Expert Insights on Amazon Account Suspension

Hey there fellow Amazon sellers!

It's Vova Even here, and today, I want to talk about a topic that's been on my mind lately – Amazon account suspension.

As sellers, we put a lot of time and effort into our businesses, so the last thing we want is to get our accounts suspended. But unfortunately, it's a reality that many of us have to face.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with David Miller, a lawyer who represents Amazon sellers. He shared some valuable insights on why Amazon accounts get suspended and how we can avoid it.

And in this article, I'll be sharing some of the key takeaways from our conversation.

Seller Code of Conduct Violation

One of the most common reasons for Amazon account suspension is a violation of the seller code of conduct. Now, you might be wondering, what is the seller's code of conduct?

Simply put, it's a set of rules and guidelines that Amazon expects its sellers to follow. These rules are in place to ensure that sellers provide the best possible experience for Amazon customers.

Some examples of seller code of conduct violations include diverting customers to your own website, manipulating product reviews, and selling counterfeit products.

If Amazon suspects that you've violated the seller code of conduct, they'll send you a notification and suspend your account.

Dropshipping

Another reason why Amazon accounts get suspended is dropshipping. Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without holding any inventory. Instead, you purchase the product from a third-party supplier and have them ship it directly to the customer.

While dropshipping can be a lucrative business model, it's not without its risks. Amazon has strict policies when it comes to dropshipping.

If you're dropshipping and not following Amazon's policies, you could get your account suspended. 

Amazon's policy on dropshipping is clear – they want you to make sure that the customer doesn't know the product is coming from a third-party supplier. If the customer is confused about where the product came from or who to contact in case of an issue, it could reflect poorly on Amazon.

Combination of Seller Code of Conduct and Dropshipping Violations

Now, here's where things get tricky. 

Recently, Amazon has been sending notifications to sellers that they've violated both the Seller Code of Conduct and Amazon's Dropshipping policies. 

This has caused a lot of confusion among sellers, as they're not sure which violation caused their account to get suspended. 

In David's experience, the majority of cases where sellers receive these notifications, it's usually a dropshipping issue. 

However, it's essential to address both the Seller Code of Conduct violation and the Dropshipping violation in your plan of action.

How to Avoid Account Suspension

Now that we've covered some of the reasons why Amazon accounts get suspended, let's talk about how you can avoid it.

Follow Amazon’s policies

First and foremost, make sure that you're following Amazon's policies. It might sound like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many sellers unknowingly violate Amazon's policies. Take the time to read through Amazon's policies thoroughly and ensure that you're not doing anything that could get your account suspended.

If you're dropshipping, make sure that you're following Amazon's policies on dropshipping. Don't have the third-party supplier ship the product directly to the customer with their branding.

Instead, have the supplier ship the product to you, remove any branding that identifies the supplier, and then ship it to the customer.

If you do get a notification from Amazon that your account has been suspended, don't panic. The first thing you should do is read the notification carefully and understand why your account got suspended.

Develop a Plan of Action

Then, create a plan of action that addresses the root cause of the suspension, outlines the corrective actions you've taken, and explains how you'll prevent the issue from happening again in the future.

Amazon will often give you a chance to appeal the suspension, but it's important that you take the time to craft a thoughtful and detailed plan of action.

In addition, keep a close eye on your account metrics, such as your order defect rate, late shipment rate, and cancellation rate.

These metrics are closely monitored by Amazon and can directly impact your account health.

If you see any metrics trending in the wrong direction, take swift action to address the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

Provide excellent customer service

Finally, make sure that you're providing excellent customer service.

Respond promptly to customer inquiries and address any issues that arise in a professional and courteous manner.

Happy customers are more likely to leave positive feedback, which can help boost your sales and improve your account health.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, avoiding account suspension on Amazon requires diligence, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service.

By following Amazon's policies, monitoring your account metrics, and responding quickly to any issues, you can help ensure the long-term success of your Amazon business.

Oh, if this article helped you, I have a whole playlist of similar content on my YouTube channel.

Click here to access my playlist of videos featuring David Miller now!

Now, as I close out this post, I want to leave you with my best wishes for the continued success of your Amazon business.

May you always stay vigilant and adhere to Amazon's policies to avoid any potential violations and suspensions.

Remember, a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service and continuous improvement can go a long way in ensuring the long-term health of your business.

Best regards,

Vova :)