6 Tips to Crush Amazon Listing Hijackers and Counterfeiters - EP133

Welcome To Episode #133 of the Amazon FBA Private Label Show Podcast!

In this episode I share 6 awesome tips to help you crush and eliminate Amazon listing hijackers and counterfeit sellers.  

Listen to this Amazon FBA Podcast!

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6 Tips to Crush Amazon Listing Hijackers and Counterfeiters - EP133

If you've been selling on Amazon long enough then you surely have experience in dealing with Amazon listing hijackers. You've worked hard building your listing over time and for some other seller to be able to latch onto your success is terribly frustrating. Sometimes these sellers will even steal your buy box and take your sales. Many of these Amazon listing hijackers tend to be counterfeit sellers which makes matters even worse. These counterfeit sellers are total losers in my opinion. Over the years I have used some of the tips I am about to share with you here to help you prevent and combat these hijackers. 

The key to successfully avoiding Amazon listing hijackers altogether is to not become an easy target. Most hijackers and counterfeiters will look for the listings that are "low hanging fruit" and easy to jump on and mess with. 

PREVENTION TIPS

 

1.  BUNDLE YOUR PRODUCTS - If you bundle your product with another product you make it really difficult for another seller to come on to hijack your listing. They will simply go find easier targets. You can try to bundle your product with an accessory or related product. You can also try to include some sort of e-book or training guide as part of the offer. Any products that I have bundled never have any hijackers. They simply go on to other easier targets. 

2. BRANDING AND LOGOS - Make sure you brand your products with your custom logo. Also consider upgrading to custom packaging that also has your logo on it. Make sure you showcase your product and packaging in at least one of your product images. Also if you include any sort of insert card with the product make sure you show that in one of the product images. If you are only selling your product as "generic" then you are opening up yourself up to a hoard of hijackers. 

3. ENROLL IN AMAZON BRAND REGISTRY - Once you enroll your brand and products into Brand Registry then you will have access to counterfeit tools such as Amazon Transparency and Amazon Project Zero. These tools help you prevent and combat hijackers and counterfeit sellers. Yes you need a valid trademark to gain access to Brand Registry but it's worth the effort. You can apply for one by going to USPTO.GOV or by using a trademark service such as Trademark Engine. 

Want to know more about Amazon Transparency?

- Check out a recent podcast I did here: Amazon Transparency Program - First Thoughts EP106

AFTER HIJACKERS ARE ALREADY ON

 

4. SEND A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER - Once you notice a Amazon listing hijacker you should send them a message or email through Amazon telling them to remove themselves from your listing. This will remove about 70% of the hijackers. I personally would send a follow up message as well to show them that I am serious and will take action against them accordingly. 

5. DO A TEST BUY - After you send your messages to the sellers I would buy the item from the hijacker and have it quickly sent to you. You want to see exactly what they are selling. Once the package arrives simply inspect what they sent. If it's a counterfeit item then take pictures of it and make notes of what is different about it compared to what you send the customers. Then file a claim with Amazon and upload your images from the test buy. Amazon should act and remove them from your listing within time. 

If you have access to Amazon Project Zero you don't need to file a report with Amazon. You can simply remove them yourself. How cool is that?

6. SETUP HIJACKER ALERTS - For an extra layer of protection you should consider setting up Amazon listing hijacker alerts. You can be notified immediately once you have unwanted hijackers. Then you can take action right away. If you have Helium 10 then you have access to this hijacker alerts tool and should have it set up. If you want this particular tool from Helium 10 then use my link and discount code to get a deal on Helium 10. 

Helium 10 – A full suite of insanely powerful keyword tools designed to help you dominate Amazon and your competition. Find hot keywords to maximize sales, spy on your competition and so much more. Try it out and see how you like it.

DISCOUNT CODES: 

PLSHOW50 – 50% off first month only PLSHOW10 – 10% off all plans

If you use any or all of these tips and tools you should be setup to effectively crush hijackers and counterfeit sellers. What tips or tools do you use to fight off Amazon listing hijackers? Let us know in the Facebook group! 

 

Here are the 2 cease and desist letters I use. (I didn't personally create these) 

Hi (SELLER NAME,)   We have recently been informed and noticed that you are attempting to use our Amazon product listing to sell a product that you have no permission to sell. You are currently infringing on our intellectual property which we take very seriously.   We own and created the (BRAND NAME), and have not authorized you or anyone else, to sell (BRAND NAME) products on Amazon. If you are selling a different brand, while posturing as (BRAND NAME), then you are selling counterfeit products, which is something that Amazon takes very seriously and will shut down your account without warning.   If you do not remove your product from the (BRAND NAME) listing within 24 hours, we will have to contact Amazon again and issue a formal Cease and Desist letter from our legal department.   Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  Sincerely,   BRAND NAME COMPANY LLC 


    Dear [OFFENDING SELLER],

This is an official cease and desist action from (COMPANY NAME) legal department.

It has come to our attention that your Company is using the (BRAND NAME)®  name and trademark to sell products on the Amazon.com marketplace, in violation of multiple international and national criminal laws, as well as civil laws regarding trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Our company, (COMPANY NAME)® is the exclusive distributor and the owner of the brand.  We have never granted permission to your company to sell our brand nor have we sold you inventory for resale.

This will serve as your legal notice to cease and desist all further actions described above, including any mention of our products/company on your listings on any marketplace, websites or marketing efforts.

You are hereby instructed to comply with this letter immediately or face legal sanctions under applicable International, Federal and/or State law.

We have also reported your trademark and copyright violation to Amazon Seller Performance. You have 24 hours to comply or we will take further legal action against you.

Sincerely, (COMPANY NAME) 

 

 

 

 

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Helium 10 – A full suite of insanely powerful keyword tools designed to help you dominate Amazon and your competition. Find hot keywords to maximize sales, spy on your competition and so much more. Try it out and see how you like it.

DISCOUNT CODES: 

PLSHOW50 – 50% off first month only PLSHOW10 – 10% off all plans

For all other resources and tools that I use in my Amazon business please see the resources link.

 

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6 Tips to Crush Amazon Listing Hijackers and Counterfeiters - EP133