxes he is not knowledgeable about all my various online income streams. I on the other hand know very little about accounting. So each year I fill in the list below to give to him (most numbers are just pulled from Go Daddy, Inventory Lab, etc). I also give him the printouts from all the inventory & accounting programs but I like to attach the list below as well. I often miss something here or there and he asks me for it, but this at least keeps me organized and on track. However, please consult your own accountant.

IRA Roth Fund/Retirement/Savings Contributions
Health Insurance Premiums
Mortgage Payments 
Mortgage Interest 
Total Utilities (Gas + Electric + Trash Disposal, etc) - a % is deducted for a Home Office
Car Payment on Business 
Total Business Mileage Driven (apparently you can either deduct mileage OR something to do with your vehicle depreciation, payments, repairs, etc. I give him all the numbers and he chooses the largest of the 2 deductions as I'm told you can only take one)
Home Office Deductions – Total square footage is given - 15% is claimed for home Business
Home Updates Affecting Home Office (including those to make the home more energy efficient)
Charitable Donations

Other Expenses and/or deductions

Smart Phone
Internet 
Paypal Fees 
Etsy Fees 
Bonanza Fees
Amazon Fees 
Ebay Fees 
Shipping Fees (including prep service fees)
Supplies/Office/Equipment 
Office Expenses (Business Courses, Software, VA Expenses, Subscriptions) 
Business Credit Card Interest 
Customer Returns 
Business Insurance 
Meals & Entertainment 
Vehicle Maintenance 
Sales Taxes Paid 
State & Federal Taxes Paid 
Accountant Fees
Cost of Goods Sold 

Gross Income:

Amazon Sales
Ebay Sales
Bonanza Sales
Etsy Sales
Book Royalties
EPS Proceeds
Merch by Amazon Proceeds
Affiliate Marketing Proceeds
Sales Tax Refunds
Cashback Sites Checks

Value of Inventory Still in my Possession

Free & Paid Amazon Product Sourcing Tools

A list of helpful free & paid sourcing tools and chrome extensions. Feel free to comment if you know of any others to add to the list!

Oaxray ($100/month): http://oaxray.com/elite-product-sourcing

RetailAzon ($20): www.retailazon.com/?ref=5614127821470  use code ELITE10 for 10% off

HidePrime ($20):www.retailazon.com/?ref=5614127821470 use code ELITE10 for 10% off

Online Arbitrage Top Ranking Chart (free): http://www.arbitragedashboard.com/software/top-rank-chart/

AMZ Genie (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/amz-genie/fhjiodpghlekincmagkkekfejkpffjnl

AMZ Seller Browser (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/amz-seller-browser/klgpelgeohjghmccooegimcfhanlnngc

Invisible Hand (Free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/invisiblehand/lghjfnfolmcikomdjmoiemllfnlmmoko

Price Blink (free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/priceblink/aoiidodopnnhiflaflbfeblnojefhigh

Keepa (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/keepa-amazon-price-tracke/neebplgakaahbhdphmkckjjcegoiijjo

The Tracktor (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-tracktor-price-histor/onajjgekdldckfgodnmoallcmdmfcfom

Camelizer (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-camelizer/ghnomdcacenbmilgjigehppbamfndblo

Honey (free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/honey/bmnlcjabgnpnenekpadlanbbkooimhnj

Scanalzye (paid): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/scanalyze-for-online-sour/jofibhpjfepbfdeniifaoobeiilmhpgk

Shop Genius (free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/shopgenius/ekejkhnkppgbldboejcbcejjjamkpooa

Walmart (free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/walmart/bmelcnhnemihidpaehodijpamdaeeglh

Target (free):https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/targetcom/mnghgojcbpjnbllckaldjekkdbdjdlfm

Cashback Cat (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cashback-watch/iniehoddbmdindkdemnbimcpdjjbikgf

Amazon FBA Automated Profit Calculator (free): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/amazon-fba-calculator-aut/hiboipckpnehmbhkpkblbcenpfdekdhf?hl=en-US

Stay At Home/ Work From Home Parent Sample Schedule

I've had a few stay-at-home parents message me about balancing the demands of parenthood and entrepreneurship so here's a sample week. Warning it's long & rather "normal", if you bore easily you might want to scroll on by!

Monday

-Get up at 5:00 am - scan emails, answer facebook questions, personal messages, post product finds for our VA Mastermind Groups, check in with EPS business partners & VAs.

-Little one is up at 7am - family breakfast time, getting ready for preschool. Husband drops her off on his way to work (he's a self employed auto body shop owner).

-8:30-11:00 am finish left over work, sourcing, placing orders from the VA lists, ship any eBay orders (I only ship on M, W, F), create a PZP shipment sneak in a quick workout- whatever needs to be done for the day

-11:30am - pickup our daughter & have lunch

-Get her started on an activity to finish anything I have left over

- Afternoon until daddy gets home at 5:30 pm or so is spend multi-tasking, keeping her busy, taking care of the house, etc.

- Make dinner, spend time with the family. I try to unplug at this time as well.

-If my husband has to go back in to finish a job, I work on other income streams while our daughter is sleeping

Tuesday

-Get up at 5:00 am - scan emails, answer facebook questions, personal messages, post product finds for our VA Mastermind Groups, check in with EPS business partners & VAs.

-Little one is up at 7am - family breakfast time (no school on Tuesdays)

-Finish left over work, sourcing, placing orders from the VA lists, - while she's working on an activity

- Typical busy day until daddy gets home at 5:30 pm or so keeping her busy, taking care of the house, etc. - sometimes my in-laws will take her for a play date for a few hours so I can get some work done

- Make dinner, spend time with the family. I try to unplug at this time as well.

-If my husband has to go back in to finish a job, I work on other income streams while our daughter is sleeping

Wednesday

-Get up at 5:00 am - scan emails, answer facebook questions, personal messages, post product finds for our VA Mastermind Groups, check in with EPS business partners & VAs.

-Little one is up at 7am - family breakfast time, getting ready for preschool. Husband drops her off on his way to work (he's a self employed auto body shop owner).

-8:30-11:00 am finish left over work, sourcing, placing orders from the VA lists, ship any eBay orders (I only ship on M, W, F), create a PZP shipment sneak in a quick workout- whatever needs to be done for the day

-11:30am - pickup our daughter & have lunch

-Get her started on an activity to finish anything I have left over

- Afternoon until daddy gets home at 5:30 pm or so is spend multi-tasking, keeping her busy, taking care of the house, etc.

- Make dinner, spend time with the family. I try to unplug at this time as well.

-If my husband has to go back in to finish a job, I work on other income streams while our daughter is sleeping

Thursday

-Get up at 5:00 am - scan emails, answer facebook questions, personal messages, post product finds for our VA Mastermind Groups, check in with EPS business partners & VAs.

-Little one is up at 7am - family breakfast time (no school on Tuesdays)

-Finish left over work, sourcing, placing orders from the VA lists, - while she's working on an activity

- Typical busy day until daddy gets home at 5:30 pm or so keeping her busy, taking care of the house, etc. - sometimes my in-laws will take her for a play date for a few hours so I can get some work done

- Make dinner, spend time with the family. I try to unplug at this time as well.

-If my husband has to go back in to finish a job, I work on other income streams while our daughter is sleeping

Friday

-Get up at 5:00 am - scan emails, answer facebook questions, personal messages, post product finds for our VA Mastermind Groups, check in with EPS business partners & VAs.

-Little one is up at 7am - family breakfast time, getting ready for preschool. Husband drops her off on his way to work (he's a self employed auto body shop owner).

-8:30-11:00 am finish left over work, sourcing, placing orders from the VA lists, ship any eBay orders (I only ship on M, W, F), create a PZP shipment sneak in a quick workout- whatever needs to be done for the day

-11:30am - pickup our daughter & have lunch

-Bring her along to run errands, do some RA, visit family 45 minutes away - usually return late in the evening

Saturday

-All day work session

-Drop little one off with my parents in the morning and she will stay overnight until Sunday afternoon - spends time with her grandparents, aunt & uncle, cousin & extended family as well as some time at my parent's brick & mortar business

-I will create a shipment for any RA I've done (try to save it all for today and ship it out on Monday), clean the house, work on other income streams, go out and do more RA

-Evening hours- date night with hubby and/or night out with friends

Sunday

- get up early and continue to finish whatever I didn't finish from Saturday. Pick the little one up at lunch time or late afternoon and spend the remainder of the day with her & my husband, doing family activities, cooking, etc.