Someone please explain this to me
Hello everyone, any advise or information will be greatly appreciated:
I am 100% FBA . I like to learn from mistakes and avoid mistakes for the future -- so any tips please throw it my way.
I found a branded peanut butter product to sell. I applied to sell this item, the application required nothing but a short 4 questionnaire.. "Reseller, distributor, manufacturer, or both.....etc." so no invoice or a letter from the brand. I was approved with the lovely congratulations memo. I purchased the item and then proceeded to list the product into my inventory. Item was listed with no issues, no additional requirements, just simple list and boom done in my inventory awaiting products to be shipped to FBA.
Products arrived. Rechecked all product details, information, requirements, compliance, profit - all of the above as I do with every product sold. Looked good to go, no issues present. Packaged the items. I created a shipment containing this product. (so from my understanding if I did not have clearance or any outstanding duties to this product I would NOT be able to create a shipment containing this product or even be able to list the product, right?)
ok, so shipment created and product shipped to FBA.
Shipment in receiving and again I check all the data on all products shipped to stay on top of sale price and any issues. I go to check up on this peanut butter product and I notice SAS is asking me to get approval for this item ok I refresh everything thinking I am not logged in correctly or something - nope now the application is asking for Transparency Codes. I understand the TC and I have no intention of battling against TC let alone would I sell or try to sell any times that require these codes THAT I DO NOT HAVE.
I reached out to my supplier asking if there's any note of these codes or any documentation, understanding that this supplier does not owe me this. Thankfully I only sent 5/10 products so I examined the product over and over and there is no TC. I have an invoice for these products from a supplier that AMZ accepts as an authorized distributor.
I honestly do not have an ounce of will to go to battle over this product, as I would just prefer for the product to be sent back to me so I can just return the products to the supplier. I cannot create a removal order I have tried multiple times. AMZ is still "reviewing my account" they have asked for an invoice, I provided the invoice. After explaining all of this to multiple support people over the phone, 2 people understood and were working to resolve the issue on the ASIN that is being asked for transparency codes, and the 4 others put me on hold for 1 -2 hours which ended up being dropped calls (all 6 calls were dropped)? I am going back and forth with case log that keeps being closed after submitting the requested information multiple times. I now have a product authenticity complaint for this product even after providing a valid invoice and thorough explanation of how this whole issue came to be.
so yeah I don't even understand how to go about this - this product is not on the light side so even though I paid for the shipping of this product which again, someone please inform me if I am wrong in how products are listed (I thought an item cannot be logged into inventory, listed, or even shipped without proper approval of the item???) I now have to pay for the removal of these items if the removal will ever be an option??
I would not send an item to FBA if I was not clearly ALLOWED OR APPROVED to send/sell in the first place. I don't understand who would to begin with, am I wrong for assuming any of these things?
Along with the invoice, I have screenshots of my selling application for this product shown as approved with no additional requirements on seller central. SO just wth - clearly do not want this to be a repeated thing so any tips on how to definitely avoid this? or is this common that suddenly transparency codes are issued for the ASIN and what does that mean for inventory that is approved and in receiving
Thank you for reading my novel - I am still learning to voice my concerns in a summary format rather than a whole textbook so I apologize for the endless reading and any confusion that may have taken place
Happy Thursday - wish me luck as I try to explain this for the millionth time to the beach playing in the wind surfing amazon seller support peoples over the phone or to the ones that like to whisper to you over the phone as they put you on a hopeful hold :)
Someone please explain this to me
Hello everyone, any advise or information will be greatly appreciated:
I am 100% FBA . I like to learn from mistakes and avoid mistakes for the future -- so any tips please throw it my way.
I found a branded peanut butter product to sell. I applied to sell this item, the application required nothing but a short 4 questionnaire.. "Reseller, distributor, manufacturer, or both.....etc." so no invoice or a letter from the brand. I was approved with the lovely congratulations memo. I purchased the item and then proceeded to list the product into my inventory. Item was listed with no issues, no additional requirements, just simple list and boom done in my inventory awaiting products to be shipped to FBA.
Products arrived. Rechecked all product details, information, requirements, compliance, profit - all of the above as I do with every product sold. Looked good to go, no issues present. Packaged the items. I created a shipment containing this product. (so from my understanding if I did not have clearance or any outstanding duties to this product I would NOT be able to create a shipment containing this product or even be able to list the product, right?)
ok, so shipment created and product shipped to FBA.
Shipment in receiving and again I check all the data on all products shipped to stay on top of sale price and any issues. I go to check up on this peanut butter product and I notice SAS is asking me to get approval for this item ok I refresh everything thinking I am not logged in correctly or something - nope now the application is asking for Transparency Codes. I understand the TC and I have no intention of battling against TC let alone would I sell or try to sell any times that require these codes THAT I DO NOT HAVE.
I reached out to my supplier asking if there's any note of these codes or any documentation, understanding that this supplier does not owe me this. Thankfully I only sent 5/10 products so I examined the product over and over and there is no TC. I have an invoice for these products from a supplier that AMZ accepts as an authorized distributor.
I honestly do not have an ounce of will to go to battle over this product, as I would just prefer for the product to be sent back to me so I can just return the products to the supplier. I cannot create a removal order I have tried multiple times. AMZ is still "reviewing my account" they have asked for an invoice, I provided the invoice. After explaining all of this to multiple support people over the phone, 2 people understood and were working to resolve the issue on the ASIN that is being asked for transparency codes, and the 4 others put me on hold for 1 -2 hours which ended up being dropped calls (all 6 calls were dropped)? I am going back and forth with case log that keeps being closed after submitting the requested information multiple times. I now have a product authenticity complaint for this product even after providing a valid invoice and thorough explanation of how this whole issue came to be.
so yeah I don't even understand how to go about this - this product is not on the light side so even though I paid for the shipping of this product which again, someone please inform me if I am wrong in how products are listed (I thought an item cannot be logged into inventory, listed, or even shipped without proper approval of the item???) I now have to pay for the removal of these items if the removal will ever be an option??
I would not send an item to FBA if I was not clearly ALLOWED OR APPROVED to send/sell in the first place. I don't understand who would to begin with, am I wrong for assuming any of these things?
Along with the invoice, I have screenshots of my selling application for this product shown as approved with no additional requirements on seller central. SO just wth - clearly do not want this to be a repeated thing so any tips on how to definitely avoid this? or is this common that suddenly transparency codes are issued for the ASIN and what does that mean for inventory that is approved and in receiving
Thank you for reading my novel - I am still learning to voice my concerns in a summary format rather than a whole textbook so I apologize for the endless reading and any confusion that may have taken place
Happy Thursday - wish me luck as I try to explain this for the millionth time to the beach playing in the wind surfing amazon seller support peoples over the phone or to the ones that like to whisper to you over the phone as they put you on a hopeful hold :)
3 replies
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
@Glenn_Amazon
@Danika_Amazon
@Rose_Amazon
anyone??
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
I'm dusting off my all purpose rookie introduction to selling on Amazon for you since you cover the gamut of almost EVERYTHING you can do wrong.
You are confusing AMAZON allowing you to list (or at least "ungate") an item or category and actually being APPROVED to sell a product. AMAZON is only interested in FEES. They will allow a chimpanzee to list if it means they collect $$$$$.
You really need to go study Seller U instead of TikTok and YouTube before your account gets kicked to the curb permanently.
Since you don't appear to have done that PLEASE pay attention to the following:
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?
NOTE – DOING RA IS NOT PERMITTED ON AMAZON. PERIOD
There are a LOT of FAKE wholesalers out there ranging from places like Sam's Club, Costco, BJs Wholesale and others to all those Gray market providers touted on TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and other places. AND there are places like Ali#$#$ that sell counterfeits and knockoffs.
HOW did you determine that 'I have an invoice for these products from a supplier that AMZ accepts as an authorized distributor. '?
Have you verified with the BRAND that they are authorized? If so they SHOULD have transparency codes on the items.
Any of the guys mentioned have resulted in so many account suspensions that it is impossible to count the number.
When Amazon says in Seller U to use an Authorized Reseller they mean an AUTHORIZED (by the BRAND) Wholesale Distributor – NOT some random wholesale distributor that has “thousands of brands” in stock but is NOT authorized by the brand.
Here is an Amazon MOD response to another post with similar issues. I share this because a FEW people don’t believe in needing permission to sell from the BRAND.
“Hello @Photo1,
My name is Dougal from the Community Manager Team. This can be a difficult topic to navigate so I appreciate you posting here in case others have the same or a similar question.
Thanks to @NEVERLAST and @Brigittefor providing assistance and I don't have much more to add other than restating that you need the Brand Owner's approval to sell their brand. I also want to provide you the help page on why a letter of authorization is needed and what should be included in it: Letter of Authorization.
Hope this helps and please let us know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Dougal”
NOTE -- I AM NOT DOUGAL. I am quoting what he responded to on a different post regarding the same type issue.
Emet_Amazon
Hello @Seller_2cQ2VYn9uwrXN,
Thank you for posting your concerns regarding your listing concerns.
I wanted to start off by clarifying that we do not authorize you to sell any product on amazon, we will allow you to list your products after confirming you have a valid supply chain or documentation showing authorization to use the intellectual properties associated with the product.
As there is a request for transparency copes, you will be required to provide proof from the brand, or manufacturer. As you mentioned not having them, you may need to work with the brand or manufacture to understand why they do no have their own required information.
I would recommend reviewing our policy when it comes to Transparency serial number barcode requirements. You will need to ensure that your information meets these expectations to properly appeal the situation.
You did mention reaching out to your supplier for the supporting information, have you heard anything back or were they able to provide the requested transparency codes?
Typically, the best way ensure that you do not run into these issues is not only verifying with the intellectual property holder that you have authorization or that none is needed to use their intellectual properties. You will also want to ensure you verify you supply chain with valid documentation such as Invoices, letter of authorization, or license agreement.
As noted on the above mentioned help page, if a manufacturer or brand moves to transparency codes, all future documentation would need to support this to verify their validity.
The forums community and I are here to support you. Please let us know how we can help you from this point forward.
Emet.
