Reported by Pam Snell

USA Today reported yesterday that, in response to retailers, customers and lawmakers complaining that Amazon has been selling fake merchandise for years, Amazon has blocked 10 billion listings in a counterfeit crackdown.

“Since 2019, it has warned investors in government filings that the sale of phony goods poses a risk to the company and its image. Brands may not want to sell their items on the site if they know there are fake versions being offered. And knock-offs could cause shoppers to lose their trust in Amazon.”

Information from USAToday.com https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/05/10/amazon-blocked-10-billion-listings-crack-down-counterfeits/5019099001/

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I did a little more digging to find out more about Amazon and resellers.  It’s not just image that is concerning to Amazon.  One of David’s favorite sources, TheVerge.com, quoted the Los Angelos Times when they reported that in California,  Amazon can be held liable for products sold through its marketplace by a third-party seller.  Amazon claims that they are an intermediary between the seller and third party buyers while Christopher Dolan, an attorney for the plaintiff in a hoverboard burn case said, “Amazon can’t escape liability for defective products it sells to consumers by claiming it is not involved in the marketing, sale and distribution of goods and is just an ‘advertiser.’”

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/1/22414185/california-appeals-court-amazon-marketplace-responsible-third-party-hoverboard

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Amazon isn’t just scrutinizing fake products; it also looks at its bestsellers to see if it can capitalize on their success.  Third-party sales make up about 60% of Amazon’s business but that doesn’t stop them from competing with those customers.  Last October, BusinessInsider.com reported that former Amazon sellers told an antitrust subcommittee the company released new products almost identical to their own and “killed” their sales.

And it isn’t just Amazon itself.  Employees who have access to the sales data have become third-party retailers too.

You can read the whole story here:
https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-uses-seller-data-copy-products-alleges-house-antitrust-report-2020-10

Just a few things to think about as you place your next Amazon order.