Amazon pulls plug on $8M “life-saving” scam

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If your brain’s in weekend mode already, we get it. 

Here’s the bite-sized version of the week you missed.

• Want more reviews? Sweeten the deal! 🎁
• Amazon kills off an $8M “miracle” scam
• Trump brings the trade war back to life 🔥
• Sellers get another swing at appeals 🚀
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BLACK MARKET

Amazon just kicked another batch of bad actors off its marketplace, this time over a so-called “life-saving” gadget. 

The product, Dechoker, was marketed as a miracle emergency device but was actually high-risk and shouldn’t have been sold. The seller had already pocketed $8.2M from sales.

🍪 Quick bits

• The FDA never cleared Dechoker for sale, it should’ve been classified as a high-risk Class III device.
• Despite a 2023 stop-sale order, the sellers kept listings live until regulators stepped in.
• Between 2023 and May 2025, they pulled in $8.2 million before the FDA seized the funds.
• Reports linked the device to bruising, suction injuries, and even tongue damage, per a UC Davis study.
• Amazon says it’s removing all unapproved health products and tightening FDA compliance checks.

💬 SellerBites’ take

The moral here: don’t fake “FDA-approved.” Amazon’s compliance team may move at the speed of molasses, but when it lands, it lands hard.

For sellers dabbling in the medical or wellness niche, this is your flashing warning light, paperwork first, profits second. Health isn’t a marketing prop, and in this case, pretending it was turned an $8 million payday into a full-blown FDA headache.

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BITES OF THE WEEK

• Tariffs and Tensions: Trump’s cooking oil threat fans the U.S.–China trade war flames.
• Deal or Deadline: Sellers have until October 28 to lock in BFCM promotions.
• Return to Sender: Holiday purchases made through December can be returned until January 31.
• Smarter Shipments Ahead: New FBA list view shows real-time receive times to speed up delivery.

FUN STUFF

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HOT TOPIC

The trade war is back on and it's personal

The U.S.–China trade war just came back online, louder and costlier than ever. President Donald Trump has announced a new 100% tariff on China-based imports, stacked on top of the existing 30%. 

It’s set to land as early as November 1, and global markets are already holding their breath.

🍪 Quick bits

• The tariff bomb. The new 100% rate ends what was basically a trade truce, following China’s tighter export limits on rare earths.
• The meeting’s off. The Trump–Xi summit’s reportedly canceled, diplomacy’s on ice.
• Déjà vu trade pain. Last time tariffs hit 145%, trade froze until electronics got exemptions. Expect a chill.
• Legal spotlight. The Supreme Court’s weighing if Trump can impose tariffs without Congress, a move that could reshape trade power.
• Sellers in the crossfire. Higher import fees mean pricier goods, thinner margins, and fiercer Buy Box wars for China-sourcing sellers.

💬 SellerBites’ take

Trump’s tariff revival isn’t just a political headline, it’s a profit problem for sellers. Anyone who thought the storm had passed just learned they were standing in the eye.

Even if the courts pump the brakes, the message is clear: if your supply chain starts in China, your margins now have an expiration date.

AMMAZON NEWS

Amazon hits reset on seller appeals

In a plot twist no one saw coming, Amazon is letting sellers hit the redo button. 

The new Seller Challenge program gives Account Health Assurance (AHA) members the power to appeal Amazon’s enforcement decisions… again. 

🍪 Quick bits

• The fine print. Only AHA members can play. Lose AHA, lose access.
• Three tries. You get three challenges every six months, refreshed after each review period.
• Where to go. File your case under the “Seller Challenge” tag on the Product Policy Compliance page.
• One shot per case. No repeat appeals, pick your battles carefully. ⚔️
• Still on pause. Listings remain deactivated during review, so revenue takes a breather.
• Fast (for Amazon). Expect a verdict in 48 hours, which feels almost suspiciously efficient.

💬 SellerBites’ take

“Appeal of the appeal” sounds like Amazon’s way of saying, “Okay fine, maybe we were a little harsh.” But honestly? It’s a solid step in the right direction.

After years of shouting into the void of Account Health Support, sellers might finally have a fair shot at redemption. Just don’t get trigger-happy, you get three chances, not infinite lives.