If you are a new seller, It`s almost impossible to sell anything on Amazon
I am a new seller and was able to publish some products. All of the products published have the lowest price, however, not a single sale was done in almost 20 days since the first listing.
I`ve also tried to publish DVDs and Vinyl Records but now Amazon requires authorization to sell them.
It`s ridiculous, the items are used, some are off print for over 30 years.
They say that they need to protect their customers from counterfeit products.
How can anyone counterfeit a few 40 year old vinyl records?
The Amazon associates that are supposed to help you with these issues actually are not knowledgeable enough to be able to help you overcome these absurd rules.
I`ve tried to list branded items in the grooming category and also was blocked because "you need permission from the manufacturer in order to sell this or that product".
My god, i bought these products a while ago from a major retailer, i own these products but cant sell them cause "Amazon needs to protect their beloved customers", unbelievable.
It seems to me that Amazon just wants to protect the old big sellers that are there, giving big profits to Amazon.
Any new seller bringing yet more competition to them is not welcome, They charge US$40/month , you sell nothing and get stuck with you inventory and everybody profits, except you.
The whole system is a Labyrinth, an elaborate, confusing structure where you need a ball of thread to avoid getting lost, unfortunately, the Minotaur (Amazon Rules, Top Sellers), will catch you way before you get any chance to to find the way out.
If the rules stay like they are now, there`s little to zero chance for any newcomer sell anything in this labyrinth called Amazon.
M.Beck
2 replies
Seller_0rXAME9V4LQSx
Ebay is for used goods. Not amazon and certainly not now after the Inform Act. Too many fakes, tampered with, and used products being sold as new brand name items.
Secondly it takes effort and advertising to sell products on any platform, amazon is no exception. You sound like you watched videos on social media that lies about how easy it is to make money on amazon doing RA/OA when that hasn't been the case in a while now. Not that those people were honest to start with.
Here you are going to need this...
I copied this from Its_all_Nuts_again. He has probably made the best answer on this subject.
This comes up too often, so I packed it all in one …..
Lot's of confused people here when it comes to Amazon's invoice/LOA requirements! (If a LOA was requested it MUST be provided and state permission to sell the brand ON AMAZON)
This usually confuses people that didn’t read Amazon’s policies (often also law) on sourcing, invoice requirements and Intellectual property.
Do you need a LOA (Brand's letter of authorization for you to sell their brand on Amazon) to list a product?
No, according to Amazon "in writing", you just need a distributor invoice showing you purchased 10 items of the same product to get approved to sell most brands
Can I get approved to sell items I purchased retail? Yes, sure, Whatever gets you to pay fees.
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So why would I suddenly need a LOA and my invoices are not accepted?
Because as soon as there is a complaint, from a buyer or competitor, claiming your item is not authentic,
Amazon will now request and demand... brand approved distributor invoices for everything you sold in the last year! And frequently along with that, they now want to see your LOA.
Amazon "assumes" you are authorized to sell the product, but they don't ask. They actually don't mind you to sell however you can and pay your fees, but will throw you under the next passing bus, at the first sign of trouble. While that sounds pretty mean, it really only catches up to sellers that didn’t waste the time to read laws and policies, before starting to run a business. The information has always been there. You agreed when you signed up that you understood all the policies. You just didn’t actually read them, who does…
That means without LOA and proper distributor invoice, your account will remain suspended for selling "counterfeits", for all affected products, any sales proceeds in your account will be confiscated and any products you have at FBA and cannot produce these documents for, will be destroyed as counterfeit.
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How is buying from Cosco/Wallmart/ not allowed?
To proof authenticity, one has to look at the supply chain.
From Brand to authorized distributor, from distributor to retailer from retailer to end consumer.
That supply chain ended, when you purchased it at retail. The manufacturer lost all control over the product at THAT POINT, the sale to you, the END CONSUMER. Since nobody can control if the product you are reselling is the actual product you got a receipt for, the supply chain (and authenticity) cannot be validated.
That also means all warranties and product backing also ends with you, holder of the receipt (not an invoice!!), and your product cannot be resold as new, as it now lacks that FULL warranty time (at least) and manufacturer backing. A new products MUST include all warranties
So what can I do now?
Honestly? Likely nothing, unless you have the required paperwork. You can try to go to Amazon’s seller university and watch the videos and then write an appeal apologizing and telling them what you did wrong, how and what you have learned now and that you will never list items again you are not authorized to sell.
Problem is, they will want to know how and where you will source your products in the future and unless you have a legit business, you wont get a wholesale account and brand approval easily. But you will need a distributor and a LOA to go with your appeal.
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So what do they need in my invoice to proof my items are authentic?”
INVOICES
Copies of invoices, receipts or other similar documents that demonstrate where your products are produced or manufactured
You invoice should include
• detailed list of products (at least 10 per item, Product name, model number or UPC that can be verified online)) ,
• terms of sale (net30/net60/cash..)
• must be by the brand itself or a brand authorized distributor (not a retail store for the general public, not some back door pallet seller wanna be distributor )***
• your full business name and address, as entered in seller central
• a COMPLETED transaction ( order shipped),
• suppliers full name and contact details, (e-mail, phone or both)
• Should reflect the sales volume of your product across all Amazon marketplaces in the last 365 days
• Should demonstrate your product’s full supply chain
***Should include contact information for the supplier(s) and the original manufacturer. We may contact suppliers or manufacturers to verify the documents
Your documents should be able to trace your products to the original manufacturer even if you did not purchase them directly from the original manufacturer. This may require requesting additional invoices or supply chain documentation from your supplier if you are not sourcing directly from the manufacturer.
Glenn_Amazon
Hi there @Seller_8TETak0duwjN6,
I can understand why you are frustrated with Amazon's polices with products requiring approval, however these policies exist to ensure the safety of Amazon Buyers and authenticity of products sold on Amazon. For any product you sell on Amazon you should be prepared to provide valid invoices and sources of inventory.
Amazon sets these expectations to ensure that Buyers can trust that the products they get from Amazon are correct, accurate and authentic. Thank you for your understanding.
-Glenn