There are over two million third-party sellers on Amazon in 2022, which is still increasing. Since the competition has become fiercer, meeting unscrupulous Amazon sellers on the platform is inevitable.
Amazon is always endeavoring to provide the best customer experience in the world. That is why it has an easy-to-use system for buyers or sellers to report a seller who has violated Amazon’s policies.
If you feel a seller on the amazon platform has violated any policies regarding product listings or other activities, it’s important to report them immediately. If a serious policy violation is reported, amazon will investigate the issue and take appropriate action.
The following are the steps to take if you want to report an Amazon seller.
What Are The Consequences Of Policy Violations
Strictly adhering to Amazon’s policies is of paramount importance. Neglecting to do so may result in being prohibited from selling a specific product and could even lead to suspending the entire seller account.
Violating trademark laws increases accountability; for example, if a seller is found guilty of offering counterfeit items, then legal repercussions might ensue brought on by the trademark holder.
Therefore, it is essential to report the seller’s violations to make sure they burden the consequences to ensure a fair competition environment.
Determine What Policy Has Been Violated
Although most Amazon sellers behave as the seller code wants them to, it is common to see dishonest behaviors on the platform.
To report a seller effectively, you must first figure out what policy they have violated. Here is a list of common practices violating Amazon’s selling policies and seller code of conduct.
Inaccurate or misleading information
This includes providing inaccurate information to the Amazon platform and the customers. For example:
Not using a business name that accurately identifies your business
Amazon sellers must act fairly and lawfully to stand out rather than apply grey hat techniques. They must not be involved in any of the activities below:
Manipulating sales rank by creating fake orders
Using bots or paying for clicks to artificially increase web traffic
Sellers can only communicate with customers via Buyer-Seller Messaging regarding the customers’ purchases. All marketing communications are prohibited and should be reported to Amazon.
Owning different selling accounts to sell the same products is forbidden by Amazon unless you own multiple brands and maintain separate businesses for each brand.
However, Amazon may not take further action unless you provide documentation to prove the violation. Therefore, you will be responsible for gathering documentation to support your report.
URL links and screenshots of the listing/s in question
Contact the Seller Directly and Solve The Issue
Frequently, issues with a product or shopping experience will be quickly solved by contacting the Amazon seller directly because most are honest firms that truly want to offer the customers a quality service.
Therefore, first, contact the seller before committing any additional measures.
If your issue is still unresolved after talking directly to the seller, it is time to notify Amazon. You can contact Amazon via Customer Support or a Seller Abuse Report Form.
There are several simple ways to contact Customer service, including:
website or Amazon APP
phone calls
email
live chat
For buyers
Suppose you are a buyer and believe you have witnessed or experienced unacceptable behavior from sellers. In that case, the quickest and easiest way to alert Amazon is through their Customer Service page, where Amazon can help you solve most problems.
You can also call the Amazon hotline to speak with a customer service representative. You will first be connected to an automated system that can help narrow down your issue before connecting you to a representative.
Alternatively, their chat function on the website offers similar assistance; while still interacting with a bot initially, it will then put you in touch with someone who can provide further help.
For sellers
Sellers may find that their competitors are violating selling policies and competing with you in a malicious way, including:
Manipulating their reviews or ratings by offering incentives
Buying your products, return and then leaving negative reviews
Then it is time to notify Amazon about their dishonesty and stop them instantly.
To report these sellers on Amazon, log in to Seller Central and click the “Report Abuse” tab. Then you will be asked to select the violation type and provide concerned order ID or ASIN. In the next step, you must submit documentation to prove the violation. Then wait for Amazon to take action.
Be aware that only serious problems should be reported via the seller abuse report form. If you deliver false reports and Amazon finds that, your Amazon account will be affected.
Brand Owners: Report A Violation Via Project Zero
If you are a brand owner and have a registered trademark, you can enroll in the Project Zero program.
As long as you have a Brand Registry account with a registered trademark and a Rights Owner role and can provide Amazon with related proof, you might be eligible for Project Zone, which can proactively remove suspected counterfeits by monitoring 8 billion listing updates daily.
Project Zero is powerful and efficient in safeguarding your brand, and brand owners should consider enrolling in it.
Conclusion
As Amazon is becoming an increasingly popular marketplace, it is essential to keep the platform safe and fair for everyone. Therefore, if you encounter any seller that seems to have violated any of Amazon’s policies, do not hesitate to report them immediately.
Choose the appropriate way according to your situation to effectively voice out your concern and eventually restore a pleasant shopping environment for all. Amazon takes seller violations seriously and will take action against these violators as long as the evidence you submit is solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Amazon sellers refuse refunds?
Yes, some sellers may refuse to issue a refund depending on the return policy they have in place. However, suppose buyers believe they were not given a refund due to a policy violation, such as receiving counterfeit items or items that were not as described. In that case, they should report the seller on Amazon.
What are the different types of Amazon seller listing violations?
Some common types of Amazon seller listing violations include providing inaccurate or misleading information in product listings, manipulating sales rank by creating fake orders, damaging other sellers’ listings or ratings, offering incentives for reviews, sending unsolicited or inappropriate communications, and operating more than one selling account on Amazon without a legitimate business need.
Can other sellers report a seller?
Yes, other sellers are encouraged to report any instances of who violated amazon’s policies on the Amazon.
Is Amazon responsible for all third-party sellers?
No, Amazon is not responsible for the activities of all third-party sellers on its platform. However, it does have a set of rules and regulations that must be followed by all sellers using its platform, which are designed to protect buyers and ensure fair competition. Amazon will take appropriate action against the seller if these rules are violated.
8-figure Amazon seller and serial online entrepreneur since 2015. Research and practice various online business models, and apply his in-depth learnings to further expand and grow his businesses as well as help others to achieve greater successes. Ex-VP of a high tech VC in Vancouver and a Management Consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Master's Degree from HEC Paris.
