In its recent economic impact report, Amazon boasted how it’s helping boost the U.S. economy, particularly the workforce sector. The company said it contributed over $1 trillion to the country’s GDP, resulting in more jobs for small-town residents.
But this doesn’t make the retailer safe from its sellers’ scrutiny. Read on to know what made one merchant’s blood boil.
BLACK MARKET
We’ve all heard stories of listing hijackers who managed to change brand names, product titles, and other brand content. In July, several brand owners reported unauthorized brand name changes that blocked them from editing their listings!
But what if it’s Amazon who made this mistake?
A seller posted on Seller Central about the horror they experienced when an Amazon associate changed their brand name without permission! 😨
What happened?
- The seller, whose brand “Vox Intra LLC” is enrolled in the Amazon Brand Registry, needed help creating content for one of their ASINs.
- However, the Amazon associate said an error message indicating the ASIN does not belong to the brand popped up. Usually, the next step is for the seller to provide proof they have authorization to sell that ASIN.
- If they’re the manufacturer, they provide the manufacturer’s documentation.
- If they’re a reseller, they provide a letter of authorization from the brand owner.
- But instead of the usual solution, the associate checked the submitted trademark number and found that the trademark number in the seller’s application (97911315) was registered to another brand “SHADOWSEEKER.”
- They then proceeded to update the brand name to match the registered trademark.
The action didn’t address the seller’s concern but instead added another problem. So, they’re asking for help to change back the brand name.
📣 Amazon’s reply
An Amazon representative quickly spotted the possible source of the confusion. They politely asked the seller to confirm if 97911315 is the correct trademark number. Since the number belongs to SHADOWSEEKER, the associate (or the seller) might've mistyped it.
The seller replied, “The issue was that the system recorded my trademark incorrectly… and then Support tried to "fix it" by changing my brand name.”
Clearly, there’s confusion related to trademarks and brand names that caused the issue. But as of writing, the mishap was already corrected by the Brand Registry team.
📍 Added reminders
In case you’re also confused with all the interconnecting jargon, our advice is to reach out to the Brand Registry and Seller Support teams. If you want to get inputs from the seller forums, it’s much better to call Amazon reps’ attention, too.
Of course, you can also reach out to us, especially if you’re new to the Amazon ecosystem. We’ll be happy to help you get a clear understanding of the concepts and rules to seamlessly grow your business on the platform. 😉
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Shopify vs. Amazon: Both retail titans are evaluated in terms of platform design, marketing options, and selling costs.
- USPS Holiday Fees: Temporary rates will go into effect at midnight Central on October 6.
- Document Everything: Here’s a tutorial from @amazonfbaandfbmguys on how photos before packing can prevent return fraud.
- Not Enough Air: Ecommerce's aggressive growth will soon face air cargo capacity limits.
SELLER REFRESHER
4 reasons why an Amazon FBA inspection is crucial for your business
As sellers, you’re well familiar with the challenges of selling on Amazon. For instance, making sure your product meets the standards can feel overwhelming.
If you’re looking for a way to keep everything running smoothly, SellerApp says an Amazon FBA inspection is the way to go.
🔍 What’s an Amazon FBA inspection?
It’s a service provided by third-party companies that check your products before they go to Amazon's fulfillment centers. This inspection makes sure your items meet Amazon’s rules for quality, packaging, and labeling to avoid costly rejections or delays.
The inspection includes:
- Physical checks for damage, defects, and quality issues;
- Functionality tests to make sure items like electronics work properly;
- Packaging reviews to ensure your packaging is strong and labeled correctly;
- Labeling checks to verify that labels, including FNSKU codes, are right;
- Documentation reviews, including certificates of authenticity and other compliance documents;
- Photo proof of products and/or any issues found during the inspection; and
- Repackaging or relabeling services (if needed) to ensure compliance with the rules.
📦 So, should you have your products inspected?
Yes, you definitely should! Doing an inspection benefits your business in several ways:
- Avoid rejections. Inspections help meet Amazon’s standards and prevent your products from getting rejected at their warehouses.
- Save money. Fewer rejections and returns mean less money spent on extra shipping and handling.
- Boost product quality. Regular checks catch defects early. This helps keep customers happy and avoid returns.
- Get better reviews. High-quality products are more likely to get positive reviews, which can increase your sales. 📈
Don’t leave your success to chance. Choose a reliable Amazon FBA inspection service and let quality control be your secret weapon for Amazon wins.
