Advertisement

Amazon suspends almost 4,000 seller accounts for ‘unfairly priced’ products during virus pandemic

  • Amazon says it has deployed a team to identify and investigate ‘unfairly priced’ products in high demand, such as protective masks and hand sanitiser
  • It has pulled over half a million offers and suspended more than 3,900 selling accounts in the US for violating its fair pricing policies

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
Amazon boxes are seen stacked for delivery in the Manhattan borough of New York City, January 29, 2016. File photo: Reuters
Amazon said it has suspended thousands of seller accounts for price gouging during the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement

The operator of the largest US online marketplace said it has pulled well over half a million offers and suspended more than 3,900 selling accounts in the US for violating its fair pricing policies.

Amazon said it deployed a dedicated team to identify and investigate “unfairly priced” products that are in high demand, such as protective masks and hand sanitiser.

“We are also proactively sharing information with state attorneys general and federal regulators about sellers we suspect have engaged in egregious price gouging of products related to the Covid-19 crisis,” the company said in a statement Monday.

Since the coronavirus outbreak escalated in the US, there have been runs on hand sanitiser, toilet paper, bleach wipes, meat and canned soup, among other products. Some people have attempted to sell cleaning products and other supplies at inflated prices on Amazon, eBay and other sites.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to prevent hoarding and price increases of supplies.

Purchase the China AI Report 2020 brought to you by SCMP Research and enjoy a 20% discount (original price US$400). This 60-page all new intelligence report gives you first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments and intelligence about China AI. Get exclusive access to our webinars for continuous learning, and interact with China AI executives in live Q&A. Offer valid until 31 March 2020.

Advertisement