A suspended Amazon account doesn’t have to be the actual death of your selling on Amazon. In fact, the older an Amazon account is suspended, the more likely it is that it can be reinstated. Surprised by that statement? So were we the first time we took on an “ancient” Amazon appeal.
Now, after several dozen “old” account appeals, our team at Riverbend Consulting has established an impressive record of resurrecting long-dead seller accounts. The oldest suspension that we’ve managed to appeal to date occurred over 14 years ago.
Today, we’re walking you through Amazon account suspensions, what they are, how to avoid them, and how to revive an ancient account from the dead. Well, maybe not the dead, but we’re touching on reinstating older accounts.
Suspended Amazon Account: What does it mean?
Getting suspended by Amazon is a stressful scenario that can have far-reaching consequences. For many sellers, once you abandon your old account, you may not know that reinstatement is an option. But it certainly is.
A Suspended Amazon account means a seller has violated the platform’s policies or failed to meet its performance standards. This can range from selling counterfeit items, manipulating reviews, or not meeting customer expectations regarding shipping, product quality and more.
An immediate impact of an Amazon account suspension is that your Amazon business is halted. You lose the ability to list new products, fulfill existing orders, and access crucial sales data. This abrupt disruption can lead to significant financial setbacks, affecting revenue and brand reputation.
One of the most challenging aspects of an Amazon account suspension is the uncertainty surrounding the reinstatement process. Whether your account was recently suspended or suspended years ago, appealing the decision can be complex.
Ultimately, you’ll be required to address the root cause of your suspended Amazon account. You’ll also need to submit a detailed Amazon POA (Plan of Action) and possibly provide supporting documentation. The review process can take days, weeks, and even months. It’s critical that you submit an effective POA and are equipped with the best-case language Amazon requires to grant your appeal.
What to expect if your account is suspended
Understanding the steps involved during an account suspension is crucial for you to navigate the road to Amazon account reinstatement effectively:
Step 1 Notification of Suspension
Suspended Amazon Account? You’ll first receive a rather alarming email from Amazon Seller Performance, notifying you that your account has been suspended. The email typically outlines the reason for the suspension, such as policy violations, performance issues, or customer complaints.
Step 2 Immediate Account Freezing
Once suspended, you’ll face an immediate freeze of your account. This means you lose the ability to list new products, fulfill existing orders, and access vital sales and customer information.
Step 3 Assessment of Suspension Cause
You must carefully review the suspension notice to understand the specific reasons behind the action. Reasons for suspension include product authenticity, policy violations, poor performance metrics, customer dissatisfaction and more.
Suspended Amazon Account: A tale from over a decade ago
Nearly a decade and a half ago, one of our clients had his Amazon account suspended. At the time, he was a college student who listed his textbooks on the platform for sale after the semester ended. The books sold, and he forgot to ship them. Amazon rightfully suspended his seller account, and he walked away.
Fast forward 14 years, this gentleman launched an exciting new brand. He wanted to sell his new products on Amazon. Unfortunately, Amazon Seller Performance detected that he had a previously closed account.
That’s when Riverbend came to the rescue. His suspended Amazon account was overturned and reinstated in only a couple of weeks. This isn’t an unusual circumstance. We’ve worked with many sellers who lost accounts years ago- and we were able to reinstate them. Here are a few other cases:
- An auto parts seller got behind on shipping the flood of unexpected orders received on Amazon. They couldn’t get their account reinstated because of their Late Shipment Rate. About six years later, we got their account back.
- An electronics seller was shut down when Amazon detected he had a long-suspended account taken down for Order Defect Rate. We got the old account reinstated, leading to his current account returning online.
- A health and beauty seller wanted to re-launch on Amazon, but she knew her old account would be a problem. She had an account shut down a decade prior – but could not remember why. Unfortunately, the data in her account had disappeared, as it does after many years. Together, we put our best foot forward and uncovered the reasons for the suspension. We got her back up and running on Amazon in no time.
How does Amazon view old suspended accounts?
Believe it or not, Amazon believes in second chances. Sellers who have struggled with Seller Performance in the past may find this hard to believe, but it’s true. Your suspended Amazon account can be reinstated.
What you may not realize is that in the case of older accounts, sellers have had the benefit of time to:
- Mature in both their personal and business experience
- Improve and expand their business operations
- Build a track record of success elsewhere
All of these factors can be incorporated for a second chance on Amazon.
What is the typical Amazon appeal process?
Navigating an Amazon appeal is a strategic process that involves addressing the reasons for suspension and presenting a compelling case for reinstatement.
Regardless of the age of your account, you’ll want to consider these steps to increase your chances of a successful suspended Amazon account appeal:
Understand the suspension notice: Carefully review the email or notification from Amazon that outlines the reason(s) for your account suspension. Understanding specific policy violations and or performance issues is crucial before drafting your appeal.
Evaluate account health metrics: Assess your account health metrics, including order defect rate, late shipment rate, and customer feedback. Identify areas that may have contributed to the suspension and gather relevant data. What happened that slipped through the cracks?
Research Amazon’s policies: Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s policies and guidelines related to your suspension. Ensure your appeal addresses each specific violation, showcasing your understanding and commitment to compliance.
Identify corrective actions: Develop a clear and comprehensive plan of action to rectify the issues that led to the suspension. Outline the specific steps you’ve taken to address policy violations, improve performance metrics, and prevent future incidents. Be specific and transparent.
Craft a persuasive appeal letter: Write a concise and compelling appeal letter. Clearly state the reasons for the suspension, acknowledge any shortcomings, and emphasize the corrective actions taken. Be honest and professional in your communication.
Provide supporting documentation: Include relevant supporting documentation that validates the corrective measures mentioned in your appeal. This may include invoices, shipping records, or other evidence demonstrating your commitment to Amazon’s standards.
Use the correct channels: Submit your appeal through the designated channels provided in the suspension notice. Follow Amazon’s instructions regarding where and how to submit your appeal to ensure it reaches the right department for review.
Monitor communication channels: Regularly check your email and Seller Central account for updates from Amazon. During the review process, Amazon may request additional information or clarification. Respond promptly and thoroughly to any such requests. Maintain professionalism regardless of your frustration.
Exercise patience: The appeal process takes time. Exercise patience as Amazon reviews your case. Avoid submitting multiple appeals, as this can slow down the process.
Implement preventive measures: Once reinstated, implement proactive measures to prevent future issues. Regularly monitor your account health, address customer concerns promptly, and stay informed about policy updates.
Build a positive seller reputation: Focus on building and maintaining a positive seller reputation on the platform. Consistently provide excellent customer service, deliver high-quality products, and encourage positive customer feedback.
By following these steps, you can demonstrate your commitment to compliance and increase the likelihood of a successful Amazon account appeal. Remember that a well-structured, honest, and proactive approach is key to reinstatement and long-term success on the platform.
How to reinstate your old Amazon account
An Amazon appeal for older accounts should include three key factors:
#1 Root cause: In this section of your plan of action, identify and explain the root cause of your suspension. It must be specific and address the concerns that Amazon had about your account. In the case of older accounts, it can be difficult to remember the details. Search your old emails. Look through account data. Talk to people in your company. Do whatever it takes to at least get an inkling about the root cause of the suspension.
#2 Actions taken to resolve the issue: Explain to Amazon how you made either the platform or customers whole. How did you apologize and show concern or remorse? Did you try to rectify your mistakes in any way?
#3 Steps to ensure the mistakes don’t happen again: This is the most important part of the appeal for any account, old or recent. Explain in detail how your company will ensure you don’t repeat the poor behavior. Outline what systems you have in place, if any, to prevent it from happening again. Be specific.
Understanding these steps empowers those with older suspended accounts to navigate the reinstatement process with diligence and strategic planning. Proactive compliance with Amazon’s policies and a commitment to resolving issues swiftly, regardless of the age of your suspended account, can help you emerge from a suspension stronger and more resilient in your e-commerce endeavors.
What’s the most challenging aspect of appealing an old suspended account?
The most challenging part of an older Amazon appeal? Getting someone at Amazon to read it. Typically, you’ll need to escalate your issue to an executive or executive group if you want a timely response. If you don’t do that, you might be waiting for a response for a very long time. If you’d like to learn more, read our suspended Amazon account guidelines.
Success! What then? Once your account is reinstated, it’s critical to do the following:
#1 Make Amazon your priority: Assign at least one employee to watch your Amazon account like a hawk. Empower them to make decisions and direct the team to ensure that orders are filled on time and meet quality standards.
#2 Operate under your plan of action: What promises did you make in that account appeal? Follow through on every single one of them. Amazon will be watching you closely for some time.
#3 Keep an eye on the data: Don’t let your metrics get out of whack. You are operating on a truly short leash, and even a momentarily high late shipment rate or order defect rate could result in an almost immediate suspension.
The short, if it is, don’t let anything take your Amazon account down again. You had a long haul getting it reinstated after this many years. Yes, Amazon will give you a second chance, but don’t blow it – or you may be permanently blocked.
If you’ve got a long-dead seller account that needs resurrection, try RBC Amazon consultation services. Let’s talk about how good reinstatement looks on you.
Alternatively, you can visit our website’s Amazon Account Suspension page and fill out the form. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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