Amazon Will Now Pay Customers for Defective Products

Starting Sept. 1, the company will pay out valid claims of up to $1,000 at no cost to sellers, but can intervene if sellers are unresponsive.

By Emily Rella Aug 10, 2021
Bloomberg | Getty Images

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Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday a new plan to pay customers who suffer injuries or other damages from defective products others sell on the platform.

Starting Sept. 1, Amazon will pay out valid claims of up to $1,000 at no cost to sellers, but can intervene if sellers are unresponsive.

The move “better protects Amazon customers and sellers,” according to the company, but it also better protects Amazon itself.

Related: Amazon will give 10 dollars to users who register the palm of their hand

The new policy follows years of consumers suing the e-commerce giant over defective or dangerous products purchased from online sellers. The policy is designed to reduce that litigation, although courts have tended to side with Amazon and agree that sellers are responsible for the goods they provide.

One state appellate court in California said last year that Amazon could be liable for goods it stores and ships using its Fulfillment by Amazon program.

Tuesday’s announcement also included Amazon Insurance Accelerator, a group of insurance providers that sellers can use if they want to.

There is an update to policy requiring them to get product liability insurance.

Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday a new plan to pay customers who suffer injuries or other damages from defective products others sell on the platform.

Starting Sept. 1, Amazon will pay out valid claims of up to $1,000 at no cost to sellers, but can intervene if sellers are unresponsive.

The move “better protects Amazon customers and sellers,” according to the company, but it also better protects Amazon itself.

Related: Amazon will give 10 dollars to users who register the palm of their hand

The new policy follows years of consumers suing the e-commerce giant over defective or dangerous products purchased from online sellers. The policy is designed to reduce that litigation, although courts have tended to side with Amazon and agree that sellers are responsible for the goods they provide.

One state appellate court in California said last year that Amazon could be liable for goods it stores and ships using its Fulfillment by Amazon program.

Tuesday’s announcement also included Amazon Insurance Accelerator, a group of insurance providers that sellers can use if they want to.

There is an update to policy requiring them to get product liability insurance.

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Emily Rella

Senior News Writer
Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

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