How Amazon handles consumer concerns around regulatory claims, and how to not get caught in the middle.
Hey, quick question – if I buy a flea collar for my dog on Amazon and then that collar kills my dog, should Amazon say it’s sorry?
Lucky for me, I don’t actually have a dog, so it’s a moo point. But this was a real question after a popular flea collar by Seresto was linked to 1,700 pet deaths, which isn’t a great look when you consider the 75,000 total incident reports on the collar (1,000 of which involved human harm…and most of which were hopefully sexually-unrelated).
So who is responsible?
A solid argument can be made for the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), but despite the building pile of data, they have not issued any official warning. But don’t worry: they’re “continuing to monitor the situation.” PHEW.
Another case could be made for Amazon, who has received numerous complaints from customers on the product. Oddly enough, not a single complaint from a dog.
Amazon has remained silent on that specific issue but has taken a little broad responsibility. For example, they have started suppressing or deleting listings that misrepresent credentials and claim to be FDA approved. Turns out that just means “Fake Dealing A-Holes”.
This is good for Amazon sellers, because it’s not like headlines read “Don’t Buy from This Specific Seller.” Instead they say things like “FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Certain Male Enhancement and Weight Loss Products Sold Through Amazon.”
Sooo thing to know:
- There are plenty of lists out there warning about categories to avoid on Amazon, and you should check them out. You don’t want to be fighting an uphill battle if your business falls into a health-related and/or regulated category.
- Consider how consumers are evaluating sellers and make sure you are passing with flying colors. Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any more pet deaths on anyone’s hands. Not mine, not yours, and not our BFF Amazon’s.
