An Amazon seller stumbled across something strange online. At first, it looked like a joke—maybe even harmless.
But the more they watched, the more something felt off. What they found raised serious questions about who’s really paying for viral content.
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SELLERBITES INBOX
An Amazon seller (OP) asked: Is this targeted abuse against small businesses on Amazon?
OP spotted a serial return abuser on Instagram—someone proudly posting videos of himself buying and returning heavy Amazon items just for laughs.
But the joke’s on someone else: he appears to be ordering from third-party sellers, not Amazon. Which means a small business is likely eating the return costs for every “bit.”
👎 The scam, explained
OP says the guy’s been pulling this stunt for months with no ban in sight, probably because Amazon isn’t the one losing money.
Here’s how it works:
- The scammer orders heavy products with free Prime shipping
- Films the returns as a prank
- Sends the items back
- Repeats the process—over and over
If it’s FBA, you'd think Amazon would absorb the costs. But nope—sellers still get hit with fees, shipping charges, and restocking pain.
OP’s already reported it to [email protected] and is urging other sellers to do the same.
😤 Sellers speak out
As the return prank gains traction, Amazon sellers are sounding the alarm—with receipts, frustration, and a few conspiracy theories to boot:
- Amazon tracks returns... eventually. Some sellers believe the scammer will eventually be banned once his return ratio triggers an internal flag. 🧾
- Don’t count on it. One seller reported losing $15,000 in four months to one scammer. Amazon only stepped in after they made noise on seller forums.
- Sellers still lose. Multiple sellers pointed out that Amazon only reimburses the cost of goods—not the shipping, fees, or taxes.
- Warn the seller directly. If the order was FBM, several suggested contacting the scammed seller directly to cancel future shipments.
It’s unclear whether Amazon will take action against the scammer, or if the seller will ever recover the losses. But one thing’s certain: the community isn’t staying silent.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Return abuse doesn’t just hurt Amazon—it quietly drains third-party sellers.
Behind every viral “prank” is a real business stuck with the bill.
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