Selling on Amazon can be awesome! But sometimes, things go wrong. You might get a notification saying your account is suspended. Often, it starts with something like:
"Hello, Your Amazon seller account has been temporarily deactivated in accordance with Section 3 of the Business Solutions Agreement..."
Lots of sellers see "Section 3" and panic. They think that's the only problem. But guess what? "Section 3" is HUGE! It covers many different rules/policies. --This page will help you figure out what's really going on and what to do next.
What's the Big Deal with Drop Shipping (and Section 3)?
Amazon wants happy customers. If you drop ship, you're using another company to send products to your buyers. That's okay, but Amazon has rules. They want you to be in charge, not the other company. These rules are often part of "Section 3." Here are the main things to remember:
- You're the Boss: You're responsible for everything. Returns, questions, problems – it's all you.
- Your Name, Not Theirs: The boxes, labels, and papers should have your name on them, not the company you're using.
- No Secret Info: Don't let customers know about the other company. It's your business with them, not the other company's.
- On-Time Shipping is Key: You have to make sure things arrive on time. If your helper messes up, it's still your responsibility.
Why Do Accounts Get Suspended (Especially Under Section 3)?
Lots of sellers make the same mistakes. These problems can all fall under "Section 3":
- Their Stuff in Your Boxes: The other company puts their flyers or stickers in the boxes. Big no-no!
- Slow Shipping: Things take too long to arrive.
- Wrong Tracking Numbers: The numbers don't work, or they're wrong.
- Ignoring Customers: Not answering questions or helping when there's a problem.
- Fake Products: Selling items that aren't real or aren't what they say they are.
- Breaking Other Rules: Amazon has lots of rules. "Section 3" covers many of them.
Amazon's Messages: What Do They Mean?
Amazon might send you a message. Sometimes it's confusing. We can help you understand what they're saying. Here are some examples:
- "Hello, Your Amazon seller account has been temporarily deactivated in accordance with Section 3..." This is just the start of the message. They'll usually tell you why you're suspended.
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"We don't have enough information..." This means your appeal wasn't accepted. They either did not review it properly or needed more details.
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"You may not sell seller-fulfilled offers..." This means you can't ship orders yourself anymore. You might still be able to sell using Amazon's service (FBA).
A Simple Guide (But Be Careful!)
Here's a basic template you can try. But remember, every case is different. This is just a starting point. "Section 3" problems can be tricky!
Fill in the Blanks:
Dear Amazon,
I understand I broke the rules, possibly under Section 3.
Here's what happened:
* The Root Casuse (What I Did Wrong:)
(Explain exactly what you did. Be honest.
If you're not sure, guess the most likely problem.)
* Steps Taken To Resolve (How I Fixed It:)
(What did you do to stop the problem? Be specific.)
* Actions/Steps Taken To Prevent it Reoccuring (What I'll Do Differently:
(How will you make sure it doesn't happen again? Be very clear.)
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Your Seller Account Name)
(Your Seller Account Email)
Important: This is just a template! Amazon wants details. They want to see you understand the rules and that you're serious about fixing things. "Section 3" can be complicated. It's easy to make a mistake.
Why You Should Talk to Us First
You can try to appeal on your own. But Amazon can be tough. They might give you a few chances, but then they might stop answering. It's much better to get it right the first time, especially with "Section 3" issues.
We've helped lots of sellers get their accounts back, even when they got the "Section 3" message. We know what Amazon wants to see. We can help you:
- Figure out exactly which "Section 3" rule you broke.
- Make a strong plan to fix it.
- Write a letter that Amazon will listen to.
