I've been approved in the Grocery & Gourmet Foods subcategory but can't list any product
Hello All - I applied to be ungated for a brand and was approved in the Grocery & Gourmet Foods sub category & Figurines. However every product that falls in those categories I tried to list using their ASIN I am asked to request for approval. I assumed that being approved in a sub category means you can sell any product in that sub category. I'm confused and need clarification
2 replies
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
" I assumed that being approved in a sub category means you can sell any product in that sub category."
The short answer -- you ASSUMED WRONG!
Longer answer -- NEVER assume anything on Amazon.
THE AMAZON TWO STEP -- A NEW DANCE FOR SELLERS
More and more frequently Amazon is taking a TWO STEP approach and you are probably caught with not doing one of the steps (or either one!)
You are confusing AMAZON allowing you to list (or at least "ungate") an item or category and actually being APPROVED to sell a product. Amazon might ungate you for a CATEGORY, but there can be 100's of brands in the category and they ALL have their own restrictions.
AMAZON is only interested in FEES. They will allow a chimpanzee to list if it means they collect $$$$$.
Additionally, brands that you COULD sell yesterday may be restricted today or next week. Amazon is a moving target to deal with.
DO YOU have an LOA from the brand allowing you to sell on here?
If you have an LOA that specifically says you can sell on Amazon you MIGHT survive listing items.
More and more brands are providing a "whitelist" of their approved sellers and if YOU are NOT on the list you will be stopped in your tracks and probably hit with an IP violation.
DID YOU source from AUTHORIZED wholesale sources that your rep at the brand says are OK? You DO have a sales rep at the brand, don't you?
NOTE the verification is required from the brand that the source is legitimate and authorized, NOT from one of those touted on TikTok and YouTube as having "thousands of brands and products" that assures you that they are authorized.
If you have watched any YouTube or TikTok videos FORGET everything you saw there.
Spend hours/days on Seller U and read the Forum to see all the really creative ways rookies and experienced sellers find to get suspended by ignoring the advice above!
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
If you don't already have the above requirements in place you are probably going to have stranded inventory and a suspended account.
For any rookies out there reading this, please take the following steps while you study so you don't end up suspended!
HINT #1 -- VACATION MODE -- NOW!
HINT #2 -- SELLER U -- NOW!
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
If you don’t want to follow the advice above, go directly to this step and save some time --
HINT #3 -- Start writing your "please help with my Section 3 suspension' letter NOW. It will save you time when you get it.
Pay attention to this recent story in the Amazon 'news' from September 25, 2024.
Sellers were given a 5 day warning that this was being put in place. Sellers have posted that LOAs are required in Europe, so you can see the handwriting on the walls -- this is coming for EVERYTHING on Amazon eventually!
"Updates to listing products with compliance requirements, effective September 30, 2024"
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/headlines.html?id=GTF566XNEPCPXKDM&ref=nslp_at_6_GTF566XNEPCPXKDM_en-US_ttl_rf_recent_news_7
Glenn_Amazon
Hi there @Seller_Rs2l23YVG4hZr,
To give some further clarification, product can require approval on multiple levels including category, brand, and individual product. You can learn more about this on the categories and products that require approval help page. If you have specific questions on an application or product I can see what I can offer but please note in general Amazon won't share why you are or are not accepted. Please reply with your most recent Seller Support Case ID and I will review further. Thank you for your understanding.
-Glenn
