Amazon Refund Fraud – FBM Sellers Need Control Over Refunds!

I’m fed up with Amazon’s broken refund system, and I know I’m not alone. It’s time for Amazon to change its return and refund policy for FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) sellers!

I run a high-quality, custom picture frame business MADE IN THE USA—one of the highest-priced frame brands on Amazon because we use premium materials, not cheap plastic. Yet, I keep encountering the same fraud over and over:

Customers buy a cheap, low-quality Chinese frame (usually a $10 knockoff).

They buy our frame next and return the cheap frame in our box instead.

Amazon automatically refunds the customer before we even receive or verify the return.

I open a SAFE-T claim with photo evidence, proving they returned the wrong item.

Amazon denies the claim, saying "well, it's a frame." Seriously?!

This is outright refund fraud, and Amazon’s current system enables it. Customers know they can abuse returns because Amazon refunds them immediately—without checking if we even got the right product back. Why should sellers be forced to take a loss while scammers walk away with free, premium products?

Amazon Needs to Fix This for FBM Sellers!

FBM sellers should approve refunds ONLY when we receive and verify the return.

Amazon should not assume that "a frame is a frame"—it’s not! Custom, high-end products are not interchangeable with cheap knockoffs.

Sellers make Amazon great, yet we get the short end of the stick when it comes to fraud protection.

Let’s make some noise! If you’ve faced similar issues with unfair refunds, share your experiences in this thread. Amazon needs to hear us and fix this broken return process.

Who's with me? Let’s get Amazon to do right by its sellers! 🚨🚨🚨

Below is a week's worth of returned items that are not our frames—they were purchased from other Amazon sellers! As you can see, we’ve even received pajamas, movies, and, most commonly, cheap Chinese frames that are made of plastic and low-quality materials. This is completely unacceptable!