Can a seller get shut out for returns, and how can they fight it?

Research question: Can a marketplace suspend a seller's account over a high refund or return rate, and what can the seller do to appeal?

Amazon can suspend a seller account for a high Order Defect Rate, which must stay below 1% over a rolling 60-day window and is fed by negative buyer feedback, A-to-Z Guarantee claims, and credit card chargebacks ¹³. Chargebacks and A-to-z claims are closely tied to refund disputes, but the records do not show a return rate as a separate trigger ¹⁰. eBay may restrict or suspend accounts for rule violations, and one listed reason is that a seller may need to reimburse eBay for a refund it paid a buyer ⁵⁴. For appeals, Amazon guidance says corrective actions should show what the seller has already done, such as removing listings or issuing refunds ⁷, while eBay restrictions tied to an amount owed can be lifted with a one-time payment and eBay notifies sellers by email with the steps to reinstatement ⁶⁸. The newest fact is dated July 2, 2026, about three months before October 2026 ³, and the facts only partly answer the question because none addresses return rate directly or appeal deadlines.

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