Amazon have completely ruined my life
Starting as an Amazon seller was one of the most exciting steps I took in my business journey. I had spent months researching products, finding trustworthy suppliers, and carefully investing in inventory. For a while, everything went smoothly; sales were coming in, customer feedback was positive, and I was genuinely optimistic. But then, one night, everything changed.
The Unexpected Deactivation
Without any warning, Amazon suddenly deactivated my account under their Section 3 policy. Confused and desperate for answers, I combed through their guidelines, trying to understand what might have led to this decision. I’d heard of account suspensions, but to have my account deactivated entirely was a shock. After multiple reviews and reading other sellers' experiences, I knew I was in for a long wait. Amazon's policy meant that I wouldn’t have access to any funds for at least 90 days.
The 90-Day Wait and Beyond
Those 90 days were agonizing. I relied on my earnings not only to sustain my business but also to manage personal expenses. However, I trusted the process, waiting patiently, hoping that at the end of the 90 days, I’d receive my hard-earned funds.
But when 90 days came and went with no update, my heart sank. I reached out to Amazon, hoping to finally get my money and a resolution to my account status. Instead, I was informed that I needed to go through additional verification steps.
Verification Hurdles and Accusations
They asked me to provide documentation for my supply chain and undergo a video call. Although the request felt sudden and excessive, I complied immediately. I provided Amazon with everything they asked for: invoices, supplier contacts, and any paperwork that could support my business's legitimacy. I also completed the video verification call, hopeful that these steps would finally bring closure.
Just two days later, I received another email. Instead of unlocking my account or returning my funds, Amazon declared that my funds would be held indefinitely because they alleged I was involved in fraudulent activities. No specific details, no evidence — just an accusation that I couldn’t dispute. In the same email, Amazon stated they wouldn’t respond to any further communication regarding this case.
The Impact: Financial and Emotional
I was in disbelief. With one email, Amazon had taken $26,000 from me — funds I needed to pay suppliers, settle invoices with shipping companies, cover my bank loans, and, most importantly, care for my mother’s medical bills. The financial impact was devastating, but the emotional toll was even worse. This wasn’t just about money; it was about my livelihood, my family, and my life plans.
Amazon’s refusal to provide any concrete reasons left me feeling trapped, powerless, and unheard. I had followed every rule, provided all necessary documents, and jumped through every hoop. Yet here I was, labeled a “fraud” with no explanation and no recourse. I could no longer sustain my business, and my debts only grew. Each day since has felt like a struggle just to keep going.
A Plea for Change
I share my story not out of bitterness but as a call to action. How many other sellers are facing the same fate? Amazon’s system may be designed to protect customers, but at what cost to the people working hard to build businesses on their platform? The vague accusations, lack of transparency, and finality of their decisions leave sellers with no path forward, trapped in debt and despair.
To those who are still selling on Amazon, I urge you to protect yourselves, know your rights, and push for fair treatment. And for Amazon, I hope they recognize the impact of these policies and work toward a system that treats sellers as partners, not just potential risks.
Amazon have completely ruined my life
Starting as an Amazon seller was one of the most exciting steps I took in my business journey. I had spent months researching products, finding trustworthy suppliers, and carefully investing in inventory. For a while, everything went smoothly; sales were coming in, customer feedback was positive, and I was genuinely optimistic. But then, one night, everything changed.
The Unexpected Deactivation
Without any warning, Amazon suddenly deactivated my account under their Section 3 policy. Confused and desperate for answers, I combed through their guidelines, trying to understand what might have led to this decision. I’d heard of account suspensions, but to have my account deactivated entirely was a shock. After multiple reviews and reading other sellers' experiences, I knew I was in for a long wait. Amazon's policy meant that I wouldn’t have access to any funds for at least 90 days.
The 90-Day Wait and Beyond
Those 90 days were agonizing. I relied on my earnings not only to sustain my business but also to manage personal expenses. However, I trusted the process, waiting patiently, hoping that at the end of the 90 days, I’d receive my hard-earned funds.
But when 90 days came and went with no update, my heart sank. I reached out to Amazon, hoping to finally get my money and a resolution to my account status. Instead, I was informed that I needed to go through additional verification steps.
Verification Hurdles and Accusations
They asked me to provide documentation for my supply chain and undergo a video call. Although the request felt sudden and excessive, I complied immediately. I provided Amazon with everything they asked for: invoices, supplier contacts, and any paperwork that could support my business's legitimacy. I also completed the video verification call, hopeful that these steps would finally bring closure.
Just two days later, I received another email. Instead of unlocking my account or returning my funds, Amazon declared that my funds would be held indefinitely because they alleged I was involved in fraudulent activities. No specific details, no evidence — just an accusation that I couldn’t dispute. In the same email, Amazon stated they wouldn’t respond to any further communication regarding this case.
The Impact: Financial and Emotional
I was in disbelief. With one email, Amazon had taken $26,000 from me — funds I needed to pay suppliers, settle invoices with shipping companies, cover my bank loans, and, most importantly, care for my mother’s medical bills. The financial impact was devastating, but the emotional toll was even worse. This wasn’t just about money; it was about my livelihood, my family, and my life plans.
Amazon’s refusal to provide any concrete reasons left me feeling trapped, powerless, and unheard. I had followed every rule, provided all necessary documents, and jumped through every hoop. Yet here I was, labeled a “fraud” with no explanation and no recourse. I could no longer sustain my business, and my debts only grew. Each day since has felt like a struggle just to keep going.
A Plea for Change
I share my story not out of bitterness but as a call to action. How many other sellers are facing the same fate? Amazon’s system may be designed to protect customers, but at what cost to the people working hard to build businesses on their platform? The vague accusations, lack of transparency, and finality of their decisions leave sellers with no path forward, trapped in debt and despair.
To those who are still selling on Amazon, I urge you to protect yourselves, know your rights, and push for fair treatment. And for Amazon, I hope they recognize the impact of these policies and work toward a system that treats sellers as partners, not just potential risks.
0 Antworten
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
Sounds like you didn't source from valid suppliers and your documentation could not prove authenticity. Were you selling branded product? It's unfortunate that your account was deactivated, but you should have done your due diligence (You say you did, but apparently not enough). Funds will not be disbursed to you because of the fraudulent decision (legally they cannot pay you for inauthentic product sales).
Amazon is one of the most difficult platforms to use, understand and sell on. Why didn't you address the deactivation when it happened? Waiting 90 days? You should have begun addressing the violation immediately, they tell you how to in the original deactivation notice.
Lesson learned, reading the TOS before you start selling, go through seller university and researching these forums are the best way to get started.
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
Amazon will NEVER care as long as its not Amazon's money at stake.
Seller_mFUNUCCYB0cok
I am sorry to read this! Amazon only cares when you are a Chinese seller unfortunately.
Seller_z4uE5P2y92SX8
I don't believe you are telling us the full story. What was the deactivation actually for? If you were sourcing products from legitimate suppliers who gave you permission to sell on Amazon (wholesale suppliers, not retail outlets) and the products did not violate anyone's intellectual property or any Amazon policies, then you wouldn't be deactivated. Please tell us what you were selling so we can know the whole story.
Seller_R6O1Fg5v56ZkC
Similar situation, I have had over 200 items removed for policy violations in 2018, then again in 2020, then again in 2023, still trying to get things listed & relisted. It's a joke, I even paid for SAS support for 6 months which is just a more expensive version of the worthless seller support. I sell replacement tanning bulbs for home beds, they claim they are surgical & plastic surgery devices intended for profession use only.....
I am gaining great traction on Walmart & eBay, no issues listing items there.
Seller_CW0P5hgbsiqWX
!. Were you buying from the manufacturer or a so-called wholesale distributor. Do you understand the different types of distributors, meaning the real ones, and the fake ones.
Real Distributor:
- EX 1: The manufacture makes the product in a home location but does not sell the product there. They sell their products thru a distributorship office, one on the east coast, and one on the west coast. The only place you can buy the product is from those 2 locations. Each has a sales rep, and you can only buy from that Rep with a company account. they take your order and the factory ships. If there is any problem, the Rep will take your returns, and you get wholesale pricing.
- EX 2: The manufacture makes the product is a home location but does not sell the product there. The country is divided into territories, each with a Rep. When you want their product, you contact the manufacture, who intern takes your business information and gives it to your local Rep. The Rep makes personal calls to your business to see if you are who you are, and will stop by to refund any products you have a problem with.
Fake Distributor:
This is the distributor you need to watch out for. They are actually just a retail store calling themselves a Distributor/Wholesaler (because they distribute to the public, products of others). They sell anything they can get their hands on cheap. They have the accounts with manufacturer's and buy wholesale, then mark it up and sell it to you (at the so called wholesale price). They don't carry any manufacturer's full line just stuff they can buy for cheap. They can even throw in a few counterfeit items depending on how smart they believe YOU to be. They sell with an ALL SALES FINAL policy (because their deals and pricing are so good).
TRADE SHOWS
If you go to trade shows, you will find the real manufacturer and fake distributors are both there. When you talk with the real manufacture, they say we would like to have you as a customer, here is our wholesale pricing. When you talk with the fake distributor, they tell you all kinds of reasons they are the best to buy from. You look at their pricing and compare it to the manufacturer's pricing and see they are selling for $10 more per unit and walk away. BUT...……………..There is more to the story as Paul Harvey used to say.
The fake distributor, while you the smart seller didn't buy from him, many others placed orders with them for 5,000 units @ $10 more that the manufacturer’s price. So... at the end of the show, the fake distributors go to the manufacture's booth and orders 5,000 products @ $10 less and takes home a profit of $50,000 on unsuspecting buyers. The best part is: The fake distributor never touched anything; his profit all came from shifting some papers. And now you know the rest of the story.
What type of distributor do you want to use?
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Next time don't do your sourcing online, do it like hundreds of successful amazon sellers do. Go to the ASD show in Las Vegas, February 2025. I shop there, Amazon shops there, and retail stores all over the country shop there. It lasts a week and only costs showing your retailers Licenses to gain admittance. All of the hundreds of manufacturers there will give you the proper documentation Amazon seeks. With over a million products to select from to sell, if you can.t find something that fits your needs, there is something wrong with you. And the beauty of it is this. No one seller or retail story can sell everything. There is always room for one more seller.
Seller_zc50DVO3FE5fz
If everything was as legitimate as you state, start the process of mediation. Good chance you get your funds pretty quickly.
Seller_PdgeKxR7pb2nt
We literally are going throught the exact same thing with amazon. Its so frustrating that amazon has the power to ruin our life
Seller_R2dP7Hunjcdj0
Another Deactivation Section 3 Post that does not include the actual Suspension notification.
Based on my reading of these events, I must conclude that even though you claim that you
It is apparent that the Supply Source(s) you used were NOT, in fact Authorized and recognized as Authentic by Amazon.
There are many sources for product that are NOT "Authentic", Alibaba being most grievous offender.
Amazon is in the business of capturing SALES, and will do whatever it can to maximize this.
Amazon will NOT arbitrarily Suspend a Seller or LOSE Sales UNLESS they have reason.
Amazon is also in the business of minimizing RISK, and will do whatever it can to minimize this.
Amazon WILL resolve an issue created in error IF the Seller can provide LEGITIMATE documentation.
You have it backwards, the responsibility for the Authenticity and legitimacy of the listings belongs entirely to the Seller, NOT the platform. And you COULD dispute it, IF you could provide the evidence in the form of the requested documents.
What's more, Amazon leaves themselves open to lawsuits IF they allow "Counterfeit" products to be sold on their site, at least in America, so what do you expect?
You are going to not like this, but the responsibility for ALL of this falls on YOU, not Amazon.
Did you complete Amazon Seller University BEFORE investing in this business plan? Based on your post, I am assuming "No".
How exactly did you verify that your Supply Chain WAS "Authentic" and Authorized?
Who told you they were Valid?
THAT is who your fight is with, not Amazon.
You should consider renaming your post from "Amazon have completely ruined my life" to the more correct title "I ruined my Life by attempting to Sell on Amazon without Fully Understanding the Rules".
Boy, it is ALWAYS someone ELSE'S Fault, every time!
Whatever happened to the idea of Personal Responsibility?
Seller_jB9SiTnywLcHZ
very very very bad , this is so common from amazon nowdays
