Account level reserve - Amazon are killing my business
I'd really appreciate any help or advice on this matter.
Several months ago - out of nowhere - Amazon held back about 4k of my net proceeds and it showed in account level reserve.
I contcated Amazon to ask them what was happening and they assured me it w would be on my next disbursement as it was showing as 'due for disbursment'. However, the date came and went and again Amazon held back a similar amount. I contacted them again and was told it would be transferred to the disbursement team who surprise surprise cannot be contacted by phone! Anyway, they did nothing t=other than send some generic stuff with links. So, I raised it again and this time was told there was some sort of internal error and the case was not only closed but the contents of the case disappeared. This has now gone on for several months with the lack of payouts now having a detrimental impact on my ability to purchase new stock. I contacted seller support again yesterday and was told that there was 'restricted access' on my account because I didn't have a payment method setup for marketplaces (france and italy) even though I do not sell in these countries. However, I provided a payment method as the advisor said this would be the reason for why I could not get my money. However, it made no difference whatsoever and what should have been a 9k payout tomorrow is only going to be 4k.
I don't understand how they can get away with holding our money without any valid reason. My refund rate is a fraction of what they are witholding so it makes zero sense. I feel like taking an Amazon loan and refusing to pay it and simply tell them they can have their money when I get mine (I know this would never work) but it's the principal of it!
Account level reserve - Amazon are killing my business
I'd really appreciate any help or advice on this matter.
Several months ago - out of nowhere - Amazon held back about 4k of my net proceeds and it showed in account level reserve.
I contcated Amazon to ask them what was happening and they assured me it w would be on my next disbursement as it was showing as 'due for disbursment'. However, the date came and went and again Amazon held back a similar amount. I contacted them again and was told it would be transferred to the disbursement team who surprise surprise cannot be contacted by phone! Anyway, they did nothing t=other than send some generic stuff with links. So, I raised it again and this time was told there was some sort of internal error and the case was not only closed but the contents of the case disappeared. This has now gone on for several months with the lack of payouts now having a detrimental impact on my ability to purchase new stock. I contacted seller support again yesterday and was told that there was 'restricted access' on my account because I didn't have a payment method setup for marketplaces (france and italy) even though I do not sell in these countries. However, I provided a payment method as the advisor said this would be the reason for why I could not get my money. However, it made no difference whatsoever and what should have been a 9k payout tomorrow is only going to be 4k.
I don't understand how they can get away with holding our money without any valid reason. My refund rate is a fraction of what they are witholding so it makes zero sense. I feel like taking an Amazon loan and refusing to pay it and simply tell them they can have their money when I get mine (I know this would never work) but it's the principal of it!
5 replies
Seller_ZVAz3d5lZuGid
This will all be down to the DD+7 policy, and they do seem to keep a huge amount in reserve. That response from SS doesn't sound correct "...because I didn't have a payment method setup for marketplaces (france and italy) even though I do not sell in these countries." . I do not sell outside UK and do not have payment methods set up anywhere but UK.
Seller_19xPhE8YgkmxW
Hello Imagine_if_amz_cared,
I'm only selling in the United Kingdom, am FBM and use Amazon Buy Shipping - it may be different for you...
On the Payments Dashboard:
Product Charges + (my) Shipping Costs = Sales
Beginning Balance (from last period's sales - less Amazon charges) - (Az) Shipping Costs and all other Amazon Current Period Charges = Net Proceeds
Sales - Amazon Fees = Account Level Reserve
So your charges from amazon are deducted from this period's credit and the payments to you are withheld until each order's Due Delivery Date + 7 days has passed (por the end of the current payment period)
If, like me, your sales have gradually gone up as Christmas approached, your credit from last period's sales has been eroded by Amazon charges for the current period.
When your sales go down, Amazon's current period charges reduce and you get more of last period's finance...
This system is what Amazon tell us they've been applying to new sellers and have now 'made it fair' by appling the same rules to all sellers (who haven't requested that this system be deferred to next September).
Hope that's a help
All best
Brian
Ezra_Amazon
Hi @Seller_Js2uk97GVB7uu,
I contacted the partner team and they informed that you were part of the 4 September migration to DD+7. Sellers were notified of the migration in March, May, and August and a banner was placed on their account.
This policy ensures that sellers have sufficient funds to process refunds by reserving sales proceeds for 7 days after delivery.
The reserved amount fluctuates based on your sales and shipping speed, as it increases with new orders and decreases after the 7-day hold period.
You can find more details about the Reserve policy on Seller Central.
Thanks, Ezra
