You’re probably wondering – how do I inspect my Amazon FBA inventory? What’s the best way to inspect my products before they arrive at the warehouses?
Failing to inspect your inventory can have huge consequences… and there are several stories of FBA sellers losing massive amounts of money by neglecting to inspect their inventory (or sometimes even getting permanently suspended).
So in this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about Amazon FBA prep and inspection – including what you need to look for, how to go about finding a solution for inspections, and what the process entails. Let’s dive in!
Use this outline to skip to any section of this page:
- What is Amazon FBA product inspection?
- Why is inspecting your Amazon inventory important?
- Tips for getting your Amazon FBA inventory inspected
- Your options for Amazon FBA inventory inspection
What is Amazon FBA product inspection?
Inspecting your products is a critical step for selling on Amazon with FBA – especially with the high standards that both Amazon and shoppers have for the products sold on the website.
When it comes to Amazon FBA product inspection, there are a few things that need to be checked for in order to ensure that the product is up to standards:
The first thing that needs to be looked at is the labels. All of the information on the label needs to be correct, including the brand name, product name, and quantity. If there are any errors on the label, it can cause problems when it comes time for shipping.
Another thing that needs to be checked is the quality of the product. There can sometimes be issues with products that are sent in for Amazon FBA inspection, such as scratches or dents. If there are any quality issues with the product, it will need to be fixed before it can be sent out to customers.
Finally, run a count on the quantity of units. It’s important that all of the items listed on the packing slip are included in the shipment, and that there are no missing items. If anything is missing, it can cause delays when it comes time to ship the product to customers.
Why is inspecting your Amazon inventory important?
When it comes to online selling, inventory is key. Keeping track of what you have and what’s coming in and out is essential to avoiding penalties from Amazon, account suspensions, and negative reviews. Regular inventory inspections help keep your account in good standing and protect your business.
There are a few things to keep in mind when inspecting your inventory:
- Make sure you are familiar with Amazon’s policies and restrictions on what can be sold on the site.
- Develop a system for tracking your inventory, whether it’s through spreadsheets or software like Amazon Seller Central. This will help you stay organized and avoid any surprises.
- Be proactive about checking your inventory regularly. This may mean doing spot checks every day or weekly depending on the size of your business and how quickly your stock changes.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure a smooth operation for your Amazon business – without getting dinged with account penalties or negative reviews (or getting your account shut down altogether).
Tips for getting your Amazon FBA products inspected
Come up with a sample size
When it comes to inspecting inventory, start by inspecting a sample of your inventory. Then determine the best sample size. The general rule of thumb is to inspect at least 10% of your inventory, but you may want to inspect more if you have a large or complex inventory. You’ll also want to consider the type of product you’re inspecting and how likely it is to be defective. For example, if you’re inspecting fragile items, you may want to inspect a higher percentage of your inventory than if you’re inspecting clothes.
Once you’ve determined your sample size, you’ll need to select which products to inspect. You can either randomly select products or select products that are most likely to be defective.
If you’re using random selection, use a fair sampling method like simple random sampling or systematic random sampling. If you’re selecting products based on their likelihood of being defective, use a technique like attribute sampling or variable sampling.
Once you’ve selected your products, begin inspection by comparing them against your quality standards. Look for obvious defects and record any non-conformities. If you find a defect, determine whether it’s a major or minor non-conformity. If it’s a major non-conformity, then the product should be rejected and removed from the inventory. If it’s a minor non-conformity, then the product can be repaired or reworked before being placed back into inventory.
Don’t forget to count the number of units
When it comes to counting inventory, it’s extremely important to make sure that the correct number of units are accounted for. This helps to ensure that there are no missing items and that the order size is correct. In some cases, it may be helpful to physically count the items in order to verify the quantity. This process can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it in order to get an accurate picture of what’s on hand.
Another option is to use a barcode scanner to tally up the units. This is a more efficient way to count large quantities of inventory, and it can help to speed up the process. However, it’s still important to verify the results by checking against the physical inventory.
In either case, it’s important to be thorough when counting inventory. This ensures that there are no surprises down the road and that everyone has a clear understanding of what’s available – so that your stock count is accurate and you don’t get an under-cut order.
Create a dedicated inspection workflow for each unique product
When it comes to inspecting inventory, making sure that each product is inspected based on its features and functionalities is essential. Each product is unique, and needs to be inspected in a way that reflects its uniqueness.
For example, a product that has many different colors and styles may need to be inspected more closely to make sure that the colors are consistent and the style is accurate. Another product, such as one that has multiple parts or pieces, may need to be inspected for quality control purposes to ensure that all of the pieces are accounted for and fit together properly.
In short, when it comes to inspecting inventory, make sure to take into account each product’s unique features and qualities in order to ensure an accurate inspection.
Your options for Amazon FBA inventory inspection
Supplier
Unfortunately, most Amazon FBA sellers eventually discover that suppliers can’t be relied on for inspecting inventory. This is because they specialize in being your supplier – not your inspection service.
Yourself
At the end of the day, you have to take the responsibility to inspect your inventory yourself – or find someone you can trust (more on that below). This means that you need to set up a system where you can regularly check your stock and identify any discrepancies. One way to do this is by setting up an automated inventory scanning system. This will help you stay on top of any changes in your stock and quickly address any issues.
However, this can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you have a large amount of inventory.
FBA prep service
On the other hand, you could hire an FBA prep service like zonprep.com to take care of it for you. This option is not only more efficient, but it can also help you avoid costly mistakes.
FBA prep services are experts when it comes to inspection and preparing Amazon inventory (and if you’re wondering what is FBA prep and how it works, we got you covered).
They have the experience and knowledge necessary to ensure that your products are ready for shipment to Amazon – and beyond inspecting your products, they can also help you with packing and labeling them correctly.
This can save you time and money in the long run, as it can help ensure that your products are shipped correctly and that there are no delays or problems once they reach Amazon.
If you’re considering using an FBA prep service, it’s important to do your research first. Make sure to compare prices and services offered by different companies, so that you can find the one that best meets your needs.
Once you’ve found a reputable FBA prep company, feel free to relax and let them take care of everything. Knowing that your inventory is being handled by a professional will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other aspects of your business.
