What Is Diversion Tracing (and Why Lot Codes Are the Answer)
Spotting an unauthorized listing is the easy part. The hard question is where it actually came from — which authorized distributor's inventory is leaking into channels it shouldn't. Lot and batch codes, which most products already carry, are the answer: if you know which codes went to which distributor, a code spotted on a suspicious listing traces back instantly.
Why This Beats a Manual Spreadsheet Lookup
Most brands that even try this today do it in a spreadsheet — a slow, error-prone lookup under time pressure. This extension makes it instant: log shipments as they go out, and trace any observed code back to its source in one search.
Key Brand Owner Pain Points and How This Extension Solves Them
| Pain Point | How the Source Finder Solves It |
|---|---|
| You spot a suspicious listing but have no fast way to trace where it came from | Paste the observed lot code and instantly see which distributor shipment it matches |
| Real lot codes often embed a longer string with a sub-code you actually observed | Flexible matching finds embedded sub-codes, not just exact full-string matches |
| A code matching more than one distributor could mean something is wrong, but you might miss it | Multi-distributor matches are flagged explicitly as worth investigating |
| Tracking shipments in a spreadsheet is slow and easy to search incorrectly under pressure | Purpose-built lookup, instant results, no spreadsheet formulas to get wrong |
How the Diversion Source Finder Works
Step 1 — Log Shipments as They Go Out
Each time you ship to an authorized distributor, log their name and every lot/batch code included, one per line.
Step 2 — Observe a Code on a Suspicious Listing
Via a test buy or listing photos, note the lot/batch code printed on the product or packaging.
Step 3 — Trace It Instantly
Paste the code into the Trace tab — get an instant match to the distributor it was shipped to, or a clear "no match" if it isn't in your log yet.
Worked Example — Tracing a Diverted Unit
March 8: You ship 500 units to Northgate Distribution, logging lot codes LOT2024-001 and LOT2024-002.
April: A suspicious unauthorized listing shows a product photo with "LOT2024-002" printed on the packaging.
The trace: Paste "LOT2024-002" into the Trace tab — instantly matched to Northgate Distribution, shipped March 8, quantity 500.
Result: You now know exactly which distributor relationship to investigate.
Try It: Live Trace Demo
Here's a small example shipment log. Try tracing any of the codes below.
| Distributor | Lot Codes |
|---|---|
| Northgate Distribution | LOT2024-001, LOT2024-002 |
| Summit Wholesale | LOT2024-003 |
Where Brands Actually Use This
Investigating a Suspicious Listing
The moment you spot a gray-market listing, a fast trace tells you whether to investigate a specific distributor relationship or look elsewhere entirely.
Periodic Distribution Audits
Brands that ship to many distributors use this log as a standing reference, not just a reactive tool, making future traces faster as the record grows.
A Note on Accuracy
The lookup is simple, transparent string matching against your own logged records — no external verification of any kind. Accuracy depends entirely on how completely and accurately you log outgoing shipments; a code you never logged will never trace, even if you shipped it. All data stays local to your browser except an optional license check for Pro features.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Fix: Log shipments as a standing habit — the tool is only as useful as the completeness of your record when you actually need to trace something.
Fix: It just means that code isn't in your log yet — verify authenticity through other means before drawing that conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this detect diversion automatically?
No — you log shipments and trace codes you observe yourself. There's no automated detection or Amazon connection of any kind.
What does it mean if a code matches multiple distributors?
This is flagged explicitly since it could indicate a data-entry issue or a genuine overlap worth investigating — it's not something the tool resolves for you automatically.
What's the difference between exact and flexible matching?
Exact requires an identical string match. Flexible ("contains") also matches when the observed code is a substring of a longer logged code, or vice versa — useful since real lot codes often embed sub-fields.
What happens after the 14-day trial?
Logging shipments and tracing codes keep working for free indefinitely. Pro unlocks CSV export of your full shipment log.
