Key points
- Do not agree to any deal: Amazon prohibits giving anything in return for changing or deleting reviews, and this applies to sellers too.
- Save the messages and report the threat to Amazon.
- If a review appears afterward, it often contains false claims or does not reflect a real experience with the product. It can then be challenged.
What these threats look like
The threat usually comes through Amazon’s messaging system, sometimes by email. Typical examples:
- a demand for a refund without returning the item, or else a bad review will follow,
- a free product or a discount as the price for changing a review already posted,
- a 1-star review combined with an offer to delete it for money,
- offers from supposed service providers to make reviews “disappear” for a fee.
What you should not do
Do not pay and do not offer anything. Amazon prohibits sellers from giving anything in exchange for changing or removing reviews. If you go along with it, you risk trouble with Amazon, up to restrictions on your seller account, and the threats rarely stop there.
Also stay away from providers who promise removal through bought accounts, insiders or mass reporting. That violates Amazon’s rules and can harm your account.
How to respond the right way
- Keep evidence: Take screenshots of the messages showing the date and order number.
- Reply factually: Offer what the customer is entitled to anyway or what you offer every customer, such as a standard return. Do not engage with the threat.
- Report: Report the message to Amazon, using the report function in the messaging area or through Seller Support.
- Monitor: Check the product’s reviews over the next few days.
If the bad review is already up
A review is not unlawful just because it was written to put pressure on you. But it often does not hold up to scrutiny: it frequently contains claims that are not true, for example about alleged defects, or it is not based on a real experience with the product. In that case it can be challenged. The messages you saved are important evidence.
The threat itself may be punishable as coercion or attempted extortion. Whether that is the case in a specific situation, and whether a criminal complaint or other steps make sense, is for a law firm to assess.
How AMZDelete helps
With AMZDelete, you see new 1- and 2-star reviews at a glance. When you place an order, you can add details for each review and mention evidence such as the saved messages. Our partner law firm assesses the case and reports the review to Amazon. You only pay if it is removed afterward.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still accommodate the customer?
Yes, as you would any other customer: a return, exchange or refund on your usual terms. It just must not be tied to a review.
Should I reply to the review publicly?
A short, factual reply can show other readers that you take issues seriously. Do not mention the buyer’s personal data or any accusations you cannot prove.
What if the threat comes from a competitor?
In that case, there are often signs of deliberate disparagement. Read more in our guide Fake reviews on Amazon.
This guide gives a general overview and does not replace a legal review of your individual case. At AMZDelete, our partner law firm checks whether a review can be challenged.