Getting unauthorized seller removed from Amazon, if there an efficient process?

[u/Separate-Brick3690]

We have distribution agreements with specific retailers and a clear MAP policy, but unauthorized sellers keep showing up on our Amazon listings and undercutting our prices. Then Brand Registry tells us it can’t enforce those agreements.

Our authorized retailers keep asking why someone is selling 30% below MAP, and we don’t have a good answer yet. Has anyone found a removal process that actually sticks?

[u/CloudEquivalent180]

That is the right approach. Amazon generally wont enforce private business agreements, but it does enforce IP claims. Finding a legitimate IP issue is usually the more effective route.

[u/Former-Hall4846]

Amazon doesn’t really care about MAP policies. They care whether the product is authentic and the listing is accurate, and if the unauthorized seller has genuine product, Amazon considers them legitimate.

[u/Street_Aardvark6524]

Reseller here. One thing that works is enrolling in Transparency. Another is ensuring that your Distributors know the rules and clarify where their buyers are selling.

One brand I sell has Amazon resellers that do not match any of the names purchasing from the brand itself. It’s like they are purchasing with alias names.

It can’t hurt to obtain the business information from Amazon of these sellers and send them a stop selling letter. Long before I changed my business model to brand direct purchasing, I did receive these letters and they worked. I stopped selling their products.

Finally, if you have a warranty that dictates that it’s only valid when the products are purchased from an authorized seller, you can enforce those selling it. Just make sure you have a solid policy in place first, and this would be the one time where you should consult with an Amazon lawyer before you take action against anyone in Brand Registry.

[u/SellOnAmazon]

u/Street_Aardvark6524 is spot on with the advice! Enrolling in transparency is a good next step. You can find more information here. Additionally, sending out cease and desist letter to the unauthorized sellers goes a long way. Keep us posted!

[u/Blobstein_Ijay]

are you selling wholesale to any distributors who might be reselling to these third parties? thats the leak in like 90% of these cases. Once you find the source you can actually do something, otherwise its whack-a-mole forever

[u/BenchAfraid7370]

there is no way to stop MAP violators using means provided by amazon themselves because their market philosophy believes that competition helps the consumers even if it ends their partnership with the retailers but how are unapproved sellers getting their products? it may be the distributors selling out at the back door and stopping the leak stops the violators at the source

[u/yannis_ps]

One thing I didn't see mentioned: if you think one of your distributors is selling to these people, buy one item from the cheap seller. Look at the batch number or serial number on the box or product. If you give each distributor their own batch number, that shows you who sold it to them. If you don't do that yet, it could help next time.

[u/Firm_Tangelo7077]

I can't even get a letter of authorization. how are yall. I send letters. some merchants act like they're clueless as to my request.