The End of an Era: How to Close Your Amazon Seller Account

September 26, 2022
Written by Ken Zhou
How to close an Amazon seller account

Sometimes in life, things just aren't meant to be. Unfortunately, this also applies to selling on the Amazon marketplace. For several reasons, you want to close your Amazon seller account. Maybe you're not making enough sales or finding the competition too intense? Whatever the reason, it's critical to properly understand how to close your Amazon business account to avoid future complications.

Closing your seller account can be daunting, but it's not as difficult as you think. In this post, we'll take you step-by-step through the process. We'll also go over what happens when you close your seller account and what you need to remember before making this decision. So if you're ready to close this chapter of your e-commerce journey and end your era of being an Amazon seller, read on!

How to Close an Amazon Seller Account in 5 Steps

So, now you've decided to close your seller account. Whether you’re moving on to greener pastures or taking a break from being an Amazon vendor, we're here to help you through the process. Here are the steps you'll need to take:

Step 1: Log into your Amazon seller account and go to "Settings"

Step 2: Choose "Account Info"

Step 3: Click on the "Close your account" option

Step 4: Confirm that you want to close your account by clicking the "Confirm Request" button, then your account will be scheduled for closure.

Step 5: Amazon will send you an email confirming the closure and letting you know when it will take effect. Or an email explaining why your account cannot be closed right now and what needs to be done to close your account successfully.

Close your Amazon account or not

Should You Close Your Amazon Seller Account or Leave It Unattended?

Throughout your stay on the Amazon marketplace, you'll encounter a lot of ups and downs in your Amazon business. You can have great sales in one month, only to see a drastic drop the next. Or, you can suddenly find yourself overwhelmed with customer complaints and other problems in the business. While it can be tempting to abandon your Amazon Seller Central account when things get tough, there are some good reasons why you should close your account instead.

Why you should consider closing your Amazon seller account?

It can be easier to close your seller account when you don't want to burden yourself with your current seller account's difficulties. However, choosing this route has its own set of advantages, including:

  • It’s a surefire way to stop the bleeding. If you're losing money on every sale or getting too many negative reviews, shutting down your account is probably the best action.
  • It allows you to step back and reevaluate your business strategy. You could use this time to analyze what went wrong and improve your business. Perhaps you should look for a different market or spend more time developing a more profitable marketing strategy. You can always come back after gathering new insights to be successful when you relaunch your account.

Whatever the case, closing your seller account allows you to start fresh. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of selling on Amazon, don't give up altogether. Instead, consider closing your account and take some time to think. You could be back in business and more successful than ever with a little effort.

Why you shouldn’t leave your account unattended?

Even if you're having trouble selling on Amazon, leaving your seller account unattended is still not the best practice. Here's why an Amazon closed seller account is better than an open but unattended account:

  • An unattended Amazon seller account can quickly become overrun with negative feedback and bad reviews, damaging your reputation and making it difficult for you if you're planning on selling again.
  • Your account can suffer from an Amazon account suspension if you violate their terms of service, which is more likely to happen if you're not regularly monitoring your account. So if you cannot give your Amazon seller account the attention it deserves, it's better to close it down rather than let it languish.

It's best to close your account if you cannot maintain it regularly to avoid these problems. By doing so, you'll be able to protect your reputation as a seller and ensure that everything is in a good place when you decide to return to the platform.

8 Things To Remember Before You Shut Down Your Account

If you've been asking yourself questions like "can I close my Amazon seller account?" The answer is definitely yes, you can. If you're planning to do just that, whether you're moving on to other interests, or maybe you're just ready for a change, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you take the plunge. Here are some of them:

Must dos before you close your Amazon account

1. Cancel any active subscriptions or services associated with your account.

It includes subscriptions like your selling plan and Amazon FBA. By ensuring that you're not subscribed to any of these anymore, you’re guaranteed that you won't be charged Amazon fees for the succeeding times after you close your account.

2. Remove any outstanding orders and issue refunds to buyers.

If you have any customers who are still waiting for their products, be sure to refund their money and apologize for the inconvenience. It will help ensure that you end your selling career in the marketplace on good terms with your customers.

3. Contact every party involved in your business

Such as your inventory suppliers or seller account manager, and let them know you're closing your account. You don't want to leave them in the dark about what's happening. This way, you ensure that you end your partnership on a good note so that when you want to sell again in the future, you can always go back to them. 

4. Delete any sensitive Amazon account info.

This way, you gain control over information that is displayed publicly. You don't want anyone to be able to access your personal information after you close your account. 

5. Save or export your account data.

It includes your order history, product listings, feedback, and buyer contact information. You can export this data from your Amazon Seller Central account. A backup of this data is crucial since you could need it in the future.

6. Request a final payment from Amazon.

It ensures you'll receive any money you're owed from sales made on the Amazon marketplace. 

7. Give yourself enough time to finish the process, so you don't forget anything. 

8. Take your time to consider your experience as an Amazon vendor.

What progressed? What could have gone more smoothly? What would you change if you could? This evaluation will help you find good and bad points of your selling experience on Amazon, so you can improve the next time you decide to sell online. 

You can ensure a smooth transition as you close this chapter of your e-commerce business journey by ensuring that you've done everything before you close your seller account.

Final Thoughts 

So, you've finally decided to close your Amazon seller account. This process can be tricky if you don't know where to start, so we put together this guide on closing an Amazon seller account. Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to closing your account versus leaving it unattended, so make sure you weigh the options before making your decision.

In addition, keep in mind the eight things you should do before shutting down your seller account so you won't encounter problems afterward. So whether it's because you're moving on to other ventures or experiencing some bumps in the road, we commend you for making this decision. It must've been a tough decision, but it's for the best!
However, it's fine if you change your mind and find that your Amazon store needs a few improvements. Whatever path you choose, we want to ensure you have all the seller support and information you need to make a wise decision. So book a call with us today and our team of Amazon experts can guide you on this new journey!

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