Why does Amazon have restricted products in their catalog?
Hi, we are a new seller. We are planning to resell products from various manufacturers. We don't create any listings, just match existing ones.
One thing that we don't understand: why does Amazon have restricted products in their catalog and why can we potentially get in trouble by joining them?
Why does Amazon have restricted products in their catalog?
Hi, we are a new seller. We are planning to resell products from various manufacturers. We don't create any listings, just match existing ones.
One thing that we don't understand: why does Amazon have restricted products in their catalog and why can we potentially get in trouble by joining them?
17 Antworten
Seller_rI7BZIczK8iAC
Because the brand owners don't want other sellers to sell their brand. They sell themselves or have a whitelist of selected sellers with contracts for thousands of $ per year. To sell a brand you need:
1. A "Letter of Authorization" from the brand allowing you to sell their brand on Amazon.
2. INVOICE (not receipt) from an authorized distributor. An invoice is a document with your name and address, exactly how you registered it in your seller account under "Legal Entity" and "Official Registered Address". And and authorized distributor is a company authorized by the brand owner.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
While Brigitte answered one aspect of your question, I will address the "why does Amazon have restricted products in their catalog"
Depending on just what you are asking about the answer may vary. Some products are prohibited -- drug paraphernalia for example. Yet drug paraphernalia abounds. Thousands of offerings. Some of them will be taken down. Some will not. Amazon is not able to keep up.
Some products may only be sold by Amazon, not by third party sellers.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
A lot of it comes down to the fact that Amazon is HUGE. Sellers can create listings, and they may remain for an hour, a day, or even a month before they get caught selling restricted items. Meanwhile, others will pop up selling the same or similar items. You may as well ask "If speeding is illegal, why don't the troopers give tickets to EVERYONE?"
As for getting in trouble, YOU are responsible for everything you list. It doesn't matter if someone else is doing something; if they are breaking the rules, and you join them, then you also are breaking the rules.
Worry about keeping YOUR account within guidelines; don't worry about what other sellers are doing, and certainly do not base your actions one theirs.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
But why are you creating a listing without knowing if it's allowed or not?
Are you using some sort of automation service (you know, the type that promises you huge profits on Amazon, but has in the fine print "we may list stuff that you are not allowed to sell")?
Amazon wants sellers who do things right BEFORE they get caught. YOU are the party responsible for what your business does; not Amazon.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Still, that is the time that you should make sure that the listing is correct and legit.
And the answer is the same as I stated above; they can take them down as fast as they can, and there will still be thousands of listings that are in violation.
Manny_Amazon
Hi @Seller_QipAZrm1WrYdW,
Welcome to the Forums and to selling on Amazon!
I would concur with what was stated by your fellow sellers. Additionally, Amazon requires approval to sell in many categories, brands, and products and in some instances restrictions and policies change. As the Amazon catalog grows, we continuously make new determinations on which products should be restricted, which is based on a number of factors. Amazon does this to ensure authenticity and customer satisfaction.
For this reason, you may be required to gain approval to sell certain products, and may need to be prepared to have whatever documentation is required. You will find more details about this in the resources below:
Products that require approval
Invoice requirements for when you apply to sell
Regards,
- Manny
Seller_5qhlTvB6FOCww
There are a number of products on Amazon that I compete with that are prescription items restricted by Amazon. I remain confused as to why Amazon allows these prescription items for sale and many times I spend months battling with Seller Central to get my legitimate OTC products relisted after they take them down by mistake.
