If you're an Amazon seller, you may have wondered, "How do I cancel my Amazon Pro Merchant fees?" Whether you're looking to downgrade to an Individual Selling Plan or close your Amazon Seller Account altogether, it’s crucial to follow the correct process to avoid unnecessary fees and complications. Amazon continues to dominate the E-commerce landscape, with over 2.5 million active sellers and projections to surpass $600 billion in sales by 2025.
With such impressive growth, many sellers find themselves using Amazon’s Professional Selling Plan to take advantage of its advanced tools and features. However, there are times when you might need to reconsider your subscription, whether due to changing business circumstances or a desire to cut costs. By understanding the nuances of Amazon’s selling plans and the cancellation process, you can make informed decisions that align with your business goals. This blog will guide you step-by-step through the process of canceling your Professional Selling Plan fee, as well as the procedure to close your Amazon Seller Account.
What are Amazon's Selling Plans?
Before proceeding with the cancellation process, it’s important to understand Amazon's selling plans. These plans are critical in determining your subscription fee and access to features.
Differences between individual and professional selling plans
Amazon offers two types of selling plans: Individual and Professional.
Individual selling plan | Professional selling plan |
Ideal for smaller sellers or those with fewer than 40 sales per month, the Individual plan does not have a monthly subscription fee but charges a $0.99 fee per item sold. This plan provides access to Amazon's marketplace but offers fewer tools for managing listings and analyzing data. | This plan is designed for higher-volume sellers who make more than 40 sales per month. It comes with a monthly subscription fee of $39.99 (excluding taxes). Still, it offers enhanced features such as access to advanced listing tools, reporting, and eligibility to participate in Amazon’s advertising programs. |
Usage and benefits of a professional selling plan
The Professional Selling Plan is packed with features that cater to serious sellers. These include access to:
Bulk listing tools
Advanced reporting and business analytics
Participation in Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program
Eligibility for promotions, discounts, and ads
The ability to create customizable offers
Access to Amazon’s B2B marketplace
For sellers who are growing their businesses or managing a large catalog of products, the Professional plan provides essential tools and support. However, the monthly fee might only be worth it if your sales volume increases or if you no longer wish to sell on Amazon.
Monthly subscription fee and its implications
The monthly fee for the Professional Selling Plan can be a significant investment, especially for sellers with fluctuating sales or those considering a change in business strategy. If your sales drop below 40 items per month, continuing with the Professional plan will result in unnecessary charges. This is where knowing “how do I cancel my Amazon Pro Merchant fees?” becomes crucial for those who wish to reduce costs.
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Reasons to Downgrade Your Amazon Seller Account
There are several reasons why an Amazon seller might choose to downgrade from a Professional selling account. They are:
One common reason is that new sellers may find the professional seller fee too steep and not worth the investment at the beginning of their business journey.
Another reason to consider downgrading is if a seller has at most 40 products to sell. The individual plan is more cost-effective for smaller inventories.
Some sellers may also opt to downgrade if they plan to take a break from selling on Amazon.
Downgrading can simply be a strategy to reduce operational costs.
Regardless of the reason, the process of downgrading an Amazon Seller Central account is straightforward.
How to Cancel Your Professional Selling Plan Fee?
If you've decided to cancel your Professional Selling Plan to avoid unnecessary fees, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to Seller Central and access 'My Services'
Start by logging into your Amazon Seller Central account. From the main dashboard, go to the "Settings" menu and select 'Account Info.' Here, you’ll find 'My Services'; click on it to review your current selling plan.
2. Downgrade from professional to individual selling plan
Once you're in the 'My Services' section, locate the option to downgrade your selling plan. Click on the "Downgrade" option, and you’ll be prompted to confirm your change from a Professional Selling Plan to an Individual Selling Plan. Make sure to review your decision carefully, as this will stop the $39.99 monthly fee, though you will be charged $0.99 per sale for every item sold after that.
3. Contact customer support for refund considerations
If you’ve already been charged for the month and would like a refund, it's recommended that you contact Amazon Seller Support. They may issue a refund if you downgrade within the same billing cycle. Be sure to explain your situation clearly, especially if you’ve had a change in business strategy or sales performance.
4. Ensure zero balance post-downgrading
After downgrading, double-check your account balance to ensure that no further fees are being charged. If there is any outstanding fee or charge that you don’t recognize, address it with Amazon Seller Support immediately.
How Will The Plan Downgrade Affect My Seller Account?
Downgrading your Amazon seller account to an Individual plan can have several impacts on your account. Here are some key changes to expect:
Timing of the plan change- Your transition from a Professional to an Individual Seller Account won’t happen instantly. Instead, it will take effect at the start of the next billing cycle. As a result, your payment cycle will also be adjusted.
Buy Box eligibility- Since only Professional Seller accounts qualify for the Buy Box, downgrading your account will result in loss of access to this feature and the inability of your listings to appear in it.
Advertising and promotions- With an Individual account, you will no longer be able to use Amazon's advertising tools, such as PPC (Pay-Per-Click), or run promotional campaigns.
Tax calculation service- Downgrading to an Individual plan will cancel your enrollment in Amazon's Tax Calculation Service. This means that all tax calculation features will be removed, and any previous tax reports in your Document Library will no longer be accessible. It’s recommended to back up any necessary tax reports before making changes to your account.
These are some important considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to downgrade your account.
Preparing to Cancel Your Amazon Seller Account
If you’re not just downgrading but looking to close your entire Amazon Seller account, there are a few things you need to do before you initiate the cancellation process. They are:
Fulfill all outstanding orders
Ensure that all your pending orders are shipped and delivered. Amazon requires sellers to complete their transactions before canceling their accounts.
Wait 90 days post last sale for A-to-Z guarantee claims
Amazon may allow customers to file A-to-Z guarantee claims within 90 days of a purchase. Before closing your account, ensure that this period has passed for all of your sales, or you may face complications with your account closure.
Verify account and financial obligations
Check that there are no outstanding financial obligations, such as payments owed to Amazon for fees, inventory, or other charges. Before proceeding with the account closure, it is essential to settle all debts.
Resolve all buyer transactions and refund
Before closing your account, resolve any pending buyer transactions, returns, or refunds. As a seller, you have to ensure that all customer issues are addressed to avoid complications later.
Steps to Cancel Your Amazon Seller Account
Once you're ready to proceed with account cancellation, follow these steps:
Log into your Amazon Seller Account and access Settings
Go to 'Settings' in the top right corner of your Seller Central dashboard and select 'Account Info.'
Initiate the account cancellation process
Under 'Account Info,' you will see an option to "Close Account". Click this and follow the instructions. You may be asked to provide a reason for the cancellation.
Review Amazon’s terms and conditions
Before finalizing your account closure, review Amazon’s terms and conditions to ensure you understand the consequences, especially regarding remaining inventory or financial obligations.
Confirm account cancellation and receive confirmation
Once you’ve completed the steps, Amazon will confirm the cancellation of your Seller Account. You will receive a confirmation email stating that your account is closed. Ensure that you keep a record of this email for future reference.
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Challenges in Cancelling an Amazon Seller Account
While the cancellation process is straightforward, there are some challenges that sellers should be aware of:
Outstanding financial obligations- If you have any pending fees or payments owed to Amazon, you must settle them before your account can be closed. Failure to pay these fees can result in delays.
Pending orders or returns- If you have pending orders, returns, or refunds, you will need to handle them before your account can be closed. It can take some time, depending on the volume of transactions.
Active listings or inventory- Ensure that all your listings are deactivated and that inventory is removed from Amazon fulfillment centers (if applicable). Leaving active listings or inventory can prevent account closure.
Performance or policy violations- Amazon may not allow you to close your account if there are ongoing policy violations or performance issues, such as high order defect rates or negative feedback.
Alternatives to Account Closure
If you're not ready to permanently close your account, here are some alternatives:
Downgrading to an individual selling plan
If you're not actively selling but want to maintain your account, consider downgrading to an Individual Selling Plan. You do not have to pay the monthly subscription fee as you downgrade.
Temporarily deactivating listings
You can deactivate your listings temporarily if you want to pause selling but not close your account. It can be a good option if you need clarity on your future with Amazon.
Exploring other selling options on Amazon
If you still want to sell on Amazon but don’t want to be a regular Amazon seller, consider exploring other selling options, such as dropshipping, reselling, or becoming a vendor instead of a seller.
Summing Up
Before deciding to cancel your Amazon Seller Account or downgrade from a Professional Selling Plan, it’s essential to weigh the potential consequences, including the impact on your seller's reputation and any long-term financial obligations. Always review Amazon’s policies and ensure all orders and financial matters are settled before proceeding. If necessary, seek professional advice to guide you through the process. By following these steps carefully, you can ensure a smooth transition away from the platform.
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FAQs
Q1. Do I need a Professional Seller Account to advertise on Amazon?
Ans- Yes, you must have a Professional Seller Account to run Amazon ads like Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns, access promotions, and use other marketing tools. Individual accounts do not have access to these features.
Q2. Is the Professional Selling Fee refundable?
Ans- No, the $39.99 Professional Selling fee is nonrefundable. It is charged monthly and applies to the entire month, regardless of whether you make any sales. However, Amazon may offer partial refunds for certain account-related issues, but the subscription fee is typically not refunded.
Q3. How do I keep track of my Professional Seller Fees?
Ans- You can track your Professional Seller Fees through your Seller Central account under the Payments section. This area will display your monthly subscription fees, referral fees, and any other applicable charges for each transaction.
Q4. What happens if I don’t pay the Professional Selling Fee?
Ans- If you fail to pay the Professional Selling Fee, Amazon will suspend your account until payment is received. If payment is made within a certain period, Amazon may close your account, and you may retain access to your listings and any accrued fees or commissions.
Q5. Will downgrading my account affect my sales history?
Ans- No, downgrading your account to an Individual plan will not affect your sales history or any of your previous transactions. You will still have access to past data and reports, but you will lose access to certain features, such as the Buy Box and marketing tools.
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