FRUSTRATED!!!
I am a small-scale seller who joined Amazon Seller Central to earn some extra money to provide for my family. I was buying anything which I could turn into a profit. My plan was to start small and then hopefully build the business up to start obtaining items from wholesalers rather than retailers.
After a few months of mixed success my account was suspended as it seems I had accidentally set up a USA account as well as my UK account.
I followed the instructions to have it reactivated by sending my ID verification to Amazon. Then followed an ID verification video call. The whole purpose of this call and what I was required to provide was not fully explained to me. I thought it was merely a formality to verify my ID as I had done nothing wrong and was convinced it was all a mistake and would be resolved quickly. During the video call I quickly realised this was not the case as I was interrogated about how I was running my seller account. There was 1 product that I could not find a receipt for and I explained that. I have since found the receipt for that item and have submitted it. I was asked to show how I paid for the items but it was not made clear that you needed to see statements for those accounts. When I was made aware of this, I submitted all my credit card and bank account statements. I then received an email to say that:
‘we believe or our controls identify that your account may have been used for deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity’
This is definitely not the case and is a mistake and no one will explain to me what exactly it is that I have supposedly done.
I have appealed it many times as I was sure that a big company such as Amazon would see sense and realise it was a mistake. But, it seems they are sticking to their decision and I now have to remove all my inventory. Overall I am approx £1000 out of pocket and I still dont know what 'crime' I have been found guilty of.
I am so disappointed in Amazon and the whole system. There is no one to escalate this to and when I try to speak to someone I get through to people who speak very poor English and give me contradicting information.
Im writing this for 2 reasons. 1 is to warn others and 2, is a final hope that there is help out there for me and this is not the end.
And if this is the end of my account, can I open another 1 and hope that my previous 'criminal' activity will not affect me??
FRUSTRATED!!!
I am a small-scale seller who joined Amazon Seller Central to earn some extra money to provide for my family. I was buying anything which I could turn into a profit. My plan was to start small and then hopefully build the business up to start obtaining items from wholesalers rather than retailers.
After a few months of mixed success my account was suspended as it seems I had accidentally set up a USA account as well as my UK account.
I followed the instructions to have it reactivated by sending my ID verification to Amazon. Then followed an ID verification video call. The whole purpose of this call and what I was required to provide was not fully explained to me. I thought it was merely a formality to verify my ID as I had done nothing wrong and was convinced it was all a mistake and would be resolved quickly. During the video call I quickly realised this was not the case as I was interrogated about how I was running my seller account. There was 1 product that I could not find a receipt for and I explained that. I have since found the receipt for that item and have submitted it. I was asked to show how I paid for the items but it was not made clear that you needed to see statements for those accounts. When I was made aware of this, I submitted all my credit card and bank account statements. I then received an email to say that:
‘we believe or our controls identify that your account may have been used for deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity’
This is definitely not the case and is a mistake and no one will explain to me what exactly it is that I have supposedly done.
I have appealed it many times as I was sure that a big company such as Amazon would see sense and realise it was a mistake. But, it seems they are sticking to their decision and I now have to remove all my inventory. Overall I am approx £1000 out of pocket and I still dont know what 'crime' I have been found guilty of.
I am so disappointed in Amazon and the whole system. There is no one to escalate this to and when I try to speak to someone I get through to people who speak very poor English and give me contradicting information.
Im writing this for 2 reasons. 1 is to warn others and 2, is a final hope that there is help out there for me and this is not the end.
And if this is the end of my account, can I open another 1 and hope that my previous 'criminal' activity will not affect me??
11 replies
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
If you were buying from retailers - its possibly this that has caused the issue, as amazon won't recognise the products as coming from a valid supply chain. While you can see products from retailers, you should be listing them as Used (Like New).
Unfortunately, if you can't get the account live again, if you open another account, they will eventually see the link and deactivate the new account as well.
Seller_hOZNPw7G8FIjl
Whatever you do do NOT open a second account - that will also be deactivated as it will be linked to your initial account (same trading name, same bank account same address etc).
Your only hope is to keep on at Seller Support
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
NO, do not open another account - it is not allowed unless you meet very specific criteria. Just to agree with above posts - if you were buying from retailers then they would likely not accept the shop receipts - they need proper wholesaler invoices. Also, I see you have Ltd in your name - have you actually set up a limited company at companies house ? - because if not, then you should not be calling yourself ltd.
Also, just to check, have you registered with HMRC as self-employed (probably sole-trader) ? - because that is also a legal requirement if you are buying goods to sell on for profit.
When they say 'deceptive, fraudulent or illegal activity' they usually just mean something that is against their strict policies, not what we understand by those terms !
