Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Answers for Brands Taking Back Control

When your brand slips out of control, questions pile up fast. Why are unauthorized sellers showing up? How do you keep pricing stable without straining partners? Do you need new contracts before you act?

At Howell & Associates, we’ve been answering these questions for more than a decade. We helped shape the enforcement playbook the industry still follows today, guiding startups and Fortune 100s alike from channel chaos to stability and trust.

If any terms here feel unfamiliar, or if you’d like a quick reference on MAP, enforcement, or channel control, our Ultimate Brand Protection Glossary is available as a plain-language guide.

The six questions we hear most often from brand leaders, sales teams, and procurement

Top FAQs:

A: We shut down unauthorized sellers, enforce MAP policies, and close the distribution leaks that fuel gray market goods. Our team investigates sellers, uncovers their sourcing, and removes them so your margins and channel partners stay protected.
A: ROI shows up in recovered margins, Buy Box stability, and reduced discounting. We benchmark before engagement, then show clear progress in fewer violations and healthier channels.
A: Most brands feel immediate relief in the first weeks as enforcement takes pressure off internal teams. The bulk of cleanup happens within 60 to 90 days, with steady compliance and stability by six months.
A: Yes. We trace goods as far upstream as possible: back to distributors, diversion accounts, or retail arbitrage. Stopping leaks at the source is just as important as removing sellers downstream.
A: We enforce across Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Google Shopping, TikTok Shop, direct-to-consumer sites, and more. Enforcement is global. If a seller is undermining your brand, we can take action.
A: We helped create this industry. Unlike firms that rely on monitoring tools or boilerplate letters, we combine investigative research, legal expertise, and channel strategy to deliver real outcomes.

For brands who want the full picture of how we work and what to expect.

More FAQs:

A: No. Serialization can help, but it is not required. We use investigative research and proven legal arguments to remove unauthorized sellers, even if your products are not serialized.
A: Both. We fix today’s violations and design policies, contracts, and channel strategies that prevent repeat issues. Enforcement without strategy is only a short-term patch.
A: Foundational documents like MAP policies and reseller agreements help, but they are not required. If you don’t have them, we start there. The only requirement is that you are ready to engage. Everything else we can build together.
A: We begin with a kickoff phase to stabilize your channel and set strategy. From there, communication is consistent and tailored to your needs. Weekly, biweekly, or on-demand. Every engagement is customized to fit how your brand operates.
A: We work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Legal. MAP enforcement must remain unilateral, so we guide sales teams on what they can and cannot say while coordinating with your legal team on policies.
A: We send targeted enforcement notices that demand proof of sourcing and create real risk for violators. These are crafted to force compliance and uncover supply sources, not just scare sellers.
A: Rarely. Overusing Brand Registry can backfire. We prefer investigative leverage and targeted pressure that gets sellers out without harming your listings.
A: Yes. Modern, enforceable documents are the foundation of channel control. We review and update policies to reflect today’s marketplace realities.
A: Both. We enforce MAP with authorized resellers and investigate unauthorized sellers to shut them down. We help you balance strict enforcement with healthy partner relationships.
A: We work on a flat monthly retainer based on the size and complexity of your channel. We do not charge per SKU because violations cluster in a small portion of the catalog.
A: We focus on removing rogue sellers and unfair competition, not targeting your trusted accounts. That keeps key partners confident while stabilizing your pricing.
A: We investigate seller entities globally, link DBAs, and use both marketplace policies and customs regulations to shut them down.
A: In categories like supplements, food, and medical devices, we pair enforcement with compliance strategy. This protects both consumer safety and regulatory standing.
A: Litigation is a last resort. Most sellers fold under policy and platform pressure. When escalation is warranted, we can and will coordinate with your legal team to make it count.
A: Absolutely. We run short, plain-language sessions for sales, marketing, and leadership so everyone understands MAP and knows when to loop us in.
A: We provide rollout communication pieces and customized training for any team size. Sessions can be one-time or ongoing, depending on whether you want us advising or handling enforcement directly.
A: Our founder was part of the team that created this industry. Many of our team have been involved in brand protection and channel management for over a decade. Our background is in ECommerce, SaaS, federal law enforcement and brand protection. We helped write the playbook most firms follow today, and pride ourselves on our investigative expertise and proven results.
A: Yes you can. You are right, this industry has a language all its own. We created the free Ultimate Brand Protection Glossary you can use to learn and expand your channel management vocabulary. Enjoy!

The strongest proof comes from the brands we’ve helped take back control. Here’s what one had to say.

“We had struggled for years with unauthorized sellers eroding margins and damaging key retail relationships. Within three months of working with Howell & Associates, over 70% of rogue listings were gone. Margins stabilized, partners regained confidence, and our team finally had the breathing room to focus on growth. Howell didn’t just enforce, they reset our channel so we could move forward.”

- VP of Sales, Global Consumer Goods Brand

It’s time to get back control of your channel

Talk to an Howell & Associates expert today and see what a healthier channel looks like.

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