Cheap or free inventory is tempting, but carries significant risk It seemed like the ideal way to get started selling on Amazon – flipping deeply discounted or free products purchased right on Amazon itself! But this tempting method of sourcing can lead to disaster. “I went to those deal sites online,” my client said during our intake call … [Read more...]
Should new Amazon Sellers flip products from deal sites?
Forged Documents: The Fast-Track to a Permanent Block of Your Amazon Seller Account
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...]
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...]
Are automatic reimbursements a smart strategy?
By Lesley Hensell July 29, 2019 This may sound like a good idea. But allowing software to file cases can take down your Amazon seller account. Amazon’s FBA Service can be a life-saver for large third-party sellers. It can also provide the worst-possible fulfillment service, with no accountability and zero concern for sellers’ probability. That’s … [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...]
No, Virginia, there isn’t a 30-day “grace period” before Amazon seller account suspension.
By Lesley Hensell July 17, 2019 The updated Business Solutions Agreement may signal minor operational changes, but Risk management still prevails. This week, Amazon announced changes to the Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement. This is essentially the “terms of service” under which third-party sellers operate. Almost immediately, many … [Read more...]
The False Promises of the Toothless “California Sellers Bill”
If you were looking for a legislative rebuke of Seller Performance …. keep looking. The Amazon Seller Community rejoiced this week when a California state senate committee approved a bill designed to give more power to third-party sellers. Celebratory Facebook posts and blogs shouted that Amazon would finally be forced to treat sellers … [Read more...]
Amazon Infringement: Design Patents, Retractions, and more
Sorry sellers, retractions aren’t enough Amazon wants invoices to disprove design patent infringement, blocks accounts with retracted IP claims Infringement claims on Amazon have grown increasingly frustrating over the past year. This has reached a deafening crescendo over the last few weeks, with our clients being victimized by nonsensical … [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 FBA Reimbursements – Amazon Owes You Money!
If you have been selling on Amazon using FBA, Amazon owes you money! Click Here to View Demo Video You are most likely entitled to an Amazon reimbursement if you've been selling products utilizing FBA. FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is an essential component for a majority of Amazon sellers. FBA allows the seller to store inventory in Amazon’s … [Read more...]