Handmade Application Rejected 3 times in a row
Hi All,
We made 3 applications to Amazon handmade in the past 18 months all coming back with rejection and I’m puzzled, disappointed and a bit angry as well. Let me explain.
Applied for a Handmade account because we were confident we have the products Handmade customers are looking for and looking at the competition in Handmade makes me still think this is the case.
Our products are not entirely Handmade - but to be honest, I don’t believe many listed on Handmade are. People are using sublimation printing, DTG printing, vinyl, laser cutting and engraving, etching etc. we do the same, there are machines need to be used for most of these products.
When I first appealed against their decision we had to submit processes, photos of our studio etc.
I only picked a few products because at the time we had about 300 different products so I chose a few best sellers and included this in my appeal.
I’ve supplied them with a link to our website as well as Etsy and eBay store, on both, we are a reputable seller and maintain our high feedback score.
They just replied came back with the usual automated message.
We made our last application, a couple of weeks ago, it came back with another ejection, for which I sent another appeal and this time I’ve received a more human-like response to advise me of the same as before:
"Thank you for submitting the additional information requested for our appeals process.
We thoroughly reviewed your appeal to understand if your business is a fit for Amazon Handmade. Although we are unable to extend a Handmade invitation to you, we encourage you to check out our other selling options on Amazon where your business may thrive.
A particular category that many applicants are better suited for is Amazon Custom. Go to https://www.amazon.com/b?node=11032013011 to learn more.
If your business, production process, or items change to better fit within Amazon Handmade, please feel free to reapply in 6 months or more indicating any changes to your business. Thank you for considering Handmade as a potential home for your business.
Best of luck as you explore the many different selling options on Amazon."
I can see people selling the same products as us, I can also see people selling with unprofessionally made images and for sure not handmade products. I’m really not sure where I’m going wrong with this one.
Links to some of our products:
Additional info: We have switched the business and the product portfolio on the account, but we did go through the required validation process.
Any input would be much appreciated.
thank you,
12 replies
Seller_EJIX7rqDNQJi2
Just like Etsy, Amazon has it’s own criteria determining whom to allow to sell in their Handmade category.
The items need to be completely handmade. Your products appear to be just regular generic items with the option to have them customised. Selling personalised products doesn’t make them handmade.
You will need to offer your products for sale on the regular Amazon marketplace.
Seller_OjfDlRjwRmHlu
Thank you both for your comments, much appreciated.
Looking up the Handmade guidelines, it turns out they do actually openly allow altering pre-made items and the use of light machinery:
All products listed as Handmade must adhere to Amazon selling policies, as well as the following Amazon Handmade guidelines:
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Products must be designed and produced by you, or your small group of family members, or employees.
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Products must not be mass produced; this means products cannot be produced in large quantities by an automated mechanical process. Outsourcing of production is prohibited.
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We permit use of hand tools and light machinery; machinery should be used by you in your home studio or workspace.
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We strongly encourage you to do your own printing; however, we also realize some products, like prints of your artwork, or stationery types of products, are sent to an outside printing company due to the cost of the machinery. We will consider this option as long as you are creating the designs and completing the final steps in the production process. See our category specific guidelines for more details.
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We will allow you to hand alter pre-made items; for example, we will allow you to apply your own designs to blank t-shirts or mugs.
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We do not allow digital or downloadable products, food or grocery items (pet treats are allowed only in the U.S.), or electronic accessories on Amazon Handmade.
Seller_szlg9mwshA8mO
It’s not contradictory. It means you can alter pre-made non-mass produced products.
But yes it seems a bit silly to me.
Seller_szlg9mwshA8mO
I think OP has a case, unless someone is literally smelting stainless steel and banging it out with a hammer then at some stage in the manufacturing process it’s coming from a source of ‘mass production’.
Seller_72Sy9T6sEfmjl
I think a lot of those you refer to was accepted before Amazon opened up the customised section.
They probably would not be successful if they re-applied.
Amazon have made a personalised option available with their custom service which is probably much more suitable for your items and many of the items in handmade.
In the early days of handmade Amazon was probably a little more flexible in order to get sellers on board. That is no longer the case.
