Demystifying Amazon Chargebacks: A Comprehensive Guide for Sellers

Jeniffer Alexander
SellerApp
Published in
3 min readJul 25, 2023

Amazon Chargeback is an essential topic for every Amazon seller. As an online marketplace seller, understanding chargebacks is crucial to protect your business and maintain a positive seller reputation.

In this Medium post, we’ll delve into the key aspects of Amazon Chargebacks and equip you with valuable insights to navigate through this challenging terrain.

Amazon Chargeback: What is it?

Amazon Chargeback is a payment dispute initiated by a buyer with their credit card company. When a customer raises a dispute for a transaction made on Amazon, the funds are reversed, and the seller faces a chargeback. These can have significant implications for sellers, affecting their finances and overall performance metrics.

Common reasons for Amazon Chargeback

Amazon Chargebacks can occur for various reasons, and it’s essential to be aware of these common triggers. Among the most prevalent reasons are

  • Late or non-delivery of items
  • Damaged or defective products
  • Unauthorized transactions
  • Instances of fraud

Understanding these reasons can help sellers take proactive steps to minimize chargebacks.

How do you know when a buyer files a chargeback?

As a seller, it’s crucial to be vigilant about chargebacks.

Amazon usually informs sellers via email when a buyer files a chargeback. However, keeping track of your seller account regularly is equally important to stay updated and promptly respond to any issues.

On Amazon Pay, the detection of chargeback involves two combinations -

  • Email notifications
  • Instant Payment Notifications (IPNs)
  1. Email Notifications

When a buyer initiates a chargeback on a transaction, Amazon Pay will send an email notification to the email address associated with your Amazon Pay account. This email notification serves as an essential alert, notifying you that the buyer has made a chargeback request.

2. Instant Payment Notifications (IPNs)

To receive real-time updates on payment events and transaction status changes, you can set up Instant Payment Notifications (IPNs) in Seller Central. By enabling IPNs, you will receive instant messages that provide timely information about various payment-related activities, including chargebacks. This way, you can be promptly informed about the buyer’s dispute and take appropriate action.

How to resolve Amazon chargeback

Resolving chargebacks requires a strategic approach. When the buyer initiates the chargeback, the bank or credit card company contacts Amazon Pay to obtain transaction details for review.

To address a chargeback notification, you can respond in one of two ways:

  1. Dispute the Chargeback

If you believe that the chargeback is not valid and you have evidence to support your case, you can choose to dispute the chargeback via Amazon Pay. In such cases, you need to respond to the email notification sent by Amazon Pay. Your response should include compelling information and documentation to demonstrate that the transaction was legitimate and fulfilled as agreed upon with the buyer.

2. Accept the Chargeback

Alternatively, if you determine that the chargeback is valid or you prefer not to dispute it, you can choose to accept the chargeback. By doing so, you acknowledge the buyer’s claim, and the specified amount will be debited from your Amazon Pay account.

What happens if you don’t respond in time

Responding to chargeback notifications within the specified timeframe is crucial to resolve disputes effectively. When you receive a chargeback notification from Amazon Pay, it is essential to take prompt action and provide the necessary information within 11 calendar days of the email notification date. Failure to respond to the chargeback notification within this timeframe can have significant consequences.

Difference between Amazon chargeback and A-z Guarantee claim

It’s essential to differentiate between Amazon Chargebacks and A-z Guarantee claims.

While both relate to disputes, they operate under distinct circumstances. A-z Guarantee claims are directly initiated on Amazon by buyers for issues like ‘item not received’ or ‘item not as described.’

Chargebacks, on the other hand, involve credit card companies, and sellers have limited control over the process.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of Amazon Chargebacks can be challenging, but armed with the knowledge from this guide, you can take proactive steps to mitigate risks and protect your seller account. Remember to prioritize customer satisfaction, maintain transparent communication, and promptly address any issues that arise.

Check out the complete blog https://www.sellerapp.com/blog/what-is-amazon-chargeback/ for a more detailed understanding of Amazon Chargebacks. Stay informed, stay proactive, and elevate your Amazon selling experience!

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Jeniffer Alexander
SellerApp

Content writer at SellerApp. She writes about eCommerce and Amazon for sellers to help them sell their products.