Whether you are new to Amazon selling or you’re an established seller, Amazon seller suspensions are something every seller on Amazon should fear. Account suspension is a common issue many Amazon sellers face, and reinstating your account can be an overwhelming process.
While Amazon is pretty upfront about its rules and regulations, many sellers are surprised by their account suspension. Amazon seller account suspension can cost you thousands of dollars in lost revenue between the inability to sell your products to the continued warehouse costs. Even worse, the time, energy, and money you invest trying to get your account back in good standing can be draining.
While skilled Amazon appeals experts like Appeal Wizards can ease the stress of account suspension, you should do your best to avoid a suspension altogether. Before we dive into some practical ways to prevent Amazon seller account suspension, let’s do a quick recap on the basics of account suspension.
Understanding Amazon Seller Suspensions
Amazon seller suspensions occur when the eCommerce platform removes your selling privileges because they believe you have violated one of their policies. The primary causes of account suspension are:
Poor performance
Policy violations
Sale of restricted products
Owning and using multiple seller accounts
Account suspension doesn’t just create a headache for Amazon sellers. It results in thousands of dollars in lost sales, employee wages, and wasted storage and supplier fees. As sellers try to handle account suspension and work through the appeals process independently, the amount of lost revenue can be damaging.
Here’s a quick look at the four types of Amazon seller account interruptions, which escalate in severity:
Amazon Seller Suspensions – ASIN Suppression
Before Amazon revokes your selling privileges entirely, you may experience an ASIN suppression. When your Amazon Standard Identification Number is suppressed, it’s still in the Amazon database, but you cannot personally sell the product.
Amazon Seller Suspensions – Suspension
Amazon suspends your seller account when they feel you have violated their terms and conditions or seller guidelines. Unfortunately, Amazon isn’t always straightforward with your reason for suspension. If Amazon provides a basis for suspension, you can typically respond with a plan of action letter that details how you will address their issues with your account. While most sellers can get their suspension reversed, some accounts move to the next level of escalation.
Amazon Seller Suspensions – Plan of Action Denial
Even the best plans of action can get denied. If your POA is rejected, don’t panic. You can rewrite your plan of action and resubmit it to Amazon for an appeal. While there is no set limit for the number of times you can appeal, the longer it takes to reinstate your account, the more money you lose. If your plan of action is denied, talk to an appeals expert for help before your account moves to the next level of escalation.
Amazon Seller Suspensions – Banned
The worst-case scenario for Amazon sellers is to have their account banned. Once you’ve been banned from the platform, Amazon will no longer address your correspondences or accept new appeals. While it may be possible to create a new account, Amazon is typically very good about recognizing new seller accounts from those who have been previously banned.
Now that you understand how Amazon seller account suspension works let’s explore some tips to help you avoid a suspension altogether.
Avoid Amazon Seller Suspensions with These 5 Tips
While countless horror stories are circulating the internet about account suspension, Amazon is transparent in its rules and regulations. If you strictly follow these guidelines, you should be safe from account suspension. Still, here are some additional tips to protect your income:
Educate Yourself
We’ve all heard the saying, “the more you know.” This is undoubtedly true with Amazon sellers. An easy way to avoid Amazon seller account suspension is to educate yourself on the rules and regulations the platform sets for sellers. In addition to the rules and regulations you agree to during your account creation, Amazon guidelines are periodically updated. You will receive an email notifying you of any guideline changes. Open any Amazon emails immediately, so you don’t overlook seller account changes.
If you breach any Amazon guidelines or policies, you have a high risk of account suspension. Some violations, particularly those that pertain to product safety, can result in account suspension without warning. Educate yourself thoroughly on Amazon’s selling policies and stay on top of updates as you are notified.
Have the Right Documentation
Before you open your Amazon seller account, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork. Make sure your paperwork is filled out clearly and accurately before you upload it to your Amazon account application. Take your time to make sure all documentation is clear and easily visible when you scan it into your computer. Confirm that your business name and address are the same across all documentation. Any discrepancies in your paperwork can result in a denial of your application or a suspension in the future.
Watch for Warnings
In most cases, Amazon warns you about your seller status before suspending your account. Just as with handling guideline updates, don’t ignore Amazon notifications. Respond professionally and respectfully to any buyer complaints. Keep open lines of communication with Amazon when you get an account warning. The more attentive and responsive you are, the less likely you will deal with an account suspension.
Be Proactive and Honest
One of the best ways to measure your Amazon seller’s success is through customer satisfaction. Remove any products that seem to be creating problems or negative feedback from your buyers. Be proactive in notifying customers about potential inventory issues, shipping delays, and out-of-stock items. List your product descriptions, shipping times, and return/exchange policy clearly and accurately. If you are selling a used item, double-check that it is not listed as new. Go the extra mile to personalize your customer experience and create positive buyer interactions.
Manage Your Metrics
The Amazon Seller Central dashboard is a fantastic tool for sellers that offers great insight into your account health. Metrics are crucial markers that tie your customers’ overall experience to your account success. Pay attention to your metrics to ensure you consistently meet Amazon’s seller account criteria with the following:
Negative feedback <5%
Order defect rate <1%
Pre-fulfillment cancel rate <2.5%
Late shipment rate <4%
If you notice your ratings drop in any way, take action immediately. As the leading eCommerce platform in the world, Amazon holds its seller accounts to high standards. When your performance drops, Amazon questions your ability to provide the level of service they expect. This puts you at risk for account suspension. If you keep close tabs on your metrics, you will avoid account suspension and attract more buyers.
What Happens If I Face Multiple Amazon Seller Suspensions?
Unfortunately, even the most diligent Amazon sellers experience account suspension. If your Amazon seller account is suspended, despite taking advantage of the tips mentioned above, don’t panic. With the right plan of action, you can quickly get your account suspension lifted.
Our experts at Appeal Wizards are here to take the stress out of Amazon account suspension. Our knowledgeable team will work closely with you to create an effective, well-crafted appeals package that’s ready within 24 hours. Contact a dedicated Appeals Wizard team member to protect your income, reverse your suspension, and keep your seller account active.