Amazon testing fees (by ASIN????) - multiple charges for same products
Our company has commissioned the development and manufacture of supplements for sale since 2004. In 2020, we launched on Amazon. As we would expect, Amazon required our testing documents proving the efficacy of our products - tests that are done by every reputable manufacturer showing that what is on the label - is in the product.
Now, (to make more money from small businesses?..) Amazon has decided NOT to take these testing docs from us OR the manufacturers - and rather make us pay for the same product testing that WE ALREADY HAVE TO PAY FOR with our manufacturer.
We not only sell products on Amazon, so for 20+ years we always pay to test that what’s in the product is what we are selling - the efficacy of our products. Now, we get to pay again AND pay Amazon to have them done.
Not sure if I am the only one who finds this awkward? We can't NOT have our manufacturer test - we sell other places online. So now we get to test twice!
I reached out to one of the testing companies (approved by Amazon) - and to make this situation even more bizarre, we also have to pay if that same product appears in another ASIN (pack). We get to pay more by the ASIN!
How? I have a SINGLE box of product X - Full testing is in the $1500 range (‘dependent on label claim’ - not sure what that means but that’s what they said) - I get it. That's standard. BUT....
As we know Amazon like us to make packs and bundles. So we sell TWO packs, THREE packs etc. So now instead of submitting my testing docs to Amazon that I have always paid for over the years, according to the testing company, I now have to pay for every product bundle/multi/variation that product-x is in.
So a 2-pack asin OF PRODUCT-X (already tested) - the SAME PRODUCT THEY ARE ALREADY CHARGING A FEE for testing - is $575! (nice that they reduced it?)
A 3 box ASIN of product X - $575
4 boxes ASIN of product X - $575
WHY? why why why?
I also sell an 8 box pack of product x - that's also $575
My 12-pack of product x - $575
And my 20 box pack of X= Child ASIN - cert fee only - $575
TOTAL estimate: $5000 (approx).
Does anyone else out there who sells supplements on Amazon find this …. Taking advantage of sellers? Price gouging?
Would love to know if anyone else is puzzled?
Amazon testing fees (by ASIN????) - multiple charges for same products
Our company has commissioned the development and manufacture of supplements for sale since 2004. In 2020, we launched on Amazon. As we would expect, Amazon required our testing documents proving the efficacy of our products - tests that are done by every reputable manufacturer showing that what is on the label - is in the product.
Now, (to make more money from small businesses?..) Amazon has decided NOT to take these testing docs from us OR the manufacturers - and rather make us pay for the same product testing that WE ALREADY HAVE TO PAY FOR with our manufacturer.
We not only sell products on Amazon, so for 20+ years we always pay to test that what’s in the product is what we are selling - the efficacy of our products. Now, we get to pay again AND pay Amazon to have them done.
Not sure if I am the only one who finds this awkward? We can't NOT have our manufacturer test - we sell other places online. So now we get to test twice!
I reached out to one of the testing companies (approved by Amazon) - and to make this situation even more bizarre, we also have to pay if that same product appears in another ASIN (pack). We get to pay more by the ASIN!
How? I have a SINGLE box of product X - Full testing is in the $1500 range (‘dependent on label claim’ - not sure what that means but that’s what they said) - I get it. That's standard. BUT....
As we know Amazon like us to make packs and bundles. So we sell TWO packs, THREE packs etc. So now instead of submitting my testing docs to Amazon that I have always paid for over the years, according to the testing company, I now have to pay for every product bundle/multi/variation that product-x is in.
So a 2-pack asin OF PRODUCT-X (already tested) - the SAME PRODUCT THEY ARE ALREADY CHARGING A FEE for testing - is $575! (nice that they reduced it?)
A 3 box ASIN of product X - $575
4 boxes ASIN of product X - $575
WHY? why why why?
I also sell an 8 box pack of product x - that's also $575
My 12-pack of product x - $575
And my 20 box pack of X= Child ASIN - cert fee only - $575
TOTAL estimate: $5000 (approx).
Does anyone else out there who sells supplements on Amazon find this …. Taking advantage of sellers? Price gouging?
Would love to know if anyone else is puzzled?
1 reply
Danny_Amazon
Hi there @Seller_R1nzuTtISSA2o- appreciate you sharing this experience here on the forums, please do accept my apologies for any frustrations with ensuring your products comply with the needs for dietary supplements.
If you list ASINs that share a manufacturing location and only differ in package size, package images, flavoring, or other inactive ingredients please notify the third-party Testing, Inspection, and Certification organizations you have chosen for testing. Testing for these ASINs may be consolidated into fewer sample(s). You will still need to initiate a test request form (TRF) through your Manage Your Compliance dashboard for each impacted ASIN.
Thank you,
Danny
