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.
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. Please click the *End Chat* button on the top right corner of this window. 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.
Speechless. But not surprised. Go get ’em, Jennifer.
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Thanks, Michael. 🙂
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At least they gave you a person named like a LOTR character instead of just a a dull mundane name. Other than that, I can’t see much positive so far. Sorry–I hope it works out.
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Lol. 😀 Thanks, Donna. Will update again… ❤
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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.
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Thank you. ❤ I don't think I can live without Prime. I would surely be the one suffering and not them-losing just one customer, lol. 🙂 I'm going to start another chat this evening I guess and try once more. I appreciate your support.
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You know me, I’m always here for ya! Psst, you still owe me a baklava recipe. 😉 ❤
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Lol, oh my gosh. I’m horrible. I’m sending it now! Sorry 😉👍
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Gah! And I was hoping to read a happy ending here 😤
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Me too, lol. I was hopeful there for a few minutes! I guess I’ll try again tonight. I really just want this to be over with though. Thank you. 🙂
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Not at you of course but of Mr. LOTR
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Hope it works out!
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Me too. Thank you. 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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How very annoying! I hope they figure it out for you soon, fingers crossed!!
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Thank you! Me too. 💚
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Jenn I am feeling so frustrated for you! And frustrated at this process. We should not be having to deal with this simply because we ‘friend’ authors on Goodreads or Twitter.
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I totally agree. 😠 I’m really surprised this isn’t happening to a lot of others and I surely hope it doesn’t. I’m just hoping they’ll decide in my favor. 💖 I appreciate all your support.
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Me too! 👍
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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 son’s baseball game and I was going to comment when I got home, but that didn’t happen, so I’m glad I can comment now ….
What I can’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 shouldn’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! 💕
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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. 💗 Thank you! 😁
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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?
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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. ❤
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Awww, sorry about this… I can imagine how annoying is this… Hope it gets fixed soon.
And by the way,
I just got a name for a character in my fantasy book- JORANIEL.. Let’s put them on good use… 🙂 🙂
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Lol, everyone seems to like the name hahaha. Thanks and will update soon once more. ❤
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🙂 🙂 At least we get something good from this but i really hope this get fixed soon… Have a great week despite this. 🙂 🙂
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Thank you. 💗👍
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🙂 🙂
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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).
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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. 🙂
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I’m so frustrated for you, but I’m hoping your tenacity will pay off. Maybe you can ask that your request be escalated to someone in management? I don’t know. It’s like talking to Cable. 🤦🏽♀️
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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. ❤
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Good luck! I hope you hear back, but it does sound like you’re getting the same answer over and over again. Makes no sense.
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Exactly. I’m hopeful. I appreciate your thoughts. ❤
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Arggh! I’m screaming on your behalf!
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💙 Thanks, Mitch. I hope this will be over soon. 😔
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This makes me so mad! I hate getting the run around from companies!!! Good Luck! I hope it all gets worked out!
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Me too! They’re just ignoring me at this point and I haven’t been contacted. I’ll try again tomorrow. Thank you. 💚
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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! 🙂
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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. 😣 I will definitely update again. Thank you. 💙
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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.
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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. 💖
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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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unbelievable! makes it almost impossible to network if we have to be in fear of being blacklisted. gimme a break–so sorry for your troubles!
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Thank you! I totally agree. 💜
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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
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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. 😊
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Came across this today while reading up on what to do as I’m going through the exact same thing. Glad you saved me from a few extra Amazon calls, I’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. I’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! I’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 we’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 we’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. 😥
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