Amazon’s new feedback system: say less 😶 [MDSR #52]

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Million Dollar Sellers
August 08, 2025

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Before we dive into tariffs, star-only reviews, and Amazon’s DIY fulfillment era — let’s zoom out.

We asked MDS members how their overall profit for July 2025 stacked up compared to last year. The verdict? Most sellers still came out ahead, even with cautious consumers and rising ad costs.

For many, Prime Day pulled its weight — just not always in the way Amazon’s press release would suggest.

📊 Here’s how sellers say their Amazon profits trended last month:

The numbers tell one story. The headlines tell another.

Let’s take a look at what’s driving all the turbulence in eCommerce right now.

Hot Off The Presses 📰

Brace yourself: Trump’s latest tariffs kicked in today — and retailers are already contorting themselves to avoid sticker shock. Some are quietly raising prices on one item to keep another deceptively cheap, while others are cutting costs by swapping out customer service reps for AI chatbots.

Beyond crossing their fingers that shoppers keep spending, brands are bracing for the fallout: 75% of U.S. retailers say they’ve already taken a profitability hit — and the back-to-school season may not be the rescue mission they’re hoping for.

Which makes it a bold time for Amazon to be dropping policy bombshells of their own. The company will sunset its FBA prep and labeling services in 2026, pushing sellers to “handle it themselves” or find a 3PL. 

As of August 4, buyers can now leave star-only seller feedback with no written comment — a move Amazon says will boost review volume, but sellers argue it strips away context and makes appeals impossible.

The only upside? A new Fee Explainer tool that decodes your account charges, line by confusing line.

Amazon’s rivals aren’t sitting still, either. eBay just hit its highest-ever stock price after a Q2 boost led by Pokémon card mania. Walmart is taking a page out of Big Tech’s book and leaning harder into AI as it works to cement its first-mover advantage. 

And Google’s latest AI tools include price-drop alerts, outfit generators, and virtual try-ons, all designed to keep shoppers search-loyal. The goal? Remind buyers that Google’s still the ultimate mall — even as ChatGPT tries to hijack the role of personal shopper.

Now, a couple PSAs for sellers. First, check your listings: the CPSC issued major recalls on four Amazon-sold products — including flammable Amazon Basics mattresses and a toy kitchen with a strangulation hazard. 

Second, beware the scam texts and emails flooding phones post-Prime Day. These “you’re eligible for a refund” messages spiked 50x and link to credential-stealing phishing sites.

Lastly, the rise of AI shopping agents has experts warning of an adapt-or-die moment. These autonomous bots (think: shoppers sending ChatGPT to do their buying) will soon decide which products get seen — and brands will need to prove their value to algorithms, not just humans.

The future’s coming in hot. Seven-figure sellers will need all the wit — and maybe a PPC coach — to ride this rollercoaster through the holidays and beyond.

Million Dollar Advice 💸 

More revenue ≠ more profit.

If you’re chasing topline growth without tightening your ops, you’re leaving serious money on the table. Profitability isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about dialing in your product mix, streamlining fees, negotiating smarter, and doubling down on what actually moves the needle.

This guide breaks down the expert-backed strategies you need to know to boost margins without breaking your momentum: 👉 How to Increase Profitability as an Amazon Seller

How to Increase Profitability: Expert Strategies for Growth

www.mds.co/blog/how-to-increase-profitability

7 ad agencies sellers actually recommend 🎯

Looking to level up your ad performance without babysitting every campaign? This MDS roundup spotlights 7 trusted Amazon advertising agencies — each with a track record of helping sellers boost ROAS and scale smarter.

Here’s a quick look:

✅ Profit Whales — A performance-driven team with deep expertise in DSP, analytics, and full-funnel strategy.

✅ Canopy Management — Known for taking brands from 7 to 8 figures with customized PPC, CRO, and creative support.

✅ BellaVix — Full-service Amazon partner offering everything from Sponsored Ads to listing optimization and operations.

✅ Nuanced Media — A strategic growth agency focused on driving revenue through data-backed ad campaigns and creative.

✅ Sellozo — Offers both managed services and AI-powered campaign automation — great for sellers who want efficiency and control.

✅ Disruptive Advertising — Ideal for omni-channel brands; they bring DTC and paid search experience into the Amazon ecosystem.

✅ JumpFly — One of the OGs in digital advertising. Reliable, transparent, and experienced across platforms — not just Amazon.

See the full breakdown here → Best Amazon Advertising Agencies

Think this is helpful? Feel free to pass it along 🙂 

Big seller moves start here 📍

We’re bringing the MDS community offline again — with a curated slate of free, in-person events designed for serious eCommerce operators. No pitches. No fluff. Just smart conversations with founders who’ve scaled the hard way (and want to share what they’ve learned).

Whether you’re building on Amazon, Shopify, TikTok, or something new entirely, these gatherings are where playbooks get passed around, pain points get solved, and future collabs get sparked.

🤝 Ecompreneur Socials

Low-key energy. High-impact convos.

🤝 MDS Connects 

Meetups that align with the biggest industry moments.

💥 Space is limited — if you're thinking about coming, RSVP now to claim your spot:  👉 All Event Links

🌍 The Main Event: MDS Summit Milan

Where high-level strategy meets once-a-year energy.

As we get closer to the event, we want to shine the spotlight on the partners who stand behind the scenes, helping turn vision into reality.

We’re proud to partner with companies that are truly aligned with our mission to help eCommerce founders grow, not just in business, but as leaders.

eCom Stock Watch 📊

Click on the table below or view the full size data here. 

Did you see that post 📲

Amazon’s return system: great for shoppers, a slow bleed for sellers.

This thread lays out what 9.8 billion pounds of “free returns” really cost…

Until Next Time ✌️

As always, thanks for sticking with us until the end. 

If you’d care to share your thoughts on this newsletter, we’re all ears. Just hit reply to sound off. 

See you next time with more of the latest and greatest content you need to succeed this year 🔥

Sincerely, 

Looking for a mastermind community?

Million Dollar Sellers (MDS) is an exclusive community of 700+ like-minded Amazon and DTC sellers from all over the world. Collectively, our members generate more than 8 billion in annual sales and dominate some of the biggest categories on Amazon. MDS offers world-class events, chapters, industry discounts, resource libraries full of SOPs, templates, and video recordings of private trainings, workshops, events and so much more.

If you are looking for a business professional community made for ecom entrepreneurs, then consider applying today. 

*To qualify, you must be a full-time seller or brand owner and do at least 1 million in verified annual revenue. Will Amazon’s Returnless Resolutions solve the returns debacle? [MDSR #30]