Ordered too many units from Supplier, Amazon storage limit
Hi guys,
I’m a new seller listing my first product, I was unaware of the storage limits at Amz. warehouses and so I ordered 2000 units from my supplier who is now ready to ship the product, upon trying to create the shipping labels I got the error: “This product exceeds the allowed quantity for Standard-size storage”. I was completely unaware that I could send in 1000 units and thought the limit would be higher 
My question is what do I do with the extra 1000 units? Do I send half to Amazon and half to my Home using my forwarder (my costs will obviously go up) or should I ask my supplier to hold these items for me ( preferred option but not sure how feasible it is given it’s my first Product and my initial 1000 units wont fly off the Amz. shelves)
37 replies
Seller_6sxtIS0RbZ5k7
It’s up to you but it would make sense for you to have seen and quality checked them before they go to Amazon.
Seller_esvgLzKXw2YAl
I’d strongly suggest, that if you can, you cancel the order.
Otherwise, your completely and utterly stuck. You will have to take the units and your only real option if you can’t send them in to Amazon, is to send them to yourself.
However, I’m assuming that you have bought something from China in a bulk lot.
Without knowing how something is going to sell, it’s never a good idea to buy such a large quantity.
Also, if they are being manufactured for you, you should never send the first consignment direct to Amazon, as you need to check quality etc first.
Always a good idea to test the market first, before committing to a large order.
If they don’t sell, your well and truly stuck, as well as being out of pocket.
Seller_77IcbQKVGdZo0
I think 1000 units is the limit for all new FBA sellers get, when we started on FBA last month we were just allowed 1000 units which then rose to 3000 units a couple of weeks later.
I would also say that 2000 units of a new product you have not sold previously before on Amazon is a bit of a risk. You have no idea how well it will sell, how long it will take to sell.
Our policy for new items is to always order a manageable amount, normally a carton to gauge reaction before we launching into buying bigger quantities.
If you can get your supplier to hold your items and your items sell fast on FBA then your limits may go up and you may be able to send the other 1000 in. If you have space at home for the 1000 units I would personally get them sent their and try selling them on other marketplaces
Seller_YhVpuyNJnTnUw
I would get them to deliver to your house first, size depending.
Seller_NoMNQDGnEW5Bx
Before you send them, your account is a business account and is fully verified isn’t it?
Seller_3FCTdZQDsLenM
I wouldn’t panic too much. Here’s what I suggest.
If it’s a new product you’re going to need to get sales and reviews going on it as soon as possible. So ship the 1000 units to Amazon and reserve around 10-15% of these for reviews and also breakeven price.
When they arrive offer 50 for vine reviews straight away and drop the price on all of them to around breakeven or a little over, reserve 100 units for lowest possible price. This will hopefully get sales going on it fast.
If the product does well after you have sold the first 100 units start to raise up the price to your desired margin level. Hopefully they will continue to sell in similar quantities. Amazon will review the sales after a month and if doing well will raise the limit on sending.
For the other 1000 units your best option is to ask your supplier if they would be willing to hold them for you if you have a good relationship with them. Maybe offer to pay for storage, this will reduce the need to double shipping costs from China UK and then a second delivery within the UK(unless extra shipping is negligible, then just ship to your home).
I had a similar issue a few months ago and my supplier held onto the items for nearly 4 months before shipping the extra. This will all depend on your supplier, if you intend on expanding products it would be worth looking at forwarders who also offer storage in China.
Hope this helps.
Seller_ae51e0CJoHqCX
There are independent companies that offer fulfillment. They work on similar terms but you can also use for other marketplaces as you can with Amazon.
You can also use independent fulfillment centres to supply seller fulfilled orders on Amazon.
It is probably not fair to recommend one on an Amazon forum but a quick search will help you out.
Seller_gSzao5tsKB0Ds
Perhaps start off ordering a smaller ‘test’ amount as it’s your first product and you’re a new seller?
Seller_AeSYBToQ271lM
I think it all depends on your costs and the cost of the item. It’s a risk to send all 1000 in without any sales record of that item and knowing whether it will sell or not, however I suspect you think it will and have done research otherwise you wouldn’t have ordrered that many.
My advice would be different depending on the cost of the item, if it’s £5 or less then as long as I’d done my research I’d be inclined to send the 1000 in and see what happens. If we are talking £100 a unit then its more risky in my opinion and I’d send less in. Depends on what you can afford to lose against potential gains.
Seller_mVDcRkqYu2Tyf
Part of the fun of being an entrepreneur, I’d forgotten what my hallway looked like without rows of boxes in it for a long time.
I’d suggest getting all 45 boxes (2000 units) shipped to your house, less moving parts this way. It only costs £3.70ish for UPS per a 15kg box to ship to amazon so it wouldn’t even add 10p per a unit on this way and you can give everything an extra quality check.
