Seller is sendind post cards to customers. free product in exchange for review. mail solicitation
The seller is sending direct mail (postcards) to customers, offering a free product in exchange for a review.
How can I report this review manipulation due to direct mail solicitation?
Also, how does the seller obtain the buyer's physical address?
Seller is sendind post cards to customers. free product in exchange for review. mail solicitation
The seller is sending direct mail (postcards) to customers, offering a free product in exchange for a review.
How can I report this review manipulation due to direct mail solicitation?
Also, how does the seller obtain the buyer's physical address?
34 replies
Seller_7VqTja0iF1EhQ
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
"how does the seller obtain the buyer's physical address?"
Are they selling FBM? If so they have the address when they ship the order! If they have a website they will have orders from there as well for addresses.
And, while I agree that it sounds and smells like a violation, I do NOT see any DIRECT solicitation of feedback requirements for a free jar.
They just say to not attach it, they don't say the jar will be sent AFTER a review of feedback was done.
It's sneaky (and you inferred what it is/was) but it may sneak through because it isn't blatant enough to be over the line.
Seller_0FiNo1iarfjnq
I recently got one that blatantly said to leave positive feedback for a free gift. The order was a FBA order, so they are pulling the data from some api they have setup.
I also got one for a chair last year that offered the same.
Seller_TeK7HYTK7PiOb
Federal Trade Commission Announces Final Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials
ftc . gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials
"Buying Positive or Negative Reviews: The final rule prohibits businesses from providing compensation or other incentives conditioned on the writing of consumer reviews expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative. It clarifies that the conditional nature of the offer of compensation or incentive may be expressly or implicitly conveyed."
You can submit a case at: reportfraud . ftc . gov
Amazon won't do anything about this until the FTC forces them to. Every case like this you report is one step closer to them taking action and forcing Amazon to enforce their own terms of service (and the FTC rules).
Joey_Amazon
Hello @Seller_7VqTja0iF1EhQ,
Thank you for posting here at the forums and bringing this matter to our attention.
This definitely goes against Amazon's guidelines. The best way to report this issue is via Account Health and Report Abuse, in this page you will find one option that states "An abuse issue that is not addressed by the other topics in this menu".
Hope this helps.
Thank you,
Joey
Seller_7VqTja0iF1EhQ
@Joey_Amazon does this link works for reporting?
https://account-status.amazon.com/report-review-compensation
Seller_YjTzP935JBpt1
After scanning the code it seems as though the free product is available to everyone regardless of writing a review or not. The link requested a review but it was not required in order to receive the promotional item. Is this an acceptable practice or not. I would think that it is not against the Amazon stated guidelines. Those state that you cannot provide compensation for leaving a review, and you cannot request only positive reviews. Neither of these things are done in this case as the product can be claimed without leaving a review and there is no language asking for positive reviews.
Clarification on this matter would be helpful.
Seller_7VqTja0iF1EhQ
@Joey_Amazon so how can i report it???? This is the Amazon auto reply. @SEAmod @Roberto_Amazon
"Thank you for your report of a suspected policy violation. We cannot take action on the report as no violation has been identified on the reported B0D917RFXM for the violation type selected.
ASIN: B0D917RFXM
Order ID (if applicable):
Complaint ID: 16551856781"
Please escalate!
Seller_nBUcRErQhJ4JW
We report things there all the time, nothing comes of it. There is also no way to add a screen shot in the report. Perhaps in Amazons wizdom they might add the featue to upload a file or image when filing these reports.
Seller_TeK7HYTK7PiOb
Amazon won't do anything about this. Report it to the FTC. If they start getting hundreds or thousands of complaints they actually have the power to force Amazon to change.
You can submit a case at: reportfraud . ftc . gov
Federal Trade Commission Announces Final Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials
ftc . gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials
"Buying Positive or Negative Reviews: The final rule prohibits businesses from providing compensation or other incentives conditioned on the writing of consumer reviews expressing a particular sentiment, either positive or negative. It clarifies that the conditional nature of the offer of compensation or incentive may be expressly or implicitly conveyed."
Joey_Amazon
Hello @Seller_YjTzP935JBpt1,
Thank you for chiming in, I appreciate you posting here at the forums!
To clarify, these practices certainly goes against Amazon guidelines. I will share here the Communication Guidelines and the Customer Product Reviews Policies .
Hope this helps resolve some of your inquiries about this particular matter.
Thanks,
Joey
Seller_mFUNUCCYB0cok
Betting this is a Chinese seller. Amazon won't do anything to them.
Seller_pVAHCqWEdXDbz
Tread carefully when "reporting" other seller's violations to amazon. There have been times where they turn around and target you for attempting to harm another seller. Additionally, you'll be lucky if they actually take any action.
Seller_oF5HB95OyJK1x
Respectfully, the people receiving the postcards are already buying from that seller. They're not "stealing" your potential buyers and the people who have already bought this product are either satisfied with it and would return for more or are not and won't. If I were you I would not waste my time and more important my energy on this.
Seller_Q2mnbuHo6c8UB
out of cheer curiosity - what do you care what someone else does with their store that being good or bad and why are you taking it on yourself to denounce them?