Amazon Error: 18977 Error 18977: Counterfeit Without a Test Buy

The "Error 18977: Counterfeit Without a Test Buy" indicates that Amazon has identified your product listing as potentially counterfeit based on internal algorithms, seller performance metrics, customer complaints, or other data points, without conducting a physical purchase and inspection of the product. This is part of Amazon’s effort to maintain a trustworthy marketplace by preventing the sale of counterfeit items, which can harm consumers and legitimate brands.

Common Causes:

1. Customer Complaints: Multiple complaints from customers about receiving counterfeit products.
2. Brand Protection: Alerts from brand owners or their representatives about potential counterfeit listings.
3. Inconsistent Product Information: Discrepancies in product details, such as images, descriptions, or pricing, that raise suspicions.
4. Suspicious Seller Activity: Seller behavior that aligns with patterns commonly associated with counterfeit sales.
5. Poor Seller Performance: Low ratings, high return rates, or other negative performance metrics that suggest the possibility of counterfeit items.

To resolve the "Error 18977: Counterfeit Without a Test Buy" on Amazon, follow these steps:

1. Review the Counterfeit Notification:
   • Log in to Amazon Seller Central and review the notification or email you received regarding the counterfeit claim. This will provide specific details about the flagged listing and any required actions.
2. Verify Product Authenticity:
   • Ensure that your products are genuine and sourced from authorized suppliers or manufacturers. Gather documentation such as invoices, purchase orders, and supplier agreements to prove the authenticity of your products.
3. Update Product Listings:
   • Ensure that your product listings accurately reflect the authentic products you are selling. Include clear and detailed images, comprehensive descriptions, and accurate brand and model information.
   • Avoid using stock images or descriptions that are commonly associated with counterfeit products.
4. Submit Proof of Authenticity:
   • Prepare and submit documentation to Amazon to prove the authenticity of your products. This may include:
     • Invoices from authorized suppliers or manufacturers.
     • Letters of authorization from brand owners.
     • Certificates of authenticity or compliance.
   • Use Amazon’s tools and resources to upload and manage the required documentation.
5. Enhance Brand and Product Information:
   • If you are a brand owner, enroll in Amazon Brand Registry. This provides tools to better manage your brand’s presence on Amazon and helps protect against counterfeit listings.
   • Include detailed product information, such as unique identifiers (e.g., UPC, EAN), manufacturer part numbers, and serial numbers, to differentiate your products from counterfeit items.
6. Improve Seller Performance:
   • Monitor and improve your seller performance metrics. Focus on maintaining high ratings, low return rates, and positive customer feedback.
   • Address any negative feedback promptly and work to resolve customer issues.
7. Educate Your Team:
   • Train your team on best practices for sourcing, listing, and selling products on Amazon. Ensure they understand the importance of product authenticity and compliance with Amazon’s policies.
   • Implement quality control measures to verify the authenticity of products before listing them on Amazon.
8. Communicate with Amazon Support:
   • If you encounter any issues during the resolution process or need further assistance, contact Amazon Seller Support. Provide detailed information about the counterfeit claim, the steps you have taken to address it, and any relevant documentation.
   • Engage with Amazon seller forums and communities to seek advice from other sellers who might have faced similar issues.
9. Monitor for Future Issues:
   • Regularly monitor your product listings and customer feedback to identify and address any potential counterfeit issues early. Stay vigilant in maintaining the authenticity and quality of your products.