Small business's displeasure with online retailer's policy lead makers of Jesus toasters to withdraw all their novelty toasters from Amazon's website
SAINT JOHNSBURY, Vt., Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Jesus toaster was the #32 best-selling toaster on Amazon this Christmas, yet the company that makes the Burnt Impressions brand toasters, Vermont Novelty Toaster Corporation, doesn't like the fact Amazon has withheld half their sales over the last two weeks while Amazon "reviews" their account. "This happened last year," says the toaster company's CEO, Galen Dively. "We are a small business and this really hurts our cash flow. I have to wait weeks to recoup my shipping costs because of this."
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This is not the first time.
"Every Christmas our sales soar above our 'limited Velocity amount' triggering an account review allowing Amazon to withhold half our sales until the review ends. I have been on the phone for the last two weeks with them getting nowhere on this issue despite my 100% seller rating and flawless customer service," Mr. Dively adds. "Amazon takes almost $8 for every toaster I sell in fees. They take 15% of all proceeds, including shipping charges. Normally, I pay for my shipping upfront then have to wait two weeks for the money Amazon collects from our customers to be deposited in my bank. This delays payment up to a month. I will take that money and promote our website."
The toaster company's website, http://burntimpressions.com, has quadrupled sales every year since the company was founded. Asked if the loss of sales on Amazon will hurt the company, Mr. Dively states, "It will be felt for sure; they are a huge resource of millions of customers, but at this point I am feeling confident we can use the thousands of dollars Amazon makes off our toasters each year to successfully promote sales on our website. We control our branding better this way also."
Besides the best-selling Jesus toaster, Vermont Novelty Toaster Corp. pulled from Amazon toasters that create toasty images of Obama, Sarah Palin, the Virgin Mary, butterflies, peace signs, penises, cannabis leaves, paw prints, and many more. They have discontinued their drop shipping service also. "That's a whole other story, but relates to issues with Amazon's inability to keep my product's images and other information from being edited by other sellers using their service." Mr. Dively adds, "This has caused some consumer confusion. These sellers' listings are still up for now, but they will soon find our products have been discontinued and are no longer available through our third-party drop ship service. Besides, the best and least expensive place to buy one of our toasters is on our website directly from us."
Some Burnt Impressions toasters have never been offered on Amazon. Their personalized toasters are one. "Customers can upload any photograph and I will print it on the front of their toasters," says Mr. Dively. "We have an 'I Love You' toaster that is a popular one to have personalized with pictures of the grandkids."
After today, it may be that all their toasters can only be bought on their website and select brick-and-mortar retail establishments.
About Vermont Novelty Toaster Corporation: Founded in 2010, Vermont Novelty Toaster Corporation's Burnt Impressions brand toasters create images on toast. For more information, visit http://burntimpressions.com.
Contact Information:
Galen P. Dively III
Email
802 745-7327