Items not showing up in search

**SaiJin** · #1 10-09-2010

Ok, I listed a few items on Amazon and when I checked in the search results, they are not there. I thought they all sold, but when I clicked on inventory, they are still there and still open...

ANyone with experience like this? Or is amazon just being super slow in updating them being sold?

jeffweico · #2 10-09-2010

If they are still in your open inventory, I doubt they are sold. Usually, your item will be removed from your inventory when a customer puts it in their shopping cart and then it moves to closed listings after it is sold.

Of course, they could be experiencing a temporary problem as well.

In highly competitive categories, competitors often have several ⊗⊗⊗⊗ accounts set up so that they can put their competition's items in a cart and remove the listing for a few hours. Then they abandon the cart and the items move back into your active inventory. This could also be what happened here. But it is unusual that it would happen on ALL of your items.

**SaiJin** · #3 10-09-2010

well it's 1 item but 5 in quantity.
Yup., I was wondering if some customers put it in their cart and just haven't paid. But then I thought that this would close the item inventory... Not sure what's going on.

So let me get this straight... if a buyer put the item in the cart but doesn't pay... it'll remove the item from the search result, BUT it'll show as inventory is still "open" ?

PS: I had one instance where My inventory is just gone and closed.... but the email of being paid and all that didn't show up till 24 hours later.

But meh, I'm confused. What is what here?

jeffweico · #4 10-09-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

well it's 1 item but 5 in quantity.
Yup., I was wondering if some customers put it in their cart and just haven't paid. But then I thought that this would close the item inventory... Not sure what's going on.

So let me get this straight... if a buyer put the item in the cart but doesn't pay... it'll remove the item from the search result, BUT it'll show as inventory is still "open" ?

No, it is removed from the search result as well as your open inventory. But it is not in your closed inventory either. It is in limbo.

Sometimes buyers start to shop and then get distracted by something else. This is an honest mistake, as they have no idea what is happening and that you might be losing other sales, but it can take several hours before the item is released.

HOWEVER - If ONE item is in a cart, then there should still be FOUR items showing in your open inventory.

**SaiJin** · #5 10-09-2010

I show 5 out of 5 item in open inventory, but none in the search result...

jeffweico · #6 10-09-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

I show 5 out of 5 item in open inventory, but none in the search result...

That sounds like a technical glitch. Or, they COULD be investigating. But I think that a technical glitch is more likely.

**SaiJin** · #7 10-09-2010

well, I hope it's a sold out glitch! =)

Thanks for the clarification, Jeff

**SaiJin** · #8 10-09-2010

now that i think about it.. none of my items from last week show up in search...

newtools · #9 10-10-2010

i update my inventory constantly and look at the qty number. to see what has sold before it hits the orders. In my experience whn you list something u should click the item description afterwords and see if you are listed in the in the sellers. In my experience if you are not and you are seeing that your items in your inventory are not showing up the system is starting to limit your account before you either go into a 30 day hold or a suspension. I just got a review notice and then a suspension from sales but not a 90 day block. instead. a suspension and an extension from 30 days review to 45 days. interesting. If your gonna block it, just do it already.

**SaiJin** · #10 10-10-2010

hmmm... well, time to move on I guess

**SaiJin** · #11 10-10-2010

Update: Oh be darn... my item actually showed up now... *so confusing*

jeffweico · #12 10-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

Update: Oh be darn... my item actually showed up now... *so confusing*

One time, I experienced something similar. I tried to list a new item, and it came up "Sorry, you are not authorized to add new inventory at this time". It lasted for about 12 hours.

I lost the account a couple of months later, but I found a post (I cannot remember where) that said Amazon employees sometimes review an account "informally" and that you don't get notified of the review - that the only way you would know is if your items are not listed or if you can't disburse or add new inventory. Depending on what they find, you will either get your account back, or it will go into a 30 day review or be blocked.

I never shared that, as I have no idea if it is true or not. You have to take what you see on the internet with a grain of salt since there is often no way to verify if it is the truth or not. So take this information for what it's worth.

E-Nertia · #13 10-10-2010

This happens to me occasionally also. Pretty sure it is just a glitch. Like when shipping values are not available or for a short period you can't view another sellers storefront. Amazon has some issues sometimes, which is probably good for us sellers.

newtools · #14 10-10-2010

anyone ever get a notice right after your 30 review noticeL we are extending your review to 45 days. Plese tell us about your business?

jeffweico · #15 10-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtools

anyone ever get a notice right after your 30 review noticeL we are extending your review to 45 days. Plese tell us about your business?

Yes. This means it could go either way and they are looking for more information. I was asked what I planned to list in the future (categories) and for supplier information. They also wanted to know if my business was registered and what it's legal origranization type was (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.).

The last email I received, they asked for contact information of business references - who had extended credit to me. But before I answered it, they lifted the review

I thought that last part was kind of invasive. I mean, it's not like I was asking Amazon to loan me money, or front merchandise to me. That would be more understandable. The reality is that WE are extending credit to THEM. We ship the merchandise with only their promise to pay, and ALWAYS under the threat of 30 day reviews and 90 day cancellations.

MadSam · #16 10-11-2010

Yep, that's just the way it is.

newtools · #17 10-12-2010

just gotta wait and see as usual. just plan on getting your money in 90 days, if it happens before then be surprised.