In early October, many sellers on Amazon began noticing significant delays in their payment processes. One seller, Li Tong, reported that even accounts with the highest sales revenue faced these issues, describing it as the platform's payments being "overdue." This situation has left sellers anxious, as payments are not being settled, and there is no indication of how long these delays might persist.
The root of these delays appears to be related to Amazon's delivery date policy, which has recently been updated. Unfortunately, Amazon has not made any official announcements or sent email notifications to explain these changes, leaving many sellers in the dark. Instead, payments for all orders have been delayed without clear communication regarding the reasons behind this shift.
Seller Jack shared his experience, stating that all his sales transactions are currently marked as deferred. He noted that his account, which operates on a 100% Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipping model, has seen every purchase categorized according to this new delivery date policy. Typically, standard orders (those that have not yet been delivered) qualify for payment within seven days after the order payment. However, Jack revealed that since the start of October, all $12,000 worth of orders in his account have been postponed, with delivery dates extending from seven to sixty days.
According to seller feedback, some have experienced this payment delay since October 2nd, while others have noticed it in the days following. It is important to note that not all accounts have been impacted by this change, which adds another layer of confusion for sellers trying to navigate this situation.
In light of these changes, some sellers have reached out to Amazon seller support for clarification. They learned that the platform has merely shifted the sales revenue previously displayed under "account level reserve" to the "deferred transactions" section. Support staff explained that when orders are pending delivery or awaiting buyer payment, the transactions will be delayed. Sellers can use the delayed transaction page to identify the specific orders that are affected, understand the reasons for the delays, and check the payment dates and amounts.
This new policy essentially stipulates that orders placed by customers on Amazon are subject to a retention policy based on delivery dates. Sales revenue will be held until it is confirmed that the buyer has received an order that meets the promised conditions. This is meant to ensure that sellers have sufficient funds to handle any potential returns, claims, or refunds.
It is worth noting that the sales revenue that was previously withheld through the reserve based on delivery dates is now displayed as a one-time amount under the account level reserve on the payment dashboard. This update aims to provide sellers with a clearer understanding of which orders are subject to these policies and the expected duration of the retention.
The recent Amazon delayed payment situation has understandably caused concern among sellers. However, it is essential to remain calm and make timely adjustments to cope with the impact of these new changes. While it can be challenging to navigate the implications of Amazon deferred payment, understanding the underlying policies and utilizing the tools provided by Amazon can help sellers manage their businesses more effectively during this period of uncertainty.
Sellers should stay informed about their Amazon transaction deferment status, utilize the delayed transaction page for insights, and adapt their financial planning accordingly. This proactive approach will help mitigate the effects of any Amazon payment delay while maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction.
In summary, the recent Amazon delayed transaction issues are a complex but manageable challenge for sellers. By understanding the changes to Amazon's payment policies, utilizing the available resources, and adjusting their operations, sellers can navigate this difficult period. Keeping an open line of communication with Amazon's seller support can also provide clarity and reassurance during these uncertain times.
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