Blacklisted On Amazon – Update #1

On By MischenkoIn Rants, What's Your Opinion?

For anyone who wants to read the original post regarding me being blacklisted from writing reviews and rating items on Amazon, you can find it HERE.

black

Last Friday I was finally able to sit down and contact Amazon via chat, because it was recommend by a great friend and also a few other bloggers. Before I attempted to chat with them, I took Donna’s advice (previous post) to remove my social media accounts from Amazon and to also remove my Amazon connection on Goodreads.

Here is my conversation with Amazon:

Initial Question: I contacted Amazon because I have been completely blocked from leaving any community reviews and I want to know why. I’ve been a customer since 2008 and have left so many reviews and now they have all been removed.

07:51 AM PST Joraniel(Amazon): Hello, my name is Joraniel. I’m here to help you today. Thank you for being a Prime member.

07:52 AM PST Joraniel: I am sorry to know that you aren’t allow to provide a community reviews.
Let me reason why, Jennifer.
07:53 AM PST Joraniel: Thank you also for continuing doing business with Amazon.
We appreciate it.
07:54 AM PST Joraniel: I am now checking your account, Jennifer.
07:56 AM PST Joraniel: This what I can do to help you with this.
Before that I just want to know if we are still connected, Jennifer?
07:56 AM PST jennifer: Yes
07:56 AM PST Joraniel: Thank you.
07:58 AM PST Joraniel: Just to confirm, you can’t provide a reviews on a product, Jennifer?
07:58 AM PST jennifer: No reviews. Not even for verified purchases. I can’t even rate them.
07:59 AM PST jennifer: I was told that I violated guidelines and I don’t understand how. So I’ve been blocked.
07:59 AM PST Joraniel: Oh, I understand. Jennifer. A moment for this.
08:02 AM PST Joraniel: In this case, let me request to unblocked your account for doing a review from what I can see here your violate some policies on giving a feedback.
08:03 AM PST Joraniel: Give me a moment to submit this to our higher department.
08:03 AM PST jennifer: Okay
08:03 AM PST Joraniel: Appreciated.
08:07 AM PST Joraniel: I am sorry if this take some time.
08:07 AM PST jennifer: Okay
08:08 AM PST Joraniel: You have my thanks for your patience.
08:10 AM PST Joraniel: Thank you so much for waiting.
08:12 AM PST Joraniel: I have now forwarded this to our specialist. I will also create a personal follow up to monitor this for you. You will receive an email within 1 to 2 business days regarding to this matter.
I hope I was able to address your concern today.

08:13 AM PST jennifer: I already received an email and they have not helped me.
I’m guessing I’m going to get the same email again, stating that I have violated guidelines. I’ve called twice about this and I keep getting the same answer–that they will email me in a few days.
08:14 AM PST Joraniel: I have sent this to higher department if they still have an option to redo this for you, Jennifer.
I knew that it’s been indicated that is was final.
08:15 AM PST Joraniel: However I appeal if there’s still another way we can remove this for you.
Since you are a valuable customer.
08:17 AM PST Joraniel: Rest assured that I will check this for you within the given time.
08:19 AM PST Joraniel: As of now we need your patience in this matter. Aside from this, Jennifer. Is there anything else I may assist you with?
08:21 AM PST jennifer: No. Thank you.
08:21 AM PST Joraniel: You are welcome. It has been my pleasure to assist you today. Thank you for contacting Amazon.com.ā€‹ Please click the *End Chat* button on the top right corner of this window.ā€‹ Have a happy wonderful day.

Thank you.
Amazon.com

This was last Friday and I still haven’t heard back from them. I’ll be starting another chat this evening.

So for now, I’d like to thank everyone who commented on the original post with supportive comments and help. I really appreciate that. I’ll do another update explaining what their final decision is.

48 thoughts on “Blacklisted On Amazon – Update #1”

  3. N. N. Light's Book Heaven

    It sounds like you’re talking to a robot. Keep your head up, hun. Like I mentioned before, you can now review on Bookbub.

    You may want to rethink Prime, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you. ā¤ I don't think I can live without Prime. I would surely be the one suffering and not them-losing just one customer, lol. šŸ™‚ I'm going to start another chat this evening I guess and try once more. I appreciate your support.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Audio Killed the Bookmark/Berit&V

    This is so terrible and must be so frustrating to you! I am a fabulous Amazon customer and if I were in the same position I would be beyond angry about this! I had read your original post while at my youngest sonā€™s baseball game and I was going to comment when I got home, but that didnā€™t happen, so Iā€™m glad I can comment now ….
    What I canā€™t seem to understand is why they are not giving you the exact reason for this action? I cannot imagine you did anything that would have warranted this… it has unfortunately been my experience that you need to be a complete bitch to get anywhere with these big companies, and then that just makes me more angry because it shouldnā€™t be that way, although it is sometimes fun to be a complete bitch, LOL
    Best of luck with the situation! And thank you for keeping us informed! šŸ’•

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Lol, I’m getting there! I feel like they just keep giving me the same answer. I’m not sure but the social media connection make sense. I do have a good amount of authors as friends on Goodreads. I guess we’ll see. šŸ’— Thank you! šŸ˜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. David R. Dowdy

    Why is customer service a fifty-fifty proposition? Everybody knows a satisfied customer is a repeat customer. I give you oodles of credit for trying, but you’re dealing with an unfriendly giant.

    Amazon is so big these days and they seem to do whatever they want to do. Can you imagine Amazon taking over bookings for Heaven?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I have no idea. I truly doubt Amazon would care if they lost me as a customer. They are such a giant like you say. The truth is, I feel bad for authors like you who will lose out on ratings and reviews. Especially authors who are giving a free book for a review, and spending money out of their pocket to send it. It’s just not right. I’ll update again on what I was told last night. I was basically told that the investigation is not complete. Then, I received another worthless email that made no sense. Chat soon and thanks for your support, David. ā¤

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  12. Claire @bookscoffeeandrepeat

    I don’t understand… what specific words aren’t to be used in reviews? Also, have you tried calling their customer service? I find that a combination of emailing and calling actually gets the job done (but it probably depends on the situation).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was told last year that you can’t use the word Netgalley and you can’t say that you got something for free in exchange for review. So, they said to use the words complimentary copy and I did. Then all of this happened in January. I’ve emailed, called, and used chat. Nothing seems to be working and I’m being told now that the investigation isn’t complete. Will update soon I hope. Thank you. šŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Iā€™m so frustrated for you, but Iā€™m hoping your tenacity will pay off. Maybe you can ask that your request be escalated to someone in management? I donā€™t know. Itā€™s like talking to Cable. šŸ¤¦šŸ½ā€ā™€ļø

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know, it’s weird and nobody seems to be helpful. It seems to dead end every time. I’m hoping they’ll change their final decision as I’m now being told the investigation isn’t complete. Thank you. ā¤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. starjustin

    I think it’s better to try to fix it then to just do nothing so very good on your part. I agree with David, Amazon has gotten out of hand and tooooooooo big for their ‘you know what’. Someone that uses then as much as you do and leaves reviews on books faithfully should come out on top. Here’s hoping you do! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I feel the same. I have to keep trying and I’m still hopeful. I doubt they carr though. Gone out the window are businesses that care about customers anymore. I’m witnessing it more and more. šŸ˜£ I will definitely update again. Thank you. šŸ’™

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  18. It just seems ridiculous that they can’t provide a reason, at bare minimum. In what way did you supposedly “violate their review guidelines”? Frustrating enough not being able to review, but to not be given a specific reason or evidence of why? And my goodness, I just started thinking about what removing your existing reviews means…if you don’t have copies of those reviews somewhere…all that work gone! That would kill me. You did all this work that they benefited from…sorry, my empathy bone made me all ranty. :/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I know. It’s ridiculous. No explanation and now they’re ignoring me. I do have my book reviews on Goodreads, but none of my product reviews and many had pics, etc! Lots of work gone! That’s the worst part. This whole situation just makes no sense. I appreciate your thoughts and support. It’s nice to know that others feel the same. I’ll update any changes. šŸ’–

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. Oh, bloomin hell.. I get customer care and I get politeness, etc but it was such a cringe to read this chat by the ‘agent’- can they dial down on the fluff and give it straight? hahaha… I’d probably be a nightmare customer… anyway… I am playing catch up with blogs so hopefully there’ll be a further update on the process… and that it’s all sorted for you now. *fingers crossed*

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  21. Mischenko,

    I found your blog after doing a search trying to figure out why I’ve been banned from Amazon reviews. I’ve only left a few reviews over the years since 2007.

    Just curious if you ever made any headway with this unyielding giant, or if they are still ignoring you.

    Joel

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Joel, I planned on doing another update this week because I haven’t gotten anywhere with this situation. I tried at least 4 more times and I’m given the same information with no response. Have you tried calling? I’ve emailed, called, and gone through the chat system. A complete waste of time. Hope you get yours figured out and sorry you’re dealing with this too. šŸ˜Š

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      Reply
  22. Angel Parkey

    Came across this today while reading up on what to do as Iā€™m going through the exact same thing. Glad you saved me from a few extra Amazon calls, Iā€™ve only sent a few e-mails and called once.
    I was never informed when my comment access was restricted, I just went to leave a comment a few months ago and it was restricted. Iā€™ve still not figured anything out. I even went over my history to see if anything could be considered breaking guidelines and found nothing wrong! Iā€™ve left tons of reviews and comments since I started my account in September, for the Holidays I made over 100 purchases and wrote reviews for all of them up until my access was stopped.
    I can see why they would have a way to report individual comment and restrict users but I can understand how they would do this without notifying anyone or keeping some kind of record as to why weā€™re supposed to be in trouble in the first place. All of that could be easily automated since Amazon is a ghost. Better yet they could set up some kind of actual appeal process. I guess that would mean having to know why weā€™re restricted in the first place though.
    Worse yet I was looking in to it again particularly because of a small business opportunity but it would require using Amazon reviews. šŸ˜„

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