Amazon sets standards for Christmas sellers

24/08/2008

Amazon, traditionally the online marketplace for buying and selling books, has become an increasingly popular outlet to trade toys and games. So much so, that the site has introduced tougher regulations to ensure sellers of toys over the Christmas period adhere to a rigorous set of seller standards.

Amazon will stop accepting new sellers in the Toys & Games category from September 12th. In addition, existing sellers who fail to meet certain criteria by a November 17th deadline will be prevented from selling any toys through the site until 5th January 2009. Part of the criteria is that the seller's first sale on Amazon.co.uk must be prior to 19/09/2008, although the sale does not need to be specific to toys.

Additionally, the seller must have processed and shipped at least 25 orders by 18/10/2008 (again, the orders do not need to be specific to toys). The seller must also have a defect rate no greater than 1%. Amazon intends to evaluate defects for all orders orders placed between 06/07/08 and 04/10/08.

In a statement, Amazon said: "Customers have high expectations for purchases during the festive season. We want to ensure that our sellers in Toys & Games provide high-quality customer experience and that all orders are fulfilled and delivered in a manner that meets or exceeds our customers' expectations."