After going all-in on Amazon, a merchant says he lost everything


How Amazon treats third-party sellers is at the heart of a recent US House Judiciary Committee report concluding that big technology companies often abuse their power over smaller partners. — Reuters

Barak Govani made a big bet on Amazon.com Inc earlier this year that he now regrets. He shuttered his New York Speed clothing store on Los Angeles’s storied Melrose Avenue, packed up US$1.5mil (RM6.25mil) in inventory and shipped it to Amazon warehouses around the United States, putting his fate in the hands of a company that has routinely presented itself to the world as a friend of small business.

Today, the 41-year-old retail veteran is broke and couch surfs between his mother’s home and his sister’s place. Govani hopes to start anew by getting Amazon to pay him for inventory the company destroyed after suggesting his products could be fake – an accusation Govani strenuously denies. His lawyer in September sent a demand for US$800,000 (RM3.33mil) – along with invoices to verify his merchandise came directly from fashion brands – and they’re waiting for Amazon’s response.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.

Third party sellers

   

Next In Tech News

Nvidia shows AI model that can modify voices, generate novel sounds
Analysis-Lilium's fall throws spotlight on air-taxi cash crunch
AI analytics firm Pyramid Analytics secures $50 million from BlackRock
Google's US antitrust trial over online ad empire draws to a close
Corning offers to waive exclusive deals in EU antitrust probe, may stave off fine
US finalizes awards to BAE Systems, Rocket Lab for semiconductor chips
Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16
Study: New coating can make China’s stealth aircraft invisible to anti-stealth radar
Apple chief returns to China as Beijing prepares to fete CEOs
Meet the San Francisco billionaire who paid US$6.2mil for a single banana

Others Also Read