Amazon Sellers Beware: The Legal Traps That Could Kill Your Business

Join Seller Basics Here: https://cleartheshelf.com/sellerbasics

Amazon sellers, your account is more vulnerable than you think.

IP complaints, suspensions, account holds, and legal disputes—if you don’t know how to protect yourself, you’re playing with fire.

In this episode of the pod, Chris Grant and Chris Racic sit down with Paul Rafelson, a top e-commerce attorney and founder of Seller Basics, to expose the legal pitfalls Amazon sellers face—and how to fight back.

What’s inside this episode:

✔️ Why Amazon suspends sellers & how to prevent it

✔️ The truth about IP complaints & false counterfeit claims

✔️ How Amazon legally justifies holding seller funds and inventory

✔️ What to do if your ASIN or account gets suspended

✔️ The secret Amazon doesn’t want you to know—how to use politicians to apply pressure

✔️ Why arbitrage sellers aren’t going anywhere (despite the private label crowd screaming otherwise)Paul has defended Amazon sellers in courtrooms, boardrooms, and even Washington D.C.

--------------------

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

🧰 https://www.ClearTheShelf.com (The Blog)

🧰 Keepa Academy - https://www.oachallenge.com/keepa-academy

🧰 OA Challenge - https://www.OAChallenge.com

🧰 Repricer Challenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/repricer-challenge

🧰 RabbitTrailChallenge (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/rabbit-trail-challenge

🧰 revROI Chrome Extension (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/revroi-extension

🧰 Goal Tracking Spreadsheet (Free) - https://cleartheshelf.com/goal-tracking

SOFTWARE & SERVICES I USE & RECOMMEND:

✅ IP Alert (Code YT30 to Save $30) - https://entreresource.com/ip-alert-2/

✅ Tactical Arbitrage (Code CLEARTHESHELF for a 10-Day Trial) - https://tacticalarbitrage.com/?frnd=12

✅ Boxem - https://cleartheshelf.com/BoxemLive

✅ AURA Repricer (Code CTS to Save 20% Off Your First 3 Months) - https://goaura.com/cts

✅ RevSeller (Code PRO20 to Save $20) - https://www.revseller.com/32851/258.html

✅ OA Buddy (Code CLEARTHESHELF Saves $20): https://cleartheshelf.com/OA-Buddy

FOLLOW US:

🐦 Twitter (Chris Grant): https://twitter.com/cleartheshelf

🐦 Twitter (Chris Racic): https://twitter.com/ChrisRacic

--------------------

0:00 - Introduction: Paul Rafelson & Why Every Amazon Seller Needs Legal Protection

4:10 - The Biggest Legal Threats Amazon Sellers Face in 2025

8:30 - Why Amazon Suspends Seller Accounts Without Warning

12:45 - Understanding IP Complaints & How to Fight False Claims

17:15 - How Brands Abuse Amazon’s Intellectual Property System

21:50 - The Dark Side of Amazon’s Arbitrary Account Suspensions

26:30 - Why Amazon Holds Seller Funds & What You Can Do About It

31:10 - The Risks of Selling Name Brands on Amazon (And How to Avoid Trouble)

35:50 - Why Arbitrage Sellers Are Targeted (But Not Going Anywhere)

40:15 - The Truth About Amazon’s Arbitration Process & Why It’s Stacked Against You

44:40 - What to Do When You Get an IP Complaint on Amazon

49:25 - When to Escalate an Amazon Dispute to Legal Action

54:00 - How Amazon Forces Sellers into Arbitration Instead of Lawsuits

58:35 - The Role of Seller Basics in Protecting Amazon Sellers

1:03:10 - What Most Sellers Get Wrong About Reinstating Their Accounts

1:07:45 - How to Leverage Politicians to Apply Pressure on Amazon

1:12:15 - Why Amazon’s Terms of Service Are Designed to Protect Amazon (Not You)

1:16:45 - Can You Really Sue Amazon? Legal Recourse for Sellers

1:21:30 - The Future of Amazon Seller Protections & Legal Battles

1:25:40 - When to Get Legal Help vs. Handling a Suspension Yourself

1:30:15 - How Paul Rafelson Fights for Sellers in Court & Washington D.C.

1:34:50 - How to Protect Yourself Before You Get Suspended

1:39:20 - Understanding Account Health Metrics & Proactively Avoiding Risk

1:43:45 - What’s Next for Amazon Sellers in 2025?

1:48:30 - Final Advice: How to Stay in Business & Protect Your Profits

1:53:10 - Closing Thoughts & How to Get Help with Amazon Legal Issues