As someone who has faced five Amazon account shutdowns in the past year, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about account suspensions. This guide will cover how to prevent suspensions, navigate risky situations, and create an effective plan of action if your account gets flagged.
1. Be Paranoid: Remove User Permissions Access
One of the most shocking things I’ve learned is that having access to someone else’s Amazon account can count as an official login. This insight came directly from an ex-Amazon Performance Team representative.
Even if you’ve never logged into another account from the same device, merely having user permissions can link accounts in Amazon’s eyes. For example, my mom’s account and a friend’s account remain suspended because they had access to mine.
Tips to Protect Your Account:
- Limit who gets user permissions access.
- If using a prep center, ensure the email you grant access to is not tied to another active Amazon seller account.
- Immediately remove access for anyone, including virtual assistants, as soon as they no longer work with you.
2. Understand IP Complaints: Assess the Risks
Intellectual property (IP) complaints are a common hazard for Amazon sellers, but not all complaints are created equal. Here’s what to watch out for:
Used Counterfeit IP Complaints:
Selling a used product and receiving an IP complaint is almost impossible to counter. Since the product is used, proving authenticity is extremely difficult. This tactic is often used by brands to remove sellers, as seen frequently in the textbook category.
If a brand claims a product you sold isn’t legitimate, even citing the “doctrine of the second sale” may not save you. These complaints heavily favor the brand, leaving sellers with little recourse.
New Counterfeit IP Complaints:
These are slightly more manageable. If you have invoices proving authenticity, you may have a chance to push back. However, brands often redefine what constitutes a legitimate product.
For example, selling a toy without the brand’s standard instruction manual could lead to a counterfeit claim, even if the product is genuine. While you might not win every case, some sellers have successfully challenged these claims, even suing brands for false allegations.
Key Takeaway: Avoid high-risk product categories prone to IP complaints and ensure your products meet all brand requirements.
3. Best Practices: Stay Proactive
Protecting your Amazon account requires vigilance and adherence to best practices.
What Makes a Good Plan of Action (POA)?
A strong POA is concise, focused, and addresses Amazon’s concerns directly. Break it down into three parts:
- Root Cause: Identify what went wrong.
- Immediate Action: Explain what you’ve done to resolve the issue.
- Future Prevention: Detail how you’ll ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Amazon values a well-structured response. Avoid lengthy explanations and stick to the facts.
4. NEVER Do These
Certain actions are guaranteed to raise red flags and potentially lead to suspension:
- Never log into your Amazon account on someone else’s computer or let someone log into theirs on yours. This can trigger account linkage, even if unintentional.
- Never list risky products without thorough vetting. Some items, especially in high-risk categories, are more likely to attract IP complaints or counterfeit claims.
- Never ignore Amazon warnings or performance notifications. Take immediate action to address any issues flagged by Amazon.
5. Mitigate Risks With Technology
Using reliable third-party software can help you manage your Amazon account more effectively, reducing the risk of suspensions. Tools like Go2Lister simplify the listing process, ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies, and help you stay organized.
Key Features of Go2Lister:
- Avoid split shipments with streamlined workflows.
- Create custom SKUs for better inventory tracking.
- Speed up listing processes, reducing errors that could lead to account flags.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your Amazon account requires constant vigilance, smart practices, and proactive management. By limiting access, understanding IP complaint risks, and avoiding risky behaviors, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of suspension.
If you do encounter issues, respond promptly with a clear and concise plan of action. And remember, using tools like Go2Lister can make managing your Amazon business smoother and more secure.
Try Go2Lister for free here and safeguard your account while optimizing your Amazon operations!
