HELP amazon is putting me auto decline for Kohler brand and I can't get ungated
So I am a first time amazon seller and I am having the worst experience as a seller with this company and customer support is horrible. I have applied for Kohler and the first email said that under revision it was declined because of the invoice. So i thought hmmmm I purchased this directly through Kohler manufacturer so how does this not work??? Then I decided to try a different product through Ferguson aka Build.com which provided me with an invoice as well when I asked for it. Nope this declined as well with no reason. So I tested to see if there was an issue with the invoice or just amazon and after 3 minutes of putting in an application...poof DECLINED. Every time. Customer support is lying to me too...they aren't sending in my disputes and the information they provide is No you can't talk to the Internal Team...no they don't have an available time...and try submitting another application??? I can't...I literally can't submit anything for the Kohler brand. No human is actually looking at my stuff. How do I get past this situation? I purchased a pallet of new products over a month ago and half of them have Kohler products on them. I can't even sell them because I keep running into this application issue and no one is giving real advice. I feel like the Internal Team doesn't even exist at this point. I have $4000 worth of product I can't even sell. I could sell them on different platforms but I'm trying to build up my new business through amazon because of the traffic flow. Can anyone help me get out of this auto decline situation?
HELP amazon is putting me auto decline for Kohler brand and I can't get ungated
So I am a first time amazon seller and I am having the worst experience as a seller with this company and customer support is horrible. I have applied for Kohler and the first email said that under revision it was declined because of the invoice. So i thought hmmmm I purchased this directly through Kohler manufacturer so how does this not work??? Then I decided to try a different product through Ferguson aka Build.com which provided me with an invoice as well when I asked for it. Nope this declined as well with no reason. So I tested to see if there was an issue with the invoice or just amazon and after 3 minutes of putting in an application...poof DECLINED. Every time. Customer support is lying to me too...they aren't sending in my disputes and the information they provide is No you can't talk to the Internal Team...no they don't have an available time...and try submitting another application??? I can't...I literally can't submit anything for the Kohler brand. No human is actually looking at my stuff. How do I get past this situation? I purchased a pallet of new products over a month ago and half of them have Kohler products on them. I can't even sell them because I keep running into this application issue and no one is giving real advice. I feel like the Internal Team doesn't even exist at this point. I have $4000 worth of product I can't even sell. I could sell them on different platforms but I'm trying to build up my new business through amazon because of the traffic flow. Can anyone help me get out of this auto decline situation?
8 replies
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
It appears your "invoices" aren't acceptable to Amazon. Are they invoices or proformas or receipts?
To sell most any brand on Amazon, you have to have explicit permission from the brand itself.
Seller_3wzBczgcWe0Ch
The problem is likely you being a first time/new seller. Your account will be scrutinized for a while. Another issue may be your sourcing. Being a new seller along with attempting to list items that you got from an outfit that sells pallets of mixed merchandise could cause your roadblocks.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
When you bought directly from Kohler, did you do so as a wholesale transaction? (did they require your Business/Resale license number?). Did you complete the transaction with the understanding that you wanted to sell these items on Amazon?
If "No" to either of these questions, that should explain what the problem is. Without permission from Kohler, you will likely not be able to sell their products on Amazon.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
You are mistaken. You most certainly need permission to sell branded items, especially those with warranties. Retail purchases come with a receipt, not an invoice, and are not intended for resale. They are intended for end users. Receipts do not prove any "chain of custody" to verify authenticity, in any cases of complaint.
I'm not familiar with the terms for Kohler, but many brands will honor warranties as long as the item is purchase from an "authorized retailer". If you are not an authorized retailer, this would mean that the items you are selling are without warranty; therefore they are not "New" by Amazon standards. If you sold your Kohler items as "New", and someone bought from you, then sought warranty repair/replacement from Kohler, they would be denied. So of course they would be upset at you; although many would think that the problem is Amazon, which is why Amazon wants to prevent these issues.
Amazon assumes (often incorrectly) that you are a legitimate business, authorized to conduct the business that you are representing. Only after they are notified of an issue do they take action. It is the responsibility of the business to ensure that they are following all appropriate policies and rules.
Cooper_Amazon
Good Evening @Seller_2LQIVQb4SgGC3, it looks like you were able to get some guidance from our seasoned sellers here on the forums.
If any of their replies helped you, feel free to mark it as “Most Helpful reply” using the 3 dots in the corner of their post. This helps other sellers find the answer to your question at the top of the post just in case they find themselves in a similar situation.
If you have a Selling Partner Support case ID (which it sounds like you might), I can begin investigating the issue more thoroughly.
I'd also advise to review the products that require approval Seller Central help page in addition to our Seller University resource that addresses Guidelines to source products to sell on Amazon and Invoice requirements for when you apply to sell.
Please let us know if we can further assist. Have a wonderful rest of the week. Sincerely, Cooper_Amazon
