Of all the ways to earn an Amazon suspension, inauthentic item complaints are high on the list. An inauthentic item is defined by Amazon to be a product that was purchased from a disreputable seller. However, it can be difficult to know what’s considered “reputable”, leaving many sellers scratching their heads.
Once you get slapped with an inauthentic item complaint, it’s up to you to prove that your products are in fact authentic items purchased from legitimate sellers. There are a number of ways to do this, starting with some preventative measures.
Before a Complaint is Issued, Gather Proof
If you get suspended by Amazon because of an inauthentic item claim, you’ll need to provide proof of legitimate purchase. Since you never know when or what item(s) will be named in an Amazon suspension, it’s in your best interest to keep track of all your purchases as you make them.
Keep copies of receipts and invoices, as well as distributor contact information that’s easily accessible for when you need it. Also, make sure that the receipts contain sufficient information for your case. For example, if your receipt simply reads “12 pairs of shoes”, but doesn’t list the brands, any SKUs, description, prices, etc., Amazon may not find it acceptable proof.
Take photos of your products and make your own list of SKUs and UPCs to attach to the receipt provided to you. In these types of cases, it’s prudent to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Taking a few minutes to elaborate ahead of time could save you lots of time and money in the future.
After you get Suspended, Do Your Research
If and when an inauthentic item complaint happens to you, not only should you provide proof of purchase, but look closely your store and products to see what the root cause of the complaint was. It may be that it’s an incorrect or misguided claim, but by asking yourself “Why would someone think this product is inauthentic?”, you may discover some oversights you didn’t notice previously. For instance, even if your item is genuine, your packaging might fall short of Amazon’s specifications. This type of problem could be easily fixed to avoid future issues.
No matter if you feel the claim against you is misguided or not, it’s up to you to address it head on with your proof and Plan Of Action on how you plan to avoid this in the future.
Prevent Future Issues by Thinking Ahead
If you plan for complaints to happen eventually, you’ll give yourself the best shot at minimizing suspensions and other issues. If your distributors continue to send vague invoices or receipts, try to work with them to give you a more detailed packing slip. This will save you time, money, and the hassle of a suspension where you don’t have the evidence you need at your fingertips. If you have an exclusivity agreement with a supplier, get it in writing and have an attorney review it.
These are just a few ways to help minimize and prevent inauthentic item complaints. For more information on how to resolve an Amazon suspension, call us at 1-877-9-SELLER or email CJ@AmazonSellersLawyer.com for personalized legal advice and expertise.
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