Why is Amazon suspending fewer Seller accounts?

Thompson and Holt has identified an unusual pattern on Amazon in the lead up to this year’s Christmas - much fewer Amazon accounts are being suspended for violating terms and conditions.

At this time of year it’s not uncommon to see a surge in suspensions, with new businesses starting online with the aim of maximising the potential of the festive period, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. They can often be unsure about the rules and regulations on site and find themselves unwittingly suspended.

Yet in 2020 - despite Amazon flourishing as a whole during a year in which Covid-10 lockdowns have seen many consumers turn increasingly online - Thompson and Holt has seen a downturn in suspended accounts at this usually busy time of year.

It’s a trend that has been spotted elsewhere. Ed Rosenberg, the founder of the nine Amazon Sellers Group, posted the following on LinkIn.

Rosenberg wrote: “The last few years, Amazon seemed to have this diabolical game of terminating large amounts of 3p (third party) Sellers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, generally for the most bizarre, and ridiculous reasons. For example, using the word ‘lighting’ on a PL listing once in a title was easily enough to wreck a huge business for ‘counterfeit Apple’ and an entire business destroyed, funds seized, and inventory held - the business owner had to endure weeks waiting for that perfect POA that would finally be accepted after tearing your self down on how evil you are and swearing you would never ever ever again do the horrible deed again (even if you listed against an existing ASIN and Amazon could easily simply prevent you from using the word. The fact that you did nothing wrong didn't matter to anyone).

“This year there was no such wave and quite the opposite, SP reinstated an unusual amount of accounts on Cyber Monday. Too early to say a corner was turned but hard not to notice the contrast and truly does seem like they finally getting it.”

Thompson and Holt managing partner Craig Gedey admits he has been surprised by the situation. He explained: “In past years Amazon has thought little of suspending businesses online around this time of year, causing significant frustration to those affected.

“This year the numbers seem tiny in comparison, despite more businesses turning to Amazon as an outlet for sales. It is strange that the two moves seem to be heading in opposite directions. And what we have also seen at Thompson and Holt is an increase in the suspension of Amazon buyers who have got in touch with us.

“Whether it’s down to tweaks in Amazon’s own systems or something else isn’t clear yet, but people across the industry have certainly noticed a change. Suspensions are still happening though, and if you find yourself in that situation and unsure how to get back online as quickly as possible, then get in touch with our Thompson and Holt operatives.”

There has been an increase in Etsy suspensions.

"What we have seen is an increase in eBay and Etsy suspensions which is unusual. The common theme around the Etsy suspensions is that the sellers have ignored previous communications from the Etsy support team. It is imperative that Etsy sellers do not ignore correspondence from Etsy."

If you have found yourself suspended while selling on Amazon, contact Thompson and Holt for a free LiveChat to get your Seller business back online as quickly as possible.

Thompson and Holt are also offering a free months trial of their Monitor and Protect service to help sellers prevent a suspension of ASINs or an their account during the COVID pandemic, more information on how to protect your Amazon seller account from a suspension can be found here.