What Is FBA Prep?
FBA is not just a way for sellers to send their inventory. There are in fact a number of strict rules that your product must follow in order to be considered acceptable by the Fulfillment Center. Some of these regulations apply to all inventory while some are specific to a particular category. FBA preparation is the procedure of getting your inventory ready for Amazon. Although it is primarily concerned with the packaging and labeling however, some sellers, specifically those who import, might also need to conduct an inspection of their inventory. It's essential that you complete your FBA preparation correct. You could be charged a fine if you do not prepare your FBA plan correctly. You can also send damaged stock to Amazon. If the buyer receives it incorrectly, they may complain and request a refund. If you've received several complaints, it could impact your sales and could result in your listing being taken down, or even your account being shut down.
Why Outsource FBA Prep?
FBA preparation is a choice between outsourcing it to third party and doing it yourself, or paying Amazon. FBA preparation is complex, involves a lot of know-how and is prone to a sloppy error. In essence, outsourcing is essentially handing your task to experts. Your FBA prep service should be familiar with the process and make sure that the product you're sending to FBA is in compliance with Amazon's guidelines, lowering the risk of your inventory being rejected. This is especially important if this is the first time you've ever sent inventory to FBA. This is because you don't really know how difficult it is until you test it and make a few mistakes. Amazon's strict rules can result in FBA inventory preparation can consume a lot of time. It's simple to waste your time examining packaging boxes, stock, and label printing , when you could be searching for new products.
Price
The main concern for many sellers when choosing the best FBA prep service is going to be cost. Although it shouldn't necessarily be the only factor to think about, it's important to ensure that you are getting the best deal. It is not a good idea to continue paying for high prices if they begin high. It is important to determine whether the service is charged per item or per month. For sellers with huge quantities of inventory the monthly fee is probably more suitable. However, a per-item fee is more appealing for sellers who only send in stock occasionally. Knowing the details of the packaging process is vital because many prep companies charge extra for poly bags and bubble wrap. It is crucial to be aware of the storage costs and the minimum quantity of units that must be shipped to the preparation center at any time. When selecting the FBA preparation service, cost is not always the primary factor. It's not essential to pick a low-cost option. However, you do wish to keep your costs in check. Remember that just because you have high costs at the beginning doesn't suggest that they will remain so. You can reduce your costs by becoming more comfortable with the process of preparation. For example, you could split some tasks between your factory and your prep company. Check out the recommended Door to Door Delivery website for details.
Location
Strategic thinking is key in deciding where to put your preparation center. If the majority of your company is privately labeled, you're bound to transport large amounts of merchandise from China. It is important to know the ports that your goods arrive in and finding a nearby prep center is a wise choice. Danny McMillan believes that having prep centers located near ports for shipping is a great idea. Not only will it save you time and help in trucking costs, but additionally, it can make your business run more smoothly. The prep center might be able to send someone to your port in the case in the event of an emergency. This wouldn't be feasible in the event that there were more than 300 miles between your prep center and the port. Preparing a center close to your home is another consideration for sellers of retail arbitrage. This lets them either pick up the stock themselves or have very low cost of shipping. It is crucial to select an office that is near an Amazon Fulfillment Center. The Amazon warehouse that you will be shipping to may be different every time. This is especially the scenario if you sign up to Amazon's Inventory Placement Service. In this program, you can send all of your inventory for a particular item to the same Fulfillment Center, but Amazon is able to, and will alter the location of your shipment from time to shipping.