Amazon Flags High Risk Orders: Good News - Bad News for Sellers

by: Snapped

“ So signature confirmation isn't a failsafe," a seller wrote.”

All signature items mst be scanned by USPS, at which time a GPS fix, plus image s recorded and transmitted as a retrievable track search return.  If a claim for signature does not show either the intended recipient’s signature OR the correct GPS address location, or if neither is retrievable, the SENDER has valid basis for a claim of non (mis-) delivery.  There are occasions (C-19 protocol, standing customer permission order, etc) where a carrier signs, as will be evident.  It should also be noted that a majority of recipient’s ‘signatures’ are barely legible scrawls, as an investigative consideration for ‘not me’ claims.

Many folks are also unaware of a service called Restricted Delivery.  This requires an ID check by the carrier at time of delivery, and due to it’s legal weight, is grounds for termination if delivery is made without it.  

And yes, that adds cost and ‘inconvenience’.  Since when did ANY attempt to ‘assure’ improved security not?  

Amazon may well choose to ‘flag’ said sales as they see fit, it is not entirely unsound because enforcement costs much more than prevention.  However, there are those pesky questions posed that must be answered clearly first, especially if ‘protection’ may come to rely on use of signature as evidence of delivery.  

However, if they plant these caution flags, it should be EQUALLY ‘compulsory’ for a buyer to acknowledge and confirm they are making a conscious choice to ‘gamble’ accordingly.  And THAT bet should NOT be raked from the seller’s chip stack.

by: Snapped

One clarification on a seller’s “valid basis for a claim”.  If the carrier of record confirms delivery with signature to ANY recipient at the address, and GPS backs it up, the claim will likely, and rightfully, be denied.  

by: lisapar

I am a Seller on Amazon and have seen this new feature.  I also drop ship my orders from the manufacturer due to the size/weight (not economical to house large/heavy items at my location and ship to the buyer - it would be cost restrictive).  I have requested the Signature when AMZ has flagged the address as a High Risk.  However, my question has been:  since I don't use AMZ's Buy Shipping (a supposed fail-safe protection measure for sellers should an INR claim be filed), will I be protected by showing the signature?

My initial thought is - Nope.  The AMZ platform is so heavily weighted in the buyer's favor, it's a breeding ground for fraud.  Buyers claiming INR (but received it).  Buyers returning used items, or an empty box of a lessor value item.  Or (what I experience the most), Buyers purchasing the same item 6 months later, only to swap out their used item for a new one (returning the used item).

It's a tough platform that one has to cautiously outweigh the risks vs. the reward.

The fraud knowledge is out there -- and shoppers are fully engaged in the practice of getting a free item on AMZ.

by: NYSteve

how's about Amazon keeping track of addresses with a history of INRs and threaten to (or actually) kick them off the platform as buyers?