Surviving the Amazon Purge: How to Thrive Amidst the Chaos with Paul Rafelson

Paul is an experienced attorney with nearly 20 years in complex tax, litigation and M&A matters. Paul is also a trusted resource in the eCom world, regularly quoted in the press on matters involving Amazon and eCommerce, and was the most-cited resource in the House Antitrust Committee’s report on Amazon’s business practices. Highlight Bullets > Here’s a glimpse of what you would learn…. Current challenges faced by Amazon sellers, particularly the "purge" of resellers.Increased scrutiny on invoices and sourcing requirements imposed by Amazon.Rising fees and their impact on sellers' profit margins.Intellectual property (IP) challenges, especially regarding infringement from overseas sellers.Legal strategies for protecting IP rights and enforcing compliance.The importance of maintaining proper documentation and compliance with Amazon's regulations.Trends in Amazon's enforcement practices and the consequences for non-compliance.The need for a unified lobbying effort among Amazon sellers to advocate for their interests.Predictions for future compliance requirements and the necessity for sellers to prepare in advance.The role of services like Seller Basics in helping sellers manage account health and avoid suspensions. In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley engages with Paul Rafelson, an attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in tax litigation and M&A. Paul, affiliated with the Rafelson Law Firm and Seller Basics, discusses the current challenges Amazon sellers face, particularly the "purge" of resellers. He highlights increased scrutiny on invoices, rising fees, and the importance of compliance. Paul introduces Seller Basics, a cost-effective service designed to help sellers manage account health and prevent suspensions. The episode underscores the need for proactive legal strategies and compliance to navigate Amazon's evolving marketplace. Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode: 1. Strengthen Documentation and Compliance Practices: Ensure that all invoices and sourcing documents are meticulously organized and easily accessible. 2. Proactively Protect Intellectual Property (IP): Register your trademarks, copyrights, and patents as early as possible. 3. Diversify Sales Channels and Optimize Cost Structure: Consider expanding to other e-commerce platforms to reduce dependency on Amazon. Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comSeller BasicsEdison IPCalifornia's Proposition 65Marketplace PulseChatGPTHilton HartOutliers by Malcolm GladwellBillion Dollar Seller Summit Special Mention(s):Adam “Heist” Runquist on LinkedInKevin King on LinkedInMichael E. Gerber on LinkedIn Related Episode(s):“Cracking the Amazon Code: Learn From Adam Heist’s Brand Scaling Secrets” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Kevin King’s Wicked-Smart Tips for Building an Audience of Raving Fans” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast“Unlocking Entrepreneurial Greatness | Insider Secrets With E-myth Author Michael Gerber” on the eComm Breakthrough Podcast Episode Sponsor Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by eComm Breakthrough Consulting where I help seven-figure e-commerce owners grow to eight figures.  I started Hadley Designs in 2015 and grew it to an eight-figure brand in seven years. I made mistakes along the way that made the path to eight figures longer. At times I doubted whether our business could even survive and become a real brand. I wish I would have had a guide to help me grow faster and avoid the stumbling blocks. If you’ve hit a plateau and want to know the next steps to take your business to the next level, then go to www.EcommBreakthrough.com (that’s Ecomm with two M’s) to learn more. Transcript Area Josh Hadley 00:00:00  Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm your host, Josh Hadley, where I interviewed the top business leaders in e-commerce. Past guests include Kevin King, Aaron Cordovez and Michael Gerber, author of The E-myth. Today I'm speaking with Paul Rafelson of the Rafelson law Firm and seller Basics, and we are going to be talking a lot about how you can protect your brand through the Amazon purge that is currently underway right now. This episode is brought to you by Ecomm Breakthrough, where I specialize in investing in and scaling seven figure companies to eight figures and beyond. If you're an ambitious e-commerce entrepreneur looking for a partner who can help take your business to the next level, my team and I provide hands-on experience, strategic insights, and the resources needed to fuel your growth. So if you or someone you know is ready to scale or looking for an investment partner, reach out to me directly at Josh at Ecomm Breakthrough. Com. That's E-comm with two M's and let's turn your dreams into reality. But today I am super excited to introduce you all to Paul Rafelson. Josh Hadley 00:00:48  Paul is an experienced attorney with nearly 20 years in co...