10 December 2015
Why does it say my book is 'out of stock' on Amazon?

By Managing Director, Amanda Greenslade

If you go ahead and try to order the book, I think you will find that it can be ordered. So just because it says 'out of stock' does not mean it can't be ordered in.

Amazon do not always stock print-on-demand titles, especially when they are new and not in demand. The suppliers of print-on-demand, other than Amazon, have a wider distribution network, and are operating in competition with Amazon's self-publishing POD brand.

So, it seems possible to us that when the print-on-demand supplier is not Amazon, there are increased delays, especially in peak seasons like December. Amazon prioritises the availability of stocked books (like those from a traditional publisher) and its own self-publishing POD brand, but you can't expect them to do the same for competing print-on-demand suppliers. So, while people probably can order your book even though it says 'temporarily out of stock' (notice it does still let you order), Amazon is not giving them false hope in terms of how fast it will be delivered, as it is not held in an Amazon fulfillment centre.

If you really want the very best and most amazing Amazon experience for your readers to buy your print-on-demand book, and you're focused on Amazon only (not the tens of thousands of other online booksellers, some of which Australian eBook Publisher print-on-demand gives you access to), then you can tell us to publish solely through Amazon, not the rest of the tens of thousands that access our POD data feed. But are you sure that's the best decision?

Amazon are important but do you really want to rule out all other booksellers, including some that are very popular in Australia like Booktopia and Fishpond? Some people have stated that Amazon are cut-throat in the bookselling and publishing industry, and are trying to drive everyone else out of business. I respect what Amazon have done with their customer service and online selling platform, which has been phenomenal. I do not support one bookseller over another or business practices that are likely to disadvantage certain participants in this industry, but the choice remains yours.

If you are a self-publishing author and your priority is selling your POD book on Amazon, and Amazon only, then perhaps you should instruct us to only distribute and publish through Amazon. We can facilitate that for you, or we can use our regular channel which gives a much broader reach in print-on-demand. It's a choice between one and tens of thousands. And it's a choice between supporting a monopolistic corporation or letting multitudes of businesses participate in the industry. So I know which I would choose.

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"I have really appreciated your support with my book, Amanda. I'm sure your other clients are of the same opinion. Quality professionalism is never in over supply, neither is generosity of spirit. You have both."—Henry Grossek, radio announcer and author of Game On: Building the Education Revolution

"Thank you, Australian eBook Publisher. I am delighted with the quality of the print edition of my novel, Beast-speaker. The service that Amanda and her team provide is exceptional: friendly, helpful and everything is delivered within the promised time-frame. The print on demand package is easy and affordable, and I highly recommend it to anyone considering publishing with Australian eBook Publisher."—W. A. Noble, author of Beast-speaker

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