Competitive Pricing Issues
Over the past 2 weeks or so, we have experienced a high number of our products losing the buy box and showing up under Pricing Health with the reason given being "Competitive External Price". Although we have the same UPCs listed on other marketplaces, the prices on our other marketplaces will either be in line with our Amazon price or greater than our price on Amazon. We cannot find where Amazon is pulling these external prices from, and unless we match a seemingly arbitrary external price (up to 10% lower than our current price) we don't have the buy box on our own products; should be noted we are the brand owner.
Has anyone else encountered this problem before, or have encountered similar problems that have cropped up in the past few weeks?
It looks like Amazon is implementing a new "Similar Product dashboard" feature, and am wondering if this issue could be tied into its rollout, as it seems to be connected with competitive pricing.
Competitive Pricing Issues
Over the past 2 weeks or so, we have experienced a high number of our products losing the buy box and showing up under Pricing Health with the reason given being "Competitive External Price". Although we have the same UPCs listed on other marketplaces, the prices on our other marketplaces will either be in line with our Amazon price or greater than our price on Amazon. We cannot find where Amazon is pulling these external prices from, and unless we match a seemingly arbitrary external price (up to 10% lower than our current price) we don't have the buy box on our own products; should be noted we are the brand owner.
Has anyone else encountered this problem before, or have encountered similar problems that have cropped up in the past few weeks?
It looks like Amazon is implementing a new "Similar Product dashboard" feature, and am wondering if this issue could be tied into its rollout, as it seems to be connected with competitive pricing.
20 respuestas
Seller_0tikjGpmAYNpp
Hey there, we have this issue - we have Cease and Desist letters we shoot out immediately. I tell them they are on the hook to mitigate lost Amazon revenue because of this metric inside Amazon. I am the brand owner, manufacturer, we are trademarked and copyrighted. I give them a deadline to remove or deactivate false sellers on their platform. I let them know this is the cheapest path forward for both of us. I haven't had it not work yet... However, always ready and happy to go to court.
Seller_teJJS3Io16ofw
It would not surprise me if Amazon were starting a new "similar product dashboard" as they have been ruining everything that works and replacing it with something that hurts 3rd party sellers despite the fact that we make up the majority of their revenue.
@Seller_0tikjGpmAYNppthe idea of a lawsuit will not get you anywhere. Court will not solve anything.
I would tag some of the mods and provide any case numbers you have with seller support as this seems to be more so in their jurisdiction. Best of luck and keep us informed regarding the resolution
Seller_GG74u1SdeK6EC
Yes, I am dealing with this nonsense too. Always something on this platform to add more stress, headaches and to waste my time! I'm the designer and trademarked brand owner of these products and some are not listed anywhere aside from Amazon, but I have lost the featured status because they claim my items are being sold for a cheaper price elsewhere, I have no idea what they're referring to. It's becoming increasingly difficult to properly run my Amazon business because of ridiculous stuff like this.
Seller_IeIpZeFkBY9u0
How can Amazon compare an off amazon price when people are out there unloading dead inventory, pricing lower and then after its ordered charging higher shipping/handling charges, etc.and then shut us off. You cannot compare off amazon prices and have it correct. Mostly because we do not charge freight and 90% of other sites do charge freight.
Not good.
Seller_TmxER74EL2zRO
The same issue. A lot of false sellers... they sell our products with much cheap price, of couse, they sell fake with bad quality. But it looks like Amazon doesn't care.
Seller_usc2XtvNNqpqF
you are violating MAP policies. that why its happend.
Seller_R6XWxYg3EVq0j
Competitive pricing is an imperfect system. Very inexpensive items are impossible to price competitively due to FBA costs, and very expensive items due to Amazon's 15% commission on top. It's impossible to be competitively priced on these on extreme ends of the spectrum. Amazon benefits, customer loses, and seller loses sales due to the need for astronomical pricing. In the old days, the Small & Light program helped alleviate this issue by only charging one pick and pack fee per order. So on items typically ordered in multiples, you could actually price them below cost and still make out ok. Now, on items $3.50 and under, you are paying the same fee for each unit even when shipped together, making it impossible to price fairly. Then of course, Amazon comes in and removes their fees, selling the items at $0.70 and telling you you are no longer priced fairly. It's unfortunate.
Seller_z1JDNz6de1lqc
We had a few item we sell and we were lowest but wanted to move inventory cause it is slow so we lowered from $140 to $120 and now its high pricing over $80 ... Amazon needs to stop tampering with and manipulating prices my PRICE is not wrong my price is my price and when you tell me to lower my price that simply prisses me the Foff...If my product does not sell I will lower the price on my time when needed not because some BOT is price matching Amazon to who knows where the heck they are coming up with pricing because Amazon is not transparent. Where is the pricing bots to tell me my price is TO LOW compared to other markets??????
Seller_NUMgZy2H3GR9w
Hi @Seller_wjz2MzOph2Hf9- lots of sellers have been reporting this issue over the past few months with increasing frequency. There is an upcoming "Engage with Amazon" Live event where we are trying to bring this issue to the forefront.
I'd suggest you upvote the issue I created so we can start to get answers from their product teams: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/28923e95-7913-41b9-8bc7-1cb4e0797b74?postId=3866c392-4d76-4faf-aaec-04d1b43b6057
