Hello @Roberto_Amazon @Daryl_Amazon @Lucre_Amzn @Jurgen_Amazon

I am writing as a concerned (and quite frustrated) seller who has witnessed blatant manipulation of product reviews through illegitimate variation groupings by another seller. This dishonest practice not only misleads customers but also creates an unfair competitive advantage for unscrupulous sellers. I’ve attempted to report this issue multiple times (Case IDs: 17306344811, 17294405411, 17283861191, 17275144981), yet the same automated response states that Amazon “does not see a violation.”

ASINs Involved in the Fake Variation

1. B07Z7HGH94 – Cartridge Replacement for Brother TN760
2. B0B9BQWXKL – Cartridge Replacement for HP 201X
3. B071VV1F2V – Cartridge Replacement for Canon 131
4. B07XT3LHHH – Cartridge Replacement for Canon 131
5. B08NDHQ3D4 – Cartridge Replacement for Brother TN660
6. B0855HR86P – Cartridge Replacement for Canon 118
7. B09MHTF3CJ – Cartridge Replacement for Brother TN850
8. B07239S9NW – Cartridge Replacement for HP 83A

According to Amazon’s Customer Product Reviews Policies, creating a variation to manipulate reviews is strictly prohibited. Variation relationships are only allowed for products that are functionally identical and differ only in a key aspect (e.g., color or size). These eight ASINs are for different manufacturers’ printers (Brother, HP, and Canon), each compatible with completely different printer models. They are not color variations of the same item—this is clear review manipulation.

By merging these unrelated products into one “variation family,” the seller unfairly aggregates ratings and reviews, artificially boosting product stars. This practice misleads customers into believing they are purchasing a highly rated item that may have little to do with the reviews they see. It damages customer trust and disadvantages honest sellers who follow the rules.

I have repeatedly submitted detailed reports via the Report Abuse form, only to receive the same canned response stating no violation has been identified. This is perplexing given the blatant mismatch in product functionality and target use. How can products meant for totally different printer brands be considered mere “color variations”?

I ask Amazon to thoroughly investigate these eight ASINs and the seller listing them as variations.

This kind of unethical behavior should not be tolerated on a marketplace that prides itself on customer-centric values. Allowing fraudulent listings to persist only encourages further misconduct and harms the overall integrity of the Amazon platform. I strongly urge Amazon to step up, take decisive action, and prevent future abuse.

Other honest sellers, if you have encountered similar issues, please add your voice here. Only by collectively calling out these violations can we hope to maintain a fair and trustworthy marketplace.