Category: Amazon Order Processing

As an Amazon seller, efficiently handling orders is vital to customer satisfaction and successful business. Peruse this article to learn the essential steps and best Amazon order management practices for managing your orders effectively.

We will cover various aspects of Amazon order management, including order notifications, navigating the order management interface, understanding different order statuses, coordinating shipping and fulfillment, handling returns, and addressing customer inquiries and claims. By following these guidelines, you can streamline your Amazon order management process, enhance customer experiences, and ultimately drive growth in your Amazon business.

The Two Amazon Fulfillment Methods

Amazon offers two main fulfillment methods for sellers:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
• Seller-fulfilled shipping, also known as self-shipping or MFN (Merchant Fulfilled Network) shipping

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

With FBA, sellers send their inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. When an order is received, Amazon handles the entire fulfillment process, including payment, packing, and shipping of the product(s) to the buyer. This Amazon order management method allows sellers to leverage Amazon's vast logistics network and infrastructure.

Seller-Fulfilled Shipping

On the other hand, with seller-fulfilled shipping, sellers handle the delivery coordination for their orders themselves. When an order is received, sellers are responsible for packaging and shipping the products directly to the buyers. This Amazon order management method gives sellers more control over the shipping process and allows them to choose their preferred carriers and shipping methods.

How to Manage Your Orders in The Amazon Store

For effective Amazon order management, it is recommended to update your notification settings. You can customize the notifications you need and how you accept them by accessing the settings menu and selecting notification settings. It will ensure that you receive timely updates when you receive an order.

The next step of Amazon order management is to navigate to The Seller Central main menu and hover over the "Orders" option. From there, select "Manage Orders." This selection will take you to the page where you can view and handle your orders.

When you receive an order in the Amazon store, it initially enters a pending status. It remains in this status until payment is verified. Once payment is confirmed, the order moves to the unshipped status, indicating it is ready for fulfillment. You can track your orders and their progress and ensure a smooth transition to the fulfillment stage.

Options for Amazon Order Management

Depending on the volume of orders you usually receive, there are two options for effective Amazon order management:

• The manage orders tool
• The orders report

Manage Orders Tool

The manage orders tool is suitable for sellers with a moderate number of orders, allowing them to handle individual orders efficiently.

Orders Report

For sellers with a higher order volume, utilizing the orders report for Amazon order management is recommended. You can access the reports for your business's orders on the orders report page under the orders tab in Seller Central. The all-orders report provides comprehensive information about your orders and items, covering FBA and seller-fulfilled orders within a specific timeframe.

These reports are valuable resources to monitor and analyze demand across various fulfillment and sales channels. By utilizing these reports, you can gain insights into your business's performance and make data-driven decisions.

Steps to Follow After Receiving An Order

Payment Verification

When a customer completes the checkout process with your product in their cart, Amazon order management places the order in a pending status on your managed orders page. All orders are initially held for 30 minutes, allowing customers the opportunity to cancel. During this time, payment verification takes place.

Status: Payment vs. Pending

During Amazon order management, it is essential to pay attention to two main statuses: pending and payment complete. The pending status indicates that the order is awaiting payment verification, while the payment complete status confirms successful payment verification and signifies that the order is ready for fulfillment.

Order Notification

If a customer reaches out while their order is pending, it is advisable to refer them to Amazon customer service for assistance. Once Amazon verifies the payment information, Amazon order management will transition the order to the unshipped status. At this point, Amazon sends the customer an order confirmation email, which includes an estimated delivery date. Simultaneously, you will also receive an order notification.

Locate the Customer's Delivery Address

When Amazon order management shows an order is in the unshipped status, it is time to fulfill it. To begin the fulfillment process, locate the customer's delivery address. You can do this through the orders detail page, orders report, or unshipped orders report. Once you have obtained the address, you must ship the order to the customer using their requested shipping method.

Arrange for Delivery

When handling fulfillment yourself, you can arrange delivery with your chosen carrier or take advantage of Amazon's buy shipping services. Buy shipping services allow you to purchase shipping labels individually or in bulk, ship and confirm orders, and track your shipments. Amazon suggests shipping services based on the customer's delivery promise, your carrier preference, and the lowest available cost. Utilizing buy shipping services can help protect your shipping performance metrics and streamline the shipping coordination process.

Confirm the Shipment

After shipping the order, you must confirm the shipment. It's important to note that shipment confirmation is not required for FBA orders or orders using buy shipping services. When confirming shipment as part of Amazon order management, you will provide the following:

• The ship date.
• Carrier shipping method.
• Tracking ID supplied by the carrier
• The ship from address

You can select an order from the manage orders page to access the order details page, where you can print an order packing slip or contact the customer if necessary.

FBA Orders

For orders involving products enrolled in FBA, you do not need to take any action upon receiving the order. You can review your FBA orders by clicking "View FBA Orders" on the manage orders page. You can review your FBA orders and issue refunds when necessary. It's important to note that returns and customer service for FBA products are handled directly by Amazon.

What to Do on Receiving a Return

To handle returns for your non-FBA products., you'll need to utilize the manage returns page.

Respond within 24 hours

When you receive a return request through Amazon order management, we recommend responding within 24 hours. Amazon automatically authorizes return requests that comply with its return policy. However, for returns outside of the policy, manual authorization is required. You'll receive an email notification from Amazon when authorization is needed.

Manually Authorize a Return

To manually authorize a return, navigate to the manage returns section under the orders tab in Seller Central. From there, access the pending actions tab and select the specific request of the Amazon order that you wish to review. Once you approve a customer's return request, you can use an Amazon-generated unpaid return label or upload your custom prepaid return label.

How to Cancel an Order

Some customers may want to cancel an order. How you respond depends on the order status. If Amazon order management shows that the order has yet to be shipped or confirmed, you can cancel it through the manage orders page. On canceling an order, Amazon automatically updates the order status and notifies the customer.

However, if Amazon order management shows that the order has already been shipped, you can request that the customer return the purchased product for a refund. Once you receive the returned item, issue a refund. It's worth noting that customers are only charged for an order once the shipment is confirmed.

A-to-Z Guarantee Claims System

Amazon utilizes the A-to-Z Guarantee claims system to ensure customer satisfaction. Customers can file claims for two reasons:

• If the customer did not receive the order
• The order did not meet their expectations

When customers encounter an issue, they are first expected to contact you, providing an opportunity to resolve the problem. Depending on what the matter is, customers may be directed to use either the buyer or seller messaging feature or the return request feature.

As a seller, you have 48 hours to respond to any issues raised by your customers. Customers can file an A-to-Z Guarantee claim if a resolution cannot be reached. Amazon will then investigate the claim. If Amazon grants the claim to the customer, they debit the claimed amount from your account. You can appeal against the decision if necessary in 30 days.

Use Buyer-Seller Messaging to Contact Customers only to Complete Orders

During the order process, there may be instances where it becomes necessary to communicate with your customers. Buyer-seller messaging is the approved method for communicating with Amazon customers within Seller Central, or you can do so via email. However, you should only contact customers to complete orders or answer customer service questions. It is strictly prohibited to reach customers for marketing or promotional purposes.

Amazon automatically sends review requests on your behalf after purchases. You can use the "request a review" feature on the order details page to request a review for a specific order. When using this feature, Amazon will ask the customer for a product review and seller feedback for the order. It's also worth mentioning that you should refrain from using buyer-seller messaging to request reviews.

Conclusion

Effective Amazon order management is a crucial aspect of running a successful business on Amazon. You can stay on top of the orders coming in by updating your notification settings, navigating the order management interface, and understanding different order statuses. Whether through Amazon's services or with your chosen carrier, coordinating shipping and fulfillment ensures timely delivery to your customers.

Handling returns promptly and providing excellent customer service are essential for customer satisfaction. If you encounter any challenges with Amazon order management and require assistance, consider contacting Vserve Amazon Listing Services. Their team of experts specializes in providing Amazon order processing services. With their knowledge and support, you can address issues and ensure smooth and efficient order management on the platform.

This blog is inspired by the video 'How to manage your orders in the Amazon store' by Amazon Seller University.

In today's world, everything is available at the click of a button. And with the rise of same-day delivery services, customers expect to receive their items quickly. Amazon has been leading the charge in this area, and they continue to innovate and develop ways to keep up with customer demand for speedy deliveries.

Amazon's order processing and management systems have played a crucial role in enabling them to fulfill orders quickly and efficiently. In this article, we'll look closer at how Amazon manages its order processing and why same-day delivery is becoming increasingly popular among customers.

The Benefits of Same-Day Delivery

Same-day delivery offers customers a number of benefits. For starters, it is incredibly convenient. People can order items and have them delivered on the same day, which means they don’t have to worry about going out to the store or waiting for days for their purchases to arrive.

Additionally, same-day deliveries are often cheaper than traditional shipping options as well. This is because Amazon doesn’t have to pay for shipping and handling fees, which helps keep costs down. Amazon's order processing services and management systems have played a crucial role in enabling them to offer same-day delivery to their customers. Here are some of the advantages of same-day delivery:

Improved Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty

Same-day delivery can improve customer satisfaction by providing a faster, more convenient delivery option. Customers appreciate the ability to receive their orders quickly and efficiently, which can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business. Same-day delivery can also help build trust with customers, as it shows that a company is committed to meeting their needs in a timely manner.

Increased Convenience and Flexibility For Customers

Same-day delivery gives customers the flexibility to receive their orders when most convenient for them. Customers can order products on the same day and receive them later that day, which is particularly useful for urgent or time-sensitive items. Same-day delivery also eliminates the need for customers to make a trip to a physical store, saving them time and effort.

Competitive Advantage for Companies

Offering same-day delivery can give companies a competitive advantage over their rivals. Companies that offer same-day delivery are seen as more customer-focused and innovative, which can help them stand out in a crowded marketplace. Same-day delivery can also help companies attract new customers and retain existing ones, providing a valuable service that many people are willing to pay for.

Amazon's Same-Day Delivery Services

Amazon has been utilizing its advanced Amazon order management and Amazon order processing services to lead the market in same-day delivery since the introduction of its Prime Now service in 2014. This service offers customers free two-hour delivery on thousands of items, from groceries and electronics to home goods.

In addition, Amazon provides a same-day delivery service that enables customers to receive their orders within one day. Furthermore, Amazon recently launched the Prime Free Same-Day Delivery service, which offers free same-day delivery to customers who place orders over $35.

Why Same-Day Delivery Is Becoming Popular

Same-day delivery is becoming increasingly popular as more and more customers come to expect it. This is because of the convenience factor and the cost savings it offers. Additionally, same-day delivery services are becoming more widely available, which means that customers can get their items delivered faster than ever before.

The demand for fast and reliable delivery has led the company to invest heavily in its Amazon order processing services and Amazon order management systems to ensure that they can meet customer expectations. Finally, Amazon’s presence in the market has helped make same-day delivery services more commonplace, and other companies are following suit to remain competitive.

How Amazon Is Keeping Up with the Trend of Same-Day Delivery

Amazon has been a leader in the same-day delivery trend as part of its Amazon order processing services, constantly striving to improve its delivery options to meet the needs of its customers. Here are some ways that Amazon order management is keeping up with the trend of same-day delivery:

• Expanding its fulfillment network: Amazon order management has raised its fulfillment network by building new fulfillment centers and distribution hubs in strategic locations. This allows them to deliver products to customers faster and more efficiently.
• Partnering with delivery companies: Amazon order processing services team has partnered with delivery companies such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS to help deliver packages to customers. They have also launched their delivery service, Amazon Flex, which uses independent contractors to deliver packages.
• Offering Prime Now: Amazon offers Prime Now, a service that provides same-day delivery for certain products to customers in select cities. This service allows customers to order products and have them delivered within hours.
• Implementing technology: Amazon has implemented various technologies to improve their delivery capabilities. For example, they use machine learning algorithms to predict what products customers will likely order and where they will need to be delivered, allowing them to prepare for deliveries more efficiently.
• Using lockers and pickup points: Amazon order management team has introduced Amazon Lockers and pickup points, which allow customers to pick up their orders at a designated location instead of having them delivered to their homes. This option provides an added convenience for customers who may not be home during delivery hours.

Conclusion

Amazon’s same-day delivery services are helping to revolutionize the way customers shop. Amazon’s order processing services have become the leader in this area by offering convenience, cost savings, and fast delivery times. As more and more companies adopt same-day delivery services, it is becoming increasingly popular among customers who want their items delivered as soon as possible.

If you are looking for the best agency that provides Amazon order processing services, look no further, as Vserve is here.

Vserve Amazon Listing Services will provide the services needed to make order processing services successful for your business. Contact us today to know more!

Did you find this blog insightful and have some suggestions in mind? Reach out to us! Comment down below, and we’ll get back to you!

As an Amazon seller, it's essential to have a solid understanding of amazon order management and fulfilling orders. In this article, we'll be discussing the process of collecting and fulfilling orders in the Amazon store, with a focus on seller-fulfilled shipping. We'll also touch on some other important areas within Seller Central that are crucial to this process.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Seller Fulfilled Shipping (SFS)

Amazon offers two main fulfillment methods for sellers: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Seller Fulfilled Shipping (also known as self-shipping or MFN shipping). FBA involves sending inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers, where they handle the packing and shipping process for orders to the buyers. Seller Fulfilled Shipping requires sellers to manage the delivery process themselves for their orders.The process of collecting and successfully fulfilling orders in the Amazon store involves the below steps;

1. Updating Notification Settings

First, we recommend updating your notification settings so that you're updated when you receive an order. You can manage the type of notifications and how you receive them by hovering over the settings menu and selecting "Notification Settings."

2. Managing Orders

To manage your orders, you can find them from the Seller Central main menu by hovering over orders and selecting Manage Orders. Orders in the Amazon store start in a pending status when first received, then move to unshipped before entering the fulfillment stage.

3. Order Management Options

Depending on how many orders you typically receive, you have options for managing orders. You can use the Manage Orders tool or orders report. Find reports for your business's orders on the orders report page under the orders tab in Seller Central. Using the all-orders report will show your order and item information from both FBA and SFS orders for a given period of time.

4. Benefits of Reports

These reports can monitor and analyze demand across fulfillment and sales channels, making managing your inventory and optimizing your business processes easier. By following these tips and utilizing Seller Central tools, you can streamline your amazon order management and fulfillment process, ensuring a smooth experience for you and your customers.

5. Amazon Order Processing

When a customer checks out with your product in their cart, Amazon places the order in pending status on your managed orders page until payment is verified. All orders are held for 30 minutes to allow customers to cancel orders. In some cases, verification can cause orders to remain pending for up to 21 days.

6. Moving Orders to Unshipped Status

Once Amazon successfully verifies payment information, an order will move into the unshipped status. When this happens, your customer will receive an order confirmation with the estimated date for delivery. You'll also receive an order notification. You can also cancel orders at this stage if necessary. Once an order is in unshipped status, it's time to fulfill it.

7. Fulfillment and Shipping

To start the fulfillment process, you'll need to locate the customer's delivery address on the orders detail page, the orders report, or an unshipped orders report. Once you've located the address, you'll need to ship the order to your customer using their requested shipping method. You can arrange delivery with your chosen carrier or use Amazon to buy shipping services.

8. Amazon Buy Shipping Services

Buy Shipping services let you buy shipping labels individually or in bulk, ship and confirm orders, and track your shipments. With Buy Shipping, Amazon automatically suggests shipping services based on the delivery promise to your customer, your carrier preference, and the lowest available cost. Buying Shipping services can help protect your shipping performance metrics and streamline the shipping coordination process.

9. Confirming Shipment

Select an order from the Manage Orders page to view the order details page for that order. Once you've shipped the order, you must confirm the shipment. When you confirm shipment, you'll need to provide the ship date, the carrier shipping method, the tracking ID supplied by the carrier, and the ship-from address. You can print an order packing slip on this page or contact the customer when necessary.

10. Confirming Shipment for Non-FBA Orders

When you confirm shipment for orders using Buy Shipping services, you must provide the following:

• The ship date.
• Carrier.
• Shipping method.
• Tracking ID supplied by the carrier.
• The ship-from address.

Select an order from the Manage Orders page to view the order details page for a specific order. You can print an order packing slip on this page or contact the customer when necessary.

11. Viewing FBA Orders

If you receive an order for a product enrolled in Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can enjoy a hassle-free experience as Amazon takes care of the entire fulfillment process on your behalf. With FBA, you don't need to worry about packing, shipping, or customer service for these orders. You can review your FBA orders by clicking "view FBA orders" on the Manage Orders page. This will provide you with a comprehensive overview of all your FBA orders in one place. This centralized view allows you to stay organized and efficiently track the progress of your FBA orders.

12. Handling Returns

To handle any returns for your non-FBA products, use the Manage Returns page. Responding to return requests within 24 hours is recommended, and Amazon automatically authorizes U.S. return requests that fall within Amazon's return policy.

For returns outside of Amazon's return policy, manual authorization for a return will be requested, and you'll receive an email notification from Amazon to manually authorize a return.

When you approve a customer's return request, you can use an Amazon-generated unpaid return label or upload your custom prepaid return label. Amazon will handle returns and refunds for FBA orders.

13. Canceling Orders

There are instances when customers may request to cancel an order. If the order has not been shipped or confirmed yet, you have the option to cancel it directly on the Manage Orders page. Once the cancellation is initiated, Amazon will automatically update the order status and notify the customer accordingly.

However, if the order has already been shipped, you can kindly ask the customer to return the product in order to process a refund. Once the return is received, you can proceed with issuing the refund. It's important to note that customers are not charged for an order until the shipment is confirmed.

14. A to Z Guarantee Claims

Amazon utilizes A-Z guarantee claims, which allow customers to file claims if the order was not received or did not meet their expectations. Initially, customers will contact you to discuss their concerns and provide an opportunity to resolve the issue.

However, if a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, customers have the option to file an "A to Z" guarantee claim. Subsequently, Amazon will conduct an investigation into the claim, and if it is approved in favor of the customer, the claim amount will be deducted from your account. You will be given a 30-day window to appeal the decision.

15. Communicating with Customers

During the Amazon order management process, it may be necessary to engage in communication with your customers. To facilitate this, you can utilize buyer-seller messaging, which allows communication within Seller Central or through email.

It is important to keep in mind that customer contact should be limited to order completion and addressing customer service inquiries. It is strictly prohibited to contact customers for marketing or promotional purposes or to solicit reviews using buyer-seller messaging. Nonetheless, buyer-seller messaging is an approved and accepted means of communication with Amazon customers.

After purchases, Amazon automatically initiates review requests on your behalf. If you wish to specifically request a review for a particular order, you can utilize the "request a review" feature available on the order details page.

Conclusion

Amazon order management can be overwhelming, but following the tips outlined in this article, you'll be on your way to providing excellent customer service and running a successful business.

If you are looking for a way to streamline your Amazon order processing and gain more control over your customer orders, inventory tracking, pre-order customer support, return and replacement management, and other related tasks, Vserve is here to help.

Our experts will take care of everything related to your Amazon order management, from processing customer orders to delivery confirmation. You'll receive real-time updates on every step of the process, including invoicing, shipment dates, and return statuses.

This blog post draws inspiration from the YouTube video "How to Manage Your Orders in the Amazon Store."

Amazon is undoubtedly one of the largest online retailers in the world. However, they rely on efficient Amazon order processing services to ensure excellent customer service and timely delivery. But with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for your business needs?

In today's fast-paced retail environment, it is essential to ensure orders get processed and shipped as quickly as possible. This has led to an increase in outsourcing order fulfillment to specialized providers offering various solutions.

Choosing the correct Amazon ordering process service is critical for any seller looking to streamline their operations and gain a competitive edge over other merchants. To help navigate your choices, this article will compare different types of Amazon order processing services available through Amazon so that you can make an informed decision for your business.

Types of Amazon Order Processing Services

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

Amazon FBA is a service where Amazon stores, packs, and ships the products on behalf of the seller.

Advantages:

• Amazon handles the inventory management and shipping process, reducing the workload for the seller.
• FBA products are eligible for Amazon Prime and other shipping benefits, increasing the visibility and sales potential for the seller.
• FBA products are usually given priority over non-FBA products in search results and buy box rotations.

Disadvantages:

• FBA fees can be high, cutting into the seller's profit margin.
• The seller needs more control over the shipping process, which can lead to delivery and customer service issues.
• The seller may need to pay for additional services like labeling, preparation, and removal of inventory.

Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)

FBM is a service where the seller stores, packs, and ships the products.

Advantages:

• The seller has complete control over the inventory management and shipping process, allowing for more flexibility and customization.
• FBM fees are generally lower than FBA fees, leaving more profit margin for the seller.
• The seller can use their packaging and branding to help with customer recognition and loyalty.

Disadvantages:

• FBM products are not eligible for Amazon Prime or other shipping benefits, which can reduce their visibility and sales potential.
• FBM products may receive a different priority than FBA products in search results and buy box rotations.
• The seller is responsible for handling all customer service and returns, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a service where the seller does not hold inventory but transfers the customer's order and shipment details to a third party supplier who ships the product directly to the customer.

Advantages:

• Dropshipping eliminates the need for the seller to hold inventory, reducing upfront costs and storage space requirements.
• The seller has flexibility in choosing from a wide range of products and suppliers to offer to customers.
• Dropshipping allows for a leaner and more scalable business model.

Disadvantages:

Dropshipping can be risky, as the seller has no control over the inventory or shipping process.

• The seller may have limited control over the quality of the products or customer service the supplier provides.
• Dropshipping may not be allowed by Amazon's policies or may be subject to additional fees and restrictions.

Comparison of Different Types of Amazon Order Processing Services

Cost:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) typically has higher fees since Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping for sellers.
• Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) and dropshipping can have lower fees since sellers handle the storage, packaging, and shipping themselves. However, FBM may still have additional fees, such as storage and shipping costs.

Control:

• FBA provides less control to sellers over the fulfillment process since Amazon handles everything from storage to shipping.
• FBM and dropshipping provide more control to sellers, allowing them to manage the entire fulfillment process themselves.

Time:

• FBA has faster processing times since Amazon handles everything from storage to shipping, allowing quicker delivery times.
• FBM and dropshipping may have slower processing times since sellers must manage the fulfillment process themselves.

Customization:

• FBA limits customization options since Amazon handles everything from storage to shipping, making it harder to add personalized touches.
• FBM and dropshipping provide more customization options since sellers have complete control over the fulfillment process and can add personalized touches to packaging and shipping.

Customer Experience:

• FBA generally provides a better customer experience since Amazon handles everything from storage to shipping, leading to faster delivery times and higher fulfillment accuracy.
• FBM and dropshipping may have a less consistent customer experience since it depends on how well the seller manages the fulfillment process. However, sellers have the opportunity to add personalized touches and can provide a unique customer experience.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Amazon Order Processing Services

Type of Product: The product being sold can impact the choice of order processing service. For example, if the product is perishable or fragile, FBA may be a better choice due to its handling and storage facilities.

Business Goals: The business goals can also influence the choice of order processing service. If the business wants to focus on growth and scalability, FBA may be a better choice due to its ability to handle large orders.

Customer Base: The location and preferences of the customer base can also be a deciding factor. For example, if the majority of customers are located in a specific region, using FBM may be more cost-effective due to reduced shipping costs.

Shipping Location: The shipping location of the business and the product can also be a factor. If the shipping location is near an FBA center, it may be more cost-effective to use FBA. However, if the shipping location is far from an FBA center, FBM may be a better option.

Conclusion

The choice of order processing service for Amazon sellers plays a crucial role in streamlining their operations and gaining a competitive edge over other merchants. While Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) offers convenience and visibility, it may come at a higher cost and limited control for the seller. On the other hand, Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) and Dropshipping offer flexibility, customization, and cost-effectiveness but may require more effort and time from the seller.

The choice of order processing service depends on several factors, such as the type of product, business goals, customer base, and shipping location. Therefore, it is essential for Amazon sellers to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each option and make an informed decision that best suits their business needs.

With over a decade of experience in order processing services, Vserve can fulfill your outsourcing requirements. Vserve Amazon Listing Services’ dedicated team of order processing experts can help you cut the considerable cost of outsourcing with efficient services.