ungating
If a company like lowe’s is the only place that sells a certain brand , how would i get ungated with this item within the brand? I’m a little bit confused how I would buy from a retailer but need the invoice from the brand itself which is only sold under Lowe’s. My guess is I would have to get either the brands approval to sell their item ?? I’m just lost. someone explain
ungating
If a company like lowe’s is the only place that sells a certain brand , how would i get ungated with this item within the brand? I’m a little bit confused how I would buy from a retailer but need the invoice from the brand itself which is only sold under Lowe’s. My guess is I would have to get either the brands approval to sell their item ?? I’m just lost. someone explain
8 replies
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
" My guess is I would have to get either the brands approval to sell their item ?? I’m just lost. someone explain "
Well, you at least asked BEFORE you trashed your account!
Study Seller U for the next MONTH--
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
"how would i get ungated with this item within the brand?"
BEFORE you worry about ungating ANYTHING you start by contacting the BRAND and asking how you open a WHOLESALE account with them.
They will either tell you how to open one OR they will refer you to one of their wholesale distributors. In either case, ask them if they will provide you with an LOA that SPECIFICALLY says that you are allowed to sell ON AMAZON.
MANY brands now say NO immediately. Fold your tent on that brand and find something else to sell unless you want to play Russian Roulette with a Glock!
THE AMAZON TWO STEP -- A NEW DANCE FOR SELLERS
More and more frequently Amazon is taking a TWO STEP approach and you are probably caught with not doing one of the steps (or either one!)
DO NOT confuse AMAZON allowing you to list (or at least "ungate") an item or category and actually being APPROVED to sell a product. Amazon might ungate you for a CATEGORY, but there can be 100's of brands in the category and they ALL have their own restrictions.
AMAZON is only interested in FEES. They will allow a chimpanzee to list if it means they collect $$$$$.
Additionally, brands that you COULD sell yesterday may be restricted today or next week. Amazon is a moving target to deal with.
DO YOU have an LOA from the brand allowing you to sell on here?
If you have an LOA that specifically says you can sell on Amazon you MIGHT survive listing items.
More and more brands are providing a "whitelist" of their approved sellers and if YOU are NOT on the list you will be stopped in your tracks and probably hit with an IP violation.
DID YOU source from AUTHORIZED wholesale sources that your rep at the brand says are OK? You DO have a sales rep at the brand, don't you?
NOTE the verification is required from the brand that the source is legitimate and authorized, NOT from one of those touted on TikTok and YouTube as having "thousands of brands and products" that assures you that they are authorized.
If you have watched any YouTube or TikTok videos FORGET everything you saw there.
Spend hours/days on Seller U and read the Forum to see all the really creative ways rookies and experienced sellers find to get suspended by ignoring the advice above!
https://sell.amazon.com/learn
If you don't already have the above requirements in place you are probably going to have stranded inventory (if you do FBA) and a suspended account.
ALSO SEE THIS POST ON GETTING APPROVALS FROM AMAZON
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/b559e6e2-3935-43d1-942e-f9ac8d963394
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
You wouldn't.
Think about it; if you started selling it, then your statement that Lowe's is "the only place that sells a certain brand" would no longer be true, as you would be selling it as well. Do you really think that a company like Lowe's that has an exclusive brand would want some random person selling the product also?
Your guess is correct, not just for this brand but for almost any other; you need permission FROM THE BRAND to sell their product on Amazon. And when you get that permission, you need to be sourcing it from an authorized WHOLESALE distributor.
Michelle_Amazon
Hi @Seller_blCiie2WuzDmY,
Thanks for reaching out. I see that you have been provided with some great information and as @Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp and @Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw have stated, you cannot get approved by purchasing from a retail store. You may find this post regarding approvals helpful.
Wishing you the best!
Michelle
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
Great advice but can Amazon PLEASE go in and remove all the references to "RECEIPTS" in the archives in the posted requirements for approvals. .
There are a number of us on here that have been 'vocal' about the changes in policies over the past couple years, and the most frequent objection to what we respond with has been historic AMAZON statements about "invoice or receipt."
Amazon leaving those words in policy statements is creating a 'bait and switch' for new sellers who have not spent time reading the Forum.
I understand that Amazon collects millions of dollars a year at $40/month from all these guys until they get suspended (for using receipts), but seriously, that is unconscionable behavior and some lousy management.
Michelle_Amazon
Hi @Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp,
Thanks for your feedback and I agree. I didn't realize there were any help pages still stating that. However, I will go through the help pages and see if I can find all the help pages that need updating and work on getting them correct.
Have a great weekend and thanks for always helping out other sellers!
Michelle
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
" I didn't realize there were any help pages still stating that."
It may not only be in help pages. There have been some posts where people used previous Forum posts where receipts had been accepted as sufficient proof of authenticity.
There was even a post from a month or two ago where a seller linked an Amazon BLOG post about how to do Retail Arbitrage successfully on Amazon including clearance items!
https://sell.amazon.com/blog/reselling
Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp
I'm trying to add some more images as to where that blog post comes from but it won't let me add the files.
If you would like to see those please open a case and I can try to upload images there. WEIRD that it will let me do a 'copy' function of the internet search for the heading though!
Reselling in Amazon Stores: Guidelines and Tips for Success
Sell on Amazon
https://sell.amazon.com › blog › reselling
Jan 18, 2024 — How to launch a reselling business: 5 steps · 1. Gauge product demand · 2. Source products to sell · 3. List products for sale online · 4. Handle ...
The text inside the story --
Is reselling right for you?
Reselling might make sense for you if you’re looking to sell:
Limited-availability items: If a product is in high demand but has limited availability, reselling can allow you to capitalize on scarcity and sell the product for a profit.
Exclusive or rare items: Reselling exclusive or rare items, such as limited-edition collectibles, vintage items, or unique artwork, can be profitable in niches with buyers willing to pay a premium price.
Seasonal products: Selling seasonal products, such as holiday decorations, costumes, or outdoor equipment, can be lucrative during months when demand is high.
Clearance or discounted items: You can purchase items on clearance or at discounted prices and resell them at regular retail prices or a slight markup.
High-demand products: Products in high demand, such as popular electronics, fashion items, or other trends, can be profitable if you can secure a steady supply and sell at a competitive price.
You can get started reselling in Amazon stores by signing up for a seller account. Choose between an Individual or Professional selling plan:
Michelle_Amazon
Hi @Seller_kIukTwdhvntAp,
I have created Case ID: 17445720531 for you to share any links with me that you would like to share.
Thanks!
Michelle
