Did Amazon reduce the requirements to open a new account?

[amzrocket]

So, it's been a while since I opened an amazon account (last couple I made were late 2020/early 2021), but the one I just created seems to not require several steps that were required last time.

Last time I did it, they required a video call verification, and a postcard address verification before you could do anything on the account other than the verification related webpages. (And I don't think I did anything to trigger this, from what I read that was their standard process at that time)

The account I just created only asked for an upload of the ID and bank statement, and it was approved within a few days. No postcard and no video call. This seems unusual to me since the account creation process typically gets tougher, not easier. The business address page says "Amazon may verify the address and phone number" though instead of having the verified checkmark.

I know for my existing accounts that were made pre-postcard requirement days they randomly decided a month ago that the postcard is now a requirement and threatened to deactivate the accounts unless an address to mail the postcard to was provided.

I would prefer if the postcard was sent now, as I was planning on discontinuing the mail service after receiving it.

[e2free]

That’s normal I never get postcard request but video call is quite normal on accounts but getting this make account stronger and you don’t get bill request

[amzrocket]

Hm, ok, it's quite possible that they've reduced some of the steps because they're bogged down with all the reverification of old accounts because of the INFORM act. Not great though, I'd rather have all the verification stuff done up front so if there's a problem the account gets suspended prior to me sending inventory and selling on the account.

Any verification steps not taken now have a high likelihood of randomly being required later on is my guess.

[Phd]

Originally Posted by amzrocket

Hm, ok, it's quite possible that they've reduced some of the steps because they're bogged down with all the reverification of old accounts because of the INFORM act. Not great though, I'd rather have all the verification stuff done up front so if there's a problem the account gets suspended prior to me sending inventory and selling on the account.

Any verification steps not taken now have a high likelihood of randomly being required later on is my guess.

They may not know if this will be a "high volume" acct as per INFORM. It is possible that when you pass the 200 items sold or 5K in sales mark that they will hit you up with the full verification INFORM style.

PhD

[SMOZ]

was this a stealth account, or real?

[amzrocket]

Originally Posted by Phd

They may not know if this will be a "high volume" acct as per INFORM. It is possible that when you pass the 200 items sold or 5K in sales mark that they will hit you up with the full verification INFORM style.

PhD

I see, this kinda makes sense. It's a shame you can't just select an option when signing up that states you intend on selling that amount to trigger the full verification up front, because knowing amazon they'll do something stupid like temporarily suspend you pending verification once you hit the 5K mark after the effective date for the inform act.

[Futuremogul888]

The verification department has been too busy with all the Inform Act stuff so all new Amazon accounts have been getting approved without a video call within the past month.

Will likely need to complete that video call after hitting some benchmark later on.

[amzrocket]

Originally Posted by SMOZ

was this a stealth account, or real?

Some of the information (eg. tax information) is real.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by amzrocket

I see, this kinda makes sense. It's a shame you can't just select an option when signing up that states you intend on selling that amount to trigger the full verification up front, because knowing amazon they'll do something stupid like temporarily suspend you pending verification once you hit the 5K mark after the effective date for the inform act.

not a bad idea - verification upfront before hitting targets

[amzrocket]

Originally Posted by rsot

not a bad idea - verification upfront before hitting targets

I think it would make more sense for Amazon to enforce verification before account creation in general. Anyone with under 5K / year in sales is NOT suitable for being an Amazon seller. The amount of work and hassle you have to do to sell on Amazon isn't even close to worthwhile if you're selling that little.

There's countless stories of people who submitted legit documents for things and have been rejected or it goes into some black hole in the system. So knowing up front that there's a problem is a good a thing rather than it being dumped on you later on. (In fact, using legit documents for Amazon is actually problematic sometimes because they have unreasonable requirements)

[Phd]

Originally Posted by amzrocket

I think it would make more sense for Amazon to enforce verification before account creation in general. Anyone with under 5K / year in sales is NOT suitable for being an Amazon seller. The amount of work and hassle you have to do to sell on Amazon isn't even close to worthwhile if you're selling that little.

There's countless stories of people who submitted legit documents for things and have been rejected or it goes into some black hole in the system. So knowing up front that there's a problem is a good a thing rather than it being dumped on you later on. (In fact, using legit documents for Amazon is actually problematic sometimes because they have unreasonable requirements)

True amzrocket, BUT, you are thinking logically. Amazon does not.

PhD