Amazon Sellers Policy News: The Insider Trick To FBA Compliance
Inauthentic complaints are one of the largest issues plaguing sellers today. Often based on algorithmic suspensions, sellers may be caught off guard by the sudden suspension of their top selling products. In this blog, we walk you through one of the most effective strategies for restoring products that were wrongly suspended for being inauthentic.
What Are Amazon Inauthentic Suspensions?
Inauthentic product suspensions are accusations that your products are not matching what is displayed to customers on the storefront. The root of these suspensions is typically a customer complaint about your product not matching their expectations, which leads to an investigation.
Importantly, inauthentic complaints are not necessarily allegations that your goods are counterfeit, but rather the specific allegation that they do not align with what is being marketed. Inauthentic and counterfeit complaints can coexist however, and we have seen customer complaints of a counterfeit product initiate a review that leads to an inauthentic suspension.
Typically, reinstating one’s products requires serious compliance with Amazon’s requests in order to prove your product’s authenticity. This can mean providing manufacturer documentation, proof of supply chain sourcing, and other means of verification that can both take weeks and be denied by Amazon if they do not view it as sufficient.
Insider Strategies For Inauthentic Complaints
An extremely effective tool for sellers that are falsely accused of having inauthentic products is the use of bin checks. For sellers using Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA), bin checks are a service you can request that look to verify the integrity – and compliance – of your inventory.
The team at Amazon Sellers Lawyer has found that these bin checks are key tools for sellers who have been suspended for inauthentic product complaints. Because Amazon has to rely on human verification for claims of inauthenticity rather than algorithmic suspensions, bin checks force direct interaction with your products and can verify your authenticity.
Even if you have previously been denied in attempts at filing Plans of Action (POA) to appeal your suspension, bin checks can be an important complimentary piece to your case to get your products restored. Generally speaking, Amazon is very strict with restoring inauthentic suspensions because of their focus on the customer experience. If a customer complains about the differences between the product they received and what was marketed, Amazon requires overwhelming evidence that this is not a typical issue for your products. Therefore, using all the tools at your disposal is key to securing reinstatement.
Contact Amazon Sellers Lawyer Today!
If you are confused on your next steps after receiving an inauthentic suspension, or have been repeatedly denied in attempts at appealing your products, reach out to the team at Amazon Sellers Lawyer today. We are prepared to help you in every step of the process to getting your products back on Amazon, and other online platforms. If necessary, we have the tools to escalate cases to the legal level if that’s what it takes to get you selling again. Give us a call today at 212-256-1109 or fill out our online form here.
About the Author
CJ Rosenbaum, Esq.
CJ Rosenbaum is the founding partner of Amazon Sellers Lawyer. He’s been practicing law since 1995, and since 2016 his firm has focused exclusively on helping Amazon sellers deal with issues like suspensions, intellectual property disputes, and withheld funds.
CJ has written six books on Amazon seller legal issues including the Amazon Sellers’ Guide to Copyright Law. He has spoken at major industry events like the Prosper Show, Global Sources Summit, Retail Global. CJ also works with the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team to provide free content for Amazon sellers. This is available through their online blog and YouTube channel, frequently covering major Amazon updates and important topics relevant to the seller space.
Through BrandProtectionAmazon.com, the firm also supports brands in protecting their products. This gives the team the unique opportunity to learn from case wins on both sides of the fence, strengthening protection for both the sellers and brands that Rosenbaum & Segall P.C. represents.
Amazon repeatedly rejecting your Plan of Action? Amazon Sellers Lawyer handles suspension appeals and account reinstatement cases – including arbitration against Amazon when they’re withholding seller money. Contact us to discuss your situation and figure out the best path forward.