What Cases Does an Amazon Seller Lawyer Handle?
Amazon seller lawyers are capable of handling any issue that an online merchant can face. These issues are challenges that the business cannot resolve on their own.
Amazon is a large corporation backed by a legal machine. When a claim is placed against a seller who feels they have not broken any rules it can create a David vs. Goliath fear.
Your Amazon seller attorney can assist you with these common issues that Amazon business owners and retailers experience.
Amazon account suspension is one of the fastest-growing problems marketplace sellers are facing. In an attempt to crack down on bad players, Amazon as started suspending accounts as a form of punishment.
Unfortunately, accounts that have not engaged in deceptive practices are being impacted. In some instances, the bad player has caused the action on an unsuspecting competitor.
If your account is suspended Amazon may allow you to appeal the decision. It is important to respond methodically and persuasively because you stand to permanently lose your selling account if the issue is not resolved.
Intellectual property includes copyright, trademark, and patent infringement. If there is a claim that you have infringed on someone’s content or product rights not only will your account be suspended but the owner of the intellectual property can file a legal claim.
If you are the true owner of the intellectual property it can be a quick fix. Simply provide your lawyer with the proper documentation and they will do the rest.
Competitor Disputes
Competitor disputes can run the gamut. These disputes arise when a competitor accuses another seller of improprieties. There is a list of infractions that can fall under this category.
Someone can file a claim stating that you’ve hacked their account and changed the information on their products. This includes prices, titles, and descriptions.
Other disputes arise from fake ratings and reviews. If someone provides proof that a competitor is participating in behaviors to lower the rankings and taint their image, Amazon will take action.
Counterfeit Claims
These claims are when the product received does not match the item described. For example, a seller is marketing a red polo-style shirt manufactured by a particular brand. They list the item as being 100% cotton and made in the USA. When the customer receives the order, they get a red polo-style shirt by a company in China that is 50% cotton and 50% polyester.
This is a misrepresentation of the product. The customer can return it for a refund or replacement. If Amazon sees a trend it will raise a red flag and they will deal with the problem immediately.
Customer Disputes
When it comes to customer disputes Amazon is put in a bad spot. Because they provide customer service under the FBA plan, too many complaints about a particular seller are bad for business.
Amazon is its own brand and they have to protect it. If a seller does not address the issues that buyers are presenting, it is grounds for suspension.
Common complaints include not receiving the product that was advertised, receiving damaged merchandise, and used merchandise sold-as-new.
Reseller MAP Pricing
MAP stands for Minimum Advertised Pricing. When someone becomes a reseller, they must abide by guidelines set by the manufacturer. One of the guidelines is a set minimum price that indicates the lowest amount their merchandise can be advertised for.
This eliminates a pricing war if more than one reseller is offering the same product on a platform like Amazon.
Although Amazon is not likely to flag your account for MAP pricing violations the brand or manufacturer can. When this happens your Amazon seller attorney can represent you in the dispute.
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