Amazon dropshipping policy uncertainty
Hello. I have been selling on Amazon for 4 years, and every fourth quarter, Amazon suspends accounts at an increased rate. This year, they suspended my account, citing a violation of the dropshipping policy.
Before my suspension, during conversations with customer service representatives, I was told that it was acceptable to purchase products from Amazon, make necessary changes in my warehouse such as removing the original box, invoices, and all references to the supplier, and then repackage the products with my own information before sending them to the customers. I acted based on this advice, sourcing products from Amazon and storing them in my warehouse. Subsequently, I sent these products to customers in packaging with my own information.
I did this because a customer service representative assured me that it was an acceptable practice. However, today, a customer service representative called me and stated that I had violated the dropshipping policy.
Below is a brief summary of Amazon's dropshipping policy:
It is a requirement that the customer clearly knows that you are the registered seller when they place an order.
It is not allowed to purchase products from a third-party seller, including Amazon or other sellers in Amazon stores, and have the third party send the products directly to customers.
Documents like shipping invoices, invoices, external packaging, or contact information must only contain your seller information. It is prohibited to identify another seller or alter contact information.
Information provided to customers about their orders should be clear and unambiguous to prevent any confusion.
You are also responsible for accepting and processing customer returns in accordance with Amazon policies and the Business Solutions Agreement.
The policy explicitly states that you cannot buy products from Amazon and send them directly to the customer. However, it does not explicitly mention whether making changes in the warehouse and then sending the products to customers is allowed. It seems Amazon sellers are trying to manipulate the system.
I would like to have a more in-depth discussion with someone knowledgeable about this issue.
2 replies
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
Since this is a Forum with only other sellers and the occasional MOD stopping by you will hear nothing from Amazon directly.
From the looks of all the store names under your 'handle' I have to guess that you are REALLY a VA and not the actual seller, correct?
In the four years that you claim you have been selling here (this is your FIRST post on the Forum) did you NOT BOTHER to read all the Forum posts about why you should NEVER trust what any Amazon "customer service representative" tells you?
First of all, they are customer service and have nothing to do with, and NO KNOWLEDGE about the sales side.
You missed the fact that AMAZON has made at least a few significant changes in the past four years in order to protect themselves.
First of all, by purchasing from Amazon you do not now, and never will have, an INVOICE. All you have is a RECEIPT which is not proof of anything for Amazon purposes.
The first question is -- Are you authorized IN WRITING by the BRAND to sell their items on Amazon? That means from the BRAND, not some random wholesale source that can NOT authorize anything – they only SELL.
More and more brands have provided a "whitelist" of their approved sellers and if YOU are NOT on the list you will be stopped in your tracks and probably hit with an IP violation.
The second (and probably more important) question is -- Where are you sourcing your products? Are you buying direct from the brand or through an AUTHORIZED wholesale source?
Have you verified with the BRAND that your distributor IS an authorized wholesale distributor for ALL of their products. Some wholesalers are only allowed to distribute portions of a product line.
NOTE – FOR 'GATED' CATEGORIES' DOING RA IS NOT PERMITTED ON AMAZON. PERIOD. If you have to 'apply to sell' you WILL need an INVOICE from an AUTHORIZED distributor and not a receipt.
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
To begin with, if you used Amazon prime and got free shipping on those orders, that alone is cause for suspension and deletion of your Prime buyer account
When you purchase something retail, you are the end consumer. the product is no longer new, as it will not have manufacturer backing or all full warranties. Even if it is unopened, it is NOT in new condition
Appears you missed something. A sticker, label, or insert somewhere
