No matter who tells you to “spiff up” those invoices, just say no. As happens all-too-often at Riverbend, recently I was assigned a ticket for a new client who was suspended for forging documents. During our call to discuss his account, he assured me that he had done nothing wrong. “Did you ever edit an invoice?” I asked. “Well, yes, but it … [Read more...]
Forged Documents: The Fast-Track to a Permanent Block of Your Amazon Seller Account
Fake ungating invoices are the new fast track to losing an Amazon account
“You are a counterfeiter.” Do you assume your Amazon seller account would never be labeled as fencing counterfeit goods? Think again. Amazon is on a mission: detect and shut down counterfeiters. Unfortunately, many sellers are engaging in a behavior that can get them branded a counterfeiter and permanently banned from the platform – even if they … [Read more...]
Rebates are Risky – and often against Amazon Terms of Service
By Lesley Hensell July 17, 2019 Whether you’re manually providing rebates via PayPal or using a rebate service, Amazon has the technology to find what you’re doing – and deactivate your account. When private-label sellers launch new products, they look for any way to get an edge. For many years, rebates have been a popular option in the … [Read more...]
UPS, USPS and the making of a shipping nightmare
Amazon sellers are no stranger to shipping challenges. But lately, some new hassles are rearing their ugly heads. One of these seems to be a technical error, while the other may signal long-term policy changes for Amazon. UPS covering FBA inbound shipment stickers Two prep centers have reached out to me about this bizarre issue. It appears that … [Read more...]
Amazon now permanently holding funds for a wide range of “sins”
If your Amazon seller account gets suspended, will you get your funds? Maybe not. Amazon is now permanently holding funds for a wide range of “sins”. For years, Amazon dispersed the funds for closed accounts in almost every case. Fraud and counterfeit were the occasional exceptions. But now, Amazon is permanently attaching sellers’ funds for a … [Read more...]
Why liquidation inventory can be 3P kryptonite
As major retailers clean out their warehouses post-Q4, the secondary markets are filled to bursting with liquidation inventory. Third-party sellers can find a treasure trove of hot deals across every category – all for pennies on the dollar. What could go wrong? Everything. In fact, things could go so wrong that you lose your Amazon seller … [Read more...]
Fake ungating invoices are the new fast track to losing an Amazon account
“You are a counterfeiter.” Do you assume your Amazon seller account would never be labeled as fencing counterfeit goods? Think again. Amazon is on a mission: detect and shut down counterfeiters. Unfortunately, many sellers are engaging in a behavior that can get them branded a counterfeiter and permanently banned from the platform – even if they … [Read more...]
Yes, Amazon can permanently hold sellers’ funds
Sellers beware. Amazon has begun holding funds for a growing number of sellers. Even more frightening, the path to recovering that money is long, difficult and expensive. We’ve seen all manner of reasons that sellers’ funds are being permanently attached: Violations of terms of service, such as selling prohibited products. Particularly … [Read more...]
Follow the rules
Being honest has become one of the most critical values for Amazon sellers. Why? Because Amazon is increasingly cracking down on sellers who fib, manipulate or otherwise break the rules. Here are some recent examples: Amazon has begun wielding the big stick of “Code of Conduct” violations to immediately block seller … [Read more...]
A simplified SMART plan can help your business in 2018
We are one week into 2018. Do you know where your business plan is? A traditional plan may be just too daunting for most Amazon and online sellers. And let’s face it – a lot of business plan formats are just …. long. They are lengthy, detailed, and full of information that’s not necessary unless you are applying for a business loan or trying to … [Read more...]