2 year old stealth blocked. Help

agray34 · #1 05-30-2015

I had a 2 year old stealth account going strong. Amazon blocked me on some bs for policy violations on listings I created and sold my own brand...go figure.

I have read the stealth guide and know how to get a new account up, but have a few questions. I would greatly appreciate feedback:

#1 I had many listings that I created. Obviously I can not hop back on these listings because it would be very easy to link the accounts. If I create brand new listings using brand new UPC's and change some of the text in the creating is that safe?

#2 I will be using a professional account and registering with a tax id. I know amazon will verify the tax id, will they verify the address associated with the tax id?

#3 It safe to start doing fba right from the start? Some of my most profitable listings have existed in the amazon catalog and have many sellers, I will absolutely need to offer fba on these listings but want to play it safe.

Any other help is greatly appreciated!

GhostOfAmazon · #2 05-30-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by agray34

#1 I had many listings that I created. Obviously I can not hop back on these listings because it would be very easy to link the accounts. If I create brand new listings using brand new UPC's and change some of the text in the creating is that safe?

Should be. The bots won't detect it, though a human review might. The more "dummy" listings you have, the less likely you'll be caught.

Quote:

#2 I will be using a professional account and registering with a tax id. I know amazon will verify the tax id, will they verify the address associated with the tax id?

Why are you registering with real info period? You are aware that you can still send the IRS your taxes, WITHOUT a 1099 right?

Quote:

#3 It safe to start doing fba right from the start? Some of my most profitable listings have existed in the amazon catalog and have many sellers, I will absolutely need to offer fba on these listings but want to play it safe.

Safe as in, will Amazon be upset or suspicious? No. But realize that if they detect you have been previously banned before, they may DELETE your account, resulting in the loss of all your FBA inventory.

agray34 · #3 05-30-2015

Thanks for the prompt response!

A little follow up...

#1 By dummy listings, do these listing actually have to be listing that have items I would sell and have sales for? Or can I list on listings at a high price that would never have sales just to have a higher offset of "dummy listings" in my account. I did not see this specifically discussed when I read the stealth guide..

#2 If I had a "real name" and "real address" to use, I thought it would be best. I guess in reality, as long as I have the Tax ID I could tell Amazon whatever I wanted in regards to the name? I assume they just verify the TAX ID is valid with the IRS...

GhostOfAmazon · #4 05-30-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by agray34

#1 By dummy listings, do these listing actually have to be listing that have items I would sell and have sales for? Or can I list on listings at a high price that would never have sales just to have a higher offset of "dummy listings" in my account. I did not see this specifically discussed when I read the stealth guide..

Guide is several years out of date. The forums exist to supplement it.

It doesn't matter if they sell or even if you have the product, so long as you have a bunch of listings that weren't listed on your old account.

Quote:

#2 If I had a "real name" and "real address" to use, I thought it would be best. I guess in reality, as long as I have the Tax ID I could tell Amazon whatever I wanted in regards to the name? I assume they just verify the TAX ID is valid with the IRS...

Not sure. I don't use any "real" info on my stealth accounts. You can pay the IRS without a 1099-K. The entire concept is only 4 years old, it started in 2011. Report your taxes on your own accord, the IRS won't complain.

What Online Resellers Need to Know About the 1099-K - US News

agray34 · #5 05-30-2015

Thanks for the great info!

One more question, I believe that when I read the guide, it addressed the "account address" & also the "tax identity (dba) address."

On the items that I sell, I deal with returns somewhat often. I was using a PO box at the local post office (different zip than banned account) and they would forward it to my physical address. On my "new" account that I will setup, I need to use an address for returns and assume I will not use a PO box address at the same Post Office because it would possibly show a link to a banned account on a matching City Name, State & Zip...

What is the best way to handle the return address? I would assume you do not want it to be linkable...

Is it suspicious to have the account registered to a TX address, but use a NJ address for returns?

GhostOfAmazon · #6 05-30-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by agray34

I need to use an address for returns and assume I will not use a PO box address at the same Post Office because it would possibly show a link to a banned account on a matching City Name, State & Zip...

What is the best way to handle the return address? I would assume you do not want it to be linkable...

Is it suspicious to have the account registered to a TX address, but use a NJ address for returns?

There are several methods, personally, I prefer having a physical PO box for each account, but if that isn't feasible, there are alternative strategies.

You could sign up for a shipping account with Stamps.com, Teaplix.com, Orodo.com, etc. There are a dozen or more services like this. They grab the info from Amazon and upload the tracking for you as well. Amazon will never see your return address.

If you want a cheaper (free) but more of a hassle method, simply print return labels at home and affix them over your stealth return address.

agray34 · #7 05-31-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

There are several methods, personally, I prefer having a physical PO box for each account, but if that isn't feasible, there are alternative strategies.

You could sign up for a shipping account with Stamps.com, Teaplix.com, Orodo.com, etc. There are a dozen or more services like this. They grab the info from Amazon and upload the tracking for you as well. Amazon will never see your return address.

If you want a cheaper (free) but more of a hassle method, simply print return labels at home and affix them over your stealth return address.

Thanks I will look into those services.

Is Amazon concerned about the return address that is registered in the account?

Also, if someone requests a return and I was to upload a pdf return label, can amazon look at the address on that return label? If the address is associated with a prior banned account, that would raise a red flag...

agray34 · #8 05-31-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostOfAmazon

You could sign up for a shipping account with Stamps.com, Teaplix.com, Orodo.com, etc. There are a dozen or more services like this. They grab the info from Amazon and upload the tracking for you as well. Amazon will never see your return address.

Is this to handle returns? I do all of my shipping through Endicia, but I need a method to handle my returns. I can not use a PO Box at the local post office because the City Name, State & ZIP would match one of the blocked accounts.

I am pretty sure it is required to give Amazon a return address so I would just like to be sure I cover all the possibilities when I create my new ghost account

GhostOfAmazon · #9 05-31-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by agray34

Is this to handle returns? I do all of my shipping through Endicia, but I need a method to handle my returns. I can not use a PO Box at the local post office because the City Name, State & ZIP would match one of the blocked accounts.

I am pretty sure it is required to give Amazon a return address so I would just like to be sure I cover all the possibilities when I create my new ghost account

Make your return address a random residential one, and use your Endicta account to attach to your stealth amazon account and put in your REAL return address on Endicta. Amazon will never see it.

Quote:

Also, if someone requests a return and I was to upload a pdf return label, can amazon look at the address on that return label? If the address is associated with a prior banned account, that would raise a red flag...

Don't upload return labels. Either have the buyer mail the item back and you refund postage costs, or mail them a physical label, unless you decide to purchase a PO Box.

You can also buy UPS Box, or some FedExs allow you to receive packages. Many options you can pick from.

agray34 · #10 05-31-2015

I am a little confused about the return address on endicia. I know I can show my "real" address as the return address but I still have the problem of the instances when I need to provide a return label. Sometimes a customer wants a prepaid return label and I doubt some people would wait to receive one through the snail mail (USPS)

GhostOfAmazon · #11 05-31-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by agray34

I am a little confused about the return address on endicia. I know I can show my "real" address as the return address but I still have the problem of the instances when I need to provide a return label. Sometimes a customer wants a prepaid return label and I doubt some people would wait to receive one through the snail mail (USPS)

Then get a PO Box or use a friends address.

I don't know what you're expecting me to say. That Amazon can't check pre-paid labels? They can. If you want to risk it, that's on you.