What Is FBA Prep?
If sellers are sending their inventory to FBA, it is not simply a case of throwing everything into a box and handing it over to the courier. Your inventory must adhere to some rules to be accepted by the Fulfillment Center. Certain of these rules are for all stock. Others are specific to specific categories. FBA preparation is the process of getting your inventory ready for shipping to Amazon. It mainly focuses on the packaging and marking of items however some sellers, particularly importers, include an examination of their inventory. It is essential to get your FBA prep correct. Amazon will not take stock you don't prepare correctly and you'll be charged to return it. If you send damaged stock to Amazon and the incorrect item is delivered to a buyer, they'll likely complain about it and then return it. These complaints can build up and lead to your listing be removed or your account to be suspended.
Why Outsource FBA Prep?
FBA prep can be done by you, Amazon, or a third-party. FBA prep is complicated, requires a great deal of expertise and is prone to a sloppy error. When you outsource it, you're basically letting it go to experts. FBA preparation services should know the procedure. They'll ensure that all stock sent to FBA is in compliance with Amazon's guidelines. This will lower the chance of your stock being rejected. This is especially crucial in the event that this is the first time you've ever sent your inventory to FBA. This is because you don't realize how complicated it can be until you attempt it and make mistakes. Amazon's many rules make it difficult to make inventory ready for FBA. While you may find yourself looking over stock, making boxes, or making labels, your time can be better spent sourcing products.
Price
The most important consideration for sellers when choosing the FBA preparation service is likely to be price. It's not essential to make price the primary consideration, however it is understandable that you need the most value for money. You shouldn't be able to pay for high-priced services if they begin high. It is important to determine what the cost of the prep service is per item or per month. A monthly cost is the best option for big volume sellers. Per-item charges are more suitable for sellers with low volumes who are likely to be selling only small quantities. Knowing the details of the packaging process is crucial because many prep companies charge extra for bubble wrap and poly bags. It is important to understand the storage fees and the minimum quantity of units to be sent to the prep center at any given time. Although price is an important factor when choosing an FBA preparation service, it's not always the most crucial aspect. While you do not want to pay too much for an FBA prep service, it's crucial that the costs of your preparation are easily manageable. Keep in mind that just because you've got expensive costs in the beginning, it doesn't mean that they'll remain high. When you get more skilled in the process of preparation, it's possible for your expenses to decrease. You can divide certain tasks among your manufacturer as well as your prep service. Have a look at the best Door to Door Delivery blog for more.
Location
The ability to think strategically is essential when deciding where to locate your prep center. If you have a large private label enterprise then you're likely to import large quantities of inventory from China. It's a smart strategy to determine the ports that your shipments arrive at and choose a prep centre nearby. Danny McMillan knows that prep centers can be a huge help for both time and cost savings, as well as smooth operation of your company. In the unlikely event that there is a problem the prep center will send people to the port. This wouldn't be feasible if there was greater than 300 miles between your preparation facility and the port. Retail arbitrage sellers Preparing a facility near home is essential so they can take stock in their own vehicles, or avoid the expense of transportation. Be wary of selecting a prep facility in relation to the proximity of the Amazon Fulfillment Center though, because the Amazon warehouse you ship to could be different each time. This is regardless of whether Amazon's Inventory Placement Service is signed up. This program allows you to send all your inventory of a single item to the same Fulfillment Center. Amazon can, and will change the shipping location.