Suspended account yet Amazon remain in the wrong?
Nearly 4 weeks ago we was suspended from selling because Amazon claims it looks like we may have some fake product.
I sent the invoices for the items which in this case if Funko products and we buy direct from Funko, don’t get more real then that right?
They refused the invoices and demand brand ownership, letters of authorization etc, we don’t have these as general practice in the UK. Had similar with Shopify demanding this and they agreed they was in the wrong and lifted the restrictions within 24 hours.
I have spoke to people in the call centre many times, On several I was informed no you are right we just need the invoice and contact information, I supplied this again and again but nope not good enough. I have never spoken to a call centre so terrible at their job, its almost as if they are told to lie and annoy us more and more.
On other occasions I was assured our funds would be released, that again was a lie and my money is still being held causing huge issues for my business.
The first few weeks was above my expectations so decided we would stay on Amazon and changed stock orders to reflect having this market, orders I can now not back out of and now been further told I need further proof I am aloud to sell those products.
My suppliers are writing letters now despite them saying its not needed in the UK but also conceding they are hearing more and more issues with Amazon and know many sellers who have walked away with some still being owed a lot of money. I have also been told they have cases where letters when provided was still rejected.
So we are at a case now where I have lost nearly a months sales, my money is being withheld and Amazon can not give a reason for the claims, when you accuses someone of something you need a reason, Amazon are acting above the law in how they are dealing with many UK sellers.
For us it looks more and more likely we will be going to small claims. Sad and very damaging.
Anyone else experience similar and beat them?
114 replies
Seller_0pkMTMROIPEmY
Amazon already sell accross a wide range of Funko products, The Funko Brand is interestingly Brand Registered on Amazon, yet most SKU’s have 39-50 Sellers it’s obviously a big sales rank product line.
Seller_aewmY5iJCx8l8
Sorry to hear that but an advice for you these things use to work not any more
specially when you are competing against amazon on same product (stay away from those item which amazon selling them-self) if you are lucky and they open your account which they will stay calm and humble and contact them twice a week it will be fine if not they will refund your amount after 90 days yes 90 not before.
its better to start something of your own called (private Label) that the only future on amazon i am afraid.
Good Luck hope you get your account selling privileges back.
Seller_0pkMTMROIPEmY
What was the last response you received and what Plan of Action have you submitted? Ideally one of @Kika templates ?
This particular brand of Toys are widely available from Alibaba / Aliexpress yet if you are buying direct from Funko and provide manufacturer invoices that meet Amazon’s needs this proves the Authenticity element, without seeing the suspension notification it’s difficult to offer any more definitive assistance.
Seller_qHzcAWcsPVCfg
I may be way off the mark here, but will propose this regardless.
I am of the opinion that Amazon have tried to tighten up various aspects of their site to reduces fakes, passing off and IP infringements.
In doing so they now have a ‘Brand Registration’ process.
I believe some, idiots or chancers, are registering as the owner for anything they sell. e.g. Find an ASIN which sells well and Brand Register it. So you can then own Nestle, Nike, Max Factor or Channel if you want.
The trouble is now Amazon Staff have no idea what to do to fix changes made by these so called Brand Owners.
IT IS A TOTAL MESS
Seller_GQYNgn1uv6Qyu
I’m speaking to some people on Friday and will add details after that, lot of concern and anger about how Amazon are doing things.
Seller_GQYNgn1uv6Qyu
Anyway as said will update Friday, bottom line despite what some of you have said is Amazon have acted poorly and I simply will not be spoken to like crap or lied to by call centre staff as I have or have time wasted as I have without fighting back.
Seller_HPyEir2s5QgMq
You have to remember here that Amazon use a lot of AI systems rather than actual people to look at issues/problems. (feedback removal, account suspensions etc). If your response does not meet the required format, it is automatically ignored. AI systems identify a number of trigger words and if these are missing then you’ll get nowhere fast.
Seller_UmiN1IyD9F9EV
Hundreds of sellers have been in the same situation as yourself.
Regardless of what your opinions there is a specific and detailed way to draft a ‘plan of action’ as will have been requested to have your account reinstated.
If you use the search function there are legally hundreds of similar cases like yours.
You cannot deal with Amazon Seller Performance on a personal basis they don’t give you any feedback and do not answer queries to specifics like most other businesses do.
In essence to Amazon you are a tiny grain of sand in their desert and you need to toe the line and do some research on how to draft your plan of action in order to get your account reinstated.
You will not be able to speak to anyone from ‘Seller Support’ for any sort of resolution.
These type of cases are dealt with by ‘Seller Performance’ which is a higher entity, impossible to speak or reason with or even get any sort of coherent answers to your questions…this is the way Amazon keeps sellers at arms length.
Incorrectly drafted ‘plan of actions’ can bounce back and forth for weeks, even months on end, all the while your funds are held, sales are lost and you go round in circles pulling your hair out.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Seller Performance.
My advice do some research, draft a decent POA, toe the line and given what you have said about your supply chain there is no reason why you can’t get reinstated.
Seller_UmiN1IyD9F9EV
We all agree with you, it can be incredibly frustrating,demeaning…As a previous poster said if you do serious big figures on amazon and are staffed and geared up to accommodate that you better have some cash flow on tap to tide you over if one of these episodes drags on a month or more🙈it can and does happen.
Normally when a problem/misunderstanding/accusation crops up in business you set up a meeting/ phone call/ couple of emails and it can be sorted within a few hours.
This is not the Amazon way of doing things.
