How to pass Amazons $50 requirement?

[Ursula]

Hello everybody.
I'm starting a book reviewing blog, and would like to be able to post my reviews on Amazon.com. There's a requirement that I spend $50 before being allowed - and as I'm living in Sweden, I would rather want to buy something where I don't need to pay for expensive oversea-taxes and shipping.

Will I be allowed to post reviews if I buy online content? Will any online content add to the $50 requirement? Any tips on how I can get past til $50 limit the cheapest way possible?

Thanks in advance

[Davida]

You can buy anything from Amazon, including eBooks, and it will be included in the $50. However, I don't think the stuff on their marketplace counts. Once you've spent that, you can post reviews for the coming year.

By the way, several people with book blogs (including me) who use Amazon's affiliate links have written to Amazon about allowing their affiliates to post reviews of at least books. No news yet, though.

[Ursula]

Thank you, Davida. I'll go find a bunch of ebooks to buy myself then :) . I might try writing to Amazon as well sometimes soon, though I probably won't have affiliate links in the beginning. Thanks.

[C.C.]

Hi Ursula,

Amazon effectively has three sticking points for reviews.
1) Not to be an impartial friend of the author. ;) How this works exactly, no one can say for sure.
2) Have written a review of any item purchased from Amazon before, circular logic I know.
3) Spend at least $50 on purchases within a year on anything, including books.

One way to get round No 3 is have a Prime or Kindle Unlimited account. If you go with Unlimited, the books would not cost extra on top of the subscription, since they are 'free'. Second, they automatically ask, encourage you for a review when you finish a novel. If your first review is rejected for some reason, Amazon is aware you have written one, so likely the problem with No 2 will disappear in time. They may even re-instate the first review. :)

Regarding No 1, I would add, Amazon frowns on quid pro quo. Getting a book for free, solely to publish a review is a problem for them. Getting paid, however its done, for a review is also bad. What you do on your own site/blog is your concern, they care only about their site. Authors can give you books for free, simply to read, but not explicitly for a review. Regardless, if receive the book without payment, not from the Kindle store. You should include a disclaimer that this was how it was obtained. Keeps everyone happy. Authors should also not be exchanging books to give one another a pat on the back and 5* reviews.

A final point. Reviews via Kindle do not include the phrase, 'verified purchaser'. If you bought the item, this will be there. Verified, ranks higher and has more impact. Best of luck.

Regards

CC

[Ursula]

Hi CC,
Thanks for the tips! After several sessions with the Amazon Chat Support (where I was transfered to a new department five times every time), I was told that Audible doesn't count (though it doesn't say anywhere).

I will try with an Unlimited account now, as a last resort, else I'll just give up :P

[C.C.]

Hi Ursula,

I did not know about an issue with Audible. Thanks for the info.

Amazon are not the most illuminating when talking about why they do this or that. Best of luck, going forward. If you stick with the blog, there is nothing to stop you sharing on this site as well. :)

Regards

CC