What's going on? Initially, my concerns were deactivated listings without clear reasons, Amazon retaining the Buy Box even when out of stock, and handling unfair A-Z claims. However, these issues paled in comparison to the more systemic problems that have since emerged.

My stance on evaluating companies has always been based on their response to challenges and errors. Mistakes and breakdowns are inevitable in any operation, but it's the manner in which a company addresses these issues that really matters. In this regard, I am therefore disappointed with Amazon. There's a noticeable lack of communication and reassurance from senior management, when clarity and guidance are most needed.

The current situation is perplexing and frustrating. Some sellers seem to have their accounts verified, while others receive confusing notifications about VAT-related issues. Despite submitting the required documents, many of us are left in the dark, uncertain of what's next or how long our funds will be withheld. This disarray suggests either a significant organisational and communication breakdown within Amazon or an indifference towards the plight of their sellers - perhaps it's a combination of both.

To regain trust and convince us of their commitment to improvement, Amazon need to implement several key changes. What comes to my mind right now, for instance, are the following but there would be more.

Establish a Genuine Complaint Procedure: The current appeal process, often resulting in generic automated responses, is inadequate. We need a system where real people address our concerns, providing meaningful engagement rather than repetitive, unhelpful replies.

Improve Seller Support: Interacting with bots might be acceptable for initial inquiries, but there should be a mechanism to escalate unresolved issues to properly trained human representatives. Effective seller support is crucial for resolving complex problems that automated systems cannot handle. At the same time, they should be able to flag potential problems to management, before they get worse.

Treat Sellers as Partners: Amazon should consider forming a small group of seller representatives. These individuals could provide valuable insights before implementing changes that directly impact sellers. Moreover, it would make sense to establish an independent online sellers association, possibly including sellers from other platforms, that could be a powerful voice. Such a body would be more effective than us individually.

In conclusion, many of us hope for a more collaborative and respectful relationship with Amazon, more like the partnership Amazon claim we have. If our concerns continue to be ignored, it's important that we collectively amplify our voices. The aim is not to be negative but to achieve meaningful improvements. As this fiasco unravels, we must maintain pressure on Amazon to ensure we are treated better and we don't feel so vulnerable, constantly fearing that a decision by a bot can destroy our livelihood.

Just my two cents/pence, feel free to add your thoughts.