Have you ever logged into your Amazon Seller Central account only to find an ominous message stating your account has been suspended? This discovery is enough to make any Amazon seller panic. After all, if you can’t sell on Amazon, how will you keep your ecommerce business afloat?
An Amazon suspension can happen for several reasons – some within your control, some not. Getting your account reinstated quickly is crucial. In this guide, we’ll cover the reasons an Amazon suspension occurs, steps to take if it happens to you, and tips to avoid suspension in the first place.
Why Amazon Seller Accounts Get Suspended
Amazon suspends seller accounts to protect customers from harm. Their reasoning stems from safety and an optimal shopping experience.
There are a few common reasons Amazon suspends seller accounts:
- High order defect rate – If you have too many negative product reviews, A-to-Z claims, or chargebacks, Amazon will suspend you. This is the most common reason for suspension.
- Listing violations – Listing products improperly, such as incorrect information or prohibited items, can lead to suspension.
- Shipping issues – Not shipping orders on time or letting too many fall out of the ideal fulfillment window can cause problems.
- Trademark violations – You cannot sell branded products without permission from the trademark owner. Doing this – even unintentionally – will torpedo your account.
- Safety concerns – If Amazon believes your products are unsafe, your account will be suspended immediately.
- Poor seller performance – Consistently underperforming on order defect rate, late shipments, or other metrics will cause Amazon to lose trust in you as a seller.
- Policy violations – Breaking any of Amazon’s policies, such as fee avoidance, manipulation of reviews/rankings, or inappropriate communication can all lead to suspension.
- Illegal products – Attempting to sell prohibited, illegal, or dangerous products will get your account suspended instantly.
As you can see, there are quite a few ways sellers can run into trouble with Amazon. Many new sellers are blindsided by a seemingly sudden suspension, but there are usually warning signs leading up to it.
What to Do When Your Amazon Account Gets Suspended
Discovering your Amazon seller account has been suspended is alarming, but don’t panic. You can get back on track by following these steps:
- Read the suspension notice carefully. Amazon will email you details on why they suspended your account. Read this email closely to determine the reason. Understanding this is crucial for next steps.
- Contact Seller Support immediately. You can respond directly to the suspension email or call Seller Support. Explain you received a suspension notice but are unsure why. Ask what steps they recommend to get reinstated.
- Research the issue. Using the suspension reason provided by Amazon, research their policies around this issue. Educate yourself on why you were suspended and how you can prevent it in the future.
- Take corrective action. If Amazon suspended you for safety issues, work quickly to obtain all required documentation. For other reasons, formulate a plan to resolve the problem area.
- Provide documentation to Amazon. Amazon will require you to submit information before they consider reinstating your account. This may include safety documentation, invoices, or other records. Compile everything they request.
- Communicate politely and professionally. Interact with all Amazon contacts professionally during this process. Anger or accusations will not help your case.
- Wait for Amazon’s decision. After submitting documentation, you will need to wait for Amazon to review. This can take several days or weeks depending on their workload. Be patient.
- Consider consulting help. If you are unable to get your account reinstated on your own, consider contacting a consultant like Riverbend Consulting for specialized help. Their team knows the ins and outs of working with Amazon to get accounts restored quickly.
How to Avoid Amazon Suspension
The best way to handle an Amazon suspension is to avoid getting suspended in the first place. Here are some tips sellers can use to stay in Amazon’s good graces:
- Obsess over customer satisfaction. Make customer happiness your top priority with excellent products, flawless fulfillment, and amazing service.
- Stay on top of seller metrics. Check your rating, defect rate, late shipment rate, and other metrics often. Address any issues immediately.
- Follow all Amazon policies. Read and understand all of Amazon’s policies. Never skirt the rules – it’s not worth the risk.
- Run branded products by Amazon first. Don’t list any trademarked products without obtaining approval through Amazon’s Brand Registry.
- Source safely. Thoroughly vet your suppliers and manufacturers. Obtain all required safety documentation.
- Ship promptly. Get products out the door quickly. Amazon prioritizes fast shipping.
- Use channel-friendly packaging. Make sure your packaging follows Amazon’s requirements to prevent damages.
- Respond to issues immediately. If you receive negative feedback or other issues arise, have a plan to address them quickly.
- Consider consulting help. Experienced Amazon consultants like Vendor Central Consulting can review your account and make recommendations to avoid future issues. Their expertise provides an invaluable outside perspective.
Read Also: Tips for reactivating cancelled amazon seller accounts
By making customer satisfaction your top priority and proactively avoiding issues, you can maintain a healthy selling account on Amazon.
Reinstating your selling privileges with Amazon can be frustrating, but taking the proper steps will get you back up and running. Focus on understanding why the suspension occurred and addressing Amazon’s concerns professionally. With some time and effort, you can resolve the problem and prevent future suspensions by selling effectively within Amazon’s guidelines. To get help with your Amazon Suspension please contact Riverbend Consulting.