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Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

Anyone familiar with the new Brand Approvals on Amazon? Just saw an article claiming that Amazon has enacted new brand approvals for most brands (Apple, Nike, Calvin Klein, etc etc etc) and even if you managed to get invoices and a letter of authorization to get an approval for that brand, now they charge $1,500 per brand fee once you are approved? Is that correct?

I just got a new stealth account going and it seems restricted to pretty much no Brand Name sales on it. I remember few months ago I created a stealth account that had similar issues, but it seems like after the 30 day or 90 day period was over, the restrictions were somehow lifted on it as I am being able to sell Brand Names on it now. I'm trying to remember how and when it happened but I never provided any invoices or letter of authorizations on that previous account, it just somehow worked itself out. I wonder if things have gotten tougher the last 4-5 months or if my new stealth would eventually be able to sell those brands after the 90 days trial period or so...

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

Yes I have encountered 500 dollar fee for a particular brand. 1000 for another.

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

Yes certain brands have certain fees. I have seen them range from $500-$2000. I believe fine jewelry is $2000 but I haven't checked on it in a while.

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

I've heard about categories before, but never seen particular brands charging. The crazy thing is if you are selling clothing from 10 different designers, then you are looking at paying 10 x $1,500 or $15,000 to sell those. And that's just within one category!!!

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

Yup they are cracking down big time. Keeping the very best of the best sellers

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

I had three accounts and we were selling primarily Polo Ralf Lauren products. Our entire business was destroyed in few months, after Amazon shut down all three accounts, demanding for a letter from the brand owner. We by our products in bulk from local PRL factory outlets, literally hunting for clearances and good deals. Sales were Great. I was wrapping and shipping shirts with my wife 708 hours even day!
Now we are left with sales on eBay, a pathetic and slow place comparing to Amazon.
Amazon requires there invoices from APPROVED distributors. We sent them 30 invoices from the factory outlet. They said it is not what they want. One PRL employee said "we don't have distributors, NONE. We just sell directly to department stores, such as Macy's, Nordstrom. The biggest buyer is TJ Maxx.
Still some sell on Amazon. HOW? Please help.
I will appreciate if someone could give me an advice. We would pay for a true invoices, not from brick and stone stores and online markets (Amazon doesn't accept them).
Thank you

Re: Brand Restrictions on Amazon, including $1,500 fee?
 

Vachagan, I would love to get an answer to those questions as well. We also have been selling name brands for the last 5-6 years, in the millions per year numbers. Our metrics have always been 100% feedback and perfect everything... Our accounts only last about 1 year or so. Now I appreciate the help from other members on this forum, but to be honest it's mostly turning into "I told you so" and "don't play stupid, you know you can't do retail arbitrage" answers lately, which reminds me of the Amazon Forums - one of the reasons we don't frequent those for any answers.

NO, we aren't stupid, and we know what we are doing very well. Our question is not WHY our accounts go down - we know that retail arbitrage is not allowed on Amazon and we are aware that things are getting tougher and tougher. Our question is HOW do other sellers get around it. We are all here to exchange experience and help each other. There is a way obviously, to do that, as we are very aware of MANY seller accounts selling same brands like us that have been in business for 5-10 years now. They continue to sell under that same account somehow. HOW??? Obviously there is a way... And no, it has nothing to do with our metrics, complaints, products, and etc. We sell the same exact products, and our feedback is higher than theirs in many instances. It's frustrating as hell to see people selling same products, same way as us for many years, while our accounts can't last even one year. We used to think it was just bad luck, and maybe we had a customer that complained or something happening. After account number 10 or 15 went down with absolutely perfect feedback and no returns or complaints, we are pretty sure that it has nothing to do with luck or inability to provide proper customer service. There is more to it, and we are pretty sure that it comes down to playing dirty, and the few players that are still in business after that many years are using tactics to eliminate the competition. Also Amazon knows very well that these large brands would NEVER give ANYONE selling on their platform reseller rights. I don't think they care two ****s about that... they make the money and close their eyes until someone files a complaint.

Wish I had the time to play these games instead of focus on what I am doing, my business, and providing best experience for my customers.