How to Write an Amazon Plan of Action?

The lucrative business of selling on Amazon can become a nightmare if Amazon suspends your seller account. The good news is that there is hope for reinstatement, even if your seller account does get suspended. In most cases, a seller account suspension is not permanent. Amazon requires you to submit a Plan of Action (POA) for reinstatement of your account. This POA is your chance to show Amazon that you are willing to comply with their policies and will not violate their terms of service.

A well-written plan of action can be the difference between reinstatement and a permanent ban from selling on Amazon.

Amazon does not provide any specific guidance on how to write a plan of action. It can be difficult to know where to start. This has led many Amazon sellers to get in touch with Buzz Byte to get their suspended listings and seller accounts reinstated.

If you are facing a suspension, it is important to act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your account will be permanently closed.

Amazon sellers must meet certain requirements, such as a low rate of order defects and negative feedback. If they do not meet these requirements, Amazon may take action, which could include suspending their account.

Reasons for Amazon seller account suspension:

There are several reasons for Amazon seller account suspensions. Amazon has strict policies and guidelines in place to maintain a fair and trustworthy marketplace for buyers and sellers. Violations of these Amazon seller policies can lead to account suspension. Here are some common reasons for Amazon seller account suspension:

1. Policy Violations:

   Sellers must adhere to Amazon’s policies and guidelines, which encompass various aspects including product listings, product condition, pricing, customer service, and shipping. Violations of these policies, such as listing prohibited items or engaging in manipulative practices, can result in account suspension.

2. Intellectual Property Infringement:

   Amazon may suspend a seller’s account if they sell any counterfeit or infringing products. Intellectual property rights include trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Sellers must ensure that they have the necessary rights and permissions to sell the products they offer.

3. Inauthentic or Counterfeit Products:

   Amazon strictly prohibits the sale of inauthentic or counterfeit products. If Amazon determines that a seller is selling counterfeit items or misrepresenting the authenticity of their products, they may suspend the seller’s account. Sellers should source products from reliable and authorized suppliers.

4. Performance Issues:

   Amazon closely monitors seller performance metrics. Amazon looks at how often sellers ship late, how many orders have defects, and how well sellers respond to customer inquiries. If a seller consistently fails to meet Amazon’s performance standards, Amazon may suspend their account. Sellers must keep up high standards to ensure a positive buying experience for customers.

5. Negative Customer Feedback:

   Excessive negative feedback or customer complaints can lead to account suspension. Amazon values customer satisfaction, and if a seller receives a significant number of negative reviews or unresolved complaints, it can trigger a suspension.

6. Manipulative Behavior:

   Amazon strictly prohibits sellers from engaging in manipulative practices to influence reviews, rankings, or sales performance. Examples include offering incentives for positive reviews, manipulating product rankings, or using fake accounts to manipulate sales. If Amazon detects such behavior, the seller’s account may be suspended.

7. Violation of Restricted Products Policies:

   Amazon has specific policies for selling certain products, such as alcohol, firearms, and hazardous materials. Sellers who violate these policies or fail to comply with legal and regulatory requirements may have their accounts suspended.

8. Multiple Accounts:

   Operating multiple seller accounts without Amazon’s permission is not allowed. If a seller is found to have multiple accounts, their primary account and all associated accounts may be suspended.

9. Dropshipping on Amazon:Dropshipping on Amazon is strictly prohibited if you get caught while doing dropshipping, Amazon will surely suspend your account as you are violating Amazon’s TOS. So, if is recommended to follow Amazon’s dropshipping policy.

How to prevent suspension:

Amazon holds sellers to high standards. Amazon may suspend the account of any seller who violates its policies. Here are some things you can do to prevent an account suspension:

• Read and follow Amazon’s policies: Amazon has a long list of policies that sellers must follow. These policies cover everything from product listings to customer service. It is important to read and understand these policies so that you can avoid violating them.
• Be proactive: If you have any concerns about compliance with Amazon’s policies, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and proactively reach out to Amazon Seller Support for assistance.
• Address any issues promptly: If you receive a warning from Amazon about a potential violation, take action immediately to address the issue. Do not wait until the problem escalates into a suspension.
• Be honest and transparent: If you do violate Amazon’s policies, be honest with Amazon Seller Support about what happened and draft a plan of action following what was the root cause, what actions you have taken and how you will manage it in future to avoid such policy violations.

Important Things for Amazon POA

• Be clear and concise:

  Your plan of action should be factual and to the point. Don’t waste time introducing your product, business, or customers. Instead, focus on the facts and events that led to the issue.
  Avoid using jargon or technical terms, and get to the point quickly. Never use emoticons in your plan of action.

• Be honest and transparent:

  Amazon wants to know the truth about what happened, so don’t try to sugarcoat things or make excuses. Be honest about what you did wrong, and explain why it happened.

• Be specific:

  Don’t just say that you will “do better.” Instead, be specific about the steps you will take to prevent the same issue from happening again.
  If you were suspended for selling counterfeit products, you could explain that you will only sell products from authorized distributors. This shows Amazon that you are committed to complying with its policies and providing a positive shopping experience for its customers.

• Be positive:

  Amazon wants to see that you are committed to selling on their platform. End your plan of action on a positive note, and express your enthusiasm for selling on Amazon.

• Explain all issues:

  Some account deactivations are caused by multiple problems. For example, a high order defect rate can be caused by negative feedback and undelivered orders. In your plan of action, you must explain the root cause of each problem.

• Provide supporting documents:

  Make sure to submit evidence for all of the products or ASINs that are under review. You can find the list of products at the bottom of your original notification. Be sure to check the time frame for the requisite documents which is usually the past 365 days.

• Highlight important areas in your evidence:

  Enhance the relevance of your response by actively circling or highlighting critical areas in your documents. These may include ASINs, supplier details such as name and website, or specific clauses in your terms and conditions.

• Keep it neat & clean:

  Keep your plan of action simple, precise, and factual. Write neatly using bullets or numbering instead of long paragraphs.

• Don’t do the blame game:

  Never blame the supplier, buyer, manager, employee, or anyone else. Swallow your pride and accept the fault. You would have to admit that you did commit a mistake even if you weren’t at fault.

Amazon POA: Dos & Don’ts

Do’s

• Express commitment to Amazon: Tell Amazon how much you love selling on their platform. This shows that you are committed to selling on Amazon and that you are willing to take steps to address the issue that led to your suspension.
• Provide concrete steps: Provide concrete steps in your Amazon Plan of Action addressing what went wrong with your seller account. This shows that you understand the issue and that you are taking steps to prevent it from happening again.
• Use concise language: Use bullets and numbers, not long paragraphs, to lay out your plan of action. This makes it easier for Amazon to read and understand your plan.
• Include an introduction: Begin with a concise introductory paragraph that immediately demonstrates your comprehensive understanding of the situation and highlights how you have already resolved it. This demonstrates your commitment to resolving the situation and getting back on track.
• Follow POA guidelines: Don’t ignore the basics of writing the plan of action. Make sure your POA is clear, concise, and specific.
• Address root causes: Ensure that the plan of action addresses each Root Cause in a specific manner. This shows that you understand the issue and that you are taking steps to prevent it from happening again.
• Nobody reads a long plan. Keep it short.

Don’ts

• Don’t rush: Never send an immediate response by clicking the “Appeal” button. Take some time to gather your thoughts and develop a plan of action.
• Don’t complain: Do not waste their time offering commentary about Amazon processes, bashing the slowness of their teams, or telling them how disappointed and heartbroken you are to have lost the account. This will not help your case.
• No Excuses: Never give them an excuse to rush past the core of your plan of action. Focus on the facts and on the steps you have taken to address the issue.
• Don’t use generic information: Avoid using generic information obtained from Seller Forums or Facebook. Amazon expects to see that you have invested time in comprehending the issue and have formulated a specific plan of action tailored to your situation. Never copy and submit an already used Plan of Action or a POA template from the internet
• Talk around the point: Be clear and concise about the issue and the steps you have taken to address it.
• No blame game: Don’t blame buyers. Amazon’s number one goal is to provide a reliable buyer experience. Blaming buyers will not help your case.
• Don’t write long: Do not write a long, rambling plan of action. Amazon wants to read a plan of action, not a novel.
• Don’t be emotional: Stay calm and professional. Keep your emotions out of your plan of action and focus on the facts.

Don’t give up: If your first appeal is denied, don’t give up. Learn from your mistakes and develop a newer and stronger plan of action. Buzz Byte can help you by providing an expert Amazon account reinstatement service.

Conclusion:

Amazon may reinstate a seller’s account if they accept a plan of action. However, sellers should be aware that reinstatement is not guaranteed. If a plan of action is denied, sellers may appeal the decision. Common reasons for suspension include policy violations, intellectual property infringement, performance issues, negative feedback, manipulative behavior, and multiple accounts. To avoid suspension, sellers should follow Amazon’s policies, promptly address issues, and be honest in their plan of action. Seeking expert assistance from Buzz Byte can help you. Buzz Byte offers professional reinstatement services.

You can submit your POA through the Amazon Seller Central portal or by emailing it to Amazon’s Plan of Action team. Once Amazon has reviewed your POA, they will provide feedback on their decision.