Amazon is a powerful platform for sellers and buyers alike, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Many sellers encounter different types of errors that can impact their ability to list products, process orders, or maintain account health. Below, we dive into some common errors on Amazon, why they occur, and how to resolve them.
1. Listing Errors
- Error 5665 (Brand Name Misalignment):
- What It Is: This error occurs when the brand name in the product listing doesn’t match the brand name registered in Amazon’s brand registry. It’s common among sellers who recently updated their brand or are trying to create a new branded listing.
- Solution: Reach out to Amazon Seller Support and provide the necessary documentation proving your brand ownership, such as trademark certificates. Also, make sure that the brand name on your listing is an exact match with what’s in the brand registry.
- Error 8541 (ASIN Creation Blocked):
- What It Is: This happens when Amazon believes that the product being listed already exists in their catalog under another ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).
- Solution: Double-check Amazon’s catalog to see if your product is already listed under a different ASIN. If it is, try to list under the existing ASIN. If your product is unique, contact Amazon support with evidence like images, SKU numbers, and other identifiers to prove that your product is different.
- Error 5461 (Restricted Product):
- What It Is: This error pops up when a seller tries to list a product that falls under a restricted category or requires additional approval.
- Solution: Review Amazon’s restricted product guidelines and complete the necessary application for selling in the category. This might include providing product certificates, testing reports, or other compliance documentation.
2. Order Fulfillment Errors
- Error 20001 (Shipping Service Error):
- What It Is: This error usually appears when a seller tries to use a shipping service that is not available or compatible with the shipping address.
- Solution: Check if the shipping service is eligible for the destination address. Make sure that the dimensions and weight of the package are within the carrier’s limits. Updating shipping templates or selecting a different carrier can also resolve this issue.
- Error 3561 (Inventory Not Available):
- What It Is: This error indicates that an order cannot be fulfilled due to a lack of inventory at the fulfillment center.
- Solution: Monitor your inventory levels regularly and set up automatic restocking alerts to prevent stockouts. If the error is due to a system glitch, contact Amazon Seller Support to investigate and correct the discrepancy.
3. Account Health and Suspension Errors
- Performance Notification (Account Suspension):
- What It Is: Amazon may suspend a seller’s account due to performance issues like late shipment rate, high order defect rate (ODR), or policy violations.
- Solution: Immediately address the issues outlined in the performance notification. Prepare a Plan of Action (POA) outlining the root cause, steps taken to correct the issue, and measures to prevent future occurrences. Submit the POA through the performance notification section on Amazon Seller Central.
- Error 120 (Billing Agreement Suspended):
- What It Is: This error arises when there’s an issue with the seller’s billing information or payment method on file.
- Solution: Update your payment method and verify that all billing information is correct in the account settings. Contact your bank to ensure that no restrictions are causing the payment issue, and resubmit the information in Seller Central.
4. Pricing Errors
- Error 9089 (Price Parity Violation):
- What It Is: This error occurs when Amazon finds that your product is listed at a lower price on a different marketplace, like Walmart or eBay.
- Solution: Review your pricing strategy and adjust the prices to maintain consistency across platforms. If the error is a mistake, reach out to Amazon support with evidence to resolve the price parity violation.
- Error 8561 (Pricing Issue):
- What It Is: This error shows up when the price of a product falls below or exceeds Amazon’s set limits, which might be flagged as unfair pricing.
- Solution: Review the pricing limits in your category and adjust your listing price accordingly. Amazon might have a specific price range for certain products to ensure fair competition, so make sure you align with those guidelines.
5. Technical Errors and Glitches
- Error 5000 (Internal Error):
- What It Is: This is a general error that can occur during various processes on Seller Central due to internal issues within Amazon’s platform.
- Solution: Try clearing your browser cache, restarting your session, or switching browsers. If the issue persists, wait for some time as it might resolve on Amazon’s end. Contact Amazon support if the error continues.
- Error 8060 (API Integration Issue):
- What It Is: This error occurs when there’s a problem with integrating third-party software or API with Amazon’s platform, commonly seen when using inventory management tools.
- Solution: Review your API settings and ensure that your software’s credentials are correctly configured. Verify that you have the necessary permissions set for accessing Amazon’s API and check for updates in the third-party software that might resolve the compatibility issue.
Conclusion
Navigating Amazon as a seller comes with its own set of hurdles, but most issues have clear paths to resolution. Understanding these common errors and their solutions can help sellers maintain their account health, keep listings active, and ensure smooth transactions. Staying proactive and seeking support when needed will keep your Amazon business running efficiently, enabling you to focus on growth and profitability.