same last name get you blocked?

chigirl · #1 02-21-2012

Hi all, I'm so frustrated and need advice. My mother in law and another in her family sell on amazon and have had great success so far. I have been wanting to sell as well for some time now but she has been adamant about me not doing so because we have the same last name. We live in seperate nearby towns and she has never logged into amazon from my house. My address may be linked to her buyer account as she has bought things for the kids and sent them here, also her billing address was used from our account to complete a purchase recently. I dont want to do anything to jeopardize her business and feel pretty stuck. Please help thx, no accounts have been blocked for myself or any family members.

rsot · #2 02-21-2012

Welcome to the forums. Best to go stealth to be completely link free. I would really suggest you get the Am az on ghost guide here and learn how AZ does link. Then make a new account and read around the forum for current concerns about AZ policies.

jeffweico · #3 02-21-2012

What an incredible amount of nerve to tell you that you cannot sell on Amazon because she does! She sounds like a real prize!

However, you are probably better off by going stealth as RSOT suggested. It really is not that difficult, it just takes knowlesge and attention to detail. Amazon Ghost is valuable because it outlines what you need to do step-by-step. It would be impossible to cover everything in a forum post. Please note that I am NOT the owner of this site, and I do not get anything if you buy the guide. But it helped me greatly, I have more than 10 Amazon accounts and RARELY get shut down.

Stealth will offer you some protection AND you will have the benefit of not having to tell your monster-in-law about your activities. That way, you are totally separate from her and if she should lose her account, it will be on HER and have nothing to do with YOU. That will prevent a family feud, and that is always a smart way to go.

rsot · #4 02-21-2012

/cue family feud music.

chigirl · #5 02-21-2012

Thanks that is what i was thinking as well. I did get the ghost guide a few days ago it was a big help and I will have to reread to get the fine details down. I think I understand the basics though. We are switching cable and internet providers but I do think i will just have a seperate business dial up that no one in my house has access to and use that just for amazon. I have a new laptop that I will set up once i get this figured out.

I am confused about the tax info though. I am thinking I will use a dba and a ups box for business address. But I am confused when listing the name of person responsible for the business on documents shouldnt it be my own for tax purposes. Im trying to get in for the long haul if thats even possible with amazon.

Another option for me would be to work in a partnership with a friend of mine but I wasnt clear on if it is ok to work from two completely different isp. I imagine we would have to be sure not to sign on at same time etc.
I just realize sometime business and friendships dont mix.

Thanks so much you all are so helpful to this newbie

jeffweico · #6 02-21-2012

Some friendships survive a business venture and some don't. I learned the hard way. My suggestion would be to NOT risk the friendship if you value it highly.

The problem is, you and your friend may have different ideas on how to run and/or expand your business. Also, if it does not work out, people often start pointing fingers at each other as to why it failed. And then, of course, there is the division of the money. That becomes fertile ground for an argument over who put more work in, etc. This is one of those situations where even the best of intentions is often not enough. And that is not a commentary on you or your friend, that is simply life.

cherrqell · #7 02-21-2012

Yes, stealth is the way to go. I have many, many amazon accounts that have been going for a long time, but you have to be diligent, and your attention to detail must be flawless. It's alot of work, and you must mind your business because even one minor lapse, or error when managing these accounts can cause you to loose them in a heartbeat. Good luck, and dont take the plunge unless you are truly knowledgeable in the ways of stealth, business, and CUSTOMER SERVICE. Cheerio!