Riverbend Consulting

Having problems with Amazon? Let us solve them.

  • Home
  • Suspensions
    • Account Suspension
    • ASIN Suspension
  • Account Services
    • Account Health Check-Up
    • Seller Account Protection
    • Account Management
    • Reimbursements
    • Amazon Editorial Recommendations
  • Our Blog
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Referral Program

(877) 289-1017 Contact Us

+44-161-8508-269

MENU

Fulfillment

Seller Performance is shutting down seller accounts for imaginary price gouging – when will it end?

April 23, 2020 Leave a Comment

Imaginary Price Gouging Mania and Shuttering Second Accounts.

Amazon enforcement goes nuts! Seller Performance is shutting down seller accounts for imaginary price gouging – when will it end? And a big “yup, that’s what she said” on second and related accounts. They are going down faster than ever. Find out more with Kelly Johnston and Lesley Hensell on today’s Amazon Seller Happy Hour.

Follow us on Facebook for extensive content about the constant changes we are seeing. We are hosting Amazon Seller Happy Hour several times a week. Amazon sellers, we are here for you and your business! Let’s talk 877-289-1017 or visit our website.

 

Riverbend Consluting

Filed Under: 3P, Account Health, Amazon, FBA, Fulfillment, General, Seller Central, Seller Fulfilled, Seller Performance, Seller Support, SFP Tagged With: 3P, 3P seller, Amazon, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, Brick-and-mortar, China, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Ecommerce, Essential, Fulfillment, Inventory, Retail, Shopping, Warehouse

Why a suspension for “inauthentic” doesn’t mean fake

April 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

When Amazon takes down an ASIN or seller account for inauthentic, that’s not usually what they mean

By: Lesley Hensell

“Item is FAKE.”
It’s feedback that every Amazon seller dreads – and most long-time sellers have received at least once. Unfortunately, that one negative comment from a buyer can quickly transform into a notification from Seller Performance, demanding you disprove their accusation of “inauthentic.” Or, even worse, it can lead to an account suspension. Please know that “inauthentic” doesn’t mean fake.

For most sellers, accusations of inauthentic are downright confusing. And for good reason.

What does “inauthentic” really mean?

When Amazon suspends an ASIN – or a seller account – for accusations of inauthentic, Amazon itself is not saying, “You are selling fake stuff.” Rather, Seller Performance is expressing concern that a pattern of complaints, feedback, reviews and returns have indicated there could be problems with the authenticity of merchandise. 

Inauthentic doesn’t ALWAYS mean fake

This could mean any number of things.
  1. You could be selling fake stuff. It happens. We’ve worked with sellers who truly believed they were selling authentic goods – but were not. Buyers who are loyal customers to a brand can spot the inconsistencies and will point it out. This is where excellent sourcing relationships become key. If you purchase liquidation inventory or buy things that “fell off the back of a truck,” you cannot guarantee authenticity.
  2. You could be selling generic items on a branded ASIN. There are two flavors of this problem. In one instance, you could be listing your generic product against a recognizable, major brand – which is a major no-no. In other cases, the problem is more difficult to untangle. Sometimes, a “generic” listing will be modified by a competitor to show their brand. This can get you in trouble. Our best advice? Don’t list generic products. Always include a brand and manufacturer.
  3. You could be selling items in bad condition. Amazon buyers expect merchandise to be in perfect, gift-giving condition. This means the packaging – inside and outside – should be free of dings, creases and shelfwear. When applicable, seals should be present. When an Amazon buyer receives an item with box damage, they may (unfortunately) complain of inauthentic. To prevent these kinds of complaints, up your inspection game. Ensure that outer packaging is always perfect.
  4. You could have lousy prep and pack. Your items could be getting damaged in transport – whether you’re sending them to the Amazon FBA warehouse or direct to customers. When buyers receive broken cosmetics, leaking shampoos and bent posters, they complain. You cannot control what their complaint might be – and some assume that a broken or damaged item must be fake. Improve your shipping performance, from upgrading packaging to better prepping items.
  5. You could have an FBA problem. Let’s face it. Amazon does a poor job of receiving and grading returns. Sometimes, when opened and used items are put back into your fulfillable inventory, it can lead to authenticity complaints.
  6. You could be commingling inventory. Commingled inventory is a nightmare. Don’t be tempted to go down this road. With commingled inventory, another seller’s fake items could be used to fulfill your orders. Instead, take the time to sticker all of your inventory – or pay Amazon to do it for you.

If your ASINs or account are down for accusations of inauthentic, don’t struggle on alone. Let Riverbend Consulting help. We can assist you in pinpointing and solving the underlying problems. Then, we will help you work with Seller Performance. We are here for you and your business! Let’s talk 877-289-1017 or visit our website.


Lesley HensellLesley is co-founder and co-owner of Riverbend Consulting, where she oversees the firm’s client services team. She leverages two decades as a small business consultant to advise clients on profitability and operational performance. She has been an Amazon seller for almost a decade.

Filed Under: 3P, Account Health, Amazon, FBA, Fulfillment, General, Seller Fulfilled, SFP Tagged With: 3P, 3P seller, Amazon, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, Copyright, Coronavirus, Deactivation, Fake, FBA, Fulfillment center, Inauthentic, Inventory, Order Cancellation, Shipment, Suspension

It’s prime time to sell on Amazon

April 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

It’s prime time to sell on Amazon.

In crisis, there is great opportunity. With brick-and-mortar stores closed and wounded, Amazon has stepped up its game. Join Joe Zalta and Lesley Hensell as they discuss strategies Amazon sellers can use to capitalize – right now and in the future. Don’t despair. It’s prime time.

Follow us on Facebook for extensive content about the constant changes we are seeing. We are hosting Amazon Seller Happy Hour several times a week.

Amazon sellers, we are here for you and your business! Let’s talk 877-289-1017 or visit our website.

Filed Under: 3P, Account Health, Amazon, FBA, Fulfillment, General, Seller Fulfilled, SFP Tagged With: 3P, 3P seller, Amazon, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, Brick-and-mortar, China, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Ecommerce, Essential, Fulfillment, Inventory, Retail, Shopping, Warehouse

When disaster strikes, Amazon sellers need to be ready

April 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

Every business – big and small – needs a disaster plan

By: Lesley Hensell

 

Don’t think it cannot happen to you. For small and mid-sized businesses, disasters can take many forms:

  • Fires that destroy your home, warehouse or office
  • Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and severe storms that damage office and home locations or take out power and communications
  • Power or internet outages – from a day to a week – that disrupt your ability to fill orders and communicate with customers
  • Personal illness or family emergencies that make owners, managers or key employees unable to fulfill their work responsibilities

Amazon seller disaster plan

So what’s a small business to do? Have a disaster plan in place – and train your entire team on the details. Think through these action steps:

  1. Make sure more than one person has the ability to put your Amazon seller account on vacation mode. If a fire, flood or something else strikes and you cannot fulfill orders, it’s critical to go on vacation ASAP while you sort out the details.
  2. Have more than one team member trained to answer customer service messages. Again, in the event orders cannot be filled or are filled late, you must be able to communicate this to customers as soon as possible. By being open and honest, you will avoid negative feedback and unwanted cancellations.
  3. Train your team to understand that going on vacation mode to protect your account is more important than ensuring a flow of new orders. Don’t let the panic of temporary lost revenue tempt you into making business-ending mistakes.
  4. Have a backup location for your inventory. Do you know of a storage space, warehouse, or other solution in case your current location is damaged or off the grid? How would you move your inventory there in a disaster?
  5. Create a virtual “fulfillment relocation kit.” Know which technology and tools would be needed to quickly and easily replicate your fulfillment operations in another location – such as a laptop, label printer, shrink wrap solution, boxes, labels, etc.
  6. If your business operates on platforms other than Amazon, be ready to leverage social media to communicate to your customers. Have canned graphics ready to go, and let your loyal customers know what’s going on, how they can help, and when they can expect you to be back in business.

Planning ahead can save you a lot of headaches in the end – and ensure your business is creating cash flow faster.

We are here for you and your business! Let’s talk 877-289-1017 or visit our website.

Filed Under: 3P, Account Health, Amazon, FBA, Fulfillment, General, Seller Fulfilled, SFP Tagged With: 3P, 3P seller, Amazon, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, Copyright, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Deactivation, Disaster, Emergency, Essential, FBA, Fire, Flood, Fulfillment center, Illness, Inbound, Inventory, Merchant fulfilled, MFN, New York, Order Cancellation, Shipment, Warehouse

Amazon Suspension Types

April 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

Suspension Types.

It’s one of the most common questions we are asked: what are the primary suspension types you are seeing? Join Jack Mlabasati and Lesley Hensell on today’s Amazon Seller Happy Hour. Find out why accounts are being deactivated, and how sellers can get their accounts back quickly.

Follow us on Facebook for extensive content about the constant changes we are seeing. We are hosting Amazon Seller Happy Hour several times a week.

Amazon sellers, we are here for you and your business! Let’s talk 877-289-1017 or visit our website.

Filed Under: 3P, Account Health, Amazon, FBA, Fulfillment, General, Seller Fulfilled, SFP Tagged With: 3P, 3P seller, Amazon, Amazon FBA, Amazon seller, China, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Essential, FBA, Fulfillment, Fulfillment center, Inbound, Inventory, Manufacturing, Order Cancellation, Warehouse

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • »

Categories We Serve

Automotive Parts & Accessories

Appliances

Baby

Beauty & Personal Care

Books

Cell Phones & Accessories

Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Computer

Electronics

Garden & Outdoor

Health, Household & Baby Care

Home & Kitchen

Luggage and Travel Gear

Luxury Beauty

Office Products

Pet Supplies

Sports and Outdoors

Tools & Home Improvement

Toys & Games

Video Games

(877) 289-1017

+44-161-8508-269

New Jersey • Texas

© Riverbend Consulting 2021 | Privacy Policy | Site Map |

Digital Marketing by Paid Search Consulting

  • Home
  • Suspensions
    • Account Suspension
    • ASIN Suspension
    • Back
  • Account Services
    • Account Health Check-Up
    • Seller Account Protection
    • Account Management
    • Reimbursements
    • Amazon Editorial Recommendations
    • Back
  • Our Blog
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Referral Program
    • Back