Ozon Sellers Complain About Unauthorized Returns

Sellers on the Ozon marketplace have raised concerns regarding the platform's handling of product returns. According to reports, the core of the dispute involves the marketplace's ability to approve returns without obtaining specific agreement from the vendors.

In reaction to these practices, the affected sellers are organizing a formal appeal. They intend to submit complaints to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), and the General Prosecutor's Office. This collective action underscores the ongoing friction between e-commerce platforms and third-party merchants over operational autonomy.

The relationship between Ozon vendors and the platform has become strained due to specific return policies. Sellers are specifically highlighting issues where returns are processed automatically. This lack of coordination creates financial and logistical challenges for independent merchants.

When a return is approved without prior notice, sellers lose the ability to manage their inventory effectively. This can lead to disputes over the condition of returned items and potential revenue loss. The vendors argue that such policies undermine their ability to operate efficiently within the marketplace ecosystem.

Faced with these operational challenges, sellers are turning to government oversight bodies for intervention. The decision to involve external regulators signals the severity of the situation from the vendors' perspective.

The sellers plan to approach three major government entities:

• Ministry of Industry and Trade: To address industrial and trade regulations.
• Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS): To investigate potential anti-competitive practices.
• General Prosecutor's Office: To ensure legal compliance and protection of rights.

These appeals aim to force a revision of the current return mechanisms used by the marketplace.

The involvement of the Federal Antimonopoly Service suggests that the complaints may touch upon issues of market dominance and fair trade practices. Regulatory bodies often review such complaints to ensure that large platforms do not impose unfair conditions on their partners.

If the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other bodies take up the case, it could lead to new guidelines for how marketplaces handle returns. This potential shift would impact not only Ozon but the broader e-commerce landscape in the region.