Are you looking to sell your products on Amazon, but don't want to pay the fees associated with Amazon's Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) program? If so, Merchant Fulfillment may be the way to go.
Merchant Fulfillment allows you, the seller, to ship your own products directly to the customer, rather than having Amazon store, pick, pack and ship your products for you. In this article, we'll go over the steps for listing and shipping products using Merchant Fulfillment.
1. Create Your Listing
The first step to Merchant Fulfillment is creating your own Amazon listing. To do this, log in to your seller account and click on "Inventory" in the top menu bar. From there, click on "Add a Product". You'll be asked to enter information about your product, including the name, description, and price.
Make sure you include detailed information about your product in the description. This will help customers understand exactly what they're buying, which can lead to higher sales.
2. Choose Merchant Fulfillment
Once your product is listed, you'll have the option to choose between FBA and Merchant Fulfillment. If you choose FBA, Amazon will store, pick, pack and ship your products for you. However, this comes with additional fees.
If you choose Merchant Fulfillment, you'll be responsible for shipping the products directly to the customer. This can be a cost-effective option, especially if you're shipping a low volume of products.
3. Set Your Shipping Rates
When using Merchant Fulfillment, you'll need to set your own shipping rates. To do this, go to your Amazon seller account and click on "Settings". From there, click on "Shipping Settings". You'll be able to set your shipping rates and choose which regions you're willing to ship to.
Make sure you're charging enough to cover the cost of shipping and handling, but don't make the price so high that it discourages customers from making a purchase.
4. Package and Ship Your Product
Once an order is placed, it's your responsibility to package and ship the product to the customer. Make sure you package your product securely, using bubble wrap or other protective materials as needed.
You'll also need to purchase shipping labels and print them out. Once the package is ready to go, you can either drop it off at the post office or arrange for pick-up.
5. Provide Tracking Information
Finally, make sure you provide tracking information to the customer. This can be done through Amazon's seller portal. Providing tracking information not only makes the customer feel more secure about their purchase, but it can also help prevent disputes.
In conclusion, Merchant Fulfillment can be a great option for sellers who want more control over their shipping and handling process. By following these steps, you can successfully list and ship your own products on Amazon using Merchant Fulfillment.