Amazon Appeal Process: A Complete Guide on Recovering Seller Accounts
If you’re an Amazon seller, you know how important it is to maintain a good standing on the platform. Unfortunately, even the most diligent sellers can find themselves facing a suspension or a ban from Amazon. When this happens, it can have serious consequences for your business, such as lost revenue and damage to your reputation. But don’t panic just yet! Amazon offers an appeal process to help you recover your account and get back to selling. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Amazon appeal process, including:- Why do accounts get suspended
- The steps to take when your account is suspended
- What to avoid when filing an Amazon suspension appeal
- Tips to prevent Amazon account suspension
What is Amazon Appeal?
Amazon appeal is an invaluable service that helps sellers reinstate suspended accounts, allowing them to resume their sales. By identifying violations and lifting restrictions, the Amazon appeals process allows sellers to get back into business quickly. Previously, Amazon required sellers to follow a time-consuming and frustrating process of writing a detailed letter for review while their account was inactive, but this has improved significantly since 2018. Today, the process is much smoother and faster, reducing the amazon appeal response time from days or weeks to less than 15 minutes.
Common Reasons Why Amazon Suspends Seller Accounts
If you’re an Amazon seller, you must understand the common reasons why Amazon suspends seller accounts. Below are some of the most frequently occurring violations that may result in suspension:- Receiving Negative Feedback from Customers: Consistently receiving negative feedback can lead to Amazon suspending your seller account.
- Having Multiple Accounts without Authorization: Having more than one Amazon seller account without Amazon’s permission can result in a suspension.
- Selling Inauthentic or Counterfeit Items: Amazon’s priority is protecting its customers from deceptive activities. If you attempt to peddle counterfeit or inauthentic products on Amazon, your account is at serious risk and could be suspended.
- Facing Intellectual Property Infringement Claims: Sellers accused of intellectual property infringement can have their Amazon accounts suspended or terminated until the issue is resolved.
- Selling Prohibited or Restricted Products: If you are thinking of selling restricted or prohibited items, it is strongly advised that you reconsider your decision, as Amazon strictly enforces its terms and conditions, which could lead to account suspension.
- Exhibiting a High Late Shipment Rate (LSR): Consistently shipping orders late can cause an Amazon seller’s Late Shipment Rate to increase, which may result in account suspension or termination.
- Advertising Products that Do Not Meet Expectations: If a seller’s products are not as advertised, customers may file complaints with Amazon, leading to account suspension.
How to Appeal Amazon Seller Account Suspension?
Knowing how to appeal the decision is crucial to get your Amazon seller account back in good standing. Here are the steps to appeal an Amazon seller suspension.1. Collect Information About Your Account Suspension
If your Amazon seller account gets suspended, gathering as much information as possible before submitting an appeal is crucial.- Read the suspension email carefully and take note of the reason/s for suspension, policies violated, documents required for reinstatement, and which department to contact for an appeal.
- Check the accuracy of the charges, review Amazon’s policies, and seek advice from the Seller Central Forums.
- Find the root cause of the suspension so you know how to solve the issue and be prepared for any possible outcome, including the worst-case scenario of being unable to sell on Amazon.
2. Resolve Outstanding Issues to Reinstate Your Amazon Account
When faced with an Amazon account suspension, you must identify and resolve any outstanding issues before submitting an appeal. This includes:- Checking for any outstanding support tickets and making necessary changes to improve the status of your seller account to decrease the chances of permanently removing your selling privileges.
- Regularly reviewing your account’s progress can help ensure that you maintain a high-rated seller status and avoid any potential suspensions in the future.
3. Develop a Solid Plan of Action (POA)
Creating a comprehensive Plan of Action is essential to tackle and resolve the issues that caused an Amazon account suspension. Below are the steps to create a POA and a sample POA letter:- Identify the Right Department to Contact: This department is Seller Performance, and you can only contact them via email.
- Acknowledge Your Mistake: Admitting fault and apologizing can go a long way in reinstating the account.
- Create a Plan of Action (POA): It should also include preventive measures to avoid future issues.
- Prepare the Needed Documentation: Falsifying documents is not advisable, as Amazon can easily spot fake documents.
- Create an Easy-to-Read Structure: Be specific and concise and provide all the necessary details. Below is a sample POA letter:
4. Lodge Your Appeal and Await Amazon’s Response
Once you have completed your Plan of Action (POA) and reviewed it multiple times to ensure accuracy, you can submit it to Amazon. To do so, go to “Seller Central,” click “Performance,” and then open “Performance Notifications.” Click “Location Suspense Notice” and “Appeal” to send your POA. After submitting your appeal, it’s essential to be patient and wait for Amazon’s response. Amazon will contact you via email about your account status once a decision has been made. Sending follow-up emails will not speed up the appeal process at amazon and may cause your initial appeal letter to be lost among additional messages. It’s best to remain calm and trust the process. As mentioned, the typical waiting period for a suspension appeal is 4-5 weeks.5. Consider a Contingency Plan
While waiting for Amazon’s response, it’s essential to have a contingency plan in place. Account suspension can devastate a seller’s business, and the longer it takes to resolve, the more harm it can cause. At SellerAppeal, we understand the ins and outs of Amazon’s policies and can create a customized plan of action to help sellers get their accounts reinstated as quickly as possible. We can help you craft a strong and effective Plan of action addressing Amazon’s concerns. If you’re struggling with an account suspension and need help, don’t hesitate to contact SellerAppeal today. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide the assistance you need to return to selling on Amazon.
Mistakes to Avoid when Filing an Amazon Suspension Appeal
There are some common mistakes to avoid when filing an Amazon suspension appeal. These include:-
Criticizing Amazon
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Threatening legal action
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Emailing Jeff Bezos directly
Proactively Prevent Seller Account Suspensions
As an Amazon seller, preventing account suspension should be a top priority. Taking proactive steps to maintain a high level of performance and comply with Amazon’s policies can go a long way in preventing future suspensions. Here are some practical ways to do so:-
Evaluate Your Performance Regularly
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Regularly Review Amazon’s Selling Policies
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Improve Your Listings
Regain Access to Your Amazon Seller Account with SellerAppeal by Or Shamosh
An Amazon account suspension is not the end of your business. Read that again. Remember that with a clear understanding of Amazon’s policies, professional assistance, and proactive measures, you can increase your chances of success in the appeals process. At SellerAppeal, we understand the stress of account suspension, and our expert team is here to provide you with expert solutions to increase your chances of reinstatement. If you need help recovering your seller account, contact us today to see how we can help you get back up and running on Amazon!Contact Us
Looking for effective Amazon seller account reinstatement solutions? You’re in the right place! We’ve helped dozens upon dozens of sellers get their accounts back in excellent standing in record time.
Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our services and how you can benefit.
