Selling on Amazon FBA offers incredible opportunities, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Many sellers face lost or damaged inventory, listing hijackers, and keyword struggles that impact visibility and sales. If you’re not proactively managing these issues, they can cost you thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
So, how do you protect your inventory, keep hijackers off your listings, and optimize your keyword strategy for better rankings?
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ How to recover lost or damaged FBA inventory (and get reimbursed)
✅ How to remove hijackers and unauthorized sellers from your listings
✅ How to improve your Amazon keyword strategy to rank higher and boost sales
By the end, you’ll have a solid action plan to safeguard your business and maximize your profits. Let’s dive in! 🚀
1. Lost or Damaged Amazon FBA Inventory—How to Get Reimbursed
One of the most frustrating issues Amazon FBA sellers face is lost, damaged, or misplaced inventory. Since Amazon warehouses handle your stock, mistakes happen, and sometimes inventory goes missing without explanation.
📌 Common Causes of Lost/Damaged Inventory:
- Warehouse mishandling (damage during fulfillment)
- Inventory misplacements (stock not properly logged in)
- Customer returns not restocked correctly
- Shipping discrepancies (delivered units not recorded)
How to Check for Lost or Damaged Inventory
To track missing inventory, you’ll need to run a report in Amazon Seller Central:
1️⃣ Go to Seller Central → Reports → Fulfillment Reports
2️⃣ Look for the Inventory Adjustments Report
3️⃣ Find discrepancies in received vs. available inventory
4️⃣ Cross-check with your shipment records
How to File for Amazon Reimbursement
If you discover missing or damaged inventory, follow these steps to claim reimbursement:
✔️ Step 1: Open a case in Amazon Seller Support
✔️ Step 2: Provide the shipment ID and proof of inventory sent
✔️ Step 3: Request an investigation and Amazon will verify the issue
✔️ Step 4: If Amazon is at fault, they will issue a reimbursement
💡 Pro Tip: Amazon only reimburses up to 18 months back, so check your reports regularly to avoid losing money!
2. Hijackers and Unauthorized Sellers—How to Protect Your Listings
Listing hijackers are unauthorized sellers who list counterfeit or lower-quality versions of your product on your Amazon listing. They often undercut your pricing, causing:
❌ Lost Buy Box control
❌ Negative customer experiences (poor-quality counterfeits)
❌ Damaged brand reputation and potential account issues
How to Detect and Remove Amazon Hijackers
If you suspect hijackers on your listing, here’s how to identify them:
📌 Check Your Buy Box: If another seller is offering your product at a lower price, they may be hijacking your listing.
📌 Look at Seller Offers: Go to “Other Sellers on Amazon” to see if anyone unauthorized is selling your product.
📌 Monitor Customer Complaints: If buyers report poor product quality or packaging issues, hijackers may be involved.
How to Remove Hijackers from Your Amazon Listing
✔️ Step 1: Buy From the Hijacker (Test Buy)
- Purchase the product from the unauthorized seller to gather evidence.
- Check if the product is counterfeit, defective, or not matching your original listing.
✔️ Step 2: File a Complaint with Amazon
- Go to Seller Central → Report a Violation
- Select “Intellectual Property Violation”
- Provide proof of purchase and product comparison photos
✔️ Step 3: Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter
- Message the hijacker directly through Amazon
- Politely inform them they are violating intellectual property laws and must remove the listing
✔️ Step 4: Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry
- If you own the trademark for your product, Brand Registry gives you more control over your listings.
- You can use Amazon Transparency to ensure only authentic units are sold.
💡 Pro Tip: If hijackers continue to violate your brand, hire a legal expert or use an Amazon IP enforcement agency to take further action.
3. Amazon Keyword Strategies to Increase Sales & Visibility
Even if your inventory is secure and hijackers are removed, your product won’t sell if it’s not visible to buyers. This is where a strong keyword strategy comes in.
Why Keywords Matter for Amazon Sales
Amazon’s search algorithm ranks listings based on relevance, conversions, and sales history. If your product is optimized with the right keywords, you’ll:
✔️ Rank higher in Amazon search results
✔️ Attract high-intent buyers ready to purchase
✔️ Lower PPC ad costs by improving organic visibility
How to Find High-Intent Keywords That Convert
📌 Use Amazon’s Auto-Suggest Feature
- Start typing a keyword in the Amazon search bar to see real-time search trends.
- Look for long-tail keywords with high purchase intent.
📌 Analyze Competitor Listings
- Identify top-ranking competitor listings and extract their most common keywords.
- Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or AMZScout for deeper insights.
📌 Use Amazon Keyword Research Tools
- Helium 10 – Cerebro & Magnet (Find high-converting keywords)
- Jungle Scout – Keyword Scout (Analyze search volume & competition)
- AMZScout – Keyword Finder (Discover long-tail buyer-intent keywords)
Where to Place Keywords for Maximum Impact
Once you find high-intent keywords, optimize your listing by placing them in:
✅ Title – Include main keyword & product benefit (e.g., “Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds for Running – Bluetooth 5.0”)
✅ Bullet Points – Use additional high-ranking keywords naturally
✅ Backend Search Terms – Add alternative variations & misspellings
✅ A+ Content & Product Descriptions – Reinforce keywords for better conversion
💡 Pro Tip: Track your keyword performance weekly and refine your strategy based on Amazon’s search trends.
Final Thoughts: Protect & Optimize Your Amazon FBA Business
Running a successful Amazon FBA business requires proactive management. By addressing lost inventory, hijackers, and keyword optimization, you can maximize profitability and protect your brand.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Monitor lost inventory & claim reimbursements regularly to avoid losing money.
✅ Identify and remove hijackers to protect your brand and maintain control of the Buy Box.
✅ Use high-intent keywords to improve search rankings and increase conversions.
✅ Optimize product listings with relevant keywords to stay competitive.
💡 By implementing these strategies, you’ll ensure your Amazon business stays protected and profitable! 🚀
📢 Have you faced lost inventory, hijackers, or keyword ranking struggles? Share your experience in the comments below! 👇
#AmazonFBA #LostInventory #AmazonHijackers #KeywordStrategy #AmazonSEO #AmazonSeller #EcommerceTips #BoostSales
