Hey everyone,
I recently got hit with a Section 3 violation on my Amazon seller account, and I’m at a bit of a loss about how to handle it. My account was flagged for “inauthentic” or “unauthorized” items, even though I’ve only been selling used books that I sourced from thrift stores, garage sales, and library sales.
Here’s what happened:
I received an email from Amazon about the violation, saying my account is under review and that I need to submit documentation or invoices proving the authenticity of my inventory.
Since I’m dealing with used books, I obviously don’t have invoices from publishers or wholesalers. All I have are receipts from the places where I purchased the books, which Amazon may not accept as valid.
I’ve worked hard to build my seller reputation, and it’s frustrating to be penalized when I’ve followed all the rules. If anyone has been through this and successfully resolved it, your insights would mean a lot to me.
I’m trying to figure out:
Has anyone here faced a similar situation, and how did you resolve it?
Are there any tips for drafting a Plan of Action (POA) to address Amazon’s concerns?
Is there a way to prove the authenticity of used books without traditional invoices?
I’ve been selling on Amazon for a while now, and this is the first major issue I’ve encountered. It’s really disheartening because I put a lot of effort into making sure my listings are accurate and my customers are happy.
Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!
Here is the email:
Hello ,
Your account is currently under review as per section 3 of the Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement. During the review, FBA shipment creation ability will be disabled and your funds will be withheld in accordance with our "Funds Disbursement Eligibility Policy":
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/help.html?itemID=9RA9LYBJ3QP27M6
Why did this happen?
We've taken this measure because we believe that your account or a related account may have been used to engage in deceptive or illegal activities that harm customers and our store, such as the sale of counterfeit inventory, thereby infringing intellectual property rights. For more information, see section 3 of the "Amazon Services Business Solutions Agreement":
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What happens now?
To demonstrate the authenticity of your account and inventory, you are required to show up for a video interview verification.
How do I verify my identity and inventory supply chain?
You must complete virtual identity verification via video interview by following the next instructions:
1. Access the following link:
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2. Follow the on-screen instructions to upload the required documents and connect with an associate.
Note: After your verification interview is complete, we will review the results and reply with the outcome within 5 business days.
Who should attend the video interview?
The owner and operator of this account should attend this verification interview. Depending on your business model, we understand there may be other business associates who are important to your business operations. These parties may also attend the verification interview. They must have proving documentation of their relationship to the business.
What documents are required?
To complete your instant identity verification, make sure you have the original physical and digital copies of the following documents with you:
-- A valid government-issued photo identity document. The document must include the following information: Full name, date of birth, ID number, expiry date, signature of the bearer (if applicable), country where it was issued or country of citizenship.
-- Bank or credit card statement. The document must include the following information: The full name of the individual or the business, residential, or business address. It must also include the information of the bank that issued the statement and the records related to the purchase of the ASIN under review.
-- Registered businesses must upload their registration document. The document must state the name of the business owner or legal representative, business-operating name, business license number or registration number, official seal or stamp of the authority that issued the document, business address, date of incorporation, status of the business and signature of the legal representative (electronic signature is acceptable).
-- Supply chain documents such as invoices and receipts that include the item's description, quantities, supplier’s name, supplier phone number, supplier address, and website. You may remove pricing information, but the rest of the document must be visible.
-- Proof of delivery, bill of lading, import and export documents, customs clearance documents and authorization letters from brands and licensed brand distributors are other examples of documents that may be requested.
-- Order confirmation, order shipping, or fulfillment update documents for all the orders placed for the ASIN in question and its quantities.
Note: These documents must be authentic, unaltered and sent only in PDF, JPG, PNG or GIF format.
ASIN :1087763495 ; Quantity :1;
ASIN :1594201226 ; Quantity :1;
What happens if I do not sign up for my interview or my verification is not successful?
If within 14 days you don't complete your virtual video verification interview using the link provided in this email, or if your verification is not successful, we may not allow you to sell on Amazon