Counterfeit without a Test Buy - invoice from distributor rejected
Hello forum gurus and mods,
We received an IP claim for a product we purchased from a distributor which sell items from brands that allows us to sell on Amazon. We only purchased those brands as we do not have time for the none-sense cat and mouse chase from brands to get us off their listing etc.
Long story short, one of those brands decided that they do not want anyone selling on Amazon anymore and we received a "Counterfeit without a Test Buy" violation.
I got the indirect message to stop selling their stuff and I will return the inventory to the distributor but in the meantime, Amazon won't accept our invoice because the item doesn't match exactly the title on Amazon.
This is a bit odd, distributor invoices are not publicity lines with key words and product highlights...
I called Account health and the agent I spoke with told me that if I do not want to sell this item anymore, I can simply acknowledge the violation which will "resolve" the claim and this will not affect my account health.
I have a very hard time believing this... I'm also skeptical that if I go ahead and follow his suggestion, agree to the violation and then we get into trouble, then how can I defend myself. This feels like a cop telling you to confess and they'll go easy on you with minimal trouble, even if he knows you're innocent, or else it'll take 6 months to investigate and will cause you more trouble... This doesn't feel right.
I can understand that people doing RA/OA might have trouble with unclear receipts but we are providing a valid distributor invoice to prove that the product we sell is actually authentic.
Have anyone actually agreed to the violation and got their Health Score back?
Any thoughts on the suggestion of the agent?
Counterfeit without a Test Buy - invoice from distributor rejected
Hello forum gurus and mods,
We received an IP claim for a product we purchased from a distributor which sell items from brands that allows us to sell on Amazon. We only purchased those brands as we do not have time for the none-sense cat and mouse chase from brands to get us off their listing etc.
Long story short, one of those brands decided that they do not want anyone selling on Amazon anymore and we received a "Counterfeit without a Test Buy" violation.
I got the indirect message to stop selling their stuff and I will return the inventory to the distributor but in the meantime, Amazon won't accept our invoice because the item doesn't match exactly the title on Amazon.
This is a bit odd, distributor invoices are not publicity lines with key words and product highlights...
I called Account health and the agent I spoke with told me that if I do not want to sell this item anymore, I can simply acknowledge the violation which will "resolve" the claim and this will not affect my account health.
I have a very hard time believing this... I'm also skeptical that if I go ahead and follow his suggestion, agree to the violation and then we get into trouble, then how can I defend myself. This feels like a cop telling you to confess and they'll go easy on you with minimal trouble, even if he knows you're innocent, or else it'll take 6 months to investigate and will cause you more trouble... This doesn't feel right.
I can understand that people doing RA/OA might have trouble with unclear receipts but we are providing a valid distributor invoice to prove that the product we sell is actually authentic.
Have anyone actually agreed to the violation and got their Health Score back?
Any thoughts on the suggestion of the agent?
5 replies
Seller_iobipI6xASRkh
Yes, I have agreed to the violation and it goes away but the listing remains deactivated.
This does not mean it will happen with you. Mine were bundles where it was words not allowed in the category. Easier to just accept and delete than fight.
You can do this while on the phone with account health so if there is an issue they can address it immediately, as they are the one advising you to do this.
Also, invoices with a matching UPC work, I have to highlight the UPC sometimes to clearly show where it is the same item.
Stevie_Amazon
Greetings @Seller_WxMKrmX1m17YJ,
I hope this finds you well! I do apologize for the delay in response times here; however, I greatly appreciate your patience!
I understand you have received an intellectual propertycomplaint from a rights owner about the authenticity of the product you have offered for sale.
In particular, this is a "counterfeit without a test buy" violation. Typically, this means the rights owner does not recognize you as someone they have sold their products to before. Alternatively, if you did not purchase your supply from the brand or rights owner directly then it could be the rights owner wanting to verify your supply chain and validate your supplier as someone they have authorized to sell their products.
Do those invoices meet all other requirements present on the responsible sourcing documentation page? As the title is not directly reflecting the item as it does in the product detail page, are there any other identifying numbers, codes, or information you have to submit alongside of the invoices you have?
It is also important to consider from where you purchased these products- are they an authorized distributor for the brand? Is there anyway the supplier can provide that information to you, as proof that these items are authentic?
I do not recommend doing this, as the review team is only looking for the information requested. The appeal button will route this information for the appropriate ASIN.
What is the description on the invoice? What is the title of the item?
I look forward to supporting you here, so feel free to reply and even ask more questions so we can work toward a solution together.
All the best,
Stevie.
