Calling seller support and hearing roosters in the background
2/5 calls hearing a whole barn in the background.
submitted by /u/dgtexan14
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Just took over for my Friends of the library store and have a question about media mail shipping
So I am just taking over the book selling for my local libraries Friends of the library program. I noticed all shipping seems to be locked at 3.99 which is what I think Media mail flat rate was but many of the packages now have a higher shipping cost than that. So is there a way to adjust the cost that I am missing…or do sellers just have to bake it into the cost of the books now that media mail has increased?
submitted by /u/Lokishougan
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Just took over for my Friends of the library store and have a question about media mail shipping
So I am just taking over the book selling for my local libraries Friends of the library program. I noticed all shipping seems to be locked at 3.99 which is what I think Media mail flat rate was but many of the packages now have a higher shipping cost than that. So is there a way to adjust the cost that I am missing…or do sellers just have to bake it into the cost of the books now that media mail has increased?
submitted by /u/Lokishougan
[link] [comments]
How You Can Prevent Counterfeiting on Amazon
Counterfeiting is more than just a seller’s headache. In Amazon and other platforms, it’s a marketplace-wide problem that damages trust, profits, and brand identity.
In fact, a survey of U.S. luxury shoppers found that 38.9% say they would only buy genuine products, and 36.9% believe counterfeits are always of lower quality. Yet, nearly 15.4% admit to buying fake items occasionally, and 12.5% don’t see wearing them as wrong.
That steady, ongoing demand creates an opening for counterfeit goods to make their way onto legitimate marketplaces like Amazon, putting both well-known brands and emerging sellers at risk.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about counterfeiting, including how to stop it, safeguarding your business reputation, and giving customers the confidence to choose you over a cheaper knock-off.
What is Counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting is the act of producing and selling goods designed to imitate genuine products, often by illegally using a brand’s name, logo, or other identifying marks.
These counterfeiting goods are typically made without authorization and aim to deceive buyers into believing they are purchasing the real thing. While some counterfeit items are obvious knock-offs, others are sophisticated enough to fool even experienced shoppers.
At its core, trademark counterfeiting is a direct violation of IP laws. It involves the unauthorized use of a registered trademark on products with the intent to pass them off as authentic. This isn’t just a business issue; it’s a legal crime that can lead to fines, lawsuits, and even prison time for offenders.
The scale of the problem is clear from global buying behavior. 40% of U.S. luxury shoppers admitted to having purchased a counterfeit product; 20% on purpose, and another 20% by mistake.
Similar patterns emerge in other markets like the UK (36%) and Germany (35%), proving that counterfeit goods are not confined to a single region.
Why Counterfeiting is a Threat to Amazon Sellers
Counterfeiting impacts Amazon sellers on multiple fronts, from lost sales to damaged reputations. Here’s why it’s such a serious issue:
Brand Reputation Damage
Counterfeiting has the potential to damage a seller’s reputation more quickly than nearly any other challenge on Amazon.
When customers unknowingly purchase counterfeit products, they often judge the quality of the counterfeit as if it were the real thing. The result is often a wave of negative reviews, lowered ratings, and diminished customer trust in the brand.
Counterfeit Listings Mimic Best-Sellers
Counterfeiters often focus on Amazon’s best-selling products because their high visibility and strong demand make them lucrative targets. They replicate the genuine listing by stealing images, descriptions, and even brand logos, making their goods appear authentic.
These listings can remain active long enough to siphon sales, confuse customers, and dilute the brand’s market presence before Amazon detects and removes them.
Loss of Revenue
Every sale made by a counterfeiter is a lost sale for the legitimate seller. This loss isn’t limited to one transaction, but it often results in reduced repeat business, fewer positive reviews, and diminished search visibility.
Refunds and returns for counterfeit goods also cut into profits, while legitimate sellers are left covering the costs of mistakes they didn’t make.
The scale of these losses becomes clearer when looking at seizure data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2020, the total value of goods seized for IP rights violations reached hundreds of millions of dollars, with watches and jewelry alone worth $435.3 million.
Legal and Policy Risks
Trademark counterfeiting is a serious intellectual property violation that can lead to lawsuits, fines, and in some cases, criminal charges. Even when a seller is the victim, being linked to counterfeit products can trigger time-consuming disputes or investigations.
In high-risk categories such as electronics, cosmetics, and children’s toys, counterfeit goods can also pose safety hazards, increasing the risk of liability claims.
Inside Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeiting Efforts
Amazon has built an extensive ecosystem of tools, programs, and enforcement units to combat counterfeiting and protect both brands and customers. These efforts combine advanced technology, brand collaboration, and legal action to stop counterfeiters before their products ever reach the marketplace.
Amazon Brand Registry
At the core of the marketplace’s anti-counterfeiting approach is the Amazon Brand Registry. This no-cost program empowers registered brand owners with enhanced control over their product listings, specialized search tools, and streamlined channels for reporting suspected infringements.
Enrolled brands also gain from Amazon’s predictive protections, which proactively block infringing listings—allowing sellers to safeguard their brand reputation without the need for constant manual oversight.
Amazon Project Zero
Amazon Project Zero takes brand protection a step further by combining Amazon’s machine learning with direct brand input.
After joining, brands have the ability to directly take down counterfeit listings, eliminating the need to wait for Amazon’s approval. This proactive approach has helped many companies quickly eliminate fake products before they can impact sales or reputation.
Transparency Program (Amazon)
The Transparency Program is Amazon’s product serialization service, designed to verify authenticity before a product is shipped to a customer. Each product in the program is assigned a unique code that Amazon checks before shipment, ensuring customers receive only genuine items.
As of 2024, Transparency has enrolled 88,000 brands worldwide, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, underscoring its broad adoption across industries.
Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit
The Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) is a global team of former federal prosecutors, investigators, and data analysts who track and prosecute counterfeiters. The CCU works with brands, law enforcement agencies, and customs officials to identify and dismantle criminal networks.
In June 2025, the CCU said it had expanded to 12 countries and had initiated more than 200 civil actions against violators.
How to Prevent Counterfeiting
Amazon’s proactive controls are central to its success in fighting counterfeiting. According to the 2024 Brand Protection Report, over 99% of suspected infringing listings were intercepted and blocked before brands even needed to flag them.
In the same year, Amazon located, seized, and destroyed more than 15 million counterfeit items worldwide, preventing them from reaching customers or reentering the retail supply chain.
Tools such as the Transparency Program and Brand Registry work in tandem with advanced AI technology to identify and shut down counterfeit operations quickly.
These combined initiatives show that while counterfeiting remains a global challenge, Amazon’s layered defense offers sellers robust protection against counterfeit threats.
Despite Amazon’s efforts to fight counterfeiting, brand owners and sellers have a responsibility to be proactive in protecting their products. Here are key strategies you can implement to minimize risks, deal with counterfeit sellers, and remove counterfeit products when they appear:
Actively Monitor Your Listings
Keeping an eye on your own listings is one of the most effective ways to spot counterfeit activity early. Watch for sudden price drops, unauthorized sellers, or customer reviews complaining about quality—these can all be red flags for counterfeit products.
- Actionable Tip. Set up automated alerts using Amazon’s Brand Registry or third-party monitoring tools so you’re notified immediately when suspicious changes or sellers appear on your listings.
Enforce Intellectual Property Rights Quickly
Counterfeit sellers often take advantage of slow response times. If you spot unauthorized use of your brand name, logo, or product images, act fast by filing an infringement report through Amazon’s Brand Registry.
- Actionable Tip. Keep your trademark registration and brand documents ready for quick submission so you can immediately request the removal of counterfeit products without delay.
Use Amazon’s Brand Protection Tools
Leverage Amazon’s programs to strengthen your defense. Project Zero allows you to remove counterfeit products directly; Transparency verifies authenticity before shipping; and the CCU can take legal action against counterfeit sellers.
Even if you haven’t yet faced counterfeiting issues, prevention is more cost-effective than damage control.
- Actionable Tip. Need expert guidance on making the most out of Amazon’s programs and growing your business overall? Reach out to AMZ Advisers. Trusted by brands around the globe, their consultants can help you navigate Amazon’s complex ecosystem, from enrolling in brand protection programs to optimizing your listings for maximum visibility and sales. With tailored strategies and hands-on support, we can work with you to build a stronger, more resilient presence on Amazon, so you can focus on scaling your brand with confidence.
Educate Your Customers
An informed customer is less likely to fall for counterfeit products. Use your storefront, product packaging, and social media channels to share tips on identifying genuine items.
- Actionable Tip. Include authenticity verification steps, like checking for a Transparency code, on your product detail pages to help customers make confident purchasing decisions.
The Lowdown
Counterfeiting is a persistent and costly threat for sellers, capable of undermining brand reputation, draining revenue, and damaging customer trust. While Amazon’s multi-layered defenses are powerful tools in the fight against fake goods, they work best when combined with a seller’s own proactive measures.
Monitoring listings, enforcing intellectual property rights promptly, leveraging Amazon’s protection programs, and educating customers can significantly reduce the risk posed by counterfeit sellers.
With the right strategies, you can protect your listings, preserve your reputation, and ensure customers receive only authentic products.
Author
Carla Bauto Deña is a journalist and content writer producing stories for traditional and digital media. She believes in empowering small businesses with the help of innovative solutions, such as ecommerce, digital marketing, and data analytics.
The post How You Can Prevent Counterfeiting on Amazon appeared first on AMZ Advisers.
How much are you guys paying for VAT compliance?
I currently use Avalara and I was told I’m being ripped off. I pay about $400 per year for Italy, France, UK, Spain, for a total of 1.2k. Business has been slow this year so I’m thinking of switching if a cheaper alternative exists
submitted by /u/Denpants
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How much are you guys paying for VAT compliance?
I currently use Avalara and I was told I’m being ripped off. I pay about $400 per year for Italy, France, UK, Spain, for a total of 1.2k. Business has been slow this year so I’m thinking of switching if a cheaper alternative exists
submitted by /u/Denpants
[link] [comments]
Amazon Voice of the Customer (VoC): Replacing the Customer Reviews Dashboard in 2025
Amazon Retires the Customer Reviews Dashboard
On September 30, 2025, Amazon will retire the long-standing Customer Reviews dashboard in Seller Central. In its place, sellers will find the Voice of the Customer (VoC) dashboard, a tool designed to deliver proactive, AI-powered insights into the full customer experience.
This change goes far beyond tracking reviews. Amazon’s shift to VoC means sellers must prepare to monitor CX Health, NCX Rate, Root Cause Insights, and AI Fix Recommendations—metrics that go deeper into customer satisfaction and performance trends.
Why This Matters for Amazon Sellers
Sellers who adapt early will gain a clear advantage. Customer reviews have always influenced sales, but VoC integrates returns, refunds, and buyer messages into one experience score. Ignoring these signals could mean higher return rates, lower ratings, and lost sales.
Studies consistently show:
- An increase of just one star in reviews can boost sales by up to 26%.
- 82% of shoppers check reviews before purchasing.
Key Deadlines and Metrics
- Deadline: Customer Reviews dashboard disappears September 30, 2025.
- Replacement: The new Voice of the Customer dashboard becomes fully active October 1, 2025.
- Metrics to know:
- CX Health – Ranks performance (Excellent to Very Poor).
- NCX Rate – Tracks negative experiences (returns, refunds, claims, messages, reviews).
- Root Cause Insights – Identifies recurring problems (defects, mislabeling, packaging issues).
- AI Fix Recommendations – Suggests listing and product improvements.
Immediate Actions for Sellers
- Export all historical reviews before September 30 (screenshots or third-party tools).
- Learn the VoC dashboard and CX Health metrics to understand how Amazon will evaluate performance.
- Set up feedback alerts (tools like Seller Labs help automate this process so you can act faster).
- Monitor patterns and apply fixes consistently to address recurring issues before they escalate.
Potential Impact of Preparing Early
Sellers who act now are better positioned to:
- Reduce negative reviews by catching problems sooner,
- Lower return rates by addressing root causes, and
- Safeguard both sales and brand reputation through proactive issue management.
Why Amazon Is Making This Change
Amazon’s Voice of the Customer (VoC) dashboard is more than a simple replacement—it’s a strategic shift. Instead of focusing only on reviews, VoC gives sellers a 360-degree view of customer experience by tracking:
- CX Health – Measures listing performance compared to similar offers.
- Negative Customer Experience (NCX) Rate – Monitors returns, refunds, buyer messages, and reviews.
- Root Cause Insights – Identifies recurring issues such as defective items, mislabeling, or packaging problems.
- AI Fix Recommendations – Provides data-driven suggestions to improve listings and reduce negative experiences.
With these new tools, reacting to individual reviews is no longer enough. Sellers must now proactively monitor trends, identify recurring problems, and take action before small issues escalate into negative feedback or costly returns.
Step-by-Step: How Sellers Can Transition to Voice of the Customer
1. Archive Historical Reviews
Before September 30, preserve past reviews by taking screenshots or using a reputable third-party export tool. This ensures you keep data for benchmarking against new VoC metrics.
2. Get Familiar with CX Health
CX Health categorizes performance as:
- Excellent (green) — significantly better than similar offers
- Good (light green) — better than average
- Fair (yellow) — comparable
- Poor (orange) — worse than average
- Very Poor (red) — significantly worse
These ratings help prioritize which listings need urgent attention.
3. Monitor NCX Rate
NCX tracks negative experiences across:
- Returns
- Refunds
- Buyer-seller messages
- A-to-Z claims
- Product reviews
High NCX rates signal listings that need improvement. With Seller Labs, you can track trends across all ASINs, identify recurring problems, and act faster.
4. Use Root Cause Insights
VoC groups feedback into categories like:
- Damaged or defective items
- Incorrect labeling or descriptions
- Shipping or packaging issues
By addressing the root cause, sellers prevent repeated negative experiences and reduce returns.
5. Apply AI Fix Recommendations
VoC shows you where problems are happening—then you can use Amazon’s Gen-AI tools like Enhance My Listing to:
- Update product listings
- Improve titles and descriptions
- Optimize return/refund reduction strategies
6. Set Up Alerts for Negative Feedback
Real-time alerts (via Seller Labs and other tools) let you respond instantly to complaints, protecting your star ratings and preventing small issues from escalating into reviews.
Amazon Customer Reviews → Voice of the Customer: Quick Reference
| Feature / Stage | Customer Reviews Dashboard | Voice of the Customer (VoC) | How Seller Labs Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Until September 30, 2025 | Fully active Oct 1, 2025 | N/A |
| Purpose | Monitor/respond to reviews | Full customer experience tracking | Monitor trends & alerts |
| Key Metrics | Star ratings, review counts | CX Health, NCX Rate, Root Cause Insights | Track trends, alerts by star rating |
| Data Analysis | Manual review filtering | AI-driven insights, issue detection | Trend monitoring, actionable alerts |
| Actionable Steps | Reply/export manually | Address root causes, fix listings | Respond faster, manage reviews proactively |
| Impact | Influences trust/sales | Directly affects CX, returns, performance | Support proactive review management, strengthen customer trust |
The Business Impact of Acting Early
Sellers who adopt VoC and implement fixes proactively can expect:
- Fewer negative reviews through early intervention.
- Lower return rates by addressing root causes.
- Improved buyer trust and higher search ranking.
- A stronger brand reputation built on consistent customer experience.
The difference between acting now and waiting until the last minute could be thousands in lost sales and a damaged seller reputation.
How Seller Labs Helps Sellers Stay Ahead
Even if you aren’t yet using VoC directly, Seller Labs empowers sellers to act fast and stay on top of customer feedback:
- Custom Feedback Alerts – Receive notifications for reviews based on the star ratings you choose, so you can respond immediately to potential issues.
- Trend Monitoring – Track changes in review volume and ratings over time to spot patterns and recurring problems.
- Proactive Issue Management – Identify potential problem listings before issues spread.
- Actionable Insights – Use alerts and trends to prioritize fixes, optimize listings, and protect your brand reputation.
By leveraging these tools, sellers can stay ahead of negative reviews, safeguard sales, and maintain brand trust—even as Amazon transitions fully to Voice of the Customer.
Don’t Wait—Prepare Now
The Customer Reviews dashboard is ending, but this isn’t a reason to panic—it’s a chance to get ahead. By acting now, learning VoC metrics, and using Seller Labs tools, you can:
- Reduce negative reviews
- Prevent returns
- Optimize listings
- Protect your sales
September 30, 2025 is the deadline. Every day you wait is a missed opportunity to safeguard your brand and revenue. Start preparing today.
Next Step: Log in to Seller Central, explore Voice of the Customer, and set up Seller Labs for immediate alerts and actionable insights.
FAQ: Amazon Customer Reviews Dashboard & VoC
Amazon will retire the Customer Reviews dashboard on September 30, 2025. After that, sellers will use the Voice of the Customer (VoC) dashboard for customer experience tracking.
Amazon’s Voice of the Customer (VoC) dashboard, which includes CX Health, NCX Rate, Root Cause Insights, and AI Fix Recommendations.
No. Amazon does not provide a native export option. To preserve reviews, take screenshots or use a reputable third-party export tool.
VoC assigns color-coded performance categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, and Very Poor—helping sellers see which listings need attention.
Negative Customer Experience (NCX) measures the percentage of orders with customer-reported issues (returns, refunds, claims, messages, or reviews).
Ready to stay ahead of Amazon’s changes — and protect your brand reputation?
Turn Amazon’s new Voice of the Customer insights into real growth with Seller Labs.
For a limited time, get 30% off your first month — after your 30-day free trial.
Related Blogs
- Amazon Buyer-Seller Messaging Suspension: How to Address & Prevent It
Find out what triggers messaging suspensions and how to safeguard your account health. - Reduce Amazon Returns in 2025
Discover strategies to lower return rates, improve customer experience, and protect your sales. - Seller Feedback vs Product Reviews 2025
Learn the difference between seller feedback and product reviews, and why both matter in 2025. - Amazon Brand Registry 2025
Explore how Brand Registry protects your brand, builds trust, and improves customer confidence. - Amazon Hijackers Are Killing Your Sales — Here’s How Transparency Stops Them
See how Transparency can stop listing hijackers and protect your customer experience. - Amazon SEO: How to Optimize Your Product Listings for Higher Rankings & Sales
Boost visibility and sales with optimized product listings that align with VoC recommendations.
The post Amazon Voice of the Customer (VoC): Replacing the Customer Reviews Dashboard in 2025 appeared first on Seller Labs: Amazon Seller Software and Platform.
Business debit card to open a Seller Account?
Hi all,
I’m trying to open an Amazon seller account using my Wells Fargo LLC business debit card. I’ve read that debit cards often get rejected. I don’t have a personal credit card (only an Amex as an authorized user).
Does Amazon require a credit card, or will a Visa debit card work? Any tips from people who’ve done this without a personal credit card?
Thanks!
submitted by /u/Moist_Geologist_1535
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How do you defeat this type of return?
All my sales are merchant fulfillment. Buyers keep returning item claiming inaccurate website description forcing me to pay return shipping when the item sent and returned is an exact match to the listing. I open a safe-t-claim because the buyer used wrong return reason code since they really just changed their mind and they should have paid return shipping. Amazon asks me then to provide proof that the item returned was different than the item sent. This makes no sense. I feel like when a customer lies the only way I can win is by lying too, and saying they returned a different item, but my parents did me right (wrong?) So I can’t do that.
submitted by /u/flmcqueen
[link] [comments]
How do you defeat this type of return?
All my sales are merchant fulfillment. Buyers keep returning item claiming inaccurate website description forcing me to pay return shipping when the item sent and returned is an exact match to the listing. I open a safe-t-claim because the buyer used wrong return reason code since they really just changed their mind and they should have paid return shipping. Amazon asks me then to provide proof that the item returned was different than the item sent. This makes no sense. I feel like when a customer lies the only way I can win is by lying too, and saying they returned a different item, but my parents did me right (wrong?) So I can’t do that.
submitted by /u/flmcqueen
[link] [comments]
