Many Amazon FBA sellers are wondering – should I use an FBA prep service? And does it actually save money & reduce costs?
In fact, there’s a large debate over whether you should keep your FBA prep in-house (run and managed by yourself, with your own warehouse/facility) or outsource to an FBA prep service that can inspect, store, package, and label your Amazon products – helping you meet your needs and completely remove the stress of your shoulders.
In this article, we’ll cover the upsides and downsides to using an FBA prep center – especially when it comes to how it affects your supply chain process and the trustworthy factors that go into deciding which prep company to partner with.
Use this outline to skip to any section of this page:
- What is an FBA prep center used for?
- Does FBA prep save money?
- Benefits to using an FBA prep service
- Negatives to using an FBA prep service
What is an FBA prep center used for?
FBA prep services are used for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re an Amazon FBA seller who wants to take advantage of the low prices and quick turnaround times that prep centers offer. Or maybe you’re a small business owner who is looking for a way to streamline your order fulfillment process.
Either way, there are some definite benefits to using an FBA prep center.
- They can help you save money on shipping costs.
- They can help you get your products to market faster by handling all of the packaging and labeling for you.
- They can provide you with peace of mind by ensuring that your products are handled with care and arrive at their destination in perfect condition.
So if you’re looking for a way to save time and money on your fulfillment process, an FBA prep center may be just what you need.
Does FBA prep save money?
There are a number of ways that an FBA prep center can help you save money. First and foremost, they can provide you with the necessary resources and services to help you get your products ready for sale on Amazon. This includes packaging, labeling, and shipping services.
Beyond that, an FBA prep center can also offer storage space for your products. This can save you money on renting warehouse space or storage units. They can also help you save time by handling all of the details of getting your products ready for sale on Amazon. This way, you can focus on other aspects of running your business – helping you grow and scale your Amazon store. Overall, an FBA prep center can be a valuable asset in helping you save money and increase efficiency when selling on Amazon.
Benefits to using an FBA prep service
Lowers supply chain costs
Any business owner knows that supply chain management is essential to the success of their enterprise. Supply chain costs can make or break a business, and it is crucial to have a handle on them. That’s where FBA prep companies come in.
These companies can help you lower your supply chain costs by preparing your products for FBA fulfillment with high-efficiency – and almost always cheaper than running FBA prep in-house. By taking care of the packaging, labeling, and shipping of your products, they can help you avoid the high costs associated with traditional fulfillment methods.
In addition, they can also help you manage your inventory and automate your order processing, giving you more time to focus on running your business. So if you’re looking to save money on your supply chain costs, working with an FBA prep company is a smart move.
Speeds-up growth & scale
As any seasoned Amazon seller knows, the key to success on the platform is to constantly be growing and scaling your revenue. And while there are a lot of different ways to do this, one of the most effective is to work with an FBA prep company.
These companies specialize in helping sellers get their products ready for sale on Amazon, and they can make a big difference in your bottom line. By streamlining the prep and shipping process, they can help you get your products to market faster and at a lower cost. And that means more sales and more profits for you. So if you’re serious about growing your business on Amazon, working with an FBA prep company is a smart move.
Reduces stress & management
There’s no denying that running an Amazon store is stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. With the help of a good FBA prep company, you can take some of the pressure off yourself and make your job a whole lot easier.
A good prep company will handle all the technical aspects of getting your products ready for sale on Amazon, so you can focus on other parts of your business. They’ll also help you stay organized and on track, so you can avoid making costly mistakes.
A reliable FBA prep company can help you reduce stress, save time, and make your job a whole lot easier. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of getting your business up and running on Amazon, don’t hesitate to reach out to a prep company for help.
Strategic partnership
A company that specializes in Amazon FBA prep can be a valuable strategic partner for businesses selling on Amazon. They can provide a wide range of services to help you be successful, from product sourcing and logistics, to storage and forwarding.
In addition, they can help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of Amazon’s rules and regulations. By working with a company that specializes in prepping your inventory, you can focus on what you do best – running your business – while leaving the details of fulfillment to them.
In today’s competitive marketplace, having a well-run fulfillment operation is essential to success on Amazon. Working with a reputable FBA prep company can give you the peace of mind that your fulfillment operation is in good hands, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your business.
Negatives to using an FBA prep service
Less immediate control over inventory
There are a few things to consider before opting to use an FBA prep company. One downside is that you won’t have immediate access or control over your inventory. It’s important to remember that when you store your inventory with the company, they are responsible for keeping track of it and making sure it stays in good condition. This can be a positive if you’re not particularly organized or don’t have the time to keep track of your inventory yourself.
However, it also means that you won’t be able to make changes to your products or pricing (as quickly as you could if you were managing everything yourself). You also won’t have instant access to pick, pack and ship special orders – such as samples for promotions and photography/video shoots. Your FBA prep company can handle special projects like this, but it’s faster if the inventory is right in your hands.
Overall, using an FBA prep company can be a convenient option for those who want to outsource some of the work involved in selling on Amazon. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.
Some FBA prep services can be unreliable
Another risk to consider is that many of these companies are unreliable and untrustworthy. There have been numerous reports of businesses being burned out of money by unscrupulous & incompetent FBA prep companies.
Secondly, even those companies that are reputable often offer subpar service. In many cases, items arrive damaged or late, which can cause significant delays in the fulfillment process.
Given this risk, it’s important to carefully consider the FBA prep company you want to partner with and trust to handle your inventory – especially with tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line.
