…no, not mine!  I’m still going to be chugging along for some time.  I think I scared a few people from my last post.

I wanted to take the time this week to talk about an email I just received today from a loyal reader and successful online book-selling business owner.  Let’s call her Sue.  Sue had occasionally emailed me in the past to get some tips on how to get started, some of her successes and just general comments about how she was growing her business.  I always enjoyed our email conversations until she dropped a huge bomb on me today…Amazon had killed her.

Like most successful online booksellers Amazon was the most important stream of income for her.  She was working hard to reap the rewards that a highly-trafficked site like Amazon was giving her until today.

Here is her email to me:

Adam~ thank you for being a mentor…. Amazon is great so is bookselling. I screwed up by hiring and not checking an employees work. This is a DIY business. Just as I was going FBA. Now I have 4000 books to get rid of. Not bitter,just sad.

thanks for your help

Here is the crushing blow she just received from Amazon:

Subject: Notice: Your Amazon.com Account

Hello from Amazon.com.

We are writing to let you know that we have blocked your selling account. Your open listings have been canceled and you may no longer sell on our site. Any subsequent selling accounts that are opened will be closed as well.

We took this action because it has come to our attention that this account is related to an account which has been previously blocked for violations of our policies. While we do not provide detailed information on how we link related accounts, we have significant evidence that this account is related to a previously blocked account.

Your seller account will remain accessible to you. Please take steps to resolve your pending sales.

Any remaining funds are being reserved in your Amazon.com account for 90 days from the date your account was blocked. After 90 days, the funds will be disbursed minus any A-to-z Guarantee claims or charge-backs. If you have further questions about your funds please write to payments-funds@amazon.com.

While we appreciate your interest, please understand that the closure of an account is a permanent action. Thank you for your understanding with our decision.

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This was devastating news to say the least.  I couldn’t help but think what this would mean for me if Amazon had completely shut down my account.  I also couldn’t help but notice how blunt and to the point this email was.  This kind of email could seriously jeopardize a person’s life if they’ve  grown to depend on the income for living expenses as I have.  I’ve heard of other situations like this to where they give no reason and do not return emails or phone calls.  With Amazon, it seems there is a one strike you’re out rule.  I agree with the seller performance team’s responsibility to keep the site clear of scams and malicious activity but to give no warning contact prior to dropping the ax is completely unnecessary.

What are your thoughts?