No Help Needed: Concern Regarding Unjust Listing Deactivation Due to "Potential Price Error"

I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent deactivation of some of my product listings, which were flagged as having a “Potential Price Error.” Upon thoroughly reviewing the situation, I found that my listings were priced lower than those of other sellers offering the exact same item. Despite this, my listings were the only ones removed for allegedly being priced too high, which appears both inconsistent and unfair.

My pricing strategy is carefully considered to remain competitive in the marketplace while also accounting for the growing fees associated with selling on Amazon. These fees can significantly impact profit margins, and as a result, I—and many other small business sellers—must strike a delicate balance between affordability and sustainability. It is concerning that such listings are being penalized despite offering competitive pricing.

This issue reflects a broader systemic challenge for small businesses operating on Amazon. Unlike third-party sellers, Amazon does not incur the same fees when selling its own products, giving it considerable pricing flexibility. This imbalance creates a situation in which small businesses are often forced to lower prices beyond sustainable levels simply to keep their listings active. In some cases, this can lead to sellers operating at a loss, which is clearly unsustainable.

Amazon's marketplace thrives in large part due to the diversity and depth of its catalog, much of which is contributed by independent and small business sellers like us. The success of the platform is not Amazon’s alone—it has been built through a partnership with countless entrepreneurs who trust Amazon as a fair and viable sales channel. If sellers are continuously penalized or disadvantaged by opaque and rigid pricing policies, that partnership becomes strained.

We, as small businesses need:

1. Clarification on how pricing error flags are triggered, particularly when a listing is priced lower than competing offers.

2. Transparency around the review process for flagged listings.

3. Consideration of policy updates that reflect the operational realities and challenges faced by small businesses.

Thank you.