Wrong royalty rate

[ToniD]

I see that the missing sales finally showed up--yay!

However, I also see that the royalty rate for Volcano Watch, which sells for $2.99, is 35%. 

This is on the line for week ending 2/4, and I was paid for all books listed as sold in that period, but at the 35% rate. (meaning, this didn't include my freebies, which were Jan 27 and 28).

Can anyone explain what's happening here? (and WHERE is Modwitch when I need her??)

Thanks

[D a l y a]

I think this shocker happens to every author.  It confused the heck out of me, too!

The 35% is for books sold in countries outside of Amazon's main websites.  Err, I can't think of specific ones, but it doesn't matter.  It sucks that the rate is lower, but I figure it's better than no sales at all!

[ToniD]

Thanks Dalya. Actually, I did learn about the 35% for 'outlying' countries.

However, I'm talking about 429 sales, and most I'd expect would be in the US.

[Krista D. Ball]

Thanks Dalya. Actually, I did learn about the 35% for 'outlying' countries.

However, I'm talking about 429 sales, and most I'd expect would be in the US.

You can double check with Amazon to ensure that the spreadsheet is correct (is this Dec's spreadsheet that you are looking at?). If you're just going by the live update, wait. The 15th sheet is the "final" number, shall we say.

It's possible you hit big in Ireland

[Chrystalla]

You can double check with Amazon to ensure that the spreadsheet is correct (is this Dec's spreadsheet that you are looking at?). If you're just going by the live update, wait. The 15th sheet is the "final" number, shall we say.

It's possible you hit big in Ireland

Australia? Canada? the UK?

[ToniD]

It's the spreadsheet for the end of December through Feb 4. And even if these numbers are not yet final, I can't understand the 35%.

I'm a big fan of Ireland and Australia and Canada, but I kinda doubt I have that many reading fans in those countries!

I did have a couple of dozen UK sales (post-Select freebie); are they rolled into this report?

Even so, can't figure this out.

[Krista D. Ball]

Canada is 70%.

Wait until the 15th, get the final report, and then ask Amazon if you're still confused. Right now, it's best to wait for the finalized numbers.

[CoraBuhlert]

Royalties for sales at Amazon UK as well as DE, FR, ES and IT, if you've sold there, are reported separately and at 70% for 2.99 books.

The 35% royalty rate applies to countries outside Amazon's favoured zone, e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, most European countries not covered by one of the European Amazons, etc... I wish it were possible to find out where the book has sold, but unfortunately it's not.

[Krista D. Ball]

I wish it were possible to find out where the book has sold, but unfortunately it's not.

That's why I love Applestore reports in Smashwords. I get to see where I sell - and it's all over the world!

[Chrystalla]

Canada is 70%.

Wait until the 15th, get the final report, and then ask Amazon if you're still confused. Right now, it's best to wait for the finalized numbers.

  Good.

[Chrystalla]

Okay, here is the list of countries that can get you a 70% royalty (don't ask me why these ones...):

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• France
• Great Britain
• Guernsey
• Germany
• Italy
• Isle of Man
• Jersey
• Lichtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• Spain
• United States
• Vatican City

(so I was wrong on the UK account as well...  )

[ToniD]

Thanks all for the info.

I'll take your good advice and cool my jets. 

[Sophrosyne]

That spreadsheet has to be inaccurate. According to the numbers posted for the first week of feb, with the percentage, amazon owes me a boatload of money. I think they've mixed up the numbers somehow.

[ToniD]

That spreadsheet has to be inaccurate. According to the numbers posted for the first week of feb, with the percentage, amazon owes me a boatload of money. I think they've mixed up the numbers somehow.

So, you've found problems with it too? Incorrect percentage rates? Incorrect sales numbers? Both?

Hate to say I'm glad, but I sort of am.  Meaning, if they've mixed things up for more than one person, I have this feeling that it's easier to get fixed. Eh, we'll see.

[Terrence OBrien]

In the weekly report, unit sales will include both free downloads and paid sales. There is only one combined number.  However, the dollar amount will reflect only the paid sales. This might apply. might not.

[Rin]

I'm a big fan of Ireland and Australia and Canada, but I kinda doubt I have that many reading fans in those countries!

You'd be surprised, a large portion of my fanbase is in Europe, which wasn't something I had anticipated back when I started.

[melissafmiller]

Given the chaos at Amazon recently I agree it is smart to wait for final numbers. But but but didn't Julie (Bards and Sages) have this issue in Dec or Jan, when ALL her sales were at 35% and Amazon said, oops that's not right?

[Mel Comley]

Thanks Dalya. Actually, I did learn about the 35% for 'outlying' countries.

However, I'm talking about 429 sales, and most I'd expect would be in the US.

Toni, I was just questioning the same. I came off promo and saw 260 sales at 35%, there's no way that's right.

I'm just going to write to them now!  


Edited to add: I had 260 sales for a $2.99 book and received $65.10, it's not even 35%. what the heck is that all about?

[edwardgtalbot]

Hi Toni -

Assuming there are no freebies in there, it does sound odd.  Do you have any sales listed at a 70% rate for that book, or are they all 35%? If more than 50% of your sales for the book are listed at 35%, I'd be inclined to contact Amazon now rather than wait. No reason to assume they'll know - what would happen if everyone made that assumption?

Side note - none of the missing free downloads from 2/1 have appeared on my prior six weeks report. But the amounts due and the rest of the numbers line up for me.

[ToniD]

Thanks everyone for your info.

As to whether they were combining paid and free in the Feb 4 line--I don't know. My free days were Jan 27, 28 and as far as I know they were listed correctly, in the line ending on Jan 28. I suppose there could be some carry-over freebies listed later?  Anyway, here are the lines in question:

02/04/2012   BADWATER   Toni Dwigg...           B005466WQ6   ...   70%   2.99   
02/04/2012   Volcano Wa...   Toni Dwigg...   B006XJ5NC2   ...   35%   2.99   
02/04/2012   Volcano Wa...   Toni Dwigg...   B006XJ5NC2   ...   35%   2.99

Badwater is correctly at 70% (even though they've price-matched it to .99, with a slash).
Volcano Watch has two lines for that time period, and the second one, with two sales at 35%, could very well come from 'non-participating' countries. However, the first Volcano Watch line has sales in the hundreds, and if they're US then the 35% is wrong.

As for my other Volcano Watch sales--I'd priced the book at .99 when it was pubbed on Jan 14; and that's correctly reported at 35%. Then I changed the price to 2.99 just before it went free. My freebie days are also listed at a 35% royalty. I figured that was what they did for a freebie. But now I'm thinking there was a problem when I switched the pricing. I'm sure I did check the 70% royalty box (gleefully).

I did notify KDP and got an automated response. They're busy and an answer will be delayed--along those lines.

Mel, so you're seeing the same problem?