Amazon Plays Dangerous Game with Some Toys it is Selling

E-commerce giant Amazon is allowing some toys to already go on sale on its platform before asking for a proof of safety compliance.

According to a CNBC report, some Amazon third-party sellers are only asked to submit safety documents weeks after they start selling. This means the platform has many toys that could potentially not be safe for children.

According to experts, Amazon probably has this policy in order to speed up product selection on its site.
An email seen by CNBC has found that Amazon reached out to a group of new toy sellers in recent weeks, asking them to submit the “required safety documentation” for toys that were already available for sale.
“This really speaks to Amazon’s ‘move first and fix later’ mentality,” remarked Garrett Bluhm, founder of Vendient, a consulting agency for online sellers.

Amazon’s spokesperson told CNBC that the company requests safety documentation “very shortly” after a product is listed by a third-party seller.

“All products offered in our stores must comply with applicable laws and regulations, and we regularly contact selling partners to request safety documentation to help ensure the products in our store meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety standards,” Amazon stated.

Amazon’s email to third party sellers reads, “We are contacting you because we show that you may be selling items in the Toys category.” The e-mail was share dto CNBC by two third-party sellers. It also goes on to say, “As part of our ongoing efforts to provide the best possible customer experience, we are confirming that your product meets the current mandatory safety standard.”

Bluhm has said, “Customer obsession is often seen by Amazon as providing the widest variety of products at the lowest possible price, while in some cases customer safety has been treated as an afterthought.”

Amazon has stated, “Our mission is to be earth’s most customer-centric company. We strive for that goal by building the best shopping experience for customers, with unbeatable prices, selection and convenience—but not at the expense of our customers’ safety and this insinuation is simply wrong.”

Rachel Johnson Greer, a former Amazon compliance manager remarked, “Amazon is not effectively managing the problem.”

“Amazon was built on customer trust — if they want to retain it, I think they have a clear obligation to do better,” Greer added.

Disclaimer: We have no position in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and have not been compensated for this article.