Easing Barcode Burdens:Amazon's New Recommendation Promises Cost-Savings
Amazon has announced a new feature for its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers that aims to reduce the cost and time of barcode labelling for eligible products. The feature, called 'Eliminate Amazon barcode labelling', is part of the Growth Opportunities tool that provides personalized recommendations to help sellers grow their business on Amazon.
According to the announcement, the feature identifies when sellers can use the manufacturer's barcode instead of adding a separate Amazon barcode label when they send FBA products to Amazon. This eliminates the need for an extra label, which saves sellers time and processing costs. The announcement also claims that using the manufacturer's barcode does not affect the customer experience or the product eligibility for Prime or Buy Box.
Also Read: Amazon Steps Up Support for Small Businesses with New Search Feature
Also Read: Amazon Steps Up Support for Small Businesses with New Search Feature
To determine how much they can save, sellers can go to Growth Opportunities and select Eliminate Amazon barcode labelling in the Reduced Cost drop-down menu. The tool will show them the estimated annual savings based on their sales history and the number of products that qualify for this recommendation.
Seller Reactions: A Mixed Bag
While the announcement might seem like a boon for sellers, the reactions have been varied:
1. One seller expressed concerns about potential inventory mismanagement by Amazon: "This is great, until Amazon miscounts and/or misplaces your units, and because your units don't have FNSKU labels to prove they're anybody's but Amazon's, they end up in Amazon's inventory."
2. Another seller raised the issue of co-mingling, a practice where products from different sellers are mixed together in Amazon's inventory system: "Isn't this just co-mingling? Everything I have read about that isn't very good. I myself have gotten a comingled product that I contacted a seller about. It was an item of clothing that was returned and resold—I received an old, used, very smelly item in the original store box. No Amz label and no FNSKU."
This seller further elaborated on the importance of product labeling, especially when items are returned: "If my packaging is opened and then returned it always gets labeled as customer damaged. I over prep everything but as a seller, that is my choice. If/when it's returned to me for inspection I get to determine if it is sellable or not."
These reactions suggest that some sellers must be more open to trusting Amazon with their products and prefer to have their labels to ensure quality and accountability. They also indicate that some sellers need to know the benefits and drawbacks of using the manufacturer's barcode versus the Amazon barcode and how they can choose the best product option.
While the announcement might seem like a boon for sellers, the reactions have been varied:
1. One seller expressed concerns about potential inventory mismanagement by Amazon: "This is great, until Amazon miscounts and/or misplaces your units, and because your units don't have FNSKU labels to prove they're anybody's but Amazon's, they end up in Amazon's inventory."
2. Another seller raised the issue of co-mingling, a practice where products from different sellers are mixed together in Amazon's inventory system: "Isn't this just co-mingling? Everything I have read about that isn't very good. I myself have gotten a comingled product that I contacted a seller about. It was an item of clothing that was returned and resold—I received an old, used, very smelly item in the original store box. No Amz label and no FNSKU."
This seller further elaborated on the importance of product labeling, especially when items are returned: "If my packaging is opened and then returned it always gets labeled as customer damaged. I over prep everything but as a seller, that is my choice. If/when it's returned to me for inspection I get to determine if it is sellable or not."
These reactions suggest that some sellers must be more open to trusting Amazon with their products and prefer to have their labels to ensure quality and accountability. They also indicate that some sellers need to know the benefits and drawbacks of using the manufacturer's barcode versus the Amazon barcode and how they can choose the best product option.
Also Read: Amazon Update: Amazon Grants Sellers Greater Control Over Generic Product Listings
Therefore, sellers must educate themselves on the different barcode options available for FBA products and how they affect their business. Amazon provides a detailed guide on barcode requirements and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each option on its website. Sellers can also contact Seller Support or consult other experienced sellers for more guidance and clarification.
By following these steps, sellers can make informed decisions about using the new recommendation and optimizing their barcode labelling process for FBA products. This way, they can take advantage of Amazon's potential savings and benefits while avoiding any potential risks or pitfalls.As the seller community continues to explore and adapt to this new recommendation, the broader impact on the FBA program and seller operations remains to be seen.
To read the official announcement here: Amazon Seller Central.
Disclaimer:
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
About ChannelMAX.NET:
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.
Amazon is the registered trademark of the e-commerce brand.
About ChannelMAX.NET:
ChannelMAX offers Amazon Repricer that runs on the latest AI Repricing algorithm to do Amazon Pricing Management or Amazon Repricing. Based on Amazon SP API, the repricing engine or repricer runs 24/7 and efficiently manages Amazon prices to maximize your BuyBox with profit optimization. Established in 2005, ChannelMAX has been integrated with Amazon technology since 2007, helping thousands of third-party sellers on various eCommerce platforms. Some of the eCommerce platforms, aka marketplaces, supported by ChannelMAX.NET, are Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify. Some of ChannelMAX key offerings include ChannelMAX Amazon Repricer, 2ndly, ChannelMAX Amazon FBA Audits and FBA Refunds management, an offering for managing Amazon FBA Refunds Reimbursement management for lost or damaged or misplaced inventory for which Amazon is responsible and for which sellers deserve appropriate credit reimbursement from Amazon. ChannelMAX Services offer Remote (aka Virtual) Full-Time eCommerce Assistant to help 3P sellers run their daytoday business.
Check ChannelMAX at Amazon Selling Partner Appstore, an application with a 5 star rating.