I'm going to differ from others. Online arbitrage is still possible on Amazon and elsewhere, if the cost of inventory is low enough. I do 100% online arbitrage (no dropshipping of any kind). My sales are 55/25/15/5 FBA/Walmart/FBM/eBay. I mostly source from Amazon, sometimes Walmart or other retailers, and rarely from the manufacturer itself (but some of my best-selling products come from the manufacturer). I mostly sell my products at $50-200. My rule of thumb is to buy inventory for 50% or less of what I expect to sell it for, so that means paying 100. Obviously the lower the better. If I have confidence in selling an item for more than $200 I'll go above 50%. I did $300K (+25% yoy) in revenue in 2023, and ~$85K (+39% yoy) pretax profit. I prefer to focus on return on investment. That $85K came from $149K in inventory; that is, I spent $149K for the inventory that I sold in 2023, I got that $149K back, and earned $85K in addition, so a ROI of >55%. I agree with u/CoyotePuncher about this strategy not being viable for "upper level" annual sales (let's say seven figures). I'd love to prove him (and me) wrong, though! CC: u/catjuggler , u/mttl Answer from TMWNN on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/fulfillmentbyamazon › is online arbitrage still viable on amazon given buy box removal for high pricing?
r/FulfillmentByAmazon on Reddit: Is Online Arbitrage Still Viable on Amazon Given Buy Box Removal for High Pricing?
January 3, 2024 -

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.

Top answer
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I'm going to differ from others. Online arbitrage is still possible on Amazon and elsewhere, if the cost of inventory is low enough. I do 100% online arbitrage (no dropshipping of any kind). My sales are 55/25/15/5 FBA/Walmart/FBM/eBay. I mostly source from Amazon, sometimes Walmart or other retailers, and rarely from the manufacturer itself (but some of my best-selling products come from the manufacturer). I mostly sell my products at $50-200. My rule of thumb is to buy inventory for 50% or less of what I expect to sell it for, so that means paying $25-$100. Obviously the lower the better. If I have confidence in selling an item for more than $200 I'll go above 50%. I did $300K (+25% yoy) in revenue in 2023, and ~$85K (+39% yoy) pretax profit. I prefer to focus on return on investment. That $85K came from $149K in inventory; that is, I spent $149K for the inventory that I sold in 2023, I got that $149K back, and earned $85K in addition, so a ROI of >55%. I agree with u/CoyotePuncher about this strategy not being viable for "upper level" annual sales (let's say seven figures). I'd love to prove him (and me) wrong, though! CC: u/catjuggler , u/mttl
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A big part of OA is finding stuff that’s discontinued, rare, or hard to find. For example, a limited run flavor of Coke. In those cases, buy box isn’t necessary, people will buy it anyway. If you aren’t able to sell something unless you have buy box, it just wasn’t a good product with enough demand or constricted enough supply. Dropshippers are the biggest threat. They can instantly list on Amazon the entire catalog of Walmart.com at razor thin margins, leaving zero opportunity for regular old OA. Is OA viable? Only if you’re creative. Create multipacks and bundles, create your own Amazon listings, run ads, predict supply shortages and demand increases. Competitors and dropshippers aren’t doing any of that. They’re doing things in a “lazy” way and refusing to do anything outside the box.
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SmartScout
smartscout.com › amazon-seller-key-terms › oa-online-arbitrage
What is Online Arbitrage for Amazon Sellers?
Online arbitrage is a business model where Amazon sellers buy products at a lower price, sell them at a higher price online, and have the products fulfilled using FBA service. ... Amazon arbitrageurs employ various strategies to outsmart the retail giant, such as buying products in bulk and ...
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RepricerExpress
repricerexpress.com › home › blog › amazon › online arbitrage vs retail arbitrage on amazon
Online Arbitrage vs Retail Arbitrage on Amazon in 2024
February 7, 2025 - Amazon arbitrage is a type of reselling that is quite common and growing in popularity as the number of Amazon sellers increases. Sellers will find products either online or in retail stores that are selling for cheaper than they are on Amazon.
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Jungle Scout
junglescout.com › resources › articles › online-arbitrage-guide
How to Make Money on Amazon with Online Arbitrage in 2024
November 6, 2024 - Online arbitrage (OA) is the process of buying products from online retailers with the sole intention of reselling those products at a higher price for a profit on another online marketplace such as Amazon, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.
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Helium 10
helium10.com › home › blog › online arbitrage on amazon: everything you need to know
Online Arbitrage on Amazon: Everything You Need to Know | Helium 10
January 4, 2024 - Whether you’re a newcomer exploring ... arbitrage on Amazon. Online arbitrage is a form of selling on Amazon that capitalizes on price disparities between different online marketplaces, and it’s a thriving method for many Amazon ...
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SageMailer
sagemailer.com › blog › amazon selling tips › how to make money on amazon with online arbitrage in 2025
Amazon Online Arbitrage - Make Money in 2025 | SageMailer
May 19, 2025 - Online arbitrage involves finding products at lower prices on one platform and reselling them at a profit on Amazon. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just starting out, this post is your comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of online ...
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AmzScout
amzscout.net › blog › how to start an online arbitrage
Amazon Online Arbitrage Business: A 5-Step Guide to Start in 2025
September 8, 2025 - Online arbitrage is the process of buying products from one online marketplace (often at a discount) and reselling them on another platform, like Amazon, for a profit. Unlike traditional retail or wholesale, this method doesn’t require working ...
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MyWifeQuitHerJob
mywifequitherjob.com › how to sell on amazon › amazon business models › a guide to online arbitrage on amazon and how to get started
A Guide To Online Arbitrage On Amazon And How To Get Started
To make money with online arbitrage, you first find great deals online by surfing the web, and then you sell the bargains you find on Amazon at a profit. If you enjoy shopping online like most people, it’s a great opportunity to make a few ...
Find elsewhere
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Aura
goaura.com › blog › online-arbitrage-guide
Online Arbitrage: Getting Started for New Amazon Sellers (2025)
At its core, arbitrage means buying something in one market and selling it for profit in another. Online arbitrage applies this principle to eCommerce—you source inventory from online retailers like Walmart.com, Target.com, or other websites, ...
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AmzScout
amzscout.net › blog › amazon arbitrage
Amazon Arbitrage: Is It Worth Starting in 2025?
September 8, 2025 - There are two main methods for sourcing products to sell on Amazon: Online Arbitrage: Buying discounted products from online retailers and reselling them at a higher price on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
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Seller Assistant
sellerassistant.app › blog › amazon-online-arbitrage-how-to-make-money
Amazon Online Arbitrage: How to Make Money - Seller Assistant Blog
March 24, 2025 - Online arbitrage is the practice of buying products from online retailers at a lower price and reselling them on Amazon for a profit. The key is to find price differences between marketplaces and take advantage of them.
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SageMailer
sagemailer.com › blog › amazon general questions › retail arbitrage amazon: maximizing profits
Retail Arbitrage Amazon: Guide for Amazon Traders | SageMailer
May 19, 2025 - What is Amazon Arbitrage? Arbitrage on Amazon is a profit-making method for resellers. It works like this: Sellers do market research on online platforms or in stores. At this stage, the goal is to find products cheaper than on the platform.
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Seller Essentials
selleressentials.com › arbitrage
Amazon Retail Arbitrage and Online Arbitrage - Seller Essentials
October 9, 2015 - Online Arbitrage and Retail Arbitrage are two sides of the same coin. Buy online and in retail stores, and resell on another platform for a profit. Learn how to master both in your Amazon FBA and FBM business from the pros at Seller Essentials.
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SellerApp
sellerapp.com › amazon › sellerapp updates › a complete guide on amazon retail arbitrage
Retail Arbitrage On Amazon: What it is & How Does it Work
Essentially, you are buying low from one market (the local store) and selling high in another market (Amazon), taking advantage of the variation in prices to generate a profit. Retail arbitrage allows individuals to tap into their keen eye for ...
Published   April 9, 2025
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The Selling Guys
thesellingguys.com › home › is amazon retail arbitrage worth it? or is arbitrage dead? 😱
Is Amazon Retail Arbitrage Worth It? Or is Arbitrage Dead? 😱
July 8, 2025 - Retail arbitrage involves purchasing ... reselling them on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or other marketplaces for a profit. Arbitrage sellers take advantage of price differences between physical retailers (such as Walmart, Target, or thrift ...
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Actorio
actorio.com › home › mastering online arbitrage on amazon: a beginner’s guide
Mastering Online Arbitrage on Amazon: A Beginner’s Guide - Actorio
January 9, 2025 - But how do you get started without creating your own products? That’s where online arbitrage (OA) comes in. With OA, you buy products online at a low price and resell them on Amazon for a profit.
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AmzOnlineArbitrage
amzonlinearbitrage.com › infinity › asin checker › asin grabber › pricing › about us › contact us › blogs › fba calculator
online arbitrage Amazon product leads list and Amazon seller tools
Online Arbitrage Amazon is the best Amazon seller platform where our product leads list from 1000+ online stores & we are taking 1000+ deals per month.
Price   $0
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Amazon
amazon.com › online-arbitrage › s
Amazon.com: Online Arbitrage
Dropshipping: Your Step-By-Step Guide To Make Money Online And Build A Passive Income Stream Using The Dropshipping Business Model (Business & Money) · Tribe Of Arbitragers: Short Arbitrage Advice From Successful Online Sellers: (Online Arbitrage, Retail Arbitrage, Books, Wholesale, Amazon ...
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Riverbend Consulting
riverbendconsulting.com › home › amazon › is amazon online arbitrage worth your time?
Is Amazon Online Arbitrage Worth Your Time?
June 10, 2025 - The answer is yes. Amazon allows OA– it’s a legitimate business model and legal on and off the Amazon marketplace. The concept of arbitrage aligns with Amazon’s overarching goal of customer satisfaction. However, it’s essential to understand that while Amazon permits online arbitrage, sellers must adhere to specific guidelines and policies to maintain a positive relationship with the platform.
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SmartScout
smartscout.com › blog › retail-arbitrage-vs-online-arbitrage
Retail Arbitrage vs. Online Arbitrage: Choosing the Right Sourcing Strategy for Amazon Sellers
October 27, 2023 - Scanning apps help you identify profitable items by comparing the store's price with the current price on Amazon. As you gain experience, you'll develop a better understanding of which products are worth sourcing and what types of stores offer the best deals. ‍ · Online arbitrage is also relatively easy to start, as it can be done from the comfort of your own home.