Why is Amazon charging for each FBA dispatch when sending in one package?
Amazon is charging the full cost for each item sent via fba even when it is the same items in the same package. As an example I was recently charged €15 for shipping 4 lightweight items to Austria. The cost is about 3 euros normally. I understand there’s an extra administrative cost, for fba but this goes beyond anything reasonable. They are charging an fba pick & pack fee of 4 x the fee to pick up 4 items rather than 1…and then 4 x the price of shipping for one small envelope! I could understand for heavy items, but these are 30g items 8cm x 5cm approx.
I am aware this is the policy, just wondering why there’s isn’t many complaints about it as it seems very unfair and must have affected so many sellers.
12 replies
Seller_EJIX7rqDNQJi2
The FBA fee, which includes postage and packaging is displayed next to each item in your account’s Manage Inventory section.
When you signed up for FBA, you agreed to Amazon’s terms. They will simply not combine the fee but charge you an equal amount for each unit.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it, other than switching into FBM.
Seller_fMsCVAHNu4txH
It does, and it stings. But… Just because the customer orders 4x items doesn’t mean that Amazon dispatch all 4 from the same place.
They could send any combination from different FC’s all over the country (or Europe).
It’s no different than if you had multiple warehouses yourself and had to dispatch separate parts of a single order from each one.
Seller_08BS5LN7BHyyq
Thanks for all the response. I’m aware this is the policy, but I’m questioning the validity of the policy really. I very much doubt that the items were shipped from different warehouses but it’s possible. However, the fact that it doesn’t matter if they do or don’t, they still charge the same fee, is an issue I would say. But the response, it seems, is always the same, no matter what the issue is or how valid the complaint…“use it or don’t use it, nothing is going to change regardless of fairness”. Very unsatisfactory.
Seller_MJqmJsOcfYSMK
Personally I think this is more of an issue for small and light goods. I see other sellers doing this to work around the problem: You could create new SKUs that holds multiple of the item, e.g. you still have 1 pack, then 2 pack, 3 pack, 4 pack etc. Then buyer would be smart enough to choose the right pack size, and FBA will only charge once.
When there is policy, there is work around.
Seller_Rkf2znCXtSZpI
This is a huge reason why we don’t sell FBA. Our items are regularly bought in multiples.
If someone one item we make 22% if they buy two we make 32%. 10% is huge!
