Brand owner is using the transparency program to eliminate competition. False product authenticity complaint.
On May 24th, we received a communication from Amazon saying the following:
‘’The product listed at the bottom of this email have been enrolled in the Transparency program by the brand owner (…) After June 23, 2024, units on the list that reach a fulfilment centre without a valid Transparency or serial number barcode cannot be sold and will be marked as ‘unfulfilable’ in Seller Central.’’
The brand owner did not label any product with transparency codes, nor did he provide codes to the authorized dealers or distributors. We thought we could send our remaining inventory (200 units) to FBA before the introduction of the transparency program on June 23, 2024. Our shipment FBA1822DPTZZ has checked in on June 18th before the transition date as stated in Amazon’s email. Therefore, we complied with Amazon’s request.
1) During inbound, even though the shipment was delivered on time, 74 units were marked as unfulfillable (seller defective for removal. We tried requesting additional information from Seller Support since we did not send inventory past the deadline. Seller Support answered with automated messages, not helpful at all. Is there a way to avoid paying the removal of 74 (or more) units from this inbound?
2) Following this notice of unfillable inventory, our account was subsequently flagged with a product authenticity complaint. Our product offer became inactive and 400 units already in FBA stock were put into ‘’reserved inventory’’.
It is important to note that the brand owner categorically refuses to provide transparency codes to any distributor or dealer as a way of creating a monopoly on Amazon. All the products delivered by our authorized dealer came without transparency code. It would not be a surprise if the product authenticity complaint was left by the brand owner. All other distributors also disappeared from the listing this week. The brand owner then raised its prices from 69,95$ to 78,99$ in the complete absence of competition.
Following this complaint, we sent an email to our authorized dealer, asking if they could request transparency codes to the brand owner. The brand owner refused to provide transparency codes to any dealer or distributor. The intent is clear : the brand owner is only labeling its own FBA units with transparency codes.
The transparency program has been introduced on Amazon to identify unauthentic products and removing them from the market, not for the creation of a monopoly. Amazon is allowing this abuse.
We tried appealing the authenticity complaint by providing invoices covering the last year of sales on Amazon, our supplier information, our buyer information, the Canadian company registry clearly showing the existence of our supplier, an email received from our supplier clearly proving that the brand owner is not collaborating to provide the transparency codes, screenshots of various Amazon emails with the deadline, proof that our shipment checked in on time, etc.
Despite everything, Amazon refuses to close the complaint and we can't sell out our remaining inventory.
During our last appeal, the ‘’account health team’’ said that they were ‘’unable to verify the supplier’s identity’’ but when I called them directly, the agent said that they did not find any missing information on my appeal that would prevent the reinstatement of the ASIN.
Will Amazon take action against misused and abuse of the transparency program? How can I appeal this false authenticity complaint?
Brand owner is using the transparency program to eliminate competition. False product authenticity complaint.
On May 24th, we received a communication from Amazon saying the following:
‘’The product listed at the bottom of this email have been enrolled in the Transparency program by the brand owner (…) After June 23, 2024, units on the list that reach a fulfilment centre without a valid Transparency or serial number barcode cannot be sold and will be marked as ‘unfulfilable’ in Seller Central.’’
The brand owner did not label any product with transparency codes, nor did he provide codes to the authorized dealers or distributors. We thought we could send our remaining inventory (200 units) to FBA before the introduction of the transparency program on June 23, 2024. Our shipment FBA1822DPTZZ has checked in on June 18th before the transition date as stated in Amazon’s email. Therefore, we complied with Amazon’s request.
1) During inbound, even though the shipment was delivered on time, 74 units were marked as unfulfillable (seller defective for removal. We tried requesting additional information from Seller Support since we did not send inventory past the deadline. Seller Support answered with automated messages, not helpful at all. Is there a way to avoid paying the removal of 74 (or more) units from this inbound?
2) Following this notice of unfillable inventory, our account was subsequently flagged with a product authenticity complaint. Our product offer became inactive and 400 units already in FBA stock were put into ‘’reserved inventory’’.
It is important to note that the brand owner categorically refuses to provide transparency codes to any distributor or dealer as a way of creating a monopoly on Amazon. All the products delivered by our authorized dealer came without transparency code. It would not be a surprise if the product authenticity complaint was left by the brand owner. All other distributors also disappeared from the listing this week. The brand owner then raised its prices from 69,95$ to 78,99$ in the complete absence of competition.
Following this complaint, we sent an email to our authorized dealer, asking if they could request transparency codes to the brand owner. The brand owner refused to provide transparency codes to any dealer or distributor. The intent is clear : the brand owner is only labeling its own FBA units with transparency codes.
The transparency program has been introduced on Amazon to identify unauthentic products and removing them from the market, not for the creation of a monopoly. Amazon is allowing this abuse.
We tried appealing the authenticity complaint by providing invoices covering the last year of sales on Amazon, our supplier information, our buyer information, the Canadian company registry clearly showing the existence of our supplier, an email received from our supplier clearly proving that the brand owner is not collaborating to provide the transparency codes, screenshots of various Amazon emails with the deadline, proof that our shipment checked in on time, etc.
Despite everything, Amazon refuses to close the complaint and we can't sell out our remaining inventory.
During our last appeal, the ‘’account health team’’ said that they were ‘’unable to verify the supplier’s identity’’ but when I called them directly, the agent said that they did not find any missing information on my appeal that would prevent the reinstatement of the ASIN.
Will Amazon take action against misused and abuse of the transparency program? How can I appeal this false authenticity complaint?
16 replies
Seller_xJx7vH6fvZFD9
@Lucre_Amzn
@Jurgen_Amazon
Can anyone help? Please.
Seller_ZP0Ol4gJanvQY
Clearly the brand owner doesn't want third party parties to sell their products on Amazon. That was the goal of the transparency program in the first place. Not sure why you would consider this an abuse? As brand owners they have the right to decide how their products are distributed and who is authorized to sell it. I would move to another product and find alternative channels to distribute the remaining stock.
Seller_WVRGljjwKOlpv
unfortunately, the brand owner just doesnt want any other seller to resell their brands on Amazon. Did the person you spoke with gave you solution?
Stevie_Amazon
Hey there @Outdoor_002,
Thanks so much for your patience as the moderating team and I work to reply here with further support. I hope this finds you well.
I understand you have questions regarding transparency codes and a product authenticity violation you received recently.
If a transparency code is missing, you will want to provide invoices which meet specific requirements. What should an invoice include? nvoices must include:
- A clearly displayed issue date within the past 365 days before the receipt of the performance notification.
- Quantity sufficient to cover your sales volumes for each ASIN cited in the performance notification over the past 365 days.
- Sales records for each of the ASIN associated with the policy violation. You may choose to highlight the specific product that you are appealing for, if the invoice has multiple different products bought on it.
- Product identifiers that are easy to understand. These can include product name, model number, or Universal Product Code (UPC) that can be validated online.
- Contact information of your supplier, including a name, phone number, address, and website. We won’t share this information with our retail team or other Amazon sellers.
- Other important considerations for your invoices:
- Any document you provide must be authentic and unaltered.
- You can remove pricing information from the invoices, but make sure that all other information is visible and clear.
- We might reach out to the supplier to verify your documents information and will always keep your suppliers’ information confidential.
- The invoice must be in PDFs (.pdf) or image files (.jpg, .png, or .gif) format.
- The invoice must document a completed and fulfilled transaction.
- Note on suppliers: Your supplier should have a strong web presence that can be verified through government resources such as business tax registration numbers, where applicable, or other credible third-party sources such as brand websites or business directories.
What is the reason for a missing transparency code in this case? If your supplier is an authorized dealer, then it goes to say that the products should have the transparency codes. This ensures a valid, verifiable supply chain which is what the team is looking to verify.
In regards to your concerns with the brand in question attempting to control the marketplace, feel free to provide this information in a dispute alongside all relevant proof or substantiating evidence. As the brand has chosen to protect their brand and the authenticity of their name, the transparency program exists to help them do so and they are within their rights to utilize this program.
All the best,
Stevie.
Seller_xJx7vH6fvZFD9
Hello,
The shipment ID that was sent, checked in and received before Amazon even sent us a communication regarding the transparency program is FBA181NMTBYX. 401 units are still in stock in reserved status (inactive) from this shipment or perhaps even more.
The transparency program states that any products received before the introduction of the transparency program is grandfathered, yet Amazon fails to respect this by restricting our entire inventory.
Could you please advise?
Thank you
