Still Ongoing: 9 INR Claims This Week — All for £4.99 Items, All Demanding Refunds
Still Ongoing: 9 INR Claims This Week — All for £4.99 Items, All Demanding Refunds
@Christine_Amazon
This is just a reminder (because Amazon clearly needs constant reminders) that INR fraud is still rampant — and getting worse.
In the last 7 days alone, we’ve had 9 new “Item Not Received” claims, every single one following the same lazy pattern:
“Item not arrived, refund me now.”
No politeness. No hesitation. Just blatant exploitation of Amazon’s soft-touch refund system.
These aren’t high-value items. They’re £4.99 seed packets — small, lightweight envelopes sent via Royal Mail 2nd Class, using postage labels bought directly from Amazon. There’s no tracking. Buyers know this. And they’re clearly being tipped off by Amazon’s ridiculous “your item may be lost” emails.
We’ve reached a point now where we no longer treat these as simple customer service issues — because they’re not. They’re theft, plain and simple.
As of today, we are issuing 16 Letters Before Action to customers making these fraudulent claims. Enough is enough. If Amazon won’t protect sellers, we’ll protect ourselves — through the courts if necessary.
Again, for the record:
- On our own website, UK non-deliveries: 1 in 2,000
- International orders from our site: 1 in 1,650
- On Amazon? Now 1 in 30, and 1 in 12 some days.
It’s very clear what’s going on here — and it’s not a postal issue. It’s customer fraud, enabled by Amazon’s policies and reinforced by your communications.
We’ll keep posting. We’ll keep pushing. And we’ll keep holding this platform to account, until something changes.
Still Ongoing: 9 INR Claims This Week — All for £4.99 Items, All Demanding Refunds
Still Ongoing: 9 INR Claims This Week — All for £4.99 Items, All Demanding Refunds
@Christine_Amazon
This is just a reminder (because Amazon clearly needs constant reminders) that INR fraud is still rampant — and getting worse.
In the last 7 days alone, we’ve had 9 new “Item Not Received” claims, every single one following the same lazy pattern:
“Item not arrived, refund me now.”
No politeness. No hesitation. Just blatant exploitation of Amazon’s soft-touch refund system.
These aren’t high-value items. They’re £4.99 seed packets — small, lightweight envelopes sent via Royal Mail 2nd Class, using postage labels bought directly from Amazon. There’s no tracking. Buyers know this. And they’re clearly being tipped off by Amazon’s ridiculous “your item may be lost” emails.
We’ve reached a point now where we no longer treat these as simple customer service issues — because they’re not. They’re theft, plain and simple.
As of today, we are issuing 16 Letters Before Action to customers making these fraudulent claims. Enough is enough. If Amazon won’t protect sellers, we’ll protect ourselves — through the courts if necessary.
Again, for the record:
- On our own website, UK non-deliveries: 1 in 2,000
- International orders from our site: 1 in 1,650
- On Amazon? Now 1 in 30, and 1 in 12 some days.
It’s very clear what’s going on here — and it’s not a postal issue. It’s customer fraud, enabled by Amazon’s policies and reinforced by your communications.
We’ll keep posting. We’ll keep pushing. And we’ll keep holding this platform to account, until something changes.
17 replies
Seller_RAXEWLxQ2dbmN
I rarely used to get INRs but I had two yesterday and I am not a high volume seller. They were large letters sent via Buy Shipping but the tracking IDs on them are hit and miss (mostly miss).
I think it is most likely down to those unhelpsful emails from Amazon.
I'm not sure that sending LBAs for small amounts is a good idea, especially without solid proof, but I know how you feel.
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
It is definitely to do with the emails Amazon send out 'Your item may be lost....' - the issue has been raised SO many times with mods, SS, but nothing is ever done, and the only people it hurts are we sellers. You're so right about the 'soft-touch refund system, with no chance given to us to investigate for ourselves, what is so often blatant fraud. Amazon don't care.
Seller_d8YGbIjNqwFxn
I can get up to 10 INR's a day so can understand how you feel.
All I can say is challenge each one. You will be surprised how many people find the item or how many people have the item delivered just after you send your message.
It is certainly the messaging and the culture of Amazon that causes this.
As for the letter before action if they have raised an A-Z claim before the LBA you could be breaching Amazon T&C's which say you cant take any action against a buyer who wins an A-Z claim. Nothing legally stopping you but be careful it doesn't impact your account.
Seller_19xPhE8YgkmxW
Hi The_Red_Dragon,
I assume you don't have tracking numbers for these items...
Do you know how many days elapsed between posting and these complaint messages?
Is it possible the new Post Office delivery rules for 2nd class post which can mean up to 10 days between posting and delivery have caused this? If so, extending your handling time might help
All Best
Brian
Seller_Fg2fqaWOnEtha
It's getting worse. I have about 1 in 15 orders allegedly lost. It's fairly rare on other platforms including my own website. Something must be done.
Seller_FQHkqHJI5SqTh
When I read threads like this I realise just how much theft goes on.
As a bookseller INRs are very unusual, haven't had one for getting on for a couple of years. I've not just been lucky, the trade is noted for it and we are sending all over the World.
Had a spate of INRs when I was using Buy Shipping no doubt prompted by that onerous 'Your Order May Be Lost' e-mail; nothing from the other sites I sell through and nothing since I switched to Tracked 24/48.
