Amazon seller restricted requires approval

SmokeKingGun · 23 Mar 2023 at 11:21

Sold a few used/new open box items on Amazon in past and was going to list a gaming mechanical keyboard (as good as new/open box) and same with a tablet and monitor. It worked great in past and had no problems with feedback.

Amazon seems to have restricted sellers to a lot of categories now and even if unrestricted categories then actual item is gated. Some you can apply for with showing proof of 10+ invoice from wholesalers but some not even allowed to apply. Amazon say it’s to protect customers but it really seems to protect manufacturers cartel a lot more and to protect RRP, especially if you cannot even apply to sell a product on Amazon even if you do have valid wholesale invoice (10+ item) as not accepting applications.

Thought PC peripherals were ungated but nope if it’s a top brand name, then good chance it requires approval and then when requesting approval will say “However, we are not accepting applications to sell:” so impossible to sell anything decent it seems either just as a one-off used item or even more worryingly if you want to bulk buy and resell on Amazon.

ttaskmaster · 23 Mar 2023 at 12:18

I've seen a few threads on forums about people who bought stuff from seemingly legit resellers on Amazon, only to receive wrong items, empty boxes, bricks and so on. They typically then have a load of hassle trying to get refunds through Amazon and end up doing a CC recharge, or something.
I can only imagine it's such a mission for Amazon to police all this that they chose to just cut the whole sales channel off. A shame for resellers, perhaps, but no skin off Amazon's nose.

Puzzled · 23 Mar 2023 at 12:35

If I was buying a open box item from amazon I would expect that it was coming from a business that has inspected the item and has a returns policy.

Sounds like you are selling personal items which would be more suitable for ebay, Facebook etc or here on the members market.

Amazon has always been a bit stricter on sellers though, when I was looking at it a couple of years ago you had to provide proof that you were a business.

Semple · 23 Mar 2023 at 12:42

Puzzled said:
If I was buying a open box item from amazon I would expect that it was coming from a business that has inspected the item and has a returns policy.

Sounds like you are selling personal items which would be more suitable for ebay, Facebook etc or here on the members market.

Amazon has always been a bit stricter on sellers though, when I was looking at it a couple of years ago you had to provide proof that you were a business.

I'd agree with this too. If you're selling it as an individual then stick to eBay or FB marketplace/Gumtree.