Seller Performance Solutions
136 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsThis is the definitive podcast that covers performance and policy teams from the perspective of a former Seller Performance team member, and former Amazon employee Chris McCabe. Leah McHugh nails down analysis of listing compliance violations and presents viable solutions to troubleshoot product takedowns.
We created Seller Performance Solutions to help sellers better understand the inner workings of the team I worked on at Amazon, and to help 3rd party marketplace sellers cope with account and listing suspensions. We answer questions around things like, How does Seller Performance investigate a seller before taking them down? What do they need to see in an appeal, to reactivate the account for future selling? What are common mistakes that sellers make trying to get reinstated on Amazon?
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Episodes
If you can't dispute, you can't reinstate
April 18, 2024 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBRecently, there's been a significant uptick in suspensions on Amazon due to ASIN creation misuse, notably without the option for sellers to submit a plan of action, only allowing for disputes if Amazon made an error. This change marks a pivotal shift in how Amazon handles policy violations, particularly concerning ASIN variation misuse. In this episode, Chris and Leah explore the nuances of these policy changes and how they affect sellers, especially those previously warned about potential vi...
Navigating Price Changes on Amazon with AZSellerKit
March 28, 2024 15:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBIn the competitive world of Amazon selling, pricing strategies emerge as a critical factor that can significantly influence a seller's success. Companies like AZSellerKit are leading the way in offering sophisticated solutions that address these challenges head-on. In this episode, Chris McCabe & Jason Hasan from AZSellerkit discuss the challenges of pricing in an ever-evolving marketplace, the impact of Amazon's fees on seller margins, and strategies to stay profitable amidst rising adverti...
How to Fix Variations Not Merging Reviews
March 21, 2024 15:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBAmazon sellers are constantly navigating through a maze of challenges to ensure their products stand out on the platform. One issue consistently resurfaces to perplex and frustrate sellers: ASIN variation families and their seemingly mysterious behaviors, especially when it comes to merging reviews. In this episode, Chris McCabe & Leah McHugh delve into the perplexing issue of ASIN variation families not merging reviews as they should while also unpacking the nuanced difficulties sellers face...
AI vs The People
March 14, 2024 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBAs online marketplaces evolve, the reliance on automated systems for compliance and product listing management has grown exponentially. Yet, this technological advance brings its own set of challenges. Sellers find themselves at the mercy of algorithms that, while efficient, can sometimes miss the mark. In this episode, Chris & Leah dive into the strategies that successful sellers are employing to not just cope with but thrive amidst these unprecedented challenges.
Takeways from Prosper 2024
March 07, 2024 16:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBThe Prosper Show 2024 in Las Vegas served as a melting pot for Amazon sellers, brand owners, and industry experts, coming together to exchange knowledge, strategies, and experiences in navigating the Amazon marketplace. In this episode, Chris and Leah shed light on the pivotal conversations and think tank sessions that took place, focusing on the challenges and innovative solutions proposed by sellers and brand owners.
How to dispute restricted products with Seller Performance
February 29, 2024 18:52 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBCompliance on Amazon has always been a challenge. But lately, sellers are facing a new trend: restricted product suspensions morphing into full-blown account suspensions, leaving many sellers wondering, what's the deal with these sudden shifts in Amazon's enforcement tactics? In this episode, Chris and Leah dissect the intricacies of product restrictions and the uphill battle of disputing them.
You aren't authorized to sell your own brand
February 15, 2024 16:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAmazon sellers are encountering an increasing array of challenges when it comes to listing and selling their own products. A rising trend has been observed where sellers, despite being brand owners, are facing restrictions and even deactivations for products they rightfully own. In this episode, Chris and Leah dissect the confusing messages from Amazon, the hurdles in product compliance, and the baffling interactions with Account Health Services.
When Amazon Sellers Should be Scared
February 08, 2024 16:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBIt's time to debunk the prevalent myth of effortless success on Amazon. The misleading allure of quick gains can often overshadow the importance of building a sustainable and compliant business. The truth is, focusing solely on sales and neglecting the operational and compliance aspects of selling can lead to detrimental consequences. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the critical aspects of compliance, policy awareness, and the potential risks that lie beneath the surface of the fac...
Do Your Job
February 01, 2024 16:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBOne pressing issue currently surfacing is the increased difficulty in dealing with account health services. Many sellers have expressed frustration, highlighting a trend of receiving unhelpful, conflicting, or even rude responses from representatives. In this episode, Chris & Leah delve into the growing frustration among Amazon sellers regarding these unpleasant experiences & practical strategies to effectively navigate them.
Consultants Make Mistakes Too
January 25, 2024 16:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBRecently, there has been a growing concern over the mistakes made by consultants in the Amazon space, leading to significant financial losses, wasted time, and increased difficulties in resolving issues. In this episode, Chris and Leah provide insights into how sellers can effectively vet and collaborate with consultants, ensuring that they make informed decisions and avoid costly errors.
Losing the Buy Box to Wrong Competitive External Prices
January 11, 2024 16:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBThe start of 2024 has brought to light an intriguing issue for Amazon sellers: the flawed operation of Amazon's pricing algorithms. These algorithms, originally designed to match products with competitive external prices, are causing considerable challenges for sellers due to erroneous product matches In this episode, Chris and Leah explore how these algorithmic errors can lead to sellers losing the coveted 'buy box', and examine the broader implications on fair pricing policies and seller s...
Important Updates for 2024
January 04, 2024 14:33 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBAs we begin 2024, we look back on the most popular topics discussed in the last year. Amazon experts Leah McHugh and Chris McCabe provide important updates for sellers and predict what they can expect to see this year.
When Amazon AI goes Wrong
December 28, 2023 16:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThe increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) by major platforms like Amazon has introduced a series of complications, particularly in product categorization and compliance. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the intricate world of AI-driven recategorization on Amazon, exploring how products are often incorrectly classified, the consequent compliance triggers, and the impacts these errors have on sellers.
Reporting Abusive ASIN Merges
December 21, 2023 16:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBASIN merges, a technique initially used for legitimate catalog management, have evolved into a tactic used to manipulate product listings. In this episode, Chris & Leah unravel the intricacies of ASIN merges, highlighting the ethical and practical implications for the online marketplace and shed light on the difficulties sellers face in reporting such abuses.
What do you do when Amazon Forgets that you're Reinstated?
December 07, 2023 16:00 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBIn this chaotic final quarter of 2023, sellers are facing an unprecedented challenge with immediate resuspensions following reinstatements. Despite being recently reinstated, many wake up to find their listings suspended yet again, a problem that seems to be intensifying. In this episode, Chris and Leah will not only shed light on these occurrences but also explore the response (or lack thereof) from support teams, the ineffectiveness of traditional escalation processes, and the strategies se...
The Consequences of Bad Legal Advice
November 30, 2023 15:30 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBThe legalities of the Amazon marketplace are perplexing and have become increasingly challenging for sellers to navigate. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the nuances of Amazon’s policies, the risks of improper legal representation, and the importance of specialized legal advice in certain areas, while offering insights into avoiding brand registry revocations and compliance blunders.
Why is my product flagged as a pesticide?
November 16, 2023 15:30 - 12 minutesThere’s a lot of confusion around the seller community and in the general public about what exactly a pesticide is. Most people tend to think of chemical pesticides, but those are not the only types of pesticides. Often sellers are selling pesticides without even realizing it, due to the claims they are making. Or, especially during busy sales periods, their products are flagged as pesticides due to an attack from a competitor. In this episode, Leah McHugh talks about what pesticides are, h...
Bulletproof Your Amazon Listings Against Suspensions & Defect Claims in Q4
November 09, 2023 16:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBRecently, there’s been a noticeable uptick in listing suspensions particularly related to condition complaints—damaged, defective, used sold as new— triggering a flurry of suspension notifications. In this episode, Chris and Leah examine the murky waters of these suspension notifications exacerbated by the chaotic frenzy of this busy sales period.
Submitting Amazon's Appeal Form Can Hurt Your Account
November 02, 2023 15:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBWhen engaging with Amazon's Seller Performance team, sellers must tread carefully. One pitfall many fall into is the checkbox appeals. While these forms might seem like a quick fix for sellers who find themselves in hot water, hastily clicking through them without understanding the full implications can lead to even bigger issues. In this episode Chris and Leah unpack the intricacies of checkbox appeals and offer advice on how to navigate them effectively.
Questions you need to ask before using Supply Chain by Amazon
October 26, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBAmazon has recently introduced a service called "Supply Chain by Amazon." The program is Amazon's expansion into the logistics sector, aiming to provide more comprehensive warehousing and multi-channel fulfillment options to sellers. In this episode, Chris & Leah address key concerns surrounding this initiative, such as the potential impact on Amazon sellers and the practicality of using Amazon for logistics.
Please provide evidence that you did not violate policy
October 19, 2023 15:00 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBOne of the pressing concerns for sellers in the Amazon ecosystem is the nuanced policy enforcement trends, especially in a peak selling season like Q4. In this episode, Chris and Leah McHugh dive deep into the convoluted world of Amazon policy enforcement, shedding light on strategies for effectively navigating the murky waters of Amazon compliance requirements.
Navigating Amazon Misinformation & Understanding Policy Compliance
October 12, 2023 15:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBIt's essential for Amazon sellers to understand the risks of following misguided or outdated advice. In this episode Chris and Leah unravel the enigma of advice from various Amazon teams, dissect the disparity between policies and practice, and emphasize the crucial responsibility sellers have in understanding Amazon's policies themselves
Why Optimization Hacks Don’t Work, and What you Should do Instead
October 05, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBPrime Day is a highly anticipated event for Amazon sellers, but it's essential to approach it strategically to ensure long-term success on the platform. In this episode, Chris and Leah talk with Emma Schirmer Tamir, founder of Marketing by Emma, who shares valuable insights on how to make the most of Prime Day while avoiding shortcuts or hacks that could jeopardize your business.
The FTC says Amazon is a Monopoly- What that Means for Sellers
September 28, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBYesterday the FTC along with 17 states initiated a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the e-commerce giant of exploiting its marketplace dominance to artificially raise prices both on and off its platform, impose excessive charges on sellers, and suppress competitive practices. In this episode, Chris McCabe and Leah McHugh analyze the repercussions this FTC lawsuit could have on sellers and consumers.
Preparing for Peak Season with Uncapped
September 21, 2023 15:00 - 9 minutes - 8.38 MBThe topic of accessing funds is crucial, especially as many sellers are gearing up for the bustling Q4 and the upcoming Prime Day. In this episode, Leah and Piotr discuss the secrets to maintaining liquidity, optimizing inventory, and securing flexible funding options for your business to ensure a prosperous Q4.
Dealing with Attacks as we head into Q4
August 31, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBQ4 in the ecommerce world is a period of intense competition, especially on the Amazon marketplace. With increased sales opportunities, it's also the time where brands face a heightened risk of attacks from competitors using black hat tactics. From fake negative reviews to counterfeit claims, businesses need to be vigilant against these unscrupulous strategies that can damage their reputation and sales. In this episode, Chris and Leah dive deep into the current landscape of these attacks, the...
Navigating GS1 Standards to Safeguard Your Brand and Conquer Marketplace Challenges
August 17, 2023 15:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBGS1 plays a pivotal role in global commerce by providing standardized identification solutions like UPC barcodes that ensure product authenticity, streamline supply chains, and enable accurate transactions for businesses and consumers alike. In this episode, Leah and Michelle Covey from GS1 US delve into how GS1 facilitates product identification for Amazon sellers, ensuring genuine and verified product listings, while also exploring the broader applications of GS1 standards in optimizing s...
Relisting is Not an Option
August 10, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBStrategies to boost sales and maintain product visibility are constantly evolving on Amazon, but there's been a concerning trend of consultants offering to relist suspended listings under the guise of reinstatement. Many sellers, desperate to restore their listings, have fallen victim to agencies, services, or consultants exploiting loopholes in Amazon's system, falsely promising to reinstate listings while bypassing the root cause of the suspension. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into...
What Is and Isn't an Escalation?
July 27, 2023 15:00 - 11 minutes - 11 MBOne of the most critical aspects of handling Amazon seller performance challenges is escalations. It's your best bet at resolution when Amazon's teams aren't reviewing your appeal or issue properly. In this episode, Chris and Leah share insights into what constitutes a proper escalation and how to avoid common mistakes when seeking assistance from Amazon.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table with Yoni Mazor
July 20, 2023 15:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBGone are the days of quick hacks and shortcuts. Today, it's all about crafting a unique and differentiated experience that resonates with your target audience. Yoni Mazor joins Leah and Chris to explore the strategies needed to optimize your business for brand growth & to discuss why Seller Velocity is a game-changing conference for Amazon sellers.
You're Only as Good as Your Worst Supplier
July 13, 2023 15:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBA wave of Amazon sellers have been suspended from the platform for unintentionally selling stolen goods. The sellers in question were unaware of their suppliers' illicit activities. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss how Amazon handles such cases and the importance of knowing your supplier, conducting due diligence, and taking responsibility for business decisions.
New Rules for Reviews
July 06, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBThe recent FTC announcement proposed rules that aim to eliminate practices such as fake reviews, review hijacking, buying positive or negative reviews, and illegal review suppression. While some of these practices are already against Amazon's policies, the FTC's proposed rules provide further clarification and emphasize their stance on the matter. In this episode, Chris and Leah raise questions about Amazon's commitment to addressing these issues, especially given the FTC's scrutiny and the ...
Protect Yourself for Prime Day
June 29, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBPrime day is right around the corner, which means Amazon sellers need to be preparing themselves for the worst. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the crucial aspects of safeguarding your listings and account from both competitor attacks and non-compliant practices that may lead to restrictions.
Don't Keep Waiting for Amazon Teams to Get Back to You
June 22, 2023 15:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBMany sellers have been told to wait for a response from Amazon, but waiting indefinitely may not be the best strategy. It's important to be proactive and ensure your concerns are addressed promptly, as every moment wasted can mean more money lost. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the drawbacks of waiting for extended periods while receiving the same generic responses or no response at all, and what you need to do instead.
Should you Give Amazon your Manufacturer Info?
June 15, 2023 15:00 - 10 minutes - 9.74 MBAmazon's requirements can often perplex sellers, and one common area of confusion lies in the sharing of manufacturer information. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into what information Amazon requires and shed light on the situations where it should be provided.
What you Need on Your Invoices
June 08, 2023 15:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBInvoice verification can be tricky business on Amazon. In this episode, Leah and Chris discuss the challenges faced by sellers when presenting invoices to Amazon and the mysterious knee-jerk rejections that leave them questioning if anyone is actually reviewing their documents. Are automation and poorly written AI to blame, or is there more to this puzzle?
Just Because you Can, Doesn't Mean that you Should
June 01, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBIn the fast-paced world of e-commerce, it's easy to get caught up in the desire for quick success and immediate results. Shortcuts or hacks that promise to boost sales or game the system are rampant. In this episode, Chris and Leah delve into the often overlooked consequences and long-term implications of these quick fixes.
INFORM Consumers Act: What You Need to Know
May 25, 2023 15:00 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBCongress recently passed the INFORM Consumers Act, going into effect June 27th. What does this mean for Amazon sellers? In this episode, Chris and Leah give an overview on what this bill entails, who it affects, and how it may affect your business operations in the near future.
Document Your Relationships
May 12, 2023 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBDocumenting relationships is a crucial step when selling on Amazon that too many sellers skip. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss how sellers can find themselves suspended for being associated with a suspended account and explore the importance of reinstatement through proper documentation. From business partners and third-party services to agencies and past connections, it is essential to have comprehensive contracts that accurately document these relationships.
Correcting Listing Content When Your ASIN is Restricted
May 05, 2023 15:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBMaximizing your success as an Amazon seller requires maneuvering through the complexities of listing corrections and suspensions. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss how to navigate these complexities to minimize any negative impacts on your sales and reputation on the platform.
The Dark Side of Infringement Complaints
April 27, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBFalse infringement claims can lead to serious consequences and may even result in legal action. In this episode, Chris and Leah discuss the negative consequences making erroneous infringement claims can have on your account and the long term damage that can result.
72 Hours
March 30, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBHave you gotten the dreaded 72 hr warning from Amazon Account Health Services? In this Episode, Chris and Leah discuss the implications of this warning for your account and what you need to do so that you don't end up getting stuck with a suspension.
Extreme ASIN Merging
March 23, 2023 15:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBQuestion from an Amazon Seller: How should sellers approach the 'extreme merging' of a lot of ASINs together (which results in a single ASIN with a whole group of UPC's)? Who is doing the merging? Why is it happening? Are these UPC's/GTIN's etc. all legitimate? Are they all in fact the same product? Is the listing tainted? In this episode Chris and Leah dissect the issue of merging product listings and best practices for Amazon Sellers.
Selling on Amazon Japan with Gary Huang
March 02, 2023 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBFor Amazon sellers, expanding into international marketplaces is a significant and indispensable step for the growth of your business. In this episode, we discuss with Gary Huang, who is known for organizing the Seven Figure Seller Mastermind Conference taking place in Tokyo on April 4th and 5th, about the complexities involved in expanding into other regional marketplaces, and why it is crucial for Amazon sellers to consider Japan as a rising player in the market.
Growing Your Brand on Amaozn with Daniel Fernandez
February 23, 2023 16:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBWhether you're just starting out or looking to take your brand to the next level on Amazon, it's vital for you to understand your potential pain points and how to alleviate them. In this episode, Chris and Leah speak with Daniel Fernandez from AMZ Clever, an amazon seller turned agency owner who has helped numerous private label brands achieve success on Amazon.
Is All Your Inventory Defective?
February 16, 2023 16:00 - 12 minutes - 11 MBThere's been a recent increase in Amazon sellers experiencing their inventory being declared defective and unsellable, resulting in sellers suddenly having thousands of units detained. In this episode, Chris and Leah explore the reasons behind this sudden surge in defective inventory, the potential implications for sellers and how to resolve this issue.
The Best Amazon Ads Launch Strategy with Laura McCaul
February 02, 2023 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBPPC has always been the go-to strategy for launching products, but many sellers are hesitant to invest in it, instead opting for black hat tactics that inevitably put your account at risk. With the availability of new reports and data from Amazon in brand metrics, brand analytics, and search query performance, it has become easier for sellers to understand their position in a category, their conversion rates, and where they can compete. In this episode, Chris and Leah talk with Laura McCaul o...
Changes to Compliance
January 26, 2023 16:00 - 19 minutes - 18 MBRecently we have noticed an increase in issues with products being incorrectly identified and rejected by Amazon's compliance teams. In this episode Chris and Leah deep dive into the current state of compliance enforcement to shed light on the upcoming challenges for sellers on Amazon.
Amazon Seller Account Security
January 19, 2023 16:00 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBHaving your account compromised is an issue that has unfortunately affected many Amazon sellers. In this episode, Chris and Leah will discuss different ways in which an account can be compromised and provide tips on how to prevent and resolve this problem.
Problematic Products
January 12, 2023 16:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBWhen selling on Amazon, not all products are created equal. Sellers should be aware that if they keep having issues with a problematic product, it may not only risk the product being taken down, but also a suspension of their entire account. In this episode Chris and Leah discuss the importance of assessing all products for potential issues and how to be proactive in mitigating these issues in order to avoid putting your entire business at risk.