Amazon account suspended? Not sure how to resolve your Amazon account suspension? You’ll need a plan of action!
Typically, a plan of action will require 3 components:
(1) root cause of the issue,
(2) corrective actions to resolve the issue at hand, and
(3) preventive measures to ensure the issue does not happen again in the future.
As Amazon seller lawyers, we know what Amazon is looking for and we have the experience needed to reinstate Amazon accounts for our clients.
Amazon suspends sellers for a variety of different reasons. The most common include:
- Inauthentic Complaints
When facing an inauthentic account suspension, you must provide proof of purchase. While an authorized distributor is preferable, Amazon may not accept invoices if a supplier lacks a web presence or if the invoices do not describe the products. To Amazon, inauthentic and counterfeit products are not equivalent.
- Used Products Sold as New
When listing an item as ‘new’ on Amazon, Amazon generally expects sellers to provide a brand-new item in its original packaging. Repackaged or damaged products can lead to ‘used sold as new’ issues, potentially resulting in account suspension.
- High Order Defect Rates
Order defect rate measures the quality of Amazon sellers’ customer performance. Amazon calculates Amazon sellers’ order defect rates based on the following factors: credit card chargebacks, number of A-to-Z claims, and negative feedback.
- Restricted Products
Amazon restricts the sale of many items on the platform (see: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/200164330)
For example, Amazon may suspend your account if the listings include pesticide or medical claims. Amazon sellers should review Amazon’s restricted products policy and ensure they are compliance with all laws and regulations to avoid account suspension.
- Drop-Shipping
While generally allowed on Amazon, many sellers run afoul of Amazon’s drop shipping policy (https://sell.amazon.com/learn/what-is-dropshipping) by shipping products directly from Walmart or Sam’s Club to Amazon’s customers). Sellers must identify themselves as the seller of record and maintain responsibility for accepting and processing customer returns. Sellers should have items sent to themselves before shipping products to customers.
- Review Manipulation
Typically, this occurs when sellers incentive reviews. Amazon sellers cannot offer a reward, discount, or compensation in exchange for a review. Because so many buyers rely on product reviews, Amazon has a strict review policy to ensure the validity and accuracy of reviews. See: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G8CXDFT9GLRRSV3G
- Related Accounts
DO NOT create a second account if you have a suspended Amazon account or if you did not pass the business verification stage. Amazon only allows one Seller Central account per region unless you have a legitimate business need to open a second account and all of your accounts are in good standing.
- Section 3 Seller Code of Conduct
Amazon mandates that sellers operate fairly on its platform, and it suspends seller accounts for engaging in unfair actions, which can include attempting to harm another seller, circumventing the Amazon sales process, sending inappropriate communications, and more.
- Intellectual property infringement
Sellers should do their best avoid intellectual property infringement. As Amazon IP lawyers, we understand that it can be difficult for Amazon sellers to ascertain IP infringement. Whether it is a counterfeit, trademark, copyright or patent complaint, sellers should try to resolve any pending complaints. Failure to do so could affect their overall account health and result in an amazon account suspension.