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Can't close account
I'm trying to close my Amazon seller account, but I'm unable to do so because the system keeps asking me to add a charge method. If I add a payment method, the account will continue to charge my bank card — even though I'm no longer actively using the account and don’t have a valid VAT number.
About a year ago, I began the VAT registration process in the UK through Amazon’s VAT services and fully paid all associated fees. However, I ultimately decided not to complete the registration, as I chose to pursue a joint venture with another entrepreneur and sell products together with him instead of selling products on my own. As a result, I no longer needed this seller account.
Unfortunately, I later discovered that my credit card had been charged monthly because there is one item in my inventory that couldn’t be removed, and the account was considered active.
Now I'm stuck in a catch-22 situation: I can’t close the account because I don't have a VAT number, and I can’t stop the charges unless I add a payment method — which would only allow Amazon to continue billing me. On top of that, I'm unable to even open a support case to resolve this.
I would appreciate any guidance on how to proceed.
16 replies
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
You can stop the monthly charges - you need to downgrade your selling plan from professional to individual PLAN. Go to settings - account info - manage your services, sell on amazon - same again and tick the individual button.
If your account is still active then you should be able to close it, BUT maybe not if you never registered for VAT and have goods stored here in UK (assuming you do not live in UK ?). You could try adding a charge method, but if on individual plan you will not be charged, and then try and close account. However, not sure about the VAT registration aspect. The item in your inventory - can you not have that disposed of ?
Seller_k2X0L9mVRT0pW
you won’t be able to close the account without a valid card on file- if Amazon say you should have been Vat registered then you need that too as presumably there are back dated Vat dues to be paid??
Seller_rc980zKZS0ZzH
I'm happy to pay anything I owe to close the account but I can't because the process of VAT registration wasn't finished. I want to do everything by the book, but it seems that there is no way for me to resolve this situation short of registering for VAT again just to close the account, which doesn't seem to be reasonable.
Is there another way to contact Amazon customer support?
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
"Is there another way to contact Amazon customer support?"
If you are still on the professional selling plan (paying the monthly fee), then you can call them, but they are notorious for ending call and no resolution.
Although I don't do FBA, so don't know the procedure, I cannot quite understand why the item left in the fulfilment centre cannot be disposed of ?
Seller_rc980zKZS0ZzH
Yes, exactly — I was on the Professional Seller plan, and Amazon kept charging my card every month even though I was trying to close the account. This went on for about six months.
Eventually, I downgraded to the Individual plan, but they continued to charge fees for inventory that I couldn’t remove or dispose of. Since I wasn’t able to stop the charges any other way, I removed my bank card. Now they’re sending me messages asking me to add a payment method back so they can resume charging me.
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
Sorry, I feel I cannot advise any more. It does look as though you will need to put a card on file, to pay for the storage fees, but as for the incomplete VAT registration, I really don't know. Once you start something with Amazon yo do tend to need to see it through to completion, especially as you did need to be VAT registered. Amazon don't take into account changes in your business plans.
Seller_rc980zKZS0ZzH
No worries at all, Jilly—really appreciate all your advice.
Amazon has now ended their VAT on Amazon service, and situations like this one might be part of the reason why.
Right now, there’s no way to close the account without entering a VAT number, and unfortunately, there’s no way for me to obtain one even if I wanted to. My old company isn’t selling anything anymore and has no plans to start again, and I assume zero activity and zero projected sales won’t help in a VAT application.
It’s a classic catch-22. I just wish there were a way to contact Amazon about situations like this.
Anyway, thanks again—I truly appreciate your help.
Cheers
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
The only thing that springs to mind is to simply let your account go dormant. I'm not sure if Amazon EVER close/delete accounts that have been dormant for a certain length of time - it would be sensible if they did, though guess you would never be able to sell on Amazon again.
Spencer_Amazon
Hello @Seller_rc980zKZS0ZzH,
Do you have a case ID for me? The ASIN of the unit that is in one of the fulfillment centers?
I will look into it for you.
Regards, Spencer
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