What Is FBA Prep?
When sellers send their stock to FBA, it is not only a matter of throwing everything into a container and giving it to a courier. There are in fact some strict rules that your inventory must adhere to for it to be accepted by the Fulfillment Center. Some of these rules could be applied to all inventory , while others are more specific to a particular category. FBA prep refers to the process of preparing your inventory for Amazon. It is mainly about packaging and labeling of goods, some sellers, particularly those that import items will also conduct inspections of their inventory. It's essential that you complete your FBA preparation right. Amazon will not take stock isn't properly prepared, and you will be charged for returning it. If you send damaged stock into Amazon and it gets wrongly delivered to a customer, they are likely to be unhappy and will return the item. If these complaints start to pile up the impact will be on the quality of your data and could result in having your listing suppressed, or even your account suspended.
Why Outsource FBA Prep?
FBA prep can be done by you, Amazon, or a third-party. FBA preparation is complicated, complex, and easy to make mistakes. It is possible to outsource the process and let the rest fall to professionals. FBA prep services should be knowledgeable about the procedure. They will make sure that any stock sent into FBA adheres to Amazon's policies. This reduces the likelihood of having it rejected. This is especially crucial if this is your first time submitting your inventory to FBA. This is because you don't really realize how complicated it can be until you attempt it and make a few mistakes. Amazon has numerous rules that make it time-consuming to prepare inventory to be sent for FBA. If you're not looking for new products, you might discover yourself examining inventory and preparing boxes.
Price
For most sellers, price is their primary concern when deciding on FBA prep. Although it shouldn't be the main element, it's not uncommon to desire the best price. It is not a matter of whether your first costs are expensive. First, you should ask whether the prep service charges you per item or monthly. For sellers with huge quantities of inventory, a monthly charge will likely be more appropriate. However, a per item cost is better for sellers who only send in inventory on a regular basis. It is essential to know the packaging costs associated with your order. Some prep services may charge additional costs for bags made of poly and bubble wrap. It is also useful to learn about storage charges as well as the minimum number of units that you must be able to send to the prep centre at the same time. It is crucial to think about other factors when choosing FBA prep services. You don't want a service that cuts corners but, equally, you want your prep costs to be manageable. Remember, just because your costs start high, it doesn't mean they have to stay high. You can cut costs by becoming more familiar in the process of preparation like dividing the tasks between the manufacturer and your preparation service. Have a look at the most popular Door to Door Delivery website for updates.
Location
It's crucial to think strategically about the place you'd like your preparation centre to be. If you have a large private label business then you're likely to import large amounts of inventory from China. Therefore, determining which ports your shipments arrive at and selecting a prep center nearby is a great idea. According to Danny McMillan's experience using prep centers near your ports of entry can prove helpful, not just to save time and trucking costs, but also for the smooth operation of your business. If there is a problem the prep center could send someone at the port to assist. It wouldn't be possible when the distance between the prep center and port was 300 miles. A prep center close to your home is a good option for retailers who sell retail arbitrage. This allows them to or pick up the merchandise at their own expense or incur very low cost of shipping. It is essential to select a prep center that is close to the Amazon Fulfillment Center. The Amazon warehouse you send your merchandise to may be different every time. This applies regardless of whether Amazon's Inventory Placement Service is signed up. It allows you to send all your inventory of one product to the same Fulfillment Center. Amazon can modify the location of shipping.