Amazon has a strict policy against managing multiple accounts.
However, their entire platform is composed of a diversified group of sellers. Amazon themselves are so successful because any customer can log onto the website, and most likely find what they need.
Why is it then, that they want to restrict their sellers from diversifying their own businesses?
Some sellers are taking the risk of having multiple accounts regardless of the risk of suspension. Why? When your Amazon account is suspended, you are losing revenue; you are losing profits that may be crucial to your livelihood. Amazon does not always reinstate accounts right away. It could take weeks or months. During that time, some sellers make the decision to open up a separate account. Additionally, sellers want to diversify, and if they go about it the correct way, they should be able to.
It is important that if you wish to have multiple accounts, that you go about it correctly. Amazon has advanced methods of detecting shared accounts. If you were caught once, it is likely you will be caught again.
If you are a seller who believes having multiple accounts is worth the risk, then you must understand how to do this correctly. You must treat your second account like an entirely separate business. This means having different addresses, IP addresses, bank information, using a different computer, and having zero connection between the two businesses. Married couples who run separate businesses but share the same address have been kicked off because Amazon deems them to be multiple accounts, even though they sell and function differently from the other. Any similarities in regards to your accounts could be mistaken as a violation.
What can Amazon sellers improve upon?
Amazon can link multiple accounts to each other through name(s) of account holders; Addresses of account holders; Bank account information; Identical or very similar inventory; Ownership of domain names and websites; Hosting of domains and websites; IP addresses used to log onto accounts; Computers used to log onto accounts and through additional avenues not named.
If you were suspended for multiple accounts and do not know the reason why you will need to conduct a full analysis of your business.
Begin by looking into your employees. Do any of your employees have their own sellers’ accounts? If so, have they ever accessed those accounts from your location of business? Perhaps your staff is shopping on the Amazon platform while at work. Evaluate each business relationship to detect the root cause of your suspension.
Paralegal at Rosenbaum Famularo, PC, Jason Powell suggests, “review bank account information, keep track of credit card information and who has access to your login information. Also, maintain a private business wifi.”
You may also want to take a look at your own habits. Have you personally signed into your account from anywhere other than your business? Perhaps your spouse or family members also have Amazon accounts and you all share the same IP. The location has been a large factor in Amazon detecting multiple accounts. Those working in urban environments are subject to being surrounded by many Amazon sellers. Without knowing it, your business may be sharing the same IP address with another Amazon business.
Chitagam Saluja, Paralegal at Rosenbaum Famularo, PC, says, “sellers can get suspended for having Multiple Accounts if a credit card is linked to more than one account. Make sure to use different credit cards for different accounts if you are going to operate more than one Amazon account.”
When appealing your multiple account suspension, the most important element of your POA will be your root cause. You must discover how and why this suspension occurred in order to be reinstated. Once you know where the issue lies, it will be easier to avoid in the future. Some sellers take the risk and face suspension, some sellers make careless mistakes and face suspensions. Make sure if you deem having a separate account worth the risk that you make the additional business entirely separate so as to avoid suspensions in the future.
Managing Multiple Amazon Accounts
The information provided was compiled through attending Amazon trade shows like Global Sources’ Amazon Summit in Hong Kong, The Sellers’ Conference for Online Entrepreneurs in Seattle and Philadelphia, Midwest eCom in Minneapolis, Prosper in Las Vegas, Compass in Chicago, Online Sellers UK, Brighton SEO, Linnwerks in the UK, Ed Rosenberg’s Facebook group and his events in New York, CPC Strategies’ awesome online webinars, books and articles, and speaking with countless sellers and former Amazonians from around the world.