Adapting to Amazon Fulfillment Policy Updates

Just spent 3 hours diving into Amazon's new Seller Fulfilled Prime requirements. Here's what most brands are missing: CONTEXT: we fulfill for some of the massive brands doing SFP (they use multiple of our warehouses to ship orders but maintain the prime badge). Its becoming one of our fastest growing products for: - Bigger and bulkier items (ie. mattresses, beds, furniture, tools) - Temperature controlled (ie. chocolates, drinks, probiotics, meltable) - High value goods $$ (ie. Jewellery, electronics) - Inventory that can't keep in stock inside of FBA (ASIN limits, inbound times..etc) Some of the key takeaways: Trial Enrolment Changes: - NEW: Three trial attempts max per year (used to not have limit) - NEW: Quiet periods around major sales events blocking graduation (will skew data) - Existing: 30-day trial period structure remains the same My Take: Amazon's getting a bit smarter about when brands can enter the program and trials...makes sense. They want battle-tested sellers during peak seasons. The 3 trials is a big one. Monthly Volume Requirements: - Existing: 100 Prime-eligible shipments per month (no change) - Existing: Reasonable distribution across weeks (no spikes 1 week and then stop for another week) My Take: Not much movement here. Consistent performance is still the name of the game as in the past merchants would just have 1 good week and turn it off. Performance Metric Details: - Existing: 93.5% On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR) threshold - NEW: Weekly tracking instead of rolling 30-day period - NEW: 3-strike enforcement system 1st miss: Warning email 2nd miss: Warning email 3rd miss in 4 consecutive weeks: Removal from program Size-Tier and Misclassification Changes: - NEW: Repeated ASIN size-tier errors can lead to Prime offer blocking - NEW: Automatic exclusions for major carrier/weather disruptions - Existing: Basic size-tier classification rules remain similar My Take: Amazon's closing loopholes to avoid gaming (big and bulky has lighter metrics). Also there was instances where a Tornado would mess up with your metrics, this now auto flags which is big. Appeals Process Overhaul: - NEW: 14-day filing window from notice date - NEW: 4-day response required for additional information - NEW: Limit of 3 appeals per quarter - NEW: Requires specific supporting data Order IDs Tracking numbers ZIP codes Carrier delay proof Shipping Automation Incentives: - NEW: "OTDR Protected" labels introduced - NEW: Enabled by using Amazon Buy Shipping - NEW: Automation in Shipping Settings This is a BIG change. Amazon rolled out Buy Shipping protection which allows you a bit more "grace" for your shipments when protected by Amazon and OTDR (on time delivery rate) You can either add our UPS / FEDEX account number into your account or you can purchase your labels through Seller Central. Smart move to win shipping for these merchants and also have better control and visibility on shipments. Whats your take?

Customer Experience Score Now Impacts Buy Box & Rankings Amazon has recently updated its Customer Experience (CX) Score system, which is now a significant factor in determining Buy Box eligibility and organic rankings. Key Updates: - New CX Score Criteria: Products are now evaluated based on several factors, including negative reviews, returns, late shipments, customer feedback, accuracy of product details, and packaging quality. - Better Score Equals Better Visibility: A higher CX score improves the chances of winning the Buy Box and enhances organic search rankings, particularly on mobile devices. Additionally, it helps reduce seasonal penalties. - CX Now Linked to Operations: Optimizing shipping, fulfillment, and listing accuracy has become crucial—not only price or content. - Proactive Solutions: Amazon recommends that sellers review return trends, clarify their listings, and align their inventory to enhance their customer experience (CX) scores. Sellers who prioritize operational excellence—beyond just price or SEO—will have the advantage. Focus on reducing returns, improving fulfillment, and enhancing product clarity to remain competitive. If you want to stay informed about important Amazon updates and get more insights like this every week, subscribe to my Amazon Weekly Newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e2k6AHwR

Amazon’s latest reimbursement policy changes could be quietly eroding your profits if you are not prepared. While Amazon frames these updates as process improvements, the reality is that sellers are now bearing more responsibility and potential losses. Here’s what’s really happening and what you can do. 🔄 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆 Sellers now need to provide extensive and specific documentation, including detailed invoices, shipment tracking, and condition reports. Even minor errors or omissions can lead to claim rejections. → 𝘔𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦: Many sellers overlook the need for meticulous record-keeping. However, without bulletproof documentation, your chances of successful reimbursement drop dramatically. Consider implementing automated systems for document management to avoid human error. 🔄 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 The window to file reimbursement claims has been shortened, leaving less time to identify and document discrepancies. → 𝘔𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦: This requires a shift from periodic to continuous monitoring of your inventory and sales. Daily audits of your inventory levels and regular checks on returns are now essential. You can’t afford to wait weeks to notice a discrepancy. 🔄 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Amazon has quietly updated which types of damages or losses qualify for reimbursement. Certain scenarios that were previously covered might no longer be eligible. → 𝘔𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦: Familiarize yourself with the new categories and adjust your operations to minimize risks. For instance, you might need to reconsider your packaging or shipping practices to reduce the likelihood of non-reimbursable damages. These policy changes make it more challenging to secure reimbursements, putting more pressure on sellers to stay vigilant and proactive. But, this doesn’t mean you have to handle it all on your own. At Seller Candy, our team of former Amazon support agents specializes in navigating these exact challenges. We handle everything from meticulous documentation to continuous monitoring, ensuring that every reimbursement opportunity is maximized and every error is caught. Take a look at our service Refundify which is dedicated to simplifying the reimbursement journey, ensuring you not only recover what's rightfully yours but do so effortlessly: https://t2m.io/ahwdEVdY #amazon #amazonsellers #reimbursements #ecommerce 

New Update Alert 🚨 FBA Update: Simplified Shipping Options and Inbound Placement Fee🚨 Starting February 20, 2025, the partial shipment split option for standard-size items will no longer be available. Amazon will simplify the options for these product shipments in FBA. This change directly impacts your business. You’ll now have two shipping options: ✔️ Amazon-Optimized Shipment Splits: No inbound placement fee if you send 5 or more case packs to multiple fulfillment centers. ✔️ Minimal Shipment Splits: For a fee, you can send inventory to a single fulfillment center within a chosen geographic region. This option does not require additional packaging for boxes or pallets. How can you prepare? 1️⃣ Strategize your shipments: Start negotiating with your supplier and instruct your prep center on how to send the shipments from now on. 2️⃣ Recalculate your costs: Use Amazon’s Revenue Calculator to explore fees based on these new options. 3️⃣ Adjust your settings: If you use APIs, ensure your preferences are updated in the FBA configuration before February 20, 2025. These changes aim to simplify operations while supporting your business growth. If you have questions or need guidance, feel free to reach out!

🔴 Update on Amazon's New Reimbursement Policy Effective 10th March, 2025: Amazon will no longer reimburse based on the retail price or other cost factors. Instead, they will calculate reimbursement based on the manufacturing cost (i.e., the cost to source a product from a manufacturer, wholesaler, or reseller). Costs like Shipping, handling, customs duties, or other fees will not be included in the reimbursement calculation. Here is how Amazon Sellers will be impacted: 1. Lower Reimbursements: • If Amazon’s estimated cost is lower than your actual cost, you may receive less reimbursement for lost, damaged, or defective inventory. 2. Limited Control Over Estimates: • If you don’t submit your own cost, Amazon will apply their own estimate, which may not be accurate. 3. Reduced Coverage for Indirect Costs: • Exclusion of shipping, customs, and handling costs means higher losses when products are lost or damaged. Actions you need to take at the earliest: ✅ Proactively submit your actual manufacturing costs to Amazon to avoid underestimation by their automated system. ✅ Gather and maintain invoices, purchase orders, and supplier agreements as proof of cost. ✅ Compare Amazon’s estimated cost vs. your actual cost. ✅ If Amazon’s estimate is too low, submit an appeal with documentation to get a fair reimbursement. #amazonfba #amazonreimbursement #amazonprivatelabel #amazonppc

What happens when Amazon loses your inventory and only reimburses you at cost? Amazon’s new FBA reimbursement policy quietly went into effect on March 31st. Instead of paying you back based on the sale price, Amazon only reimburses your sourcing cost. But you're not sending in inventory at cost. You're sending it to sell at retail. So when units go missing or get damaged, you’re not recouping the revenue you expected. Just the bare minimum. This puts real pressure on cash flow, especially for brands selling premium or high-ticket products. And the burden of proof is heavier than ever. If you want a reimbursement, you’ll need airtight sourcing documentation. Or settle for Amazon’s category benchmarks. Because of this, high-margin brands might start rethinking FBA entirely. At a minimum, this shift means it’s time to: → Tighten inventory tracking and cost documentation → Reevaluate your margin strategy → Consider FBM for certain SKUs → Audit FBA reimbursements more aggressively Amazon’s shifting the risk. Make sure you’re not the one left holding the bag. How are you planning to adapt? #ChannelKeyLLC #AmazonFBA