How to Become an Amazon Seller (Retail, Online & Wholesale) | BusinessFundUSA 2025 Guide

The Ultimate 2025 Guide: How to Become an Amazon Seller with Retail, Online, or Wholesale Arbitrage

By BusinessFundUSA | Updated November 2025

Starting your Amazon seller journey can feel overwhelming — but you don’t need to create your own products. By leveraging retail arbitrage (RA), online arbitrage (OA), and wholesale sourcing, you can start selling quickly and scale your business using real products people already want. In this guide, BusinessFundUSA walks you step-by-step through how to start selling on Amazon, find profitable inventory, avoid common mistakes, and get funding to grow faster.

Why Start with RA, OA, or Wholesale?

These methods allow you to:

• Start selling immediately with products already in demand
• Test product categories without the time and cost of creating your own brand
• Scale faster using funding for bulk purchases

With funding from BusinessFundUSA, you can buy inventory in bulk, run promotions, and take advantage of Amazon’s marketplace without depleting your cash flow.

Step 1: Product Sourcing for RA, OA, and Wholesale

Retail Arbitrage (RA)

RA involves buying discounted products from brick-and-mortar stores (Walmart, Target, Home Depot, etc.) and reselling them on Amazon. Key tips:

• Use the Amazon Seller app to scan products for profitability.
• Check sales rank, fees, and potential ROI before purchasing.
• Look for clearance sections, seasonal items, and high-demand categories.

Online Arbitrage (OA)

OA is similar to RA, but you source products online from stores or marketplaces instead of visiting physical stores:

• Use online tools like Keepa, Tactical Arbitrage, or Helium 10 Chrome Extension to track price history and demand.
• Check seller restrictions and ensure the product is not gated.
• Consider shipping and handling costs when calculating ROI.
• Look for clearance sections, seasonal items, and high-demand categories.

Wholesale Sourcing

Wholesale involves buying directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors and reselling in bulk. Tips:

• Sign up for wholesale accounts (B2B marketplaces, distributor lists, or trade shows).
• Look for products with consistent sales volume, not seasonal fads.
• Negotiate bulk discounts to maximize margins.

How to Contact Wholesalers for Amazon Selling (RA/OA/Wholesale)

Step 1: Research & Identify Wholesalers

1. Decide your niche — grocery, health & beauty, home goods, toys, electronics, etc.

2. Make a list of wholesalers that carry products in your niche.

3. Check if they allow online sales/marketplace reselling (some require approval for Amazon sales).

Step 2: Prepare Your Seller Credentials

Wholesalers want verified, serious resellers:

• Business license / EIN / LLC

• Reseller certificate (for tax exemption in many states)

• Amazon seller account info (optional, but some require proof you are active)

• Contact info: business email and phone

Step 3: Initial Contact

• Email is usually preferred for first contact.

• Keep it short, professional, and clear:

  Subject: Request for Wholesale Account
  Body:
  Hi [Name],
  My name is [Your Name], and I run an online retail business selling on Amazon. I am interested in establishing a wholesale account with [Wholesaler Name]. I can provide my reseller certificate, business license, and Amazon seller account information. Could you please let me know the process to apply?
  Thank you, [Your Name]

• Some wholesalers have online application forms, which you should complete thoroughly.

Step 4: Follow Up

• Wait 3–5 business days after initial email.

• If no response, call the wholesale account department.

• Be polite but persistent — some wholesalers take time to respond.

Step 5: Get Approved & Start Ordering

• Once approved, review minimum order quantities (MOQs) and pricing.

• Some wholesalers offer terms/net-30 accounts once you have a track record.

• Track orders and invoice payments carefully.

Popular Wholesalers for Amazon Sellers

Tips for Getting Approved Faster

1. Have all documentation ready (reseller certificate, EIN, business license).

2. Start small — place initial orders to build trust.

3. Ask about terms — many wholesalers offer net-30 once you show reliability.

4. Stay professional — clear emails, polite calls, timely payments.

5. Negotiate — Most wholesale sheets may seem unprofitable at first, the key to making long term orders is negotiating pricing with wholesaers for 20-30% off

Step 2: How to Calculate Profit Margins

Always calculate fees before buying inventory. Example for RA/OA/Wholesale item:

That’s a 33% profit margin. Use tools like the Amazon Revenue Calculator for every product.

Step 3: Create Your Amazon Seller Account

• Sign up via Amazon Seller Central
• Choose Individual vs Professional plan depending on expected sales volume.
• Provide tax info, bank account, and ID verification.

Step 4: List Your Products 

Listings are critical for RA/OA/Wholesale success. Tips:

• Simply add the ASIN: into seller central 

Step 5: Fulfillment Options

• FBA: Amazon stores, packs, and ships your items. Best for RA/OA/Wholesale scaling.
• FBM: You fulfill orders yourself. Good for flexibility but more hands-on work.

Step 6: Launch and Scale Your Business

Tips for growing your RA/OA/Wholesale Amazon business:

• Use Amazon PPC to boost visibility of high-margin products.
• Monitor inventory closely to avoid stockouts.
• Use BusinessFundUSA revenue-based funding to buy bulk inventory faster.
• Analyze top-performing products and replicate success.

Common Mistakes New RA/OA/Wholesale Sellers Make

1. Buying products without checking fees and margins.
2. Ignoring gated categories.
3. Not using Amazon’s sales rank data to judge demand.
4. Failing to monitor inventory levels during peak sales.
5. Underestimating storage fees for FBA items.
6. Not reinvesting profits to scale faster.

FAQs

Do I need a business license to sell RA/OA/Wholesale on Amazon?

It’s recommended to register an LLC or sole proprietorship to protect your assets and qualify for funding, though not strictly required for Amazon registration.

Can I sell the same products as retail stores?

Yes, but check for gated categories and restrictions. Use online tools to verify profitability before purchase.

How can BusinessFundUSA help?

We provide inventory financing and revenue-based funding to help RA/OA/Wholesale sellers buy inventory, run ads, and scale quickly.

Next Steps

Start your Amazon retail, online, or wholesale arbitrage journey today. Use these steps to source products, calculate margins, and launch listings. Then leverage BusinessFundUSA funding to accelerate your growth and scale faster.

Free Resources:

• Amazon RA/OA/Wholesale Startup Checklist
• Amazon Seller Funding Guide
• Talk to a Funding Specialist