* Intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. Fees may be changed by Amazon at any time.
First of Five Amazon Seller Questions:
Overcharges on FBA Fulfillment Fees or “How Does Amazon Package My Items for Shipment?”
In the first of our Amazon Seller questions for this edition, this seller received his item back from Amazon due to an unrelated issue and noted that Amazon sent his product to him in a small envelope. The seller wonders if this is how Amazon is sending his product to all who purchase it. He states that, if so, he would have an issue with this since his merchandise is very fragile.
Our response: yes, that is likely how they are sending it out to the purchasers. If you have an issue with it, you should make sure you are prepping your items correctly when you ship them in to Amazon for FBA. Do the drop test and make sure your product is well secured and padded. If, as a result of this, you need to increase the size of your overall shipment, you could find yourself in a higher shipping classification due to extra size of padding, etc., and should build that into your product price.
Also, there are lots of creative packing options for your product, such as “Indescructo” mailers and boxes.
Second of Five Amazon Seller Questions:
Is Amazon Calculating FBA Fees Incorrectly?
This FBA Seller feels that his smaller media items are being measured incorrectly by Amazon and put into a more expensive shipping category. If so, this would mean extra revenue for Amazon, but a loss to the seller on each sale.
Our response: this can happen. You can request Amazon perform a “CubiScan” of your ASIN to verify that the dimensions and weight are all correct. If their findings differ from what they had been doing, they will update your fees to reflect their findings. You can then ask Amazon to reimburse you for the difference. Also, remember that there are no longer special fulfillment fees for media items.
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Third of Five Amazon Seller Questions:
Why Did I Receive a Notification My Amazon Account Was Suspended the Moment I Opened It?
This is a common practice, lately undertaken by Amazon for all new accounts. They may ask for forms of proof of identification such as utility bills, invoices, etc. They are doing this as a check and balance on new seller accounts to enable them time to “stage” the new seller’s account. This is their security due diligence and verification of aspects of your account application. This extra layer of seller application processing is due, likely, to the rising number of “pop-up” rogue sellers and counterfeiters hijacking sales of legitimate sellers within the past couple of years.
Fourth of Five Amazon Seller Questions:
If I Raise My Per Item Price, Will FBA Not Charge My Customer Shipping Fees?
Some calculations this seller did on Amazon’s fee calculation page resulted in a suggestion that he raise his prices. What does FBA have to do with free shipping on the seller side? Here is how FBA and free shipping relate: if you let Amazon fulfill your orders (FBA) Prime customers get free two-day (most times) shipping unless it is a very inexpensive product whereby it falls into Amazon’s “add on” category.
A non-Prime customer who purchases that item will need to purchase a minimum of $35 worth of FBA merchandise in their order to qualify for Amazon’s “Super-Saver” free shipping.
Fifth of Five Amazon Seller Questions:
Amazon Suspended My Account – Now What?
The seller has experienced an account suspension and how stagnating and difficult the process can be to get the account reopened. The seller offers tips on what to do next, which includes how to write the proper appeal letter. The takeaway: have a thorough, well-formatted plan of action to get Amazon to take your appeal seriously. Highlights of the guide posted: indicate what went wrong, provide some super compelling – and sincere - action steps you will be taking to correct it, and prove to Amazon how you will not let this problem happen again.
Remember, no matter how good your sales are for Amazon, you’re not going to bring them to their knees and acquiesce to your preferred methods for customer interaction. Repeated offenses means you’re out. Follow their rules, be a good seller citizen on Amazon, put the customer first, and all will go smoothly. Go above and beyond.
Thank you for joining Awesome Dynamic™ for this free webinar on Amazon Seller questions. Join us each Thursday at 12:30 PM CST as we scan the Amazon Seller boards to address questions asked by Amazon Sellers like you!
