@Tim I just sent my letter of concern to Ashley Kinkead of Private Label Mastery via our private Slack Channel. I said:
After some research, I wanted to address some concerns about the criteria for joining and staying in the Private Label Mastery Mastermind Group on Facebook. I think it’s a great group and has wonderful potential, but the PLM Mastermind Marketing Policy is what we think something that needs advice from a lawyer from before proceeding. We’re not comfortable with the buy/review/reimbursement policy.
I’m obviously not a lawyer, but I’m concerned that our operating in a gray area in order to provide each other product reviews may be too risky both for our Amazon seller accounts as well as our businesses’ legal compliance with federal laws.
Amazon’s review policies state that only book authors may provide books to customers for free and encourage them to leave reviews.
Amazon’s policies strictly prohibit us to give products to others in exchange for reviews.
FTC policies that are federal law seem to state that endorsements that are monetized or are given in exchange for a gift must be clearly and obviously disclosed.
Our purchasing of other mastermind members’ products in order to provide reviews later to be reimbursed by the producer seems dangerously close to gifts.
You have much more to lose than we have since you’re running a very successful PL Amazon business. I’d hate for you to get into trouble for violating Amazon and FTC policies (I’d also hate to get into trouble). Would it be possible to reach out to Amazon to ensure that our group’s policies at least are in compliance with Amazon’s policies? If they are, maybe we could consult with either a lawyer or the FTC to ensure that we’re also in compliance with the FTC policies?
Respectfully,
Franicia
Reference articles in our research:
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-askinghttps://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201929730https://hey.com/influencer-marketing-outlaws/
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Tim
04/04/2018, 3:11 PM
@Franicia Great job, Sweetie!
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Franicia
04/04/2018, 3:12 PM
@Tim I feel like I can breathe better knowing this concern has been sent. We need to do things the right way and hopefully help others from getting in trouble just because it is a mandatory requirement for being in a helpful and exclusive group with the fear of banishment forever from the Private Label Mastery Mastermind FB group.
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@Tim Thank you so much too, Sweetie, for helping me draft our thoughts and concerns in a logical and clear way.
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Tim
04/04/2018, 3:14 PM
@Franicia My pleasure. Thank you for being sensitive to these things and for being careful! 😍
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Franicia
04/04/2018, 3:15 PM
@Tim Thank you for being sensitive and careful about these things too! It helps to do research! 😍
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Tim
04/04/2018, 3:31 PM
@Franicia My pleasure.
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Franicia
04/04/2018, 3:59 PM
@Tim Ashley just responded. I can’t upload screenshots in this photo thread. I’ll upload it in a new one.