Restock Limits - Big Headache
Hi all.
I gather we won’t be the only ones affected by the new account level restock limits but here goes my story, which has an intereresting twist.
It first became an issue for us last week when we attempted to inbound inventory and were notified that we were out of restock limit. After contacting Seller Support, it became clear that this wasn’t going to help so we contacted the UK Managing Director’s office to see if we could do anything. The upshot was no and there really wasn’t any opportunity for discussion.
I thought it may be worth also making our voice heard on here, in the hopes that if enough people do then they’ll realise what a problem this new policy is.
We are simply trying to keep our fast selling ASINs in stock and are using the inventory planner tool to calculate the level required but Amazon won’t allow us to inbound sufficient stock for the amount we are selling. Our inventory IPI score is very good so we manage our inventory well already.
The worst thing to have come out of my contact with Amazon last week was that we were advised to remove some other stock to make space. We did this reluctantly because the heavily stocked items sell really fast and Amazon are too slow checking new stock in so now we’ve reduced the stock level, it is guaranteed that we’ll have out of stock periods.
In any case, on Amazon advice, we removed around 1500 pieces from stock a few days ago to make room for other products that we want to send in. This morning, I notice that after adjusting our utilisation quantity downward, Amazon has reduced our restock limits further by around 1300 pieces so we are now in the same position as we were last week but now with a lower restock limit. So basically we have actually lost our allowance by attempting to make space by removing goods and we still don’t have any space for new goods.
I wanted to put this post out to advise others that this may happen to you too. Amazon advise removing some goods, you remove them and Amazon reduce your limits. Net result, less space in the FCs, more out of stock periods incoming and no room to add new products to the FCs.
To be frank, this is ridiculous and is possibly the most harmful policy I’ve seen Amazon come up with for us. We will lose sales and ultimately position. It’s also very disappointing that we were tricked into lowering our inventory size when following their instructions.
Seller_onfhW1L59QMQR
I am in the same boat with regards to replenishing stock, I go to inventory planning and even ASINs that are completely sold out I cannot replenish, this is for Amazon UK and France, I was about to remove some stock and I am glad I seen your post, I will not bother now.
Seller_msXOuFgmdtguf
Agreed, this is the worst change they have made to effect long term sellers who where encouraged to build up 90 days in FBA for a long time. For us based in ROI we cannot change to FBM as it is not feasible with postage costs. I presume a lot of EU sellers are in the same both with stock in the UK and vice versa, UK sellers cannot change to FBA for their EU products
Seller_ORSX1h27HiEvy
just got an email today informing me that from may 16th there is a restock limit …
Unlimited storage = unlimited SKUs , we’re also already over the limit - when just got a massive delivery of the bestsellers delivered and can’t send them in.
Created removal order for 10s of SKUs leaving only a few days supply - free removal till tomorrow may 20th.
We’re still probably near 2000 limit. - its not updated straight away , will have to wait for the removal order to be processed and limits refreshed.
This is just unbelievable , forcing sellers to reduce their stock levels or get rid of slower selling ASINS.
Did I missed some kind of a memo ?
Seller_wqciCXuQbNS4p
As people say, it’s going to cause big headaches for a lot of people, ourselves included.
At a guess, I would say that the worst affected will be those operating from home and those sending in bulk from abroad. The new system seems to be working in a way that encourages weekly replenishment so that the fulfillment centres work more effectively. Unfortunately though, that means that in peak season when we all increase stock levels, the system won’t allow us to stockpile in preparation for Christmas etc. This will ultimately help no one. Short term we wil be okay but once the new collections come in, and when we expand, the problems for us will be exacerbated.
Being a glass half full kind of guy though, the people that it will really hurt are the Chinese sellers who ship in bulk and take advantage of the Amazon storage facilities. It will inevitably make them rethink their business model.
Seller_AqDpELeOCNOIR
This is going to be a nightmare as our stock fluctuates seasonally. I try to have between 3-4 months worth of stock for each SKU but now as new SKUs arrive I will probably have to stop restocking other titles. I will also probably have to go back to FBM as well.
Not a well though out change IMO but we will see
Seller_Yja9oH7DLHk2I
My biggest issue is Amazon themselves. I will buy a new line. I will send it roughly 6 weeks worth of sales. Suddenly Amazon will start selling the item and my sales stop dead. I can’t reduce my price because Amazon will match me and give themselves the buy box.
The stock just sits there in the hope Amazon will dip out of stock for a few days. If Amazon shared the buy box this problem would disappear.
Seller_RjAvlP8xqpq00
I have to face a very similar problem with regards to replenishing stock. Inventory planning shows 6 ASINS that are completely sold out and 26 low inventory, my IPI score is over 800. What is interesting I have an UNLIMITED storage volume, but I cannot replenish - due to the new restock limit, this is for Amazon UK.
What is interesting yesterday I cancelled 2 shipments with 200 items and I was granted to send 30 items yesterday ( had hoped on different 200 items), today all changed and I am over the limit with about 300 items again …how it could make sense?
I also wanted to remove some stock and I am glad I have seen your post, I will not bother now.
It is not ok, it is depressing
Seller_p5u23GLvheD5W
Just found out about this today. I normally keep up with Amazon news, but some how this one got past me.
So when trying to create a shipment today, I was informed that I am at my current limit and cannot send off any more stock. As a fast growing businses that has new lines weekly, this takes the p*** to be quite honest. Who knows what’ll happen come autumn and I want to send off triple the amount of usual stock in time for the Christmas rush…
Oh well, I’m sure there’s someone out there who’ll say ‘You knew what you were signing up for’ ( even though I signed up 11 years ago.)
Seller_s3TaCE833CEqc
I’ll add to this.
I was contacted (unsoicited) by Amazon a few weeks ago to discuss this. At the time I had 30,000 units or so that I could send. I asked specifically if the limits would be likely to changed and was told that they would stick at that level for some time. They have since reduced at least twice, in under a month. From a position of planning to keep decent stock levels I am now told I’m 15,000 units in excess. My IPI has dropped a small amount but then I’m a semi seasonal business so they would drop. It’s still well above 500.
I’m OK with limits if I’m allowed to work within them and the goalposts don’t change every week.
The drops have been radical.
Seller_w87en4NQHkNN6
We’re in the same situation …
