In this episode, Mike Babbitt from Synovus is on the podcast to talk about the inherent risks associated with importing goods, and how you can reduce that risk especially when starting with new suppliers. He shares various strategies to illustrate these challenges, and the importance of understanding the international trade landscape.

Mike Babbitt, Synovus's Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance Origination, is on the podcast today to talk about the various risks that importers (and exporters) are facing in 2025 and 2026 and how you as an importer can protect yourself when importing.

Mike also talks about the various trends he's observed over the years and how we're slowly moving to a "just right" inventory model.

If you're looking to expand your product portfolio with new suppliers, this episode may be for you.

• 00:00 - Introduction to International Trade and Sonovus Bank
• 02:56 - Understanding Risks in Importing and Exporting
• 05:55 - Mitigating Risks with Letters of Credit
• 09:02 - Practical Scenarios for Using Letters of Credit
• 11:55 - Exploring Trade Financing Mechanisms
• 14:57 - Current Trends in Importing and Exporting
• 17:54 - Reconfiguring Supply Chains and Reshoring
• 21:06 - Economic Outlook and Consumer Confidence
• 24:01 - Conclusion and Contact Information

Mike, thanks for coming on the podcast. If you'd like to reach out to Mike, you can check him out on his LinkedIn page here.

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Amazon software has changed a lot recently. AI tools, reimbursement services, and product launch software have all been affected in the past year with Amazon suddenly introducing their own tools and undercutting these services.

Grab a chance to win an annual membership to Ecomcrew Premium by voting for your favorite Amazon software tools here!

• Amazon software has gone through some massive changes this year.
• Helium 10's affiliate program has eliminated lifetime commissions.
• Jungle Scout has shifted focus to enterprise customers.
• Amazon's new reimbursement policies have greatly affected third-party reimbursement services.
• Chinese software tools are becoming more competitive in the market.
• AI integration in Amazon tools is still limited.
• With growing competition, the software space is becoming commoditized with lower prices.
• There is also a growing trend of rebate services returning to the market.

• 00:00 - The State of Amazon Software in 2025
• 05:00 - Helium 10's Affiliate Program Changes
• 10:04 - Jungle Scout's Shift to Enterprise
• 15:06 - Amazon's New Reimbursement Policies
• 16:41 - The Rise of Chinese Software Tools

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Dave interviews Allyse Slocum, the VP of Product @ Trustpilot, to talk about how fake reviews and review manipulation affect independent review platforms like Trustpilot. They explore how Trustpilot works, the difference between store and product reviews, and how Trustpilot handles fake reviews.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction to Trustpilot
• 02:59 - Understanding Independent Review Platforms
• 05:57 - The Importance of Reviews Beyond Marketplaces
• 08:59 - Differentiating Store Reviews and Product Reviews
• 11:53 - The Value of Review Volume vs. Rating
• 15:04 - Navigating One-Star Reviews
• 18:06 - Addressing the Challenge of Fake Reviews
• 20:59 - Getting Started with Trustpilot

If you'd like to connect with Allyse, you can check her out on LinkedIn!

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Dave discusses the recent IPO and earnings of Pattern Group, the biggest Amazon seller in the world. He highlights their significant losses and unique business model as exclusive brand partners for big brands like Pandora. He delves into their financial reports to see if they'll be profitable in the future, using their growth projections.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

• 00:00 - Introduction to Pattern Group's IPO and Earnings
• 02:26 - Understanding Pattern Group's Business Model
• 05:07 - Financial Overview and Profitability Concerns
• 07:26 - Skepticism Around Pattern's Earnings and Future
• 09:52 - Revenue Growth and Market Diversification
• 11:41 - The Role of AI in Pattern's Strategy

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Amazon's return policy has become a huge factor to consider especially when developing products for the new year. Dave shares 5 tips for e-commerce sellers to reduce returns and to restore some bottom line back into their business.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

Ever wonder how Chinese Sellers dominate Amazon? We'll spill all their secrets in our webinar that's happening on November 25th, 2025 at 10am PST. We'll show you how to find products that can actually be profitable, how to land them cheaply, and how to rank them easily no Amazon.

• 00:00 - Understanding Amazon's Return Policy
• 02:51 - The Hidden Costs of Returns
• 06:01 - Strategies to Reduce Returns
• 08:49 - Managing Return Merchandise Effectively
• 12:05 - Improving Product Presentation to Minimize Returns
• 14:56 - Customer Engagement to Reduce Returns
• 17:50 - Evaluating Product Viability and Return Rates

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Dave reveals what its like working in an Amazon Business based in China, sourced from a Chinese forum. He talks about the differences of the Chinese vs. American e-commerce businesses, and how they structure their businesses by expanding to multiple marketplaces almost immediately.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

There was a recent post on a Chinese discussion board looking for advice.

The author recounted all of his previous experiences working at various e-commerce companies that have an Amazon focus and he realized that the Amazon landscape was changing at a pace he couldn't keep up with.

This is particularly helpful for us western e-commerce sellers, because it helps us figure out what the Chinese are doing on Amazon that gets their sales high and prices low.

• 00:00 - Introduction to Chinese Amazon Sellers' Insights
• 03:08 - The Journey of a Chinese Amazon Employee
• 06:03 - Daily Operations and Responsibilities
• 08:58 - Promotions and Performance Metrics
• 11:58 - Challenges and Strategies in Product Management
• 15:00 - Expansion into Domestic Markets
• 15:18 - Challenges of Management and Promotion
• 16:09 - Cultural Differences in Work Ethic
• 17:33 - Advertising Frameworks and Product Launches
• 19:37 - Developing a Unique Marketing Strategy
• 21:29 - Sales Performance and Product Viability
• 23:05 - Mental Health and Career Stagnation
• 24:09 - Product Development Challenges
• 25:44 - Profitability and Product Selection
• 27:10 - Lessons from the Chinese Market

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Dave reveals Amazon's Q3 2025 earnings report, and what it means for e-commerce sellers while focusing on their e-commerce growth, advertising revenue, and third-party seller services. Dave talks about the implications of these numbers for sellers and the overall market.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

• 00:00 - Amazon's Q3 2025 Earnings Overview
• 04:26 - Advertising Growth Insights
• 07:55 - Third-Party Seller Services and Fees
• 10:39 - Amazon's Workforce and Delivery Service Challenges
• 14:56 - Generative AI Tools for Sellers
• 16:28 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Dave talks about how the tariffs have impacted his business personally and how he plans to address these challenges. He talks about how you can save your profit margins by manufacturing locally or manufacturing in house (at least by experimenting), and expanding to other marketplaces or countries to save some of that profit margin.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

Tariffs have been a significant cost for Amazon businesses, which have ultimately eaten away at profit margins.

• 00:00 - Navigating Tariffs: An Overview
• 02:50 - Five-Step Strategy for Local Manufacturing
• 05:52 - Identifying Products for Local Production
• 08:54 - Leveraging Technology for Efficient Manufacturing
• 11:47 - Exploring Chemical Products and Local Manufacturing
• 14:46 - Advantages of Local Manufacturing in E-commerce
• 16:52 - Diversifying Markets Beyond the US
• 21:11 - Strategies for Higher Margins and Payment Terms
• 24:48 - Navigating Tariffs and Legal Considerations

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

Amazon's new FBA fees have been announced for 2026 and Amazon themselves claim that their new fees only add 8 cents per unit sold of the average item selling price. Is that really the case though? In today's episode, Dave breaks down how the new fees ACTUALLY work, which products came out unscathed, and Amazon's bigger picture goals.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

Amazon released their new FBA fees for 2026.

Keeping up with tradition, Amazon released it in the most confusing way possible. They also claim that their new fees only add 8 cents per unit sold of the average item selling price. This leaves sellers scrambling to calculate how their products and profit margins will be affected.

Luckily, Dave is breaking down these fees on a per size category level and how these will affect you as a seller, whether you sell small or oversized items.

Dave also breaks down the pricing increases for their different programs, namely Amazon's bulk storage program AWD and Multi Channel Fulfillment.

• 00:00 - Introduction to Amazon's FBA Fee Increases
• 02:53 - The Impact of FBA Fee Changes
• 05:49 - Analyzing Fee Increases by Product Category
• 08:54 - The Effect on Bulky Items and Packaging
• 11:49 - Placement Fees and Their Implications
• 14:50 - Additional Fee Categories and Inbound Defects
• 17:50 - Conclusion and Future Considerations

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!

There have been reports of a significant decline in the number of Chinese sellers on Amazon, according to SellerSnooper and Marketplace Pulse, but their disappearance is not that simple. Dave dives into why Chinese sellers are disappearing from Amazon and where they went.

Today's episode is sponsored by Sellerboard.

Sellerboard helps users track sales, refunds and fees in real time, and even counts your indirect expenses in final profit. Beyond analytics, Sellerboard also streamlines operations with smart portfolios for PPC, inventory forecasting & management and more! Try Sellerboard free for 2 months — no credit card required. Just go to sellerboard.com/ecomcrew and get clarity on your margins today.

Back in 2022, we did a report on how many Chinese sellers there are on Amazon. The number was up to 55%.

Granted that this was back in 2022, you'd expect the number of Chinese Sellers to increase.

As of October 2025, the number has drastically lowered to ~30%.

This would normally be cause for celebration but the answer isn't that simple.

A lot of Chinese sellers have been opening up US LLCs to dodge paying taxes in China, where they aren't as lenient with counting expenses against your business.

• 00:00 - The Decline of Chinese Sellers on Amazon
• 02:42 - Tax Regulations and Their Impact
• 05:54 - The Golden Tax System in China
• 09:03 - Panic Among Chinese Sellers
• 11:53 - The Shift to US LLCs
• 14:54 - The Reality of Seller Statistics

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, leave a comment down below if you're interested.

Don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling!