May be you should apply for shopping.com partners program and negotiate CPC payment based on their rate card. That way, you immediately start making CPC money when you drive traffic and you are not just bound to amazon. Though, amazon is good starting point as Shopping.com will ask to see your website (as a small demo). They are little slow but you can also try shopzilla affiliate program (CPC only).
Once you get good traction and traffic starts building, you will start getting offers straight from various merchants.
Hope things work out well!
Good luck :)