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E-commerce Marketplace Terms Reviews

Your storefront, their rules. These platforms can suspend your account, withhold funds, and destroy years of work with a single algorithmic decision. I analyze the terms that put your business at risk.

4
Platforms Reviewed
55
Avg Score
Walmart
Best in Category

Platform Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of consumer fairness scores across major e-commerce marketplaces.

Platform Score Grade Key Gotcha
Walmart Marketplace
Best in Category
65 B- Strict performance standards View Review →
eBay
58 C+ Buyer-favoring dispute resolution View Review →
Amazon Seller Central
52 C Instant suspensions, fund holds View Review →
Etsy
Lowest in Category
45 C- Fee increases, arbitrary enforcement View Review →

🔎 Key Findings Across All Platforms

Account Suspension Risk

All platforms can suspend seller accounts with limited notice. Amazon is particularly aggressive, often holding funds for 90+ days during investigations.

Fund Withholding Powers

Every platform reserves the right to hold your earnings. Reserves can be triggered by chargeback rates, policy violations, or algorithmic risk assessments.

Buyer-Favored Disputes

Dispute resolution consistently favors buyers. A-to-Z claims, eBay Money Back Guarantee, and similar programs make sellers absorb fraud losses.

Fee Transparency Issues

Hidden fees abound: referral fees, fulfillment fees, advertising costs, and payment processing add up. Most sellers pay 30-40% in total platform costs.

Platform Reviews

Click through for complete analysis of each platform's terms of service.

Walmart Marketplace

65/100 (B-)
  • Strict performance metrics
  • Price parity requirements
  • Better appeal process than Amazon
Full Review →

eBay

58/100 (C+)
  • Money Back Guarantee favors buyers
  • Managed Payments fee stacking
  • Feedback system manipulation
Full Review →

Amazon Seller Central

52/100 (C)
  • Instant account suspensions
  • 90-day fund holds common
  • A-to-Z claims favor buyers
Full Review →

Etsy

45/100 (C-)
  • Frequent fee increases (now 15%+)
  • Arbitrary "handmade" enforcement
  • Offsite ads mandatory for top sellers
Full Review →

Marketplace Issues?

If your account has been suspended, funds withheld, or you're dealing with unfair policy enforcement, we have resources to help you understand your rights.

Schedule a Consultation

Need help understanding your rights or resolving a platform dispute?