---
title: Amazon Policy Violation — Account Deactivation & Appeal
type: article
created: '2025-12-29'
updated: '2025-12-29'
source_docs:
- raw/2025-12-29-team-stand-up-111032683.md
tags:
- amazon
- policy-violation
- doodla
- account-health
- blocker
layer: 2
client_source: Doudlah Farms
industry_context: food-beverage
transferable: false
---

# Amazon Policy Violation — Account Deactivation & Appeal

## Overview

On 2025-12-29, Amazon issued a **critical policy violation** against the Doodla account, resulting in account deactivation. The violation was flagged with no specific explanation of what rule was broken. Mark contacted Amazon's support line and submitted a formal denial of wrongdoing. Amazon indicated a 24-hour review window before issuing an outcome.

This issue was raised as a blocker during the [[wiki/meetings/2025-12-29-team-stand-up|Final 2025 Team Stand-Up]].

## Status

> **Awaiting Review** — Denial submitted 2025-12-29. Amazon's 24-hour review window in progress.

## What Happened

- Amazon flagged the Doodla seller account with a **critical policy violation** and deactivated it.
- Amazon's support representative confirmed a violation existed but **could not specify what action triggered it**.
- The team has no known internal action that would constitute a violation.

## Suspected Cause

The most likely trigger is a **retaliatory complaint** from a competitor. The team had previously filed a single complaint against a competing seller (an Amish vendor) for falsely claiming organic certification. The theory is that Amazon may have interpreted this complaint as an attempt to abuse or damage another seller's listings — which Amazon's policy prohibits.

> "The only thing I can think of is that maybe the case that you were working on, you know, to complain about Amish claiming organic, you know, could be the thing." — Mark

It is also possible Amazon flagged the complaint itself as an abuse of their reporting system, rather than any action by the competitor.

## Response & Appeal

Mark handled the appeal directly:

1. **Called Amazon support** — spoke with a representative who confirmed the violation but could not identify the specific infraction.
2. **Submitted a written denial** — stated that Doodla had not:
   - Hired any third party to damage another seller
   - Attempted to damage or abuse another seller's listings, inventory, ratings, feedback, or reviews
3. **Awaiting outcome** — Amazon said they would review and respond within 24 hours.

The account also has access to **Amazon's Account Health Service**, which provides an additional layer of support and ongoing case management.

## Key Contacts

| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Internal lead | Mark Hope |
| Amazon account manager | Gilbert Barrongo |
| Amazon support rep | Unknown (India-based support line) |

## Related Context

- The competitor complaint (Amish organic claim) was filed **only once** — not a pattern of complaints.
- Amazon's violation notice did not include specific evidence or a corrective action plan, making it difficult to provide targeted documentation in the appeal.
- Gilbert noted there is **no expiration or hard deadline** on the deactivation, so the account can remain in appeal status without an immediate forced closure.

## Action Items

- [ ] **Mark** — Monitor Amazon's response to the denial submission (expected within 24 hours of 2025-12-29)
- [ ] **Gilbert** — Coordinate with Mark if Amazon requests additional documentation or escalation
- [ ] **Team** — If Amazon requests a corrective action plan, consider attaching documentation showing the single competitor complaint was filed in good faith per Amazon policy

## Related Notes

- [[wiki/clients/current/doodla/index|Doodla Client Overview]]
- [[wiki/meetings/2025-12-29-team-stand-up|2025-12-29 Team Stand-Up]]