Dear Alibris: Over the years, I've learned that changes in Alibris policy and procedure rarely are of benefit to sellers-usually to their detriment. I
suspect that your new policy of copying Amazon as to variable closing fees is the same. I've never had anyone explain to me why Amazon has it's policy
of giving the whole shipping fee to the seller and then taking some of it back as a fee. I''ve always suspected it had something to do with taxes,
write-offs, earnings-some sort of accounting procedure that benefitted the company. I never saw where it had any impact on sellers; it was just a little
confusing.
The difference with Alibris, of course, is the 'service recovery fee'. It isn't clear in the announcement, but I presume this is a fee charged to
the seller, not the buyer. The announcement also makes no mention as to any discretion for the fee depending on reason for cancellation. For example, if I
mark a book as shipped and buyer contacts me saying they ordered the wrong book so please cancel, I'd appear to be charged fifty cents. If I'm a nice
guy and accept a discretionary return without whining-as I believe Alibris appreciates us doing-I'll be charged fifty cents. If correct, then you know
where this is heading? Less seller cooperation on principle alone as regards returns, refunds, and cancellations.
I hope Alibris will address with more clarity the issue of its service recovery fee. If .50 is important to Alibris, it's important to me. I also hope
Alibris will give rationale for its decision to copy Amazon's variable closing fee.
I'll at least give Alibris credit for being more open and above board than in years past. Before, Alibris would have trumpeted this as a great change to
benefit its dealers and how they arrive at this decision after being urged by dealers to do so. Alibris usually announced its shafting of sellers by telling
what a great thing it was doing for us. Although I find the initial announcement lacking in clarity and detail, I appreciate the straight forward presentation
of it.

