Gaining Brand Approval Nightmare
I am a new seller on Amazon so still getting my head around the process of listing branded products and gaining approvals.
I have a branded item that I am trying to list. This item is from a popular, well known brand, however there is no existing listing within the Amazon catalogue for it. The item has an EAN manufacturer's barcode on the outer packaging. It is quite a small item so the EAN is not 13 digits like a GTIN.
I went through the process of listing the product and under the product ID field, I listed the EAN number. I then had to go through the 'Apply to Sell' process for the brand. I sent numerous photos of the product including the product's EAN barcode. Amazon responded by saying the application was declined because the EAN number was not recognised in the GS1 database. They said I needed to provide evidence that the product is listed in the GS1 database.
So, my next step was to then purchase a GS1 barcode for the item. I then responded to the case log stating the new GS1 barcode, however they came back and said it was rejected because it did not match the EAN product ID in the photo's I originally provided.
This is infuriating me now! They did not accept the original EAN product ID from the manufacturer, they told me I needed a GS1 barcode and now they are telling me the GS1 barcode doesn't match the EAN product ID which I originally provided. It seems like I can't win!
Can anybody help with this issue? It surely can't be this difficult to list ordinary branded products on Amazon, or is it?
7 replies
Seller_QuM1AZgzfU9x4
Is the original barcode registered with GS1? I believe if it is only 13 digits you add a zero to the start.
Seller_zDUw7ekrB6OEy
You can't just buy a barcode to use on an existing branded product. They have asked you to provide evidence that it is listed in the GS1 database so this is what you need to do. I think there is a way to search the GS1 database.
If there isn't already a listing for that item it could be that the brand don't want the item sold on amazon. It will be the Brand name that triggered the apply to sell not the EAN. You may be able to research the product and find the EAN.
Seller_GPLxAbyNPI33I
Welcome to Scamazon the nightmare begins
Seller_EkGoiphKgUnUI
If the existing product already has a barcode, but it is not registered on GS1, then the product cannot be listed on Amazon. Even if you buy barcodes, those barcodes would be for use by you only for your own products, not for use by the popular brands products.
Seller support could have been more clear about it, but their templates usually explain things as though you are the brand owner. But even if the barcode is listed on GS1, Amazon might find another excuse to de-list the product anyway, if they dont sell it and sell competitive products themselves.
To answer your final point, no-one can help you with this issue, and yes, it is often this difficult to list an ordinary branded product on Amazon. If there is not already a listing, then I'd not even waste time trying to create one. I used to try, and a lot of the time I'd take ages making a good listing, only for it to immediately get discontinued. Some listings actually do get made, but then get discontinued for whatever reason, and stay in the catalogue but hidden from all of us. When you then try to create what you think is a brand new ASIN, its often not, and you get tripped up with whatever problem caused it to get discontinued in the first place.
The experience you've had with Amazon is the normal experience sellers have, try not to take it personally as you will end up losing sleep.
