What Is FBA Prep?
FBA is more than just a way for sellers to send their inventory. There are actually several strict guidelines that your inventory must adhere to in order to be considered acceptable by the Fulfillment Center. Some rules are universal and others are specific to each category. FBA preparation refers to the process of preparing your inventory to be placed on Amazon. The focus is on the packaging and labeling of items, but some sellers, specifically those that import goods are also required to add an inspection of their inventory. It is crucial to get your FBA prepared. Amazon will not take stock you don't prepare correctly and you'll be charged to return it. If your inventory arrives damaged at Amazon the hands of a customer, they is likely to complain and will want to return it. If there are numerous complaints, you may see your account shut down or your listing taken down.
Why Outsource FBA Prep?
When it comes to FBA preparation, you have three options: prepare it yourself or pay Amazon to complete it, or outsourcing it to a third party. FBA preparation is complex, involves a lot of know-how and can easily go wrong. It is possible to outsource the process and leave the rest to professionals. FBA prep companies should be knowledgeable about the process. They'll ensure that the inventory you send to FBA follows Amazon's rules. This can reduce the chance of being rejected. This is especially important when it's your first time submitting inventory to FBA. This is because you don't understand how complicated it is until you try it out and fail. Amazon has a number of rules that can cause time-consuming preparation of inventory to be sent for FBA. If you're not looking for new items, you could discover yourself examining inventory and making boxes.
Price
Most sellers will be concerned about price when choosing an FBA prep company. Although price shouldn't be the primary consideration however, it's natural to want the best deal. If your expenses start at a high level, doesn't mean they have to remain that way. The first thing to ask is whether your prep services are charged per item or per month. A monthly charge is most likely to be a good fit for sellers who have large volumes of inventory whereas the per-item cost appeals to sellers with low volumes, who are likely to send stock in more irregularly. It is crucial to know the costs of packaging with your order. Some prep services might charge extra for bubble bags or poly wrap. It is also helpful to find out the storage costs and whether there is any minimum quantity of units you have to send into the center for preparation at one moment. The most crucial factor to consider when selecting an FBA prep service is cost. The cost of FBA preparation services should not be the major aspect. However, the same is true for the ones that are budget-friendly. You want your prep expenses to be affordable. Just because your initial costs are high does not mean they need to remain that way. As you become more proficient in your preparation It is possible for your expenses to be cut. It is possible to divide tasks between your manufacturer as well as your prep service. Have a look at the best Door to Door Delivery blog for more.
Location
If you're thinking about where to locate your preparation facility, you have to think strategically. If you're shipping large amounts from China Private label will likely be the mainstay of your business. It's worthwhile researching the ports from which your shipments are arriving and then finding a prep centre close to them. Danny McMillan believes that having prep centers located near shipping ports is a great idea. Not only does it make it easier for you to save time and aid in trucking costs, but additionally, it can make your business run more smoothly. Your prep center may be able to dispatch personnel to your port in the event of an emergency. If your prep center was just 300 miles from the port, this would not be possible. Retail arbitrage traders should also look into having a pre-production facility close to their home to be able to source inventory quickly and easily. Do not select the prep center based on the closeness to an Amazon Fulfillment Center. Each Amazon warehouse will be different. If you choose to sign up for Amazon’s Inventory Placement Service, this is also the case. This program allows you to transfer all the stock of a specific product to one Fulfillment Center. Amazon, however, can change the location of shipment.