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New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

Hey all,

I've never been on Amazon before and am just starting so this account will be legit, and I want to try my best not to be back here in a few weeks asking the best way to make a stealth account, so I'd just like to know if there are any important things to abide by to avoid suspension.

I'm going to be selling FBM, both items I stock and drop shipping, but I have arrangements with the drop ship supplier, and they have warehouses in both Australia and the US, so delivery is fast and they give tracking numbers within a day.

I plan to sell accessories for smartwatches and possibly expand into watch bands.

Are there any tips I should know to sell smoothly and avoid a suspension? I've read most of the policies, but there might be stuff that new drop shippers don't know and get suspended by, so I'm just doing my due diligence here.

Your input is appreciated! Cheers

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

I am in the same boat. After reading and "adhering" to eBay policy, I have been banned. eBay is very opaque and bias with how they interpret/enforce policy. Is this expected from Amazon as well?
eBay is like the Police that pull you over & write a citation with no explanation of violation, and they tell you to stop doing it. "We won't tell you what you're doing, but stop doing it."
I'd hate to be penalized, again, for staying in line with Amazon.

Aside from the obvious expressed Amazon Policy, is there any "unwritten" policy for which we need to look out?

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

amazon is very tricky. Reading amazon ghost is a must to start with.

You're going to deal with:

1. ruthless competitors, so don't hijack people's asins
2. don't sell ⊗⊗⊗⊗
3. watch for items that look like it's a carbon copy of the original
4. have the same mentality as eBay then x10 that.
5. FBM is not protected like FBA


good luck

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

First best tip is use Amazons shipping labels if you can with tracking, then you are protected from A-Z claims if lost in the mail, late delivery or claimed not received. You are treated as if you are FBA on the shipping, negative feedback automatically removed if shipping related, A-Z claims closed and not even shown on your account. If one gets through, appeal and it’s taken down in your favor.

2. Sell good product

3. Ship on time

4. Answer emails promptly

5. Do not highjack another listing which is branded by the lister they will get you using Amazon To clarify there are plenty of Manufacturers such as Canon who do not sell directly and if you can get ungated for that Brand you can compete with other sellers as you have permission to sell on that listing from Amazon.

Always keep an eye on your defect rate and act quickly if an issue crops up.

You will still get idiots leaving negative feedback but my advice is proven, the tips above especially using Amazon shipping cut my defect percentage down from just to below 1% to about 0.2% on average. FBM is hard to do and remain selling on Amazon long term.

I have had countless branded products ungated because of my performance.

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

What do you mean by that?

Thank you for all this advice. The products I sell are quite low value and I expect Amazon shipping to be package rates ($6+) so I'll have to see about that. Our warehouses already stock quite a fair bit of domestic tracked letters.

In addition to this, we plan to drop ship with a supplier partner and they won't be using Amazon shipping.

Also, what does "ungated" mean?

Thank you for your response, stay safe and merry Christmas!

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

For you long way to go, amazon is for only serious sellers and FBM will be only for people who know how to run amazon

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

You may pick up some product that is common, lets say sharpie pens 10 pack, when yu go to listing them on an existing listing you will get a message saying you are not permitted to list this product, would you like to apply for permission. If your metrics are quite good they will ungate you (give you permission) for that product and let you list it. If you are barely in there at 0.99% metrics you will get denied.

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

Here's an example:

Apple makes a cute looking watch, square design, digital etc etc.

Generic factory A makes a cute looking watch that looks similar.

Amazon or Apple itself may look at it and think it's a copy and now they'll slap you with inauthentic suspension.

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

Avoid big brands

Re: New Amazon Seller, things to know to avoid suspension?
 

Amazon worst than ebay. Some call them competitors But I call them snitches...Other sellers will rat on ya azz to get you out the way...Its tricky but you get money quicker there..