The Role & Expectations
The work is mostly research and admin: finding products that might sell, sourcing them from suppliers, sending stock into Amazon's warehouses, writing listings, setting prices and watching the numbers. Amazon handles the storage and delivery, but you carry the cost of unsold stock and the fees that come out of every sale.
You are self-employed, so there is no wage, no sick pay and no guaranteed income - some sellers make a decent living, many barely break even, and some lose the money they put in. It rewards patience, basic maths, attention to detail and the discipline to keep going when products flop.
There are no qualifications or licences to start, but you must register as self-employed with HMRC and handle your own tax. Most people learn from free guides, online communities and their own mistakes rather than any formal course.
Daily Responsibilities
- Research products and check likely demand and profit
- Contact suppliers and order or restock inventory
- Write and improve product listings and photos
- Set prices and monitor competitors
- Track sales, fees and profit margins
- Handle customer messages and returns
- Manage stock levels sent into Amazon