New Products | Merch By Amazon

New Products Added Finally

Well after months of debate and conjecture on everyone's part, the Merch crew has finally added a few new products.

The old line up has been getting pretty stale with the last update being popsockets, as far as new products.

Though the MBA crew has been working hard and has fixed many issues with the platform, the new product rollouts are still done at a snail's pace.

Though many thought phone cases or those weird lettered sunglasses would be up (Maybe they are in secret) The crew pulled a fast one on us all, though we did expect one item.

Let's take a look at the items and the how.

The Products                       

The products released are as follows :

• Tank tops 
• V-necks
• Raglans

 We all expected and wanted tank tops, which are good sellers on other market places including Etsy.

 The only other interest as far as lettered or design would be Raglans ( for me anyway unless you are heavy into patterns or small top "pocket" designs ;)

Tanktops

This is the most requested and the best selling of the three products released.

With summer just arriving this is one hot item we are all waiting for. Sales should increase for you with this item.

This is the one shirt that works great for all ages and all sexes. A true winner in the apparel biz.

Raglans

These are a really cool looking baseball like design for shirts. These are super for sports designs obviously, but many designs can be worked into this cool casual wear shirt.

They are totally unisex, and any age group works, though most target younger crowds.

Two of the three products work great for me unless they let us sell blanks, then v- necks would really become interesting.

The Downside                              

Not to be negative, but the biggest problem, the usual suspect with the MBA rollouts is, the bigger accounts get them all first. Though it is supposed to be a fair rollout, it is not.

You will usually get these months after the fact and end up in a super-saturated position.

This is not a total negative as you can still sell and compete, but you will already be scrounging for scraps at that point ( this is how it has always worked)

So if you are down toward tier 1000 and less be prepared to wait and if possible look for good designs to get ready.

Why Are Rollouts Unfair

As mentioned bigger accounts have more swing, its a business and obviously top salesmen get top picks.

Though its only a numbers game this is how it works.

As I mention in other articles, sometimes it's not the quality, its how many eyes see the work. 

Ads work, as Amazon spends a lot of time re-targeting, but for me, I will not spend the kind of money you need to, to get a few sales.

Ads (PPC) do not work for everyone and have become saturated in themselves, you would really want to understand that before proceeding.

MBA Crew

At this point, I will put this out there.

The MBA crew does work hard, this is still a relatively new platform for Amazon and has a ton of hurdles. They have done a really good job of most things, though slowly.

One of the biggest criticisms I have is that they have let way too many people in.

And they have not correctly vetted nor identified accounts that have several accounts attached ( fraudulent) or the copy or outright copyright thieves.

There are a lot of them, just watch chats in the groups if you are still on FB.

Some Advice                 

Another good rollout, done poorly and unfairly but none the less a good line up of at least 2 of the three products.

Though there are a lot of other good POD products including KDP out there I still like Amazon for its huge customer base.

I am as explained just a part-time hobbyist now with MBA, as I don't at this point see any way to actually make a living at it ( I am not one of those awesome designers there, nor do I have thousands and thousands of slots)

Unless you are one of the lucky few who got in early, did not have this tiering system and get all the new products way before everyone else, you may find it hard to get a lot out of MBA, though if you go along slowly and steadily you will eventually rise up and  possibly make a couple of grand a month.

Remember only use the Facebook and Youtube channels to learn how to get going, list and if you need, find Niches.

They are now full of GURUS and noise. I have left all of them and actually do a slight bit better in sales than I did before I left them. This is hugely important to not being misled or enticed at jumping for shiny objects. 

 Also, they all have opinions and can be very confusing and full of, ahem, to the point, if you listen, you will be constantly changing and trying to retool, that's not bad, but you first need to find your own way.

Don't let others sway you for their own benefit, stay your course and learn as you go.

Any thoughts or comments feel free to leave them below

All the best

EJ