Walmart Reseller Program (How It Works, Fees & More)
With its vast resources and near omnipotent presence, Walmart’s website receives 100 million unique visitors per month.
It’s not just Walmart that’s benefiting from the influx of web traffic. Third-party sellers have filed claims on Walmart Marketplace through the Walmart Reseller Program.
But what is the Walmart Reseller Program, you ask? I have the information you need!
What is the Walmart Reseller Program?
The Walmart Dealer Program provides space for trusted, vetted third-party sellers on Walmart.com’s digital marketplace. Potential sellers apply for admission and, if accepted, benefit from Walmart.com’s extensive reach and millions of shoppers. Sellers also benefit from Walmart’s referral fee model, which only charges sellers when they make a sale.
To learn more about how to become a Marketplace seller, the cost of selling on Walmart, and some reasons why your reseller account may be suspended, see our full guide below!
What is a Walmart Marketplace Seller?
Walmart Marketplace Sellers are trusted, vetted third-party sellers who have been approved by Walmart to bring their quality merchandise to Walmart.com.
Sellers control their inventory, price points, delivery, and customer service; Walmart Marketplace is just a platform to reach millions of shoppers (similar to Amazon’s third-party marketplace).
Is it hard to become a Walmart seller?
According to some sources, being a Walmart seller is comparable to being an Amazon seller.
Zentail thinks it’s more difficult, and Walmart does seem to be a little picky about who they let into their Marketplace.
Some of their key qualifications include:
- Proven online selling business and experience running an eCommerce store
- High-quality projects that “enhance” market product offerings
- History of positive customer service and care
So, if you are new to eCommerce and this is your first foray into eCommerce, Walmart Stores might not be the best place to start.
To learn more about Walmart’s strict requirements for marketplace sellers, check out this article.
How do you become a seller on Walmart Marketplace?
If you have unique and high-quality products, and you have a good e-commerce experience, here’s how you can get started with Walmart Marketplace.
To begin your application, you will need a US business tax ID number, a W9, W8 or EIN verification letter from the Department of the Treasury, and some way to demonstrate your history of success.
Walmart also requires a product catalog with prices and SKUs that they can review before approving you.
Do you have all the documents on hand? You can start from this page.
How long does it take to get approved to sell at Walmart?
According to Tinuiti.com, it can take up to several months for sellers to be approved (or rejected). If you’re looking to make quick money, you might want to try a different avenue.
Walmart really seems to only want serious, professional sellers on their marketplace.
But if you do get approved, get ready to hit the ground running. You have to start signing papers and adding your shares.
It may take up to 4 weeks for you to be fully operational on the Marketplace.
What does Walmart charge for selling?
One of the great advantages of selling on Walmart’s marketplace is that there are no initiation fees or monthly seller fees.
Instead, Walmart charges what it calls a “referral fee” every time an item is sold.
The fee is a percentage of the price that varies by item type (eg, electronics, clothing, etc.), but tends to hover around 15%.
Can You Sell Used Items on Walmart Marketplace?
Unlike eBay, you cannot sell used or second-hand items on Walmart Marketplace.
According to SellerActive.com, used items are prohibited, and “all products sold must have a UPC code.”
Some refurbished items are allowed, but you must check with Walmart to make sure your item falls into that category.
Can you sell handmade items on Walmart Marketplace?
Walmart Stores does not allow the sale of handmade items. Also, vintage items that you may have already thrifted for are not allowed.
A better site for selling homemade and vintage items is Etsy.
Does Walmart accept returns from third-party sellers?
Walmart simply provides a platform from which sellers can reach millions of shoppers.
The rest — inventory, pricing, shipping, customer service, and yes, returns — is up to the seller (unless you participate in Walmart fulfillment).
Walmart is not responsible for processing any returns your store may have. This is part of customer service after-sales service.
You can indeed set some return terms, but all sellers must abide by the general rules of the Marketplace:
- 30-day minimum return period
- The return period starts 7 days after the item is dispatched
Of course, there are caveats and exceptions. You can view Marketplace’s full standard returns policy here.
Why Was Your Walmart Seller Account Suspended?
Marketplace accounts can be suspended for a number of reasons. Some of the most common include:
- Not meeting performance standards – for example, your cancellation or return rates are too high, eg
- You are violating the Marketplace Retailer Agreement – for example, you may be selling something that is prohibited
- Provide poor store operations – e.g., misleading product descriptions, disrespect to customers
- Breach of trust and/or safety standards – for example, selling discontinued or recalled products
To learn more about shopping at Walmart, you can also read our related posts on Walmart Marketplace returns policy, who Walmart uses for shipping, and our guide to paying at Walmart.
in conclusion
Selling on Walmart Marketplace as a reseller comes with significant responsibilities once you’re approved, but with millions of unique visitors to the site every month, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If you’re an established eCommerce seller with a great customer service record, Marketplace might help you grow your business.
