We can’t talk about buying or selling Amazon Seller accounts, without mentioning some caveats – namely violating Amazon’s Terms of service and seller account suspensions. When you sell on Amazon, you agree to abide by Amazon’s TOS. If you violate them, expect that Amazon will not show much mercy, and suspend you. As a customer-centric business, Amazon wants to ensure that all sellers comply with these terms. To open an Amazon seller account, you will be required to verify your identity by providing personal information – legal entity, banking, credit, etc. Amazon actively collects that data. If you have a suspended account, and you attempt to open a secondary seller account using any of those data points, chances are good you’re going to have your new account suspended as well, due to related accounts.  Amazon’s policies explicitly state that sellers cannot open a new account to bypass a suspension. Attempting to do so can result in both the new and existing accounts being permanently banned. Warning messages from Amazon may include: “We found a related account“, or “That information has already been used to open an Amazon Seller Account”. Equally important: Amazon detects related accounts via MAC and IP addresses, and even WI-FI router information. 

At AIA Assets, we can’t emphasize enough that Amazon expects its sellers to comply with all aspects of its code of conduct and its BSA. While owning and operating a second Amazon seller account does not violate Amazon’s terms of service, the following conditions must be met:

1. You don’t have another account that is suspended
2. You have a legitimate business need for a second Amazon Seller Account (vastly different products, selling model, etc.)

When you sell on Amazon, we suggest you operate your Amazon business using a VPS. But, what is a VPS and what are the benefits?

What is a VPS?

A Virtual Private Server (VPS) is essentially a virtual machine / computer that acts as a dedicated server for you. Think of it as having your own apartment in a shared building. You have your own space, privacy, and control, but you share common areas like the building’s structure and utilities.

What are some benefits of having a VPS?

• Performance: With a VPS, you have dedicated resources allocated to your server. This means you won’t be affected by other websites’ traffic or activities, resulting in better performance and faster loading times for your website or applications.
• Scalability: VPS hosting offers scalability, allowing you to easily upgrade or downgrade your resources as your website or business grows. You can quickly adjust your CPU, RAM, and storage requirements without experiencing downtime or disruptions to your services.
• Customization: VPS hosting provides a high level of customization compared to shared hosting. You have full control over the server environment, including the choice of operating system, software installations, and server configurations. This flexibility enables you to tailor the server to meet your specific needs and requirements.
• Security: Since each VPS operates in an isolated environment, it offers enhanced security compared to shared hosting. You are less vulnerable to security threats and breaches from other users on the same server. Additionally, you can implement custom security measures and access control policies to protect your data and applications.
• Reliability: VPS hosting typically offers higher reliability and uptime compared to shared hosting. Since resources are dedicated to your server, you are less likely to experience performance issues or downtime due to server overload or maintenance activities.
• Affordability: While VPS hosting may cost more than shared hosting, it is still a cost-effective solution for businesses and websites that require more resources and control than shared hosting can provide. With the ability to scale resources based on demand, you only pay for what you need, making it a cost-efficient option in the long run.
• Accessibility: Whether you’re in your home office, or on vacation overseas, using a VPS to log into your Amazon account keeps your information safe and secure.

How do you Open an Amazon Seller Account with a VPS?

Once you’re on a VPS, it’s time to open your seller account. When opening an Amazon Seller Account,  you will need to prepare your application by having the following: 

• Bank account and credit card details for each Seller Central account 
• Email address
• Supporting identification
• Phone number that can receive texts
• If you are a business, you may be required to show additional documentation to support business ownership
• Physical address that can receive a verification postcard

Once your account is opened, instruct your team to ONLY access Amazon Seller Central via the VPS. 

How do you manage your Amazon account? Do you use a VPS? If you’d like more information about how a VPS is helpful for your Amazon business, let us know!