Amazon seller support bombarded many 3rd party sellers with dozens of emails at once. One email for each affected product.

On Tuesday evening Amazon incited anger and panic among their 3rd party sellers by enacting restrictions on various ASINs (product listings) for Nike branded items.

Currently, tens of thousands of ​3rd party sellers sell Nike products on their storefronts. Many sellers report that a majority of their most profitable items are from Nike.

​This comes as particularly disturbing news as some of the sellers of these items were part of what resellers have coined as the "pay to play," program. While many sellers were "grandfathered" into selling Nike products, some 3rd party sellers paid fees of $1500 for the "permission" to sell these items on Amazon.

This is of course in addition to all other Amazon fees and membership dues.

What We Know So Far

Amazon has historically provided little information with its 3rd party sellers until changes have been enacted.

While many have predicted more restrictions and tighter brand approval requirements to come as Amazon works to engage in more direct deals with large brands like Nike, Coach and Under Armour, this was a shocking development.

Here is what we know and don't know now...

Amazon is allowing sellers with inventory of effected ASINs until July 13th of 2017 to sell inventory on their platform. Reports show that Amazon has not (yet) treated sellers who paid the $1500 "pay to play" fee any differently. Sellers have reported as recently as Wednesday morning that Amazon is still accepting $1500 fees for approval to sell Nike. It is unclear what this will entail. Amazon has not restricted the entire Nike brand for existing sellers but just a number of ASINs. It is unsure if Amazon is going to restrict the entire brand and become the sole (no pun intended) seller of Nike products on their website.

Reactions

Here is what some sellers are venting in my public Facebook group FBA Today.