Just like any business, e-commerce requires those who set their sights on success to adapt to multi-channel supply networks and be flexible. With all hidden pitfalls of online selling, which frequently appear out of nowhere, and even more challenges down the road, this may be a tall order. However, there is a way to avoid the hassles of shipping, packing, storage, customer service and everything in between. This is when third-party fulfilment and Amazon merchant services come in.
Advanced packing warehouses and the benefits of merchant services fulfilment
In the old days, sellers had to deal with an abundance of after-sales activities, not to mention packing and shipping. All those processes were extremely time-consuming, albeit necessary. The good news is that you can now prevent order prep operations from taking a good deal of your time by leaving them to specialised companies.
So, what is fulfilment selling? And why is it gaining in popularity at such a blistering pace? In layman’s terms, third-party fulfilment services are those which involve everything from receiving to labelling and dispatching seller’s goods. This is like modern packing warehouses which help you streamline your business when you start receiving tons of orders day by day. That is why, when it comes to improving scalability, there is hardly anything more effective than using a combination of Amazon merchant and fulfilment services.
But what are Amazon merchant services? There’s no denying that Amazon is far more than just the biggest marketplace provider. More importantly, it is a platform that bridges the gap between online sellers and buyers. On the one hand, it helps people find the suppliers they need, but on the other hand, it also allows businesses to reach their end customers by using its merchant services. When taking advantage of them, each seller can benefit from the product exposure on Amazon. However, merchant services mean that you are allowed only to place your products on Amazon, rather than utilise Amazon fulfilment centres.
Thus, the benefits of merchant services fulfilment all come down to the cost-effectiveness. It means you will be able to avoid being charged product transportation, higher storage and handling fees by Amazon. If you have your own fulfilment centre or already use a third-party one, merchant services will be your best fit. Of course you will enjoy the benefits of Amazon marketing in selling your products and the cost benefits of reduced handling and picking charges using your own fulfilment, however you will lose advantages such as Amazon Prime delivery service.<h2>What is FBA?</h2>
FBA stands for Fulfilment by Amazon, a service that is essential for small businesses. To put it simply, it provides you with access to enormous marketing and storage capabilities of Amazon. When your products are being exposed on the platform and waiting to be sold, they have to be stored somewhere. With FBA, you can keep them in Amazon warehouses where they will be professionally handled, packed and shipped. As an FBA seller, you will benefit from completely hassle-free logistics processes which mainly account for your increased peace of mind.
Other than picking and packing, Fulfilment by Amazon involves delivery, returns and customer service. That means you no longer have to handle any of those processes yourself. Skilled specialists will take care of all the details related to your inventory so that you can focus on what matters to your business most.
Amazon is known for its unlimited warehousing capabilities and multi-channel networks, and FBA allows you to take full advantage of them. No matter how small or big your inventory is, it will be adequately handled there with the help of innovative, dedicated systems. Last but not least, all your FBA products will be protected against unauthorised access. However when Amazon will only accept goods in a particular manner and prepared for Amazon’s strict specifications. They will also not accept imported goods directly from outside the EU, so you would need to use an FBA prep centre such as Minatus Ltd to receive imports and prepare for onward shipment to Amazon.
What are FBA fees on Amazon?
It’s worth noting that there is no one-size-fits-all FBA pricing plan for all e-commerce businesses. The fees for Amazon fulfilment services vary from one seller to the other, depending on a variety of factors. For example, if you’re planning to send a large number of products for storage, and want Amazon specialists to take care of their packing, shipping etc., you may be charged relatively high fees. But if your inventory is not so extensive, and additional services are not required, they will provide you with a more affordable plan.
That is why it is of utmost importance to know what services you need before you request a quote from Amazon.