This is a continuation of an ongoing series of Amazon Seller Performance Related information.

The goal of these articles is to try our best to avoid compliance issues and best deal with them when we do get into trouble.

1. “PQ-assessment” emails are normally just a request for invoices. If you didn’t sell any items against that ASIN, they are not making a mistake. They are probing and poking to test if your items are authentic. This can be done for any number of reasons, but normally it’s a new account selling name brands.

2. If you do not purchase Rayban from Luxottica, it’s close to impossible to be approved to sell Rayban. It’s gated unless you buy from an authorized supplier. Name brand sunglasses are hard to sell on Amazon these days.

3. Sellers are being cited for listing items they are not approved for. This can happen if posting via a feed or against an ASIN that is listed under a misspelled brand name. Please avoid this.

4. Please be careful that all documents your source provides you with are not forged or manipulated. If you submit a document deemed forged or manipulated, it makes no difference if you did it or your source. If your supplier provides you with a doctored safety document, you will be held responsible.

5. Amazon keeps changing the application requirements for Topicals and has made it much more difficult since the last post. Strange things are happening with Topical approvals.

6. A few sellers have informed me that Amazon Lending froze his inventory during a suspension.

7. It’s now easier to locate return reasons in SC. Go to inventory planning>manage FBA returns. This change is critical. This makes it easier than ever to locate and fix or remove “a headache” item I have spoken about in the past

8. Many sellers are getting suspended for using wording that’s considered review manipulation. Amazon does not allow any language in feedback solicitation or messaging that persuades buyers to leave a positive product review. Even asking a buyer to leave a review “if you’re satisfied,” is 100% against TOS. It is important to make sure to check your email for notifications. Some responses from various performance teams do not show up in the notification tab.

9. If you are approved for Hazmat, Amazon has recently been lowering the allotted units on seller’s accounts. Its important to max out the allotted units or they lower the amount on your account. If they do that, open a case and explain why you need the limit increased.

10. “Your units had issues related to the item barcode which caused disposal of your inventory. The shipment was labeled by you, your supplier or your manufacturer. Proper labels are required for inventory to be received at Amazon’s fulfillment centers.” This is new.

Ed Rosenberg (to join ASGTG Sellers Group email [email protected] / asgtg.com)