The Smartest Amazon Seller

Episode 290 - From High School Hustler to Serial Entrepreneur with Uri Rahimi

Join host Scott as he sits down with Uri Rahimi, a serial entrepreneur whose diverse ventures span the worlds of e-commerce, manufacturing, and software development.From humble beginnings flipping iPhones in high school to building a multi-million dollar wall decor brand, Uri’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of opportunity.In this episode, we delve into Uri's journey, exploring his early forays into Amazon selling, the challenges of scaling a physical product business, and the strategic decision to open his printing facility in Miami.Uri shares invaluable insights from navigating the complexities of manufacturing, including his experiences at global trade shows and firsthand observations of production processes in China.Tune in to discover how diversification can create unexpected synergies between seemingly unrelated businesses, the strategic advantages of manufacturing your product line, and the importance of embracing the learning process inherent in every entrepreneurial journey.
Episode notes:
00:17 - Uri Rahimi Introduction
02:00 - Uri Early Ventures in High School
04:00 - Entrance into Amazon and First Brand
06:00 - Learning from China and Import Challenges
06:25 - Scaling the Business
07:25 - Product Research
07:55 - Increasing Conversion Rate
10:45 - Number of SKUs Created and Removed
11:41 -  Reaching 7 Figures
12:00 - Uri Continued Interest and Involvement in Software Development
16:30 - Vertical Integration and Becoming a Manufacturer
17:55 - Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
18:34 - Expansion to Print-On-Demand
20:45 - Technological Limitations and Innovations
26:15 - Artelo Specialization
29:07 - Seller Utilities
30:20 - Value of Having SQP Reports
32:35 - The Keepa Model
34:50 - What’s Next for Uri?
36:23 - Beating China
37:22 - The Platform Risk
39:05 - The Future of Amazon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-rahimi/
Related Posts: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building
 

Episode 289 - The Best Free Tools for Amazon Sellers

Boost your Amazon business without breaking the bank!
Scott explores an array of free tools that can transform your selling strategy on Amazon. From price trackers such as  Keepa to innovative solutions such as Veeqo's profitability analyzer — there’s something for every seller looking to maximize profits while minimizing costs.
 
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Best Free Tools Overview
03:00 - David Zimmerman's curated list of free tools (@ddzim)
04:19 - Profit Analyzer: Veeqo
05:35 - PPC: Advance
06:45 - Search Query Performance: Amazon Seller Central
07:42 - Product Opportunity Explorer: Amazon Seller Central
09:07 - Sales Estimator: JungleScout
09:48 - FBA Calculators: Profit Guru, Jungle Scout, Amazon FBA Calculator
10:13 - Exploding Topics: SmartScout
10:55 - Google Trends
12:34 - Amazon Seller Map: SmartScout
13:52 - Price Tracker: Keepa
Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands
 

Episode 288 - Is The Amazon Dream Still Alive in 2025?

Scott takes a deep dive into the evolving Amazon marketplace to determine whether it still offers the same potential for success as it once did.
From shifting trends in product sourcing and search traffic to the challenges of launching new private-label products, he explores sellers' strategies to thrive despite increasing competition and changing policies. He also tackles many sellers' pain points, such as account suspensions, bundling complexities, and changes to Amazon’s reimbursement policies.
As Amazon continues to grow, so do the opportunities for partnerships and expansion. However, the platform’s rapid evolution comes with growing pains, and he discusses how sellers can navigate these challenges while staying profitable.
Join Scott as he uncovers what it takes to succeed on Amazon in 2025 and beyond.
 
Episode Notes:
 
01:30 - Marketplace Pulse Year in Review
05:20 - Amazon Haul
06:15 - Starting a New Private Label Product
07:05 - Increase in Section 3 Suspensions
09:15 - Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC)
10:40 - Exceptions on Bundles
12:40 - Jungle Scout and Helium 10 Search Traffic
14:20 - Alibaba to Amazon Search Volume
15:40 - Amazon Fees not Going Up
16:15 - Amazon Business Growing
17:10 - Growing Pains of Amazon
17:30 - Amazon Partnerships
17:55 - Amazon Reimbursement Policy
18:55 - Next Podcast Topics
 
Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025

Episode 287 - The Art of Merchandising on Amazon with John Aspinall

Scott welcomes John Aspinall from PickFu after a two-month hiatus on guests.Unlock the secrets to eye-catching Amazon listings and skyrocket your sales with John and learn how non-designers can create compelling product images that drive clicks and conversions on Amazon.John breaks down the key differences between graphic and merchandising designers, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through "hero" images to boost click-through rates. He also highlights how China's advancements in merchandising are challenging U.S. sellers and shares strategies to stay competitive.Packed with actionable insights, this episode covers innovative tactics for showcasing products effectively while adhering to Amazon’s guidelines. Tune in now to transform your listings and make your products stand out!
Episode Notes:
01:30 - John Aspinall Introduction
03:00 - Graphic Designer vs Merchandising Designer
06:30 - The Clickthrough Rate Comeback
08:30 - Best Practices on Merchandising
14:10 - Optimizing for Humans and Bots
15:10 - Designing Product Images
19:45 - The Image Guidelines
22:20 - Seasonal Merchandising
24:40 - The Risk/Rewards of Merchandising Experiments
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaspinall
Website: AmazonCTR.com | pickfu.com
Related Post: 7 Pro Amazon Listing Optimization Tips to Send Your Sales Soaring

Episode 286 - Insights and Opportunities for the Amazon Marketplace

Scott breaks down the two primary types of Amazon professionals (service providers and brand owners) and discusses the potential of categories such as grocery, beauty, consumables, and pet products.
He demonstrates how SmartScout can help identify valuable brands and gain insights from trade show analysis without attending in person.
The podcast also explores the shift in the beauty industry from “luxury” to “premium” and the implications for resellers due to brand gating initiatives. Plus, a real-world example of how price points can influence consumer choices is shared, using the AMD vs. Intel case study.
 
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Two Types of Amazon Professionals
01:35 - Strategies for Type 1 Sellers
06:15 - Strategies for Type 2 Sellers
10:30 - Observations and Industry Insights
13:10 - Intel vs AMD Amazon Advertising
SmartScout Tradeshows
AMZ United
Voice of the Amazon Seller
 
Related Post: Amazon Ungated Categories: Everything You Need to Know

Episode 285 - Supercharging Sales with Coupons

Amazon coupons. Scott explores their potential to significantly boost your sales.Despite recent changes in Amazon's discounting policies, coupons remain a powerful tool for sellers. Scott discusses how coupons can drive click-through and conversion rates, even if not all customers utilize them.He also explores a case study featuring a top-selling brand, Jackery, which effectively employs a dual strategy of large coupons and discounts to maximize sales. He discusses the controversial practice of price inflation before applying significant discounts, a tactic used by brands such as Jackery to circumvent Amazon's pricing policies.Furthermore, Scott examines current trends in Amazon's discounting landscape, including the declining effectiveness of Prime Exclusive Discounts and the untapped potential of traditional coupons - providing strategic insights on how to effectively use coupons to clear inventory, increase market share, and avoid potential pitfalls like Amazon-to-Amazon arbitrage.
Episode Notes:
00:10 - The Power of Coupons in Boosting Sales
01:35 - Jackery Case Study: High-Impact Coupon Strategy
02:50 - Understanding Amazon's Pricing Flexibility
03:55 - The Changing Landscape of Amazon Discounts
05:05 - The Consumer Perspective on Coupons
06:55 - Coupons as a Strategic Sales Tool
07:45 - Community Engagement and Survey Initiative
09:35 - Golden Seller Awards
 
Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025

Episode 284 - Helium 10 and Market Forces in the Amazon Seller Space

Scott examines the evolving landscape of the Amazon seller ecosystem. From web traffic to key tools such as Helium 10 and Jungle Scout declining by 50% over the past two years, the conversation centers on what this means for new and established sellers.He opens the discussion by exploring the sharp decline in new Amazon sellers entering the market. The pandemic-era e-commerce surge from 2020-2022 has faded, leading many new sellers to exit after facing early challenges. Despite this shift, Amazon continues to grow steadily at 15-20%, driven largely by established brands utilizing agencies and expertise to strengthen their presence.Scott also shed light on how external forces such as tariffs and policies from the Trump administration are shaping the industry while highlighting the dominance of Chinese sellers. Sellers from key cities in China remain resilient, maintaining their stronghold despite geopolitical tensions and trade challenges.Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of the trends shaping the Amazon seller space and practical advice to navigate this evolving landscape.
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Market Forces and Trends
02:15 - Traffic Decline of Top Amazon Seller Tools
05:05 - Growth of Large Brands
06:45 - Analyzing The Broader Market
08:10 - Effects of Political Events on Market Dynamics
09:38 - Observations on Chinese Market Impact
10:40 - Insights on Chinese Sellers in the Amazon Marketplace
Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands

Episode 283 - Navigating Amazon's New Bundle Policy

Amazon has recently updated its bundle policy, and this episode is dedicated to breaking down the implications for sellers of all sizes.Scott discusses the specific changes, their potential impact, and strategies to continue leveraging bundling to boost sales. He also explores successful bundling strategies, using Fender guitar bundles as a case study.By analyzing their approach, we'll uncover valuable insights into creating compelling and compliant bundles. Additionally, we'll delve into the role of software tools such as Smart Scout in identifying bundling opportunities and optimizing product listings.Join Scott as he navigates this evolving landscape and empowers you to maximize your sales potential.
Episode Notes:
01:50 - Updated Product Bundling Policy for Consumables
03:35 - Example of Non-compliant Bundle
04:30 - Case Study: Fender Guitar Bundles
07:43 - The Role of Software in Bundling
Related Post: Traffic Graph Update

Episode 282 - Is Amazon's New Low-Cost Store A Game Changer in E-commerce?

Amazon is again shaking up the e-commerce world with its latest initiative: a low-cost store designed to compete with emerging players such as Temu. This new program offers rock-bottom prices and ultra-fast shipping directly from China.
Scott delves into the potential impact of this move on small private label sellers and established brands. He discusses how this strategy could affect product categories and pricing dynamics.
To stay ahead of the curve, Scott also explores the use of SmartScout to identify competitive opportunities and potential threats from Chinese sellers. Join him as he navigates this evolving landscape and discusses strategies to adapt your business accordingly.
 
Episode Notes:
00:27 - Amazon's new low-cost store initiative
02:35 - Key Aspects of the New Program
04:17 - Invite-only Nature and Sourcing from China
05:20 - Focus on Lightweight Items and Restrictions on Certain Product Categories
05:53 - Branded by Amazon
06:45 - No Returns
07:05 - Fulfillment Fees
07:55 - Impact on the E-Commerce Landscape
10:16 - Strategy and Tool for Small Private Label Sellers
 
Related Post: How To Use a China Sourcing Agent
 

Episode 281 - Understanding FBA Calculators and Profitability on Amazon

Scott explores the limitations of popular FBA calculators and uncovers hidden costs that can significantly impact profitability. He discusses the importance of accurate accounting and inventory tracking, as well as strategies for managing high return rates.Drawing from years of experience selling over $100 million worth of products on Amazon, Scott delves into real-world examples and insights.
Join him as he uncovers the truth behind FBA profitability and equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Episode Notes:
01:15 - FBA Calculators Lies
04:35 - Understanding Profitability
08:55 - Amazon FBA Calculator
10:06 - Best Accounting Methods for Amazon Sellers
12:00 - How to Have a Profitable Amazon Business
Coupon Code: Smart2024
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