What is the Amazon A to Z guarantee?

Amazon’s third-party (3P) sellers face countless challenges to successful selling via the e-commerce giant. From competing for the Buy Box to building their storefronts and refining their shipping procedures, there are plenty of ways to falter. 

However, the millions of shoppers that the platform attracts has made Amazon too lucrative to dismiss for most sellers. One of the ways the platform has instilled such customer loyalty is through policies like its Amazon A to Z Guarantee. It allows customers to ask for a refund directly from Amazon when buying products from 3P sellers if they are unhappy with the product or the delivery of the item and cannot resolve their complaints with the seller. Buyers can make an A to Z Guarantee claim if their experience meets specific criteria. These can include:

• An item that has not arrived three days after the latest estimated delivery date
• An item that has not arrived despite tracking that says it has
• An item that arrives damaged or defective
• An item that does not match the description of the ordered product
• Cases where an item is returned properly, but no refund is given, or a seller won’t accept a return in contradiction of their stated return policy 
• A charge in excess of the purchase price

While the A to Z Guarantee provides additional protection for buyers, claims are limited by other factors beyond meeting the requirements above. Eligibility expires 90 days after the delivery date of an item. Amazon typically requires buyers to give a 3P seller 48 hours to respond and offer a resolution before processing a refund. Furthermore, shoppers who requested a refund from their credit card company or payment provider are not able to also make an A-to-Z claim. 

How the Amazon A to Z guarantee helps buyers

Obviously, shoppers have become increasingly savvy since the enormous shift toward online buying. Their expectations for customer service are high, and the ease with which they can return an unsatisfactory product or resolve an issue will influence their purchase decisions. The Amazon A to Z Guarantee provides an attractive layer of protection when making 3P purchases on the site. 

With the guarantee in place, visitors can shop confidently on Amazon and not worry as much about whether they are buying a product that is sold and fulfilled by Amazon or one that will be delivered directly from another seller. If they run into a problem that the seller is unable to resolve, they can make their case via an Amazon A to Z claim and have additional support from a company they trust to rectify the situation. 

The A to Z Guarantee can also dissuade irresponsible, incompetent or deceptive sellers from attempting to sell on Amazon at all. The policy helps maintain Amazon’s reputation as a reliable place to shop online and raises the quality of sellers for the benefit of buyers. Of course, those buyers still need to present a case that merits Amazon’s intervention, and the guarantee must be executed properly to discourage buyers who might try to take advantage of the system. 

How the Amazon A to Z Guarantee helps merchants

Although there are concerns about buyer fraud within the framework of the A to Z Guarantee, when followed correctly, the policy can also improve the marketplace for sellers. In most cases, a commitment by a 3P seller to best practices when it comes to selling and shipping can stop attempts by buyers to scam Amazon or a seller. Incentivizing companies in this way can weed out poorly-managed sellers and help those brands that are committed to creating a stellar reputation on Amazon. 

Often, this is because the A to Z process can directly impact a seller’s Amazon account health. Among the factors determining which sellers receive the coveted Buy Box are on-time delivery, accurate tracking, and order defects. A failure in any of these three areas can lead to an Amazon A-to-Z claim. If Amazon determines that a customer claim is valid, it will raise your order defect rate, which must remain below 1 percent of your total orders during the previous 60 days to avoid being flagged as deficient. To stay competitive on Amazon, defect rate and other seller metrics should be as close to perfect as possible. 

The risk of losing the Buy Box can force brands on Amazon to make a good-faith effort to keep their performance high, but it can also eliminate competition from sellers who would otherwise take shortcuts in the pursuit of lower prices and more sales. Their inadequate focus on quality, shipping or customer service will ultimately end with an inability to reach Amazon shoppers. 

Managing Amazon A to Z claims

When a buyer makes a claim under the Amazon A to Z Guarantee program, it’s essential to understand how to respond appropriately. Most of the time, Amazon will contact you via email requesting more information about the transaction. However, the nature of the dispute will determine what further details are necessary to provide. 

In the case of delivery-related claims, you may be asked for the dispatch method, proof of delivery including the tracking number, the customer’s delivery address, or the customer’s signature confirmation and the carrier details.

When a buyer is seeking a refund for a previous return, Amazon may request your domestic return address, the return shipping details such as a prepaid return label, or information about why a return request was not authorized. You should also be prepared to submit any correspondence related to the purchase between you and the customer. 

Any response to the investigation of an Amazon A to Z claim must be completed within 48 to avoid a default judgment in favor of the customer. It’s also worth noting that while you can provide a response to Amazon regarding the claim, attachments such as supporting documentation can only be sent directly to the customer using Buyer-Seller Messages, as the company continues its practice of keeping communication about transactions within the platform. 

Due to the limited time allotted to respond and the stakes of a successful A to Z claim, most sellers can benefit from dedicated employees or a team that can react with the urgency and expertise the process warrants. The worst-case scenario for brands is a claim that ends without receiving a returned product, a debit of the payment for that product and a substantial blemish to the health of their seller account. 

Avoiding Amazon A to Z Claims

Even though managing your A to Z claims is crucial, a proactive approach to your Amazon business that avoids them in the first place is even better. Thankfully, there are some proven ways that a brand can do precisely that.

One aspect that Amazon sellers can’t afford to overlook, especially due to the A to Z Guarantee, is listing content. The value of A+ Content is clear, but ensuring that listings are engaging, concise and accurate is particularly important when it comes to meeting customer expectations. For example, be sure your product descriptions include all the relevant details that might otherwise be misunderstood, and make an effort to have high-quality images that show prospective customers exactly what they’ll receive if they buy. 

A damaged product is one of the most common reasons for an A to Z claim, so your product packaging can play a huge role in keeping items safe until they arrive at their destination. Use packaging that secures your products appropriately for their journey and won’t leave customers opening a box of disappointment.

In addition to the quality of the packaging, the shipping process is another area where brands can fail their customers. It begins by using a reliable service that will meet your estimated delivery dates and utilizing tracking for all shipments as well as requiring signatures for high-value ones. 3P sellers can also opt to use Amazon’s shipping services for added protection against shipment-related A to Z claims. 

Finally, responsive and helpful communication with unhappy buyers can often eliminate an A to Z claim before it occurs. Amazon prefers that sellers address complaints directly and typically provides a 48-hour window for brands to do so. Be sure you have the staff and ability to react to customer issues quickly and effectively to lower the risk that a customer will turn to the A-to-Z Guarantee for help.  

Grow your business with an approach as comprehensive as Amazon’s guarantee

The most important takeaway from Amazon’s A to Z Guarantee is that customers are the key to your brand’s growth. By optimizing your Amazon listings, solidifying your shipping practices and proactively anticipating shifts in the market, your company can be prepared to thrive, even in a volatile economy. 

Fortunately, you can make the path to success a little smoother with the right partner. Amify’s team of more than 60 Amazon experts is ready to help your company outperform the competition and create an incredible customer experience. Contact us to find out how we’ve generated more than $400 million in sales and created an average growth rate of 100 percent for each of our clients in the first year working with us.

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