How to Switch From FBA to FBM [Step By Step]
How to Switch From FBA to FBM [STEP BY STEP]
How to switch from FBA to FBM is as simple as navigating to Manage All Inventory, hitting the drop-down arrow next to the Edit button on the right-hand side of the product and selecting “Change To Fulfilled By Merchant”.
Switching from FBA to FBM can be a wise move for brands that meet certain criteria, but it can also be a significant setback.
It’s important to understand if you’re a good fit to switch from FBA to FBM.
In over 10 years as a Fractional CMO, Amazon Consultant, and eCommerce Consultant, not to mention CEO, I’ve seen just about every mistake and the lessons from them. That means you get all the learnings without the scars.
Switching from Amazon FBA to FBM is easy, but should you?
Amazon FBM or Amazon FBA or both is one of the most common questions I get.
That’s why I put together this in-depth guide of How To Switch From FBA to FBM that you can use TODAY to make the switch but more importantly, make sure it’s right for you whether you’re an Amazon Seller Central seller, using Amazon FBA, Amazon FBM, FBA Small and Light, or selling Amazon B2B.
How To Switch From FBA to FBM
Switching from FBA to FBM is easy.
Here’s how…
How To Switch From FBA to FBM:
Step 1: From the main navigation, select Manage All Inventory
Step 2: Once you’ve located your product, on the far right, select the drop-down button next to Edit and choose “Change To Fulfilled By Merchant”.
That’s it, but if you were to exit this blog post now, you may be making a significant mistake.
This is because switching from FBA to FBM isn’t right for everyone.
Let’s have a look at who SHOULD switch from FBA to FBM.
Who SHOULD Switch From FBA to FBM
So, who should switch from FBA to FBM?
Amazon Sellers that should switch from FBA to FBM meet certain criteria.
Who SHOULD Switch From FBA to FBM:
- Sellers With Capabilities or a 3rd Party Logistics Partner That Can Meet & Exceed Seller Fulfilled Prime Criteria.
- Sellers Who Want To Use FBM ONLY When FBA Is Out of Inventory
- Sellers Who Are Aware of the Pros and Cons of Switching From FBA To FBM And Are Comfortable With The Cons
- Sellers Who Cannot Afford The FBA Fees In Their Margins
- Sellers Not Competing For A Buy Box With Other Sellers AND Comfortable With the Cons
That said, some sellers SHOULDN’T switch from FBA to FBM.
Who SHOULDN’T Switch From FBA to FBM
Switching from FBA to FBM isn’t always a good idea.
From plummeting visibility in Amazon product searches and Buy Box issues, you can invite more challenges into an already uphill battle.
Let’s take a look at Amazon Sellers who are not a good candidate to switch from FBA to FBM.
Who SHOULDN’T Switch From FBA to FBM:
- Sellers competing for the Buy Box.
- Sellers in competitive niches.
- If you do a search for your type of products and you only see listings at the top with Prime badges.
- Sellers who cannot meet and exceed the Seller Fulfilled Prime shipping requirements.
- Sellers without a logistics infrastructure or a 3PL.
- Sellers who can afford the margins with FBA fees factored in.
With that in mind, you may be wondering if you’re a fringe case or still aren’t sure if making the switch from FBA to FBM is right for you.
So, let’s take a look at the Pros & Cons.
Pros & Cons of Switching From FBA to FBM
To make an informed decision on switching from Amazon FBA to FBM, you’ll want to understand what you stand to lose.
Let’s break things down and evaluate the Pro’s & Con’s of switching from FBA to FBM.
Pros & Cons of Switching From FBA To FBM:
Pro’s:
- Save on Amazon FBA Fees
- Greater control over shipping
- Custom branded packaging and customer experience
- Avoid FBA storage limits
Cons:
- More difficult to rank and win the Amazon Buy Box.
- You have to pick, pack, and ship products to customers yourself.
- You have to handle customer service.
- When products are lost in transit or damaged, it is your responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
By the way, marketing in Amazon & eCommerce is complex, with lots of challenges that cost you time & money.
If you want to sell more and spend less, I’m a top-rated Fractional CMO, Amazon Consultant & eCommerce Consultant with 10+ years of Fractional CMO Services, Amazon Consulting & eCommerce Consulting experience, and come with a proven, one-of-a-kind system to drive sales.
Whether it’s consulting Amazon brands, working with great companies at my Fractional CMO Agency or helping grow eCommerce website sales at my eCommerce Consultancy I can help you sell more & spend less.
Get a quick free consultation.
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