On the Lookout: Amazon Suspends Sellers for These Reasons

Last updated on March 9th, 2023

Written by Ken Zhou

Amazon, just like the jungle, is an online marketplace where only the toughest survive. Despite this, people are still eager to sell their products on the platform because it has become the go-to marketplace for shoppers worldwide. However, Amazon is also picky about who they allow selling on their site.

Amazon protects its customers and ensures that only high-quality products are on the platform. To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, they closely monitor their sellers and suspend those who violate their terms of service. And being suspended from the platform can be a death sentence.

Losing access to Amazon can be a huge blow to your business. That's why staying up-to-date on the latest reasons for Amazon seller suspension is crucial. That way, you can avoid any violations leading to the shutdown of your Amazon account. In this blog post, we'll outline some of the most common reasons why Amazon suspends sellers so that you can be on the lookout and avoid having your Amazon account suspended.

What Is Amazon Suspension?

If you're an Amazon seller, you know that having an account suspension can devastate your business. Amazon suspension is when a seller's account becomes temporarily or permanently removed from Amazon's marketplace. It can happen for several reasons, but whatever the reason is, getting suspended can be a real headache.

When your account becomes a target of this suspension, you will no longer be able to sell on Amazon, use their fulfillment services, or access your account balance. In addition, Amazon will cancel any pending orders, and you will not be able to issue refunds until you fix the issue and get reinstated. It can be a major setback for you if you rely on Amazon for your income since it results in losing all sales and rankings overnight.

But, you're given a chance to give your Amazon suspension appeal and have your case reviewed by an Amazon representative. However, if Amazon upholds the account suspension, you will lose all access to your account, including any stored funds. Remember, though, that a suspension doesn't have to be the end of the road for your business. You can eventually get back and resume selling with effort and perseverance.

What Are the Reasons for Suspension?

Getting suspended from Amazon can be a big hassle. Still, by understanding the most common reasons for suspension and taking steps to avoid them, you can help keep your account in good standing and avoid disruptions to your business. Here are some of the reasons why Amazon suspended a seller account:

1. Selling counterfeit products

Amazon is well-known for being tough on sellers who sell counterfeit goods. Counterfeit items are forgeries or imitations created without the original owner's permission. They are often lower in quality and made with inferior materials, which is why products like these are known to break or malfunction easily, and may not meet safety standards. 

While suspension may seem like a harsh penalty, it's actually in place to protect buyers from being ripped off. So if you're thinking about selling counterfeit products on the Amazon platform, think twice - it's not worth the risk.

2. Infringing on trademarks

Amazon takes intellectual property rights very seriously. Sellers are not allowed to use any logos or images that are copyrighted or trademarked without permission from the owner. There are different ways that you can infringe on a trademark, including:

• using someone else's trademarked logo or name on your product listings;
• using a similar logo or brand name that could confuse customers; and 
• using a trademarked term in your keywords or metatags could also result in infringement.

3. Making misleading claims about products or services

Sellers are not allowed to make false or exaggerated claims about their products. It can include anything from lying about the features of a product to making false claims about its efficacy.

Not only is this practice deceptive, but it can also lead to consumer trust issues and legal problems down the road. That's why being upfront and honest about what your product can do is vital. Also, remember that it's necessary to avoid making claims if you don't have sufficient evidence to back them up.

4. Failing to comply with Amazon's selling policies

If you're selling on the Amazon platform, it's essential to understand and comply with their policies. There are a few things that can trigger a suspension, such as: 

• failure to give correct contact information; 
• listing products in the wrong category or using prohibited keywords in your product title;
• listing a restricted product;
• failing to pay fees; and
• price gouging.

5. Poor customer service

When sellers fall short in their customer service efforts, it can have serious consequences. Whether it's a long wait while being on hold, an unhelpful representative, or simply a lack of follow-through, bad customer service can leave a lasting impression. So, how can you dodge this fate?  

1. Make sure you have a straightforward return policy that customers can comprehend. 
2. Respond to all customer inquiries immediately and professionally. 
3. Be proactive in solving customer problems. 
4. Good customer service starts with good employees, so invest in training and development. 
5. Make sure your customers know how to contact you.

6. Product quality issues

It is essential to ensure that all your products meet Amazon's high standards for quality. It means thoroughly testing each item before listing it on the site and carefully inspecting all items before they are dispatched to customers. Quality issues can happen for several causes, including manufacturing defects, improper packaging, and damage during shipping.

7. Shipping and delivery problems

The most common reason for a shipping suspension is when Amazon finds out that your orders are not following the correct delivery timelines. However, it can also be due to late shipment times, incomplete or inaccurate tracking information, and orders the customer never receives. 

There are a few things you can do to help prevent problems, such as: 

• making sure your products are securely packaged, as this will help prevent damage during shipping;
• using a reliable shipping service to help deliver your items on time and in good shape;
• keeping your inventory updated and accurate to ensure that you're not overselling;
• shipping items promptly, or within one to two days of receiving the order; and
• communicating with your customers and keeping them up to date with any changes—especially if there are any delays in shipping—so that they can adjust their expectations accordingly.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent shipping and delivery problems from causing disruptions in your business.

8. Falsifying product reviews

Customer reviews are everything. A positive review can convince potential customers to purchase, while a negative review can deter them. Unfortunately, these are why some sellers go to great lengths to falsify reviews, adding fake ones or paying for positive ones.

Amazon takes review manipulation seriously and will take action against businesses that are caught engaging in this practice. So, while it may be tempting to take shortcuts, it's always best to play by the rules in the long run. After all, you don't have to falsify reviews. Instead, if you give your customers a great product and shopping experience, positive reviews will come to your business.

Bottom Line

Amazon is a great platform with enormous possibilities for brands. However, due to the high volume of sellers and products on the site, Amazon has to be stringent in who they allow selling. And as one of the sellers on the platform, it's imperative to be aware of what could lead to suspension. In this blog post, we've outlined the most common reasons for an account suspension, so you can be on the lookout for practices that can trigger your Amazon seller account to be banned from the Amazon marketplace.

If you'd like to know more about how to stay within compliance with Amazon's policies or if you are experiencing seller account suspension and want some help getting reinstated, reach us at 1-800-820-3746. Our team of experts will provide seller support to help you understand Amazon's policies. We can also walk you through the process of account reinstatement and help you get back to selling as soon as possible.