Seller App Says Request for Approval While Seller Central Says Item is Not Accepting Applications
Hello,
I was trying to do some RA while visiting my local ROSS when I found a Pokemon toy of interest. I opened the seller app to see if I could request approval to sell the brand, and it said that it was available to be requested for brand approval. But after I hit the "Request Button" on the app under the "However, we are not accepting applications to sell:" it said "other Pokemon branded in NEW, Used, and Refurbished, Collectible conditions." This was strange because why would I be able to sell this if they are not accepting applications for New Pokemon Brands listed? But the app still had the yellow "Request for approval" button. I did not purchase the product out of speculation and checked on Seller Central.
to see the application availability. I found that in Seller Central, it didn't even have the "request button available when I looked up the ASIN. Why is the app telling me I can request this product to be approved while in Seller Central? it isn't. This is making me worried about going to RA to buy products for them not even to be available to be listed.
4 replies
Seller_MyXY4Myx9zVcR
RA (Retail Arbitrage) is really over on Amazon.
You need a Letter of Authorization from the manufacturer to sell their items on Amazon, and legitimate invoices from a distributor.
You cannot get these documents shopping the clearance aisles at Walmart, or any other retailer.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Keep in mind that, whether on the app or Seller Central, "request approval" is only for Amazon to allow you to list a product; Amazon assumes (often incorrectly) that if you are requesting, then you are authorized BY THE BRAND to sell their items.
Many people have been caught thinking that as long as Amazon lets them list that they are okay, only to be suspended when the brand files a complaint. And in those cases, there is no chance of recovery.
Stop trying to do RA (at least on Amazon), go through Seller U, and spend some time reading the forums.
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
" I did not purchase the product out of speculation and checked on Seller Central."
That's a good decision since you were one small step away from a suspension.
Pay attention to what @Seller_MyXY4Myx9zVcRand @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrwhave told you.
You are confusing AMAZON allowing you to list (or at least "ungate") an item or category and actually being APPROVED to sell a product. Amazon might ungate you for a CATEGORY, but there can be 100's of brands in the category and they ALL have their own restrictions.
AMAZON is only interested in FEES. They will allow a chimpanzee to list if it means they collect $$$$$.
Additionally, brands that you COULD sell yesterday may be restricted today or next week. Amazon is a moving target to deal with.
DO YOU have an LOA from the brand allowing you to sell on here?
If you have an LOA that specifically says you can sell on Amazon you MIGHT survive listing items.
More and more brands are providing a "whitelist" of their approved sellers and if YOU are NOT on the list you will be stopped in your tracks and probably hit with an IP violation.
DID YOU source from AUTHORIZED wholesale sources that your rep at the brand says are OK? You DO have a sales rep at the brand, don't you?
NOTE the verification is required from the brand that the source is legitimate and authorized, NOT from one of those touted on TikTok and YouTube as having "thousands of brands and products" that assures you that they are authorized.
If you have watched any YouTube or TikTok videos FORGET everything you saw there.
Spend hours/days on Seller U and read the Forum to see all the really creative ways rookies and experienced sellers find to get suspended by ignoring the advice above!
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
If you don't already have the above requirements in place you are probably going to have stranded inventory and a suspended account.
For any rookies out there reading this, please take the following steps while you study so you don't end up suspended!
HINT #1 -- VACATION MODE -- NOW!
HINT #2 -- SELLER U -- NOW!
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
If you don’t want to follow the advice above, go directly to this step and save some time --
HINT #3 -- Start writing your "please help with my Section 3 suspension' letter NOW. It will save you time when you get it.
Pay attention to this recent story in the Amazon 'news' from September 25, 2024.
Sellers were given a 5 day warning that this was being put in place. Sellers have posted that LOAs are required in Europe, so you can see the handwriting on the walls -- this is coming for EVERYTHING on Amazon eventually!
"Updates to listing products with compliance requirements, effective September 30, 2024"
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/headlines.html?id=GTF566XNEPCPXKDM&ref=nslp_at_6_GTF566XNEPCPXKDM_en-US_ttl_rf_recent_news_7
Manny_Amazon
Hello @Seller_K70SpIr5FdWlC,
Thanks for posting to the Forums. Amazon requires approval to sell in many categories, brands, and products and in some instances restrictions and policies change. As the Amazon catalog grows, we continuously make new determinations on which products should be restricted, which is based on a number of factors. Amazon does this to ensure authenticity and customer satisfaction.
For this reason, you may be required to gain approval to sell certain products. You can see if there's an option to apply to sell through Seller Central, going to Catalog>Add a Product. Next, find the ASIN you would like to sell and then apply to sell if there is an option.
Please note that a letter of authorization (LOA) would be a valuable submission in these situations if you’re sourcing directly from the brand or their manufacturer.
You will find more details about this using the resources below:
Products that require approval
Invoice requirements for when you apply to sell
Regards,
- Manny
