Want to close down your Amazon account?
We understand. Trading with Amazon can be complex, and depending on how you are set up, it can also be expensive.
However, Amazon is also providing an opportunity for rapid growth for businesses of all shapes and sizes that can be thrilling to experience.
So…if you want to just stop right now, then fair enough. But at some point you might want to give Amazon another go and that’s when your actions right now will make a huge difference. Basically,
DON’T CLOSE YOUR AMAZON ACCOUNT!
The biggest issue we face when trying to start an Amazon sales line for a new client is to get an account up and running. If you already have this then you need to view it as an asset to be cherished. Whether you’re a Seller or a Vendor, your options are significantly limited in the future if you’ve completely terminated your account, or if you’ve abandoned it in a state of disarray, with unpaid fees and a terrible customer service record.
Here are our top tips for pausing your relationship with Amazon in such a way that you’re well placed to re-start it when you and your business are ready:
For all accounts:
- Make sure that the key admin contact e-mail is one that will remain available in your business regardless of any changes of personnel (maybe the owner? Maybe the main customer service e-mail address?)
- Update contacts to smaller group of people likely to remain in the business
- Change 2 Factor Authentication so it isn’t tied to desk phones or mobiles…use an app instead
- Make a note of any brand registry contacts and ensure that you will be able to contact them in the future
- Keep a record of your key information somewhere you will remember – account codes, entity IDs for advertising and all the contact information above
Specifically for Vendors:
- Ensure your account balance is zero. Either pay off any outstanding debt by Bacs or wait for your invoices to be paid in full.
- Review this after 4 months to ensure still at zero and no further deductions are made
- Ensure the approvers for editing bank details are up to date and current and update bank details if required
- Mark all lines in the catalogue as permanently unavailable
Specifically for FBA sellers
- Ensure all listings are set to zero stock
- Ensure you have sold through/removed all inventory
- Turn on holiday settings and set all markets to inactive
Specifically for FBM Sellers:
- Set all inventory levels to 0
- Ensure all customer complaints are resolved
- Monitor the account for 3 months to ensure you don’t miss any customer messages
All this might seem like low priority right now, but if the forecasts of Amazon’s growth are correct and you decide to re-start your Amazon sales line you will be very grateful you took these actions.