As someone who’s been selling through online arbitrage on Amazon for about 2 years now, I’m facing a dilemma and would appreciate your insights. Lately, Amazon seems to be actively removing the buy box for sellers if the item’s price is significantly higher than on other websites. This strategy of Amazon complicates our ability to forecast profitability.

The main issue here is the lack of clarity from Amazon regarding the maximum price threshold before they decide to remove the buy box. This uncertainty makes each purchase a risk, potentially leading to razor-thin margins, breaking even, or even losses. I’ve purchased products before that seemed promising only to have Amazon remove the buy box until I brought it down to a price that led to a loss.

Given these circumstances, I’m questioning the feasibility of continuing with OA on Amazon. How are you all managing this situation? Do you still find OA on Amazon to be a viable strategy?

Eager to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Is online arbitrage sustainable? I recently started, and so far, it's going well, but I always see people speaking down on it and saying to switch to private label. Could you live off online arbitrage or at least make 50k a year from it?

I started retail/online arbitrage about 7 years ago and made decent money. I've pivoted towards other areas of flipping but still keep an eye on the arbitrage world. The last few years it seems to have gotten a bit more difficult. I don't want to be all doom and gloom and lament about how flipping has gotten harder but I do think it's worth going over what has changed in that time. It seems like a few things have happened:

1. Each year more and more brands are being gated on Amazon. Something that sells $10 in the store and $35 on Amazon may only sell for 25 on eBay. The added workload of individually shipping 20 units individually on ebay vs sending them into FBA cannot be overstated. Mo effort for less profit.

2. Exposure. When I started Youtube was a thing but it seems since Covid flipping videos have blown up. 99% of people who watch won't get into arbitrage but if even a couple people with access to credit start they can make it much more difficult for you.

3. Stores have started to change their processes. Walmart for one has started limiting how much they allow managers to mark items down. They will now liquidate items before they can get marked down enough to be profitable. Other stores I can see them following suite if they haven't already.

4. Similar to point 2 but the popularity and propagation of price checking sites and selling groups has brought many more people into the fold. I can only see the tech making easier and easier to identify price discrepancies.

Honestly I also knew this would happen eventually. Arbitrage always had a low barrier to entry. It won't go extinct but I think the low hanging fruit is close to being done and the only the most savvy will be able to remain in business. The wild west days are over.

Are there any OA sellers on here who wouldn’t mind sharing what their margins are?

I ask because I keep seeing people online post huge #s in sales, but they rarely ever speak on margins.

I understand 98% of the time it’s just hype to sell their course, but I still can’t help but wonder what the actual profit is, because sales seems to be so misleading.

I’m not knocking anyone’s hustle, just interested to see if it’s viable with dedication and time spent sourcing/learning.

Hey everyone,
I'm getting more into online arbitrage and wanted to ask, what websites do you use to find good deals for reselling in the U.S.?

I know the obvious ones like Walmart, Target, and maybe Walgreens, but are there any underrated or niche sites you’ve had success with?

Would love to hear what’s working for you lately!

Hi there! I know people are asking same questions over and over again, but I'll really appreciate getting some real world experience answers.

Just found out this business model which is tempting for a beginner like me.

I am from Europe and planning to start Online Arbitrage FBA with prep center in the US.

Realistically what kind of revenue is possible to be processed by myself in a long term without virtual assistant and possibly adding automation tools like tactical arbitrage, repricer etc. I understand I have long way till I reach this stage, but still I need some insight on what I could expect and if it's worth investing my time and money into this kind of a business. Till now I've spoken with chatgpt for all of my questions and watched tons of videos and tutorials, but they are presenting it a bit too sugary to be true in my eyes. Also I've read that ungating is a huge blocker for newbies. I would love some guidance about it aswell.

I have many more questions but let's keep these for now.

Thanks in advance!

I've been heavily thinking about the future of online and retail arbitrage, especially with Amazon's evolving policies, and I'm starting to wonder if these models are being actively phased out or becoming too risky to be viable.

Here are some of my major pain points and concerns:

• Proof of Ownership/Inventory Loss: This is a big one. If Amazon loses your FBA inventory (and let's be real, it happens), a retail receipt often isn't considered a sufficient invoice to prove ownership and get reimbursed. It feels like we're increasingly at Amazon's mercy here.

• IP Complaints & Invoices: Getting hit with an intellectual property complaint (even if it's baseless) is a nightmare. Without a direct invoice from an authorized distributor, it's incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to defend yourself. Receipts just don't cut it.

• New Stolen Goods Policy (Effective 6/30): I just heard about Amazon implementing a new stolen goods policy on June 30th. While I understand the intent, I'm really concerned about how this will impact arbitrage sellers. Does anyone have more details on this and how it might add another layer of complexity or risk?

I see so many YouTubers still promoting retail and online arbitrage as paths to making millions. While I admire their success, I'm struggling to reconcile that with the increasing difficulties and risks involved.

So, my question to the community is: Are online and retail arbitrage dead or dying as sustainable business models on Amazon? Or am I just missing something crucial?

Would love to hear your experiences, strategies for navigating these issues, or if you've shifted away from arbitrage and why.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

I have just started doing Retail and Online arbitrage just a couple weeks ago, 100% FBA, I barely invested $150 and did over $600 in sales with a 20-30% profit. I don't understand why everyone on reddit says it's not worth it and that people doing videos of arbitrage are fake?

My only limitation at the moment is not having more money to invest in more products, but this will come with time. I find profitable products everyday, both online and in retail stores. Everything I tried to sell sold in less than 10 days. Am I lucky? Am I tripping? I can only think if I had 10-20x more money to invest I would be making 10-20x more. And that would be fucking amazing..

Anyone there making a living from arbitrage? I can't wait to quit my job and work 100% on this, I am really excited.

Why do online arbitrage sellers get such a bad rep? I started doing this about 6 months ago and it’s turning out to be surprisingly profitable.

But I’ve seen someone call OA sellers “the dying breed of amazon”

Why is that? Just curious.

What was your start up capital?

How long have you been selling on Amazon?

What is your monthly net profit?

How long did it take for you to start seeing profit?

How did you scale your business?

Do you still have a full time job? Is it hard to juggle the both?

If selling via OA and wholesale do you regularly just send items straight to the prep centre instead of your own venue? Please explain your reasoning. I’m asking because whilst it’s “fulfilled by amazon” for a reason I’ve noticed a lot of people on YouTube still store items in their own property or warehouses. Why’s this the case?

What do you like an dislike about having sell via online/retail arbitrage and wholesale?

Is there something you wish someone would’ve told you before selling on Amazon?

Many thanks!

Hey everyone,

I'm in my late 20s, make around €120k gross a year in sales as my main job, and recently started a side hustle doing Amazon Online Arbitrage (Amazon FBA). I want to build a second income stream long-term that will eventually make me less dependent on my job.

What I've done so far:

• Registered a business, applied for a VAT ID and tax number

• Business account with €5,000 starting capital (will be increased to about €10,000)

• Bought my first products

• Use tools like SellerAmp to analyze products

• Currently without accounting software – that's next on the list

What's on my mind right now: I've already put in many hours sourcing – about 2 hours a day in the evenings, more on weekends, and sometimes during work breaks. The products I find usually have a margin of €9-10 – but often cost €100-200 to buy. And even then, there's still the risk that they won't sell or the price will change.

It feels like collecting deposit bottles: As long as I'm actively searching, I'm earning money – but as soon as I stop, nothing comes in anymore. There's no automation, no structure, and no long-term asset being built. No inventory that turns over, no brand, no system. I'm currently wondering:

• Is arbitrage still a sensible start to get into it at all?

• Or should I rather deal with wholesale, private label, or digital products sooner?

• What alternatives are there for someone who wants to build something of their own, sustainable, in the long run? Maybe something completely different?

Maybe someone knows similar paths or can share from their own experience what would be a sensible next step.

Thanks for your honest thoughts!

Hi,

I'm thinking to get started on Amazon with online arbitrage. I need to build up experience and capital before moving to wholesale. Is that a strategy you all would recommend for someone starting out?

Do people think leads list are worth it?
I tried using some leads list (OA beans) but wasn't impressed with the results. Are there some leads lists out there that are actually good.

Arbitrage BFF haven't tried their leads list but the mining leads option has been impressive to me I'm finding it much easier to start using than Tactical Arbitrage.

Anyway super curious for advice and opinions.

Thanks so much.

Hi there, I’m wanting to start selling through Amazon fba but trying to figure out what option is best. Can anyone tell me their experiences, pros/cons with Arbitrage and private label? I was originally going to start with private label but after some research maybe online Arbitrage would be better then switching to PL? Any help is appreciated!! Thank you!!

What do you find to be the best strategy for sourcing OA items? I have used manual and reverse sourcing and Tactical Arbitrage.

I found majority of items with TA but I find it is very hard to find good items that don’t tank for a few months before even coming close to my asking price.

I make sure the keepa looks good and steady price and everything, but I think the issue might be everyone else is seeing the similar results through the search database and items just start ranking.

Hi, I’m based in the UK and I’m looking to start online arbitrage as a side hustle that I hope to build into passive income one day. I would really appreciate any advice from those out there doing this or from those that have tried to do it. I have about £300 saved and will hopefully have £500 saved soon. I have never sold anything on Amazon so I will be “gated” at first.

1. Can you advise if £300-£500 is enough to get started?

2. I have read about the software Tactical Arbitrage. What is it like? Is it any good?

3. I have heard that Amazon don’t classify certain shops as distributors e.g. John Lewis, Dunelm, Argos, Tesco etc. Will I have problems with Amazon if I am selling both branded and non- branded goods from these stores on Amazon?

4. Can you recommend any free YouTube videos/free courses that have been particularly helpful?

5. Anything else you can advise me on?

Thanks for your help!

Hey folks,

I am considering starting up an Amazon arbitrage business. I was wondering if anyone here has experience in the space and if there is anything I should be aware of.

I am a bit skeptical due to the number of YouTubers promoting it, and wanted to make sure I'm not gonna get taken for a ride.

Thanks