Brand UPC and listing problems
So when I started selling on Amazon 8 years ago one of the first issues I came across was that all products needed a ASIN or UPC to be able to list. I went to GS1 and the cost was way to high. I mean to list one t-shirt with 12 variables I would need a UPC for each one and that costs hundreds of dollars even then. So I went to speedyUPC and bought 3000 UPC's for $270. I used these for years with no problems. All the UPC's are STILL registered to me today. A few years ago I noticed that the Chinese were hijacking my listings since I didnt register as a company and they were selling my products. I fixed this by including my brand name in the listing and under brand I used my name "Trooperbay". I tried to trademark Trooperbay but was stopped by Ebay and they agreed to let me keep using the name as long as I didnt trademark it. What choice do I have... Anyway, I dont care since I am just selling T-shirts and stickers. I was just trying to register my brand... I dropped the idea, but continued to list all my products with Trooperbay as the brand.
NOW - So I go to list a new item yesterday.... I can't list a new item with a new UPC because if I list it using Trooperbay as the brand - I DONT HAVE PERMISSION, lol... If I try to list it without a brand and still use the UPC I get a message stating that I need to submit evidence of permission or an invoice to list an item using the UPC. If I select no UPC needed I get a message saying that I need to apply for this and most people have failed doing this I guess. I cannot even sell a product anymore if I have an existing item with the correct UPC. Like say a new package of paint. I have to get permission or supply an invoice to sell just that one item.
As far as I can see now, I have no option but to just sell what I already have listed. That seems to be the only items that are allowed. I cannot add ANYTHING new in any way shape or fashion....
Anyone else having this experience? What are our options here?
I have no brand since I am not registered, I cant register as a brand cause I cant trademark. I cant sell as generic. I cant sell as UPC not needed. I cant sell an existing item if I dont have permission. I guess thats it for me and Amazon.....
Brand UPC and listing problems
So when I started selling on Amazon 8 years ago one of the first issues I came across was that all products needed a ASIN or UPC to be able to list. I went to GS1 and the cost was way to high. I mean to list one t-shirt with 12 variables I would need a UPC for each one and that costs hundreds of dollars even then. So I went to speedyUPC and bought 3000 UPC's for $270. I used these for years with no problems. All the UPC's are STILL registered to me today. A few years ago I noticed that the Chinese were hijacking my listings since I didnt register as a company and they were selling my products. I fixed this by including my brand name in the listing and under brand I used my name "Trooperbay". I tried to trademark Trooperbay but was stopped by Ebay and they agreed to let me keep using the name as long as I didnt trademark it. What choice do I have... Anyway, I dont care since I am just selling T-shirts and stickers. I was just trying to register my brand... I dropped the idea, but continued to list all my products with Trooperbay as the brand.
NOW - So I go to list a new item yesterday.... I can't list a new item with a new UPC because if I list it using Trooperbay as the brand - I DONT HAVE PERMISSION, lol... If I try to list it without a brand and still use the UPC I get a message stating that I need to submit evidence of permission or an invoice to list an item using the UPC. If I select no UPC needed I get a message saying that I need to apply for this and most people have failed doing this I guess. I cannot even sell a product anymore if I have an existing item with the correct UPC. Like say a new package of paint. I have to get permission or supply an invoice to sell just that one item.
As far as I can see now, I have no option but to just sell what I already have listed. That seems to be the only items that are allowed. I cannot add ANYTHING new in any way shape or fashion....
Anyone else having this experience? What are our options here?
I have no brand since I am not registered, I cant register as a brand cause I cant trademark. I cant sell as generic. I cant sell as UPC not needed. I cant sell an existing item if I dont have permission. I guess thats it for me and Amazon.....
4 replies
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
Amazon allowed secondary UPC purchases for years but has started cracking down in order to enforce uniformity (and who knows what else).
Every so often they fire up their computers and actually verify the ownership of UPC numbers at GS1 versus both ASINs AND Brand Registry names.
There are a growing number of threads about brands that have been registered on here for years and suddenly are removed from BR. It took place because Amazon found they had secondary market numbers.
I am curious why you say that you can't TM and Register as a Brand though.
As to options -- sell elsewhere since Amazon is turning into more and more hostile territory for small under-capitalized businesses and definitely not good for 'hobby sellers' any longer.
Rose_Amazon
Hi @Trooper_bay,
Thanks for the post. Since you did not buy your UPC from GS1, they are not considered valid. I would recommend buying your UPCs directly from GS1 (and not from other third parties selling UPC licenses).
Best regards,
Rose_Amazon
