Amazon freezing accounts. Like banks.

[JohnnyDoe]

Amazon's monkeys are out of control. Same as banks, but worse as there's only one Amazon (and who cares about antitrust laws - which could actually benefit both consumers and shareholders if applied).

So Amazon decided to freeze my US account. The reason being that I placed some orders for household items worth more than a few bucks.
You know the drill: orders cancelled, account blocked, repeat KYC, reset security, call Indian customer service. Cherry on the top: Amex froze my card because I attempted the same Amz payment several times

All fixed the next day, after a few hours wasted on the phone and online:

---

Hello,

Thank you for letting us know about the canceled orders in your account. We have restored your access to this account. You can now sign in and place orders.
You can review the exact status of your previous orders in the "Your Account" section of our website. For any canceled items you would still like to receive, you are welcome to place a new order through your Amazon account.
If you are unclear about order status, please contact our Customer Service team by logging into your Amazon account and navigate to the "Customer Service" section under "Account & Help."
We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. If you want to continue using Prime benefits, please re-subscribe.

---

Remember: now Amazon works like banks. You have to "warm up" the account if you want to spend your money. It doesn't matter if your account is several years old and you already spent 6 figures in the past. AI (Artificial Ignorance) dictates the rules, monkeys obey, customers suffer. And, I guess, Temu celebrates 🤣

Another proof that Amazon is a terrible company, too big to function properly, completely out of control and only relying on political support.

 

[Fiscal]

Amazon loves to freeze accounts, doesn't matter if you're a customer or seller. Just as much as Shopify these days. Mostly annoying if you're a seller I'd say. But from what I understand they're much more consistent with customer service and speed of problem resolution on both ends than other providers (speaking from personal experience). Whereas with Shopify you're simply at the mercy of the Gods and have to hope your business doesn't get destroyed altogether.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2011946838950363416

I can't scroll through my timeline without reading things like this. It's still bizarre that almost every entrepreneur has to keep jumping through these hoops. I hope there will come a time when we can live without constant KYC freezes. But that won't happen until crypto is fully embraced.

It's actually quite remarkable how big Amazon is considering its outdated layout and methods. But in tech it's usually: if it works, it works. I also find it strange that when you place an order, it can take days for the amount to be charged to your credit card.

What I do like about Amazon though: they'll actually refund you quite easily and quickly if a product doesn't arrive or is broken.

 

[WhoMe]

It's actually quite remarkable how big Amazon is considering its outdated layout and methods.

Their site doesn't even have a dark theme yet!

As for this freeze, I'm surprised they're this trigger happy with freezing customer accounts. But maybe I shouldn't be. Things are getting really bad these days.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

Amazon loves to freeze accounts, doesn't matter if you're a customer or seller.

I understand freezing sellers' accounts, that's legalized robbery and Amz makes good profits with it. But freezing legit customers' accounts? 🤔 Pure idiocy.

Just as much as Shopify these days. Mostly annoying if you're a seller I'd say.

Plenty of horror stories of sellers with frozen accounts (and funds):

Amazon have completely ruined my life

Amazon is disgusting - US Seller's lives being destroyed

I have been here for about 15 years, lots of blood, sweat and tears. I am a fashion jewelry seller and I'm now being hit with all these demands to provide testing documents for "childen's jewelry" compliance. According to Amazon, Children's jewelry is for 12 and under. Nowhere in my listings do...

sellercentral.amazon.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/37mzhb/my_amazon_seller_horror_story

Account sospeso e fondi bloccati

Ciao a tutti, ho letto che a molte persone è stato sospeso l’account venditore e naturalmente hanno i fondi bloccati. E’ capitato anche a me la scorsa settimana. Ho inviato 4 piani d’azione ma non c’è stato verso di far cambiare idea ad amazon. Il problema principale è uno, avrebbero dovuto...

sellercentral.amazon.it

Of course I too have an Amz seller account blocked with a material amount of funds withheld and litigation ongoing for years 🙁

But from what I understand they're much more consistent with customer service and speed of problem resolution on both ends than other providers (speaking from personal experience).

Not my experience.
I have some issues with another Amz shop, and after months of attempts finally customer service declared they have no idea of why certain things happen.

I can't scroll through my timeline without reading things like this. It's still bizarre that almost every entrepreneur has to keep jumping through these hoops. I hope there will come a time when we can live without constant KYC freezes. But that won't happen until crypto is fully embraced.

For sure they will find a way to make crypto payments annoying, like the EU did with the travel rule.

It's actually quite remarkable how big Amazon is considering its outdated layout and methods. But in tech it's usually: if it works, it works.

With Amazon it's more like: it doesn't work, but who cares, as long as revenues keep flowing. It is more expensive for them to fix issues at this point than accepting the constant, daily money bleeding caused by their rubbish systems.

I also find it strange that when you place an order, it can take days for the amount to be charged to your credit card.

They usually charge when the item is picked up from the shelf.

What I do like about Amazon though: they'll actually refund you quite easily and quickly if a product doesn't arrive or is broken.

There's an entire ecosystem thriving on this, with smart chaps making good money. Guides can be found on the dark web.
Unfortunately sometimes this damages genuine sellers: Ongoing Refund Scam Causing £74,000+ Loss

 

[Marty McFly]

Amazon these days is in the hands of Chinese merchants. If you want to do some decent business you are forced to have a big ads budget.