Ask questions about the OTDR policy updates at an Ask Amazon event on October 1st
Hi Sellers,
Welcome to our Ask Amazon Q&A with the OTDR team, focusing on your questions about On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This thread will be open today, Tuesday, October 1, from 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Please include any questions you have regarding OTDR in this Ask Amazon event thread. Our partner team will be reviewing the questions that come in throughout the day and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
What is the new OTDR policy?
Effective September 25, 2024, to help reduce late deliveries and improve delivery speeds, we’re changing our OTDR policy. The new policy requires a minimum of a 90% OTDR without promise extensions to have seller-fulfilled products listed on Amazon. We have also changed our recommended standard for a great customer experience to 95% or greater OTDR for all seller-fulfilled orders, but only an OTDR below 90% can result in restriction of a seller’s ability to have seller-fulfilled products listed. This policy does not apply to offers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) because sellers are not responsible for on-time delivery promises for FBA orders.
We also changed the way we measure OTDR to now measures the percentage of your tracked seller-fulfilled items that were delivered on or before the seller-promised "Deliver by" date prior to promise extensions being added. Prior to this change OTDR was measured after promise extensions were added.
We designed tools to set accurate delivery dates, reduce late deliveries, and to meet or exceed the minimum OTDR requirement, and because Amazon is making calculations on your behalf that affect OTDR, you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping if you use all three tools as follows:
- Shipping Settings Automation (SSA)
- Automated handling time
- Amazon Buy Shipping, to purchase shipping labels marked as "OTDR Protected"
Additionally, starting October 25, 2024, the transit time settings for shipping from China to the continental US (all states in the contiguous US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US protectorates) will change. You’ll have more transit time ranges to choose from on your shipping templates, with options ranging from 2-4 days to 14-20 days. The maximum transit time will be reduced from 28 days to 20 days. If you currently have 14-28 days as your manually set transit time, it will automatically be updated to 14-20 days as a part of this change.
For more information, see the Order Performance program policy and On-time delivery requirements.
Thank you for joining today's Ask Amazon!
Note: We cannot provide legal advice or otherwise interpret regulatory requirements on situations that are specific to individual sellers.
Ask questions about the OTDR policy updates at an Ask Amazon event on October 1st
Hi Sellers,
Welcome to our Ask Amazon Q&A with the OTDR team, focusing on your questions about On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This thread will be open today, Tuesday, October 1, from 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Please include any questions you have regarding OTDR in this Ask Amazon event thread. Our partner team will be reviewing the questions that come in throughout the day and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
What is the new OTDR policy?
Effective September 25, 2024, to help reduce late deliveries and improve delivery speeds, we’re changing our OTDR policy. The new policy requires a minimum of a 90% OTDR without promise extensions to have seller-fulfilled products listed on Amazon. We have also changed our recommended standard for a great customer experience to 95% or greater OTDR for all seller-fulfilled orders, but only an OTDR below 90% can result in restriction of a seller’s ability to have seller-fulfilled products listed. This policy does not apply to offers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) because sellers are not responsible for on-time delivery promises for FBA orders.
We also changed the way we measure OTDR to now measures the percentage of your tracked seller-fulfilled items that were delivered on or before the seller-promised "Deliver by" date prior to promise extensions being added. Prior to this change OTDR was measured after promise extensions were added.
We designed tools to set accurate delivery dates, reduce late deliveries, and to meet or exceed the minimum OTDR requirement, and because Amazon is making calculations on your behalf that affect OTDR, you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping if you use all three tools as follows:
- Shipping Settings Automation (SSA)
- Automated handling time
- Amazon Buy Shipping, to purchase shipping labels marked as "OTDR Protected"
Additionally, starting October 25, 2024, the transit time settings for shipping from China to the continental US (all states in the contiguous US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US protectorates) will change. You’ll have more transit time ranges to choose from on your shipping templates, with options ranging from 2-4 days to 14-20 days. The maximum transit time will be reduced from 28 days to 20 days. If you currently have 14-28 days as your manually set transit time, it will automatically be updated to 14-20 days as a part of this change.
For more information, see the Order Performance program policy and On-time delivery requirements.
Thank you for joining today's Ask Amazon!
Note: We cannot provide legal advice or otherwise interpret regulatory requirements on situations that are specific to individual sellers.
170 replies
Seller_0xdtD36hDLHBC
@Jameson_Amazon
I have been asking this question since July. No one has answered.
Sellers who have a handling time gap of 2 or more days will be forced to use AHT. However, Promised Handling time is being calculated incorrectly. I've had a case open for nearly two months with no resolution.
How is promised handling time calculated?
and Will the (current) incorrect calculations ever be corrected.
Case ID: 15776313681 (opened August 5)
Seller_Zw8LsZUQSH440
Overall, I think that the new OTDR policies are great. They have solved the long-standing problem of customers not placing orders because they thought it would take too long for the order to arrive. Unfortunately, they have resulted in a significant increase in shipping costs. This increase could be addressed by making a few changes to the delivery estimates and buying shipping options.
- Delivery estimates: Often, UPS can deliver within two days to our region and even to adjacent regions. However, since UPS uses dynamic pricing, costs can vary by more than 2X even to the same address. Amazon could keep track of the average UPS rates per region over, say, 90 days. If a delivery estimate varies by more than 10%, then UPS should not be used to estimate delivery dates and should not appear as an option when buying shipping.
- PO Boxes and UPS: PO Boxes and UPS don’t go together because UPS doesn’t deliver to PO Boxes. We often get two-day delivery estimates for PO Boxes, which are impossible to meet without using an expensive Express Mail option. Additionally, UPS has sometimes been the only OTDR-protected option for PO Box addresses, which doesn’t make sense.
- Carrier adjustments: While we haven’t been significantly affected so far, it’s clear that carriers sometimes don’t calibrate their measuring tools properly or make mistakes, like measuring stacked boxes instead of single packages. Amazon’s position that such issues are between the seller and the carriers is flawed, especially when there is no way to dispute these charges. Label purchases from Amazon should be treated like any other customer order, with Amazon being responsible for monitoring the accuracy of adjustments.
- OTDR metrics and risks: Given the risks associated with OTDR metrics, there are some changes and clarifications that are necessary. First, our local post office doesn’t have the manpower to scan all packages individually, so we rely on scan sheets. Packages then go to the regional sorting facility where, in general, they are scanned the same day, but not always. Sometimes, they aren’t scanned until the next day. We need assurance that scan sheets are valid proof of shipping. Second, for OTDR metrics, "Available for pickup" should be considered "Delivered." We have no control over how long it takes for customers to pick up packages from the carrier’s location. Third, we need confirmation that early shipping or delivery won’t negatively affect our metrics. As of now, we are averaging 2.4 days ahead of promised delivery dates, and there has been no impact on our metrics, but it would be nice to have the official position clarified.
In closing, I believe we are close to having an excellent system, but some changes and clarifications are still needed.
Seller_2ocdeVST6pSqj
the shipping hubs in the southeast are delayed with all kinds of problems and backlogs from the hurricane. so now what. This entire ODT system is a total sham, and amazon knows it, all being operated in other lands by globalists who are clueless. They hope we fail, but this has to get answered. There is a snowball effect going on with late orders and delays because of natural events outside of anyone's control from the business to the carrier to the customer.
Seller_roNdLQpqbVoOH
...you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping...
What does "standard shipping" encompass? I can't seem to find this defined anywhere, but maybe I missed it.
Seller_cmtN2vx56Q3ov
I've been using all three tools to whole my inventory to protect my OTDR since August 15, 2024, namely: SSA, AHT, ABS.
Why the promised delivery date that customers see is later by 4-5 days than the "Deliver by" date that I see in Seller Central? When I receive an order, I enter the customer's zip code into the "Choose your location" box on Amazon and it always ends up being longer than what I see on Seller Central.
I was confident that if I used all three tools I mentioned above, the delivery date that customers see would not be extended and customers should see exactly what I see on the order details page in Seller Central.
My current On-Time Delivery Rate 99.81%
The Fulfillment Insights Dashboard page shows that my delivery promises were extended by 0.4 days. But why is it actually 4-5 days longer than what I see on the Order Details Page in Seller Central?
If Amazon still extends my delivery promise to customers even though I use SSA, AHT, ABS and my metrics are perfect, I want to know why, by how many days, how long will it last, and what I need to do to keep it from being extended?
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
1. Why is it by item and not by order?
2. We use the heavy/bulk freight template. When the carrier calls to schedule delivery, and the buyer sets it up, at their convenience, because they do not know about this idiotic rule, and it is beyond the promised delivery date how is that held against the seller?
3. All sellers cannot be jammed into a cookie cutter policy and assume it will work for everyone, it's not one size fits all.
4. If we use the heavy/bulk template and are exempt from the VTR, why would we be held accountable for the ODTR?
These are just a few questions I have, I may be back with more.
Seller_nXCBGSjPlTlX0
We use SSA, AHT, and Buy Shipping for OTDR protection. In some cases, Amazon's Deliver By Date is the following day (quoted by Amazon referencing UPS Ground). However, when we ship the order using Buy Shipping, UPS Ground shows a late delivery risk, and the system states that the shipment will not be protected, even though we are shipping on time, using all required systems, and it is the same ship method Amazon used to quote a Deliver By Date. This means we have no OTDR protection for these orders. Is this working as intended, or a bug?
Seller_t6cnn410q6H9I
What is the consequences for not meeting the 90% OTDR? Wasn't the deadline SEPT 25th; why was nothing enforced after this date?
Seller_003RzzYLh3s6k
I am completed confused. We ship via USPS and up until 9/25 our OTDR was between 90-95% all the time. On 9/25 it dropped to 86.7% and currently up to 88.21% but our sales are off nearly 100% as we are most likely being either suppressed on the buy box or showing a longer delivery date than competitors and therefore being suppressed. We have been selling on amazon for over 10 years and I don't have a clue what we would be doing wrong here. Can you please assist?
Thank you
Seller_6NYy0sAeVHZ80
!. Sellers s should not have their OTDR affected by a customer providing an incorrect address and a package returning or being forwarded.
2. There needs to be more transparency when an event/act of god delays mail.
3. Eliminate the time delivery and just change to end of day. Saying a package arrived late when it delivered at 12:01 pm instead of 12:00 pm is ridiculous.
I think we can all agree that amazon is trying to tighten things up and make it a better experience for customers but there needs to be adjustments made.
Ask questions about the OTDR policy updates at an Ask Amazon event on October 1st
Hi Sellers,
Welcome to our Ask Amazon Q&A with the OTDR team, focusing on your questions about On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This thread will be open today, Tuesday, October 1, from 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Please include any questions you have regarding OTDR in this Ask Amazon event thread. Our partner team will be reviewing the questions that come in throughout the day and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
What is the new OTDR policy?
Effective September 25, 2024, to help reduce late deliveries and improve delivery speeds, we’re changing our OTDR policy. The new policy requires a minimum of a 90% OTDR without promise extensions to have seller-fulfilled products listed on Amazon. We have also changed our recommended standard for a great customer experience to 95% or greater OTDR for all seller-fulfilled orders, but only an OTDR below 90% can result in restriction of a seller’s ability to have seller-fulfilled products listed. This policy does not apply to offers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) because sellers are not responsible for on-time delivery promises for FBA orders.
We also changed the way we measure OTDR to now measures the percentage of your tracked seller-fulfilled items that were delivered on or before the seller-promised "Deliver by" date prior to promise extensions being added. Prior to this change OTDR was measured after promise extensions were added.
We designed tools to set accurate delivery dates, reduce late deliveries, and to meet or exceed the minimum OTDR requirement, and because Amazon is making calculations on your behalf that affect OTDR, you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping if you use all three tools as follows:
- Shipping Settings Automation (SSA)
- Automated handling time
- Amazon Buy Shipping, to purchase shipping labels marked as "OTDR Protected"
Additionally, starting October 25, 2024, the transit time settings for shipping from China to the continental US (all states in the contiguous US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US protectorates) will change. You’ll have more transit time ranges to choose from on your shipping templates, with options ranging from 2-4 days to 14-20 days. The maximum transit time will be reduced from 28 days to 20 days. If you currently have 14-28 days as your manually set transit time, it will automatically be updated to 14-20 days as a part of this change.
For more information, see the Order Performance program policy and On-time delivery requirements.
Thank you for joining today's Ask Amazon!
Note: We cannot provide legal advice or otherwise interpret regulatory requirements on situations that are specific to individual sellers.
Ask questions about the OTDR policy updates at an Ask Amazon event on October 1st
Hi Sellers,
Welcome to our Ask Amazon Q&A with the OTDR team, focusing on your questions about On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This thread will be open today, Tuesday, October 1, from 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Please include any questions you have regarding OTDR in this Ask Amazon event thread. Our partner team will be reviewing the questions that come in throughout the day and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
What is the new OTDR policy?
Effective September 25, 2024, to help reduce late deliveries and improve delivery speeds, we’re changing our OTDR policy. The new policy requires a minimum of a 90% OTDR without promise extensions to have seller-fulfilled products listed on Amazon. We have also changed our recommended standard for a great customer experience to 95% or greater OTDR for all seller-fulfilled orders, but only an OTDR below 90% can result in restriction of a seller’s ability to have seller-fulfilled products listed. This policy does not apply to offers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) because sellers are not responsible for on-time delivery promises for FBA orders.
We also changed the way we measure OTDR to now measures the percentage of your tracked seller-fulfilled items that were delivered on or before the seller-promised "Deliver by" date prior to promise extensions being added. Prior to this change OTDR was measured after promise extensions were added.
We designed tools to set accurate delivery dates, reduce late deliveries, and to meet or exceed the minimum OTDR requirement, and because Amazon is making calculations on your behalf that affect OTDR, you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping if you use all three tools as follows:
- Shipping Settings Automation (SSA)
- Automated handling time
- Amazon Buy Shipping, to purchase shipping labels marked as "OTDR Protected"
Additionally, starting October 25, 2024, the transit time settings for shipping from China to the continental US (all states in the contiguous US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US protectorates) will change. You’ll have more transit time ranges to choose from on your shipping templates, with options ranging from 2-4 days to 14-20 days. The maximum transit time will be reduced from 28 days to 20 days. If you currently have 14-28 days as your manually set transit time, it will automatically be updated to 14-20 days as a part of this change.
For more information, see the Order Performance program policy and On-time delivery requirements.
Thank you for joining today's Ask Amazon!
Note: We cannot provide legal advice or otherwise interpret regulatory requirements on situations that are specific to individual sellers.
Ask questions about the OTDR policy updates at an Ask Amazon event on October 1st
Hi Sellers,
Welcome to our Ask Amazon Q&A with the OTDR team, focusing on your questions about On-Time Delivery Rate (OTDR). This thread will be open today, Tuesday, October 1, from 8 am to 5 pm PT.
Please include any questions you have regarding OTDR in this Ask Amazon event thread. Our partner team will be reviewing the questions that come in throughout the day and we’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.
What is the new OTDR policy?
Effective September 25, 2024, to help reduce late deliveries and improve delivery speeds, we’re changing our OTDR policy. The new policy requires a minimum of a 90% OTDR without promise extensions to have seller-fulfilled products listed on Amazon. We have also changed our recommended standard for a great customer experience to 95% or greater OTDR for all seller-fulfilled orders, but only an OTDR below 90% can result in restriction of a seller’s ability to have seller-fulfilled products listed. This policy does not apply to offers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) because sellers are not responsible for on-time delivery promises for FBA orders.
We also changed the way we measure OTDR to now measures the percentage of your tracked seller-fulfilled items that were delivered on or before the seller-promised "Deliver by" date prior to promise extensions being added. Prior to this change OTDR was measured after promise extensions were added.
We designed tools to set accurate delivery dates, reduce late deliveries, and to meet or exceed the minimum OTDR requirement, and because Amazon is making calculations on your behalf that affect OTDR, you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping if you use all three tools as follows:
- Shipping Settings Automation (SSA)
- Automated handling time
- Amazon Buy Shipping, to purchase shipping labels marked as "OTDR Protected"
Additionally, starting October 25, 2024, the transit time settings for shipping from China to the continental US (all states in the contiguous US, excluding Hawaii, Alaska, and US protectorates) will change. You’ll have more transit time ranges to choose from on your shipping templates, with options ranging from 2-4 days to 14-20 days. The maximum transit time will be reduced from 28 days to 20 days. If you currently have 14-28 days as your manually set transit time, it will automatically be updated to 14-20 days as a part of this change.
For more information, see the Order Performance program policy and On-time delivery requirements.
Thank you for joining today's Ask Amazon!
Note: We cannot provide legal advice or otherwise interpret regulatory requirements on situations that are specific to individual sellers.
170 replies
170 replies
Seller_0xdtD36hDLHBC
@Jameson_Amazon
I have been asking this question since July. No one has answered.
Sellers who have a handling time gap of 2 or more days will be forced to use AHT. However, Promised Handling time is being calculated incorrectly. I've had a case open for nearly two months with no resolution.
How is promised handling time calculated?
and Will the (current) incorrect calculations ever be corrected.
Case ID: 15776313681 (opened August 5)
Seller_Zw8LsZUQSH440
Overall, I think that the new OTDR policies are great. They have solved the long-standing problem of customers not placing orders because they thought it would take too long for the order to arrive. Unfortunately, they have resulted in a significant increase in shipping costs. This increase could be addressed by making a few changes to the delivery estimates and buying shipping options.
- Delivery estimates: Often, UPS can deliver within two days to our region and even to adjacent regions. However, since UPS uses dynamic pricing, costs can vary by more than 2X even to the same address. Amazon could keep track of the average UPS rates per region over, say, 90 days. If a delivery estimate varies by more than 10%, then UPS should not be used to estimate delivery dates and should not appear as an option when buying shipping.
- PO Boxes and UPS: PO Boxes and UPS don’t go together because UPS doesn’t deliver to PO Boxes. We often get two-day delivery estimates for PO Boxes, which are impossible to meet without using an expensive Express Mail option. Additionally, UPS has sometimes been the only OTDR-protected option for PO Box addresses, which doesn’t make sense.
- Carrier adjustments: While we haven’t been significantly affected so far, it’s clear that carriers sometimes don’t calibrate their measuring tools properly or make mistakes, like measuring stacked boxes instead of single packages. Amazon’s position that such issues are between the seller and the carriers is flawed, especially when there is no way to dispute these charges. Label purchases from Amazon should be treated like any other customer order, with Amazon being responsible for monitoring the accuracy of adjustments.
- OTDR metrics and risks: Given the risks associated with OTDR metrics, there are some changes and clarifications that are necessary. First, our local post office doesn’t have the manpower to scan all packages individually, so we rely on scan sheets. Packages then go to the regional sorting facility where, in general, they are scanned the same day, but not always. Sometimes, they aren’t scanned until the next day. We need assurance that scan sheets are valid proof of shipping. Second, for OTDR metrics, "Available for pickup" should be considered "Delivered." We have no control over how long it takes for customers to pick up packages from the carrier’s location. Third, we need confirmation that early shipping or delivery won’t negatively affect our metrics. As of now, we are averaging 2.4 days ahead of promised delivery dates, and there has been no impact on our metrics, but it would be nice to have the official position clarified.
In closing, I believe we are close to having an excellent system, but some changes and clarifications are still needed.
Seller_2ocdeVST6pSqj
the shipping hubs in the southeast are delayed with all kinds of problems and backlogs from the hurricane. so now what. This entire ODT system is a total sham, and amazon knows it, all being operated in other lands by globalists who are clueless. They hope we fail, but this has to get answered. There is a snowball effect going on with late orders and delays because of natural events outside of anyone's control from the business to the carrier to the customer.
Seller_roNdLQpqbVoOH
...you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping...
What does "standard shipping" encompass? I can't seem to find this defined anywhere, but maybe I missed it.
Seller_cmtN2vx56Q3ov
I've been using all three tools to whole my inventory to protect my OTDR since August 15, 2024, namely: SSA, AHT, ABS.
Why the promised delivery date that customers see is later by 4-5 days than the "Deliver by" date that I see in Seller Central? When I receive an order, I enter the customer's zip code into the "Choose your location" box on Amazon and it always ends up being longer than what I see on Seller Central.
I was confident that if I used all three tools I mentioned above, the delivery date that customers see would not be extended and customers should see exactly what I see on the order details page in Seller Central.
My current On-Time Delivery Rate 99.81%
The Fulfillment Insights Dashboard page shows that my delivery promises were extended by 0.4 days. But why is it actually 4-5 days longer than what I see on the Order Details Page in Seller Central?
If Amazon still extends my delivery promise to customers even though I use SSA, AHT, ABS and my metrics are perfect, I want to know why, by how many days, how long will it last, and what I need to do to keep it from being extended?
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
1. Why is it by item and not by order?
2. We use the heavy/bulk freight template. When the carrier calls to schedule delivery, and the buyer sets it up, at their convenience, because they do not know about this idiotic rule, and it is beyond the promised delivery date how is that held against the seller?
3. All sellers cannot be jammed into a cookie cutter policy and assume it will work for everyone, it's not one size fits all.
4. If we use the heavy/bulk template and are exempt from the VTR, why would we be held accountable for the ODTR?
These are just a few questions I have, I may be back with more.
Seller_nXCBGSjPlTlX0
We use SSA, AHT, and Buy Shipping for OTDR protection. In some cases, Amazon's Deliver By Date is the following day (quoted by Amazon referencing UPS Ground). However, when we ship the order using Buy Shipping, UPS Ground shows a late delivery risk, and the system states that the shipment will not be protected, even though we are shipping on time, using all required systems, and it is the same ship method Amazon used to quote a Deliver By Date. This means we have no OTDR protection for these orders. Is this working as intended, or a bug?
Seller_t6cnn410q6H9I
What is the consequences for not meeting the 90% OTDR? Wasn't the deadline SEPT 25th; why was nothing enforced after this date?
Seller_003RzzYLh3s6k
I am completed confused. We ship via USPS and up until 9/25 our OTDR was between 90-95% all the time. On 9/25 it dropped to 86.7% and currently up to 88.21% but our sales are off nearly 100% as we are most likely being either suppressed on the buy box or showing a longer delivery date than competitors and therefore being suppressed. We have been selling on amazon for over 10 years and I don't have a clue what we would be doing wrong here. Can you please assist?
Thank you
Seller_6NYy0sAeVHZ80
!. Sellers s should not have their OTDR affected by a customer providing an incorrect address and a package returning or being forwarded.
2. There needs to be more transparency when an event/act of god delays mail.
3. Eliminate the time delivery and just change to end of day. Saying a package arrived late when it delivered at 12:01 pm instead of 12:00 pm is ridiculous.
I think we can all agree that amazon is trying to tighten things up and make it a better experience for customers but there needs to be adjustments made.
Seller_0xdtD36hDLHBC
@Jameson_Amazon
I have been asking this question since July. No one has answered.
Sellers who have a handling time gap of 2 or more days will be forced to use AHT. However, Promised Handling time is being calculated incorrectly. I've had a case open for nearly two months with no resolution.
How is promised handling time calculated?
and Will the (current) incorrect calculations ever be corrected.
Case ID: 15776313681 (opened August 5)
Seller_0xdtD36hDLHBC
@Jameson_Amazon
I have been asking this question since July. No one has answered.
Sellers who have a handling time gap of 2 or more days will be forced to use AHT. However, Promised Handling time is being calculated incorrectly. I've had a case open for nearly two months with no resolution.
How is promised handling time calculated?
and Will the (current) incorrect calculations ever be corrected.
Case ID: 15776313681 (opened August 5)
Seller_Zw8LsZUQSH440
Overall, I think that the new OTDR policies are great. They have solved the long-standing problem of customers not placing orders because they thought it would take too long for the order to arrive. Unfortunately, they have resulted in a significant increase in shipping costs. This increase could be addressed by making a few changes to the delivery estimates and buying shipping options.
- Delivery estimates: Often, UPS can deliver within two days to our region and even to adjacent regions. However, since UPS uses dynamic pricing, costs can vary by more than 2X even to the same address. Amazon could keep track of the average UPS rates per region over, say, 90 days. If a delivery estimate varies by more than 10%, then UPS should not be used to estimate delivery dates and should not appear as an option when buying shipping.
- PO Boxes and UPS: PO Boxes and UPS don’t go together because UPS doesn’t deliver to PO Boxes. We often get two-day delivery estimates for PO Boxes, which are impossible to meet without using an expensive Express Mail option. Additionally, UPS has sometimes been the only OTDR-protected option for PO Box addresses, which doesn’t make sense.
- Carrier adjustments: While we haven’t been significantly affected so far, it’s clear that carriers sometimes don’t calibrate their measuring tools properly or make mistakes, like measuring stacked boxes instead of single packages. Amazon’s position that such issues are between the seller and the carriers is flawed, especially when there is no way to dispute these charges. Label purchases from Amazon should be treated like any other customer order, with Amazon being responsible for monitoring the accuracy of adjustments.
- OTDR metrics and risks: Given the risks associated with OTDR metrics, there are some changes and clarifications that are necessary. First, our local post office doesn’t have the manpower to scan all packages individually, so we rely on scan sheets. Packages then go to the regional sorting facility where, in general, they are scanned the same day, but not always. Sometimes, they aren’t scanned until the next day. We need assurance that scan sheets are valid proof of shipping. Second, for OTDR metrics, "Available for pickup" should be considered "Delivered." We have no control over how long it takes for customers to pick up packages from the carrier’s location. Third, we need confirmation that early shipping or delivery won’t negatively affect our metrics. As of now, we are averaging 2.4 days ahead of promised delivery dates, and there has been no impact on our metrics, but it would be nice to have the official position clarified.
In closing, I believe we are close to having an excellent system, but some changes and clarifications are still needed.
Seller_Zw8LsZUQSH440
Overall, I think that the new OTDR policies are great. They have solved the long-standing problem of customers not placing orders because they thought it would take too long for the order to arrive. Unfortunately, they have resulted in a significant increase in shipping costs. This increase could be addressed by making a few changes to the delivery estimates and buying shipping options.
- Delivery estimates: Often, UPS can deliver within two days to our region and even to adjacent regions. However, since UPS uses dynamic pricing, costs can vary by more than 2X even to the same address. Amazon could keep track of the average UPS rates per region over, say, 90 days. If a delivery estimate varies by more than 10%, then UPS should not be used to estimate delivery dates and should not appear as an option when buying shipping.
- PO Boxes and UPS: PO Boxes and UPS don’t go together because UPS doesn’t deliver to PO Boxes. We often get two-day delivery estimates for PO Boxes, which are impossible to meet without using an expensive Express Mail option. Additionally, UPS has sometimes been the only OTDR-protected option for PO Box addresses, which doesn’t make sense.
- Carrier adjustments: While we haven’t been significantly affected so far, it’s clear that carriers sometimes don’t calibrate their measuring tools properly or make mistakes, like measuring stacked boxes instead of single packages. Amazon’s position that such issues are between the seller and the carriers is flawed, especially when there is no way to dispute these charges. Label purchases from Amazon should be treated like any other customer order, with Amazon being responsible for monitoring the accuracy of adjustments.
- OTDR metrics and risks: Given the risks associated with OTDR metrics, there are some changes and clarifications that are necessary. First, our local post office doesn’t have the manpower to scan all packages individually, so we rely on scan sheets. Packages then go to the regional sorting facility where, in general, they are scanned the same day, but not always. Sometimes, they aren’t scanned until the next day. We need assurance that scan sheets are valid proof of shipping. Second, for OTDR metrics, "Available for pickup" should be considered "Delivered." We have no control over how long it takes for customers to pick up packages from the carrier’s location. Third, we need confirmation that early shipping or delivery won’t negatively affect our metrics. As of now, we are averaging 2.4 days ahead of promised delivery dates, and there has been no impact on our metrics, but it would be nice to have the official position clarified.
In closing, I believe we are close to having an excellent system, but some changes and clarifications are still needed.
Seller_2ocdeVST6pSqj
the shipping hubs in the southeast are delayed with all kinds of problems and backlogs from the hurricane. so now what. This entire ODT system is a total sham, and amazon knows it, all being operated in other lands by globalists who are clueless. They hope we fail, but this has to get answered. There is a snowball effect going on with late orders and delays because of natural events outside of anyone's control from the business to the carrier to the customer.
Seller_2ocdeVST6pSqj
the shipping hubs in the southeast are delayed with all kinds of problems and backlogs from the hurricane. so now what. This entire ODT system is a total sham, and amazon knows it, all being operated in other lands by globalists who are clueless. They hope we fail, but this has to get answered. There is a snowball effect going on with late orders and delays because of natural events outside of anyone's control from the business to the carrier to the customer.
Seller_roNdLQpqbVoOH
...you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping...
What does "standard shipping" encompass? I can't seem to find this defined anywhere, but maybe I missed it.
Seller_roNdLQpqbVoOH
...you will get OTDR protection from late deliveries on items shipped through standard shipping...
What does "standard shipping" encompass? I can't seem to find this defined anywhere, but maybe I missed it.
Seller_cmtN2vx56Q3ov
I've been using all three tools to whole my inventory to protect my OTDR since August 15, 2024, namely: SSA, AHT, ABS.
Why the promised delivery date that customers see is later by 4-5 days than the "Deliver by" date that I see in Seller Central? When I receive an order, I enter the customer's zip code into the "Choose your location" box on Amazon and it always ends up being longer than what I see on Seller Central.
I was confident that if I used all three tools I mentioned above, the delivery date that customers see would not be extended and customers should see exactly what I see on the order details page in Seller Central.
My current On-Time Delivery Rate 99.81%
The Fulfillment Insights Dashboard page shows that my delivery promises were extended by 0.4 days. But why is it actually 4-5 days longer than what I see on the Order Details Page in Seller Central?
If Amazon still extends my delivery promise to customers even though I use SSA, AHT, ABS and my metrics are perfect, I want to know why, by how many days, how long will it last, and what I need to do to keep it from being extended?
Seller_cmtN2vx56Q3ov
I've been using all three tools to whole my inventory to protect my OTDR since August 15, 2024, namely: SSA, AHT, ABS.
Why the promised delivery date that customers see is later by 4-5 days than the "Deliver by" date that I see in Seller Central? When I receive an order, I enter the customer's zip code into the "Choose your location" box on Amazon and it always ends up being longer than what I see on Seller Central.
I was confident that if I used all three tools I mentioned above, the delivery date that customers see would not be extended and customers should see exactly what I see on the order details page in Seller Central.
My current On-Time Delivery Rate 99.81%
The Fulfillment Insights Dashboard page shows that my delivery promises were extended by 0.4 days. But why is it actually 4-5 days longer than what I see on the Order Details Page in Seller Central?
If Amazon still extends my delivery promise to customers even though I use SSA, AHT, ABS and my metrics are perfect, I want to know why, by how many days, how long will it last, and what I need to do to keep it from being extended?
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
1. Why is it by item and not by order?
2. We use the heavy/bulk freight template. When the carrier calls to schedule delivery, and the buyer sets it up, at their convenience, because they do not know about this idiotic rule, and it is beyond the promised delivery date how is that held against the seller?
3. All sellers cannot be jammed into a cookie cutter policy and assume it will work for everyone, it's not one size fits all.
4. If we use the heavy/bulk template and are exempt from the VTR, why would we be held accountable for the ODTR?
These are just a few questions I have, I may be back with more.
Seller_OvL8C4BJWiuS9
1. Why is it by item and not by order?
2. We use the heavy/bulk freight template. When the carrier calls to schedule delivery, and the buyer sets it up, at their convenience, because they do not know about this idiotic rule, and it is beyond the promised delivery date how is that held against the seller?
3. All sellers cannot be jammed into a cookie cutter policy and assume it will work for everyone, it's not one size fits all.
4. If we use the heavy/bulk template and are exempt from the VTR, why would we be held accountable for the ODTR?
These are just a few questions I have, I may be back with more.
Seller_nXCBGSjPlTlX0
We use SSA, AHT, and Buy Shipping for OTDR protection. In some cases, Amazon's Deliver By Date is the following day (quoted by Amazon referencing UPS Ground). However, when we ship the order using Buy Shipping, UPS Ground shows a late delivery risk, and the system states that the shipment will not be protected, even though we are shipping on time, using all required systems, and it is the same ship method Amazon used to quote a Deliver By Date. This means we have no OTDR protection for these orders. Is this working as intended, or a bug?
Seller_nXCBGSjPlTlX0
We use SSA, AHT, and Buy Shipping for OTDR protection. In some cases, Amazon's Deliver By Date is the following day (quoted by Amazon referencing UPS Ground). However, when we ship the order using Buy Shipping, UPS Ground shows a late delivery risk, and the system states that the shipment will not be protected, even though we are shipping on time, using all required systems, and it is the same ship method Amazon used to quote a Deliver By Date. This means we have no OTDR protection for these orders. Is this working as intended, or a bug?
Seller_t6cnn410q6H9I
What is the consequences for not meeting the 90% OTDR? Wasn't the deadline SEPT 25th; why was nothing enforced after this date?
Seller_t6cnn410q6H9I
What is the consequences for not meeting the 90% OTDR? Wasn't the deadline SEPT 25th; why was nothing enforced after this date?
Seller_003RzzYLh3s6k
I am completed confused. We ship via USPS and up until 9/25 our OTDR was between 90-95% all the time. On 9/25 it dropped to 86.7% and currently up to 88.21% but our sales are off nearly 100% as we are most likely being either suppressed on the buy box or showing a longer delivery date than competitors and therefore being suppressed. We have been selling on amazon for over 10 years and I don't have a clue what we would be doing wrong here. Can you please assist?
Thank you
Seller_003RzzYLh3s6k
I am completed confused. We ship via USPS and up until 9/25 our OTDR was between 90-95% all the time. On 9/25 it dropped to 86.7% and currently up to 88.21% but our sales are off nearly 100% as we are most likely being either suppressed on the buy box or showing a longer delivery date than competitors and therefore being suppressed. We have been selling on amazon for over 10 years and I don't have a clue what we would be doing wrong here. Can you please assist?
Thank you
Seller_6NYy0sAeVHZ80
!. Sellers s should not have their OTDR affected by a customer providing an incorrect address and a package returning or being forwarded.
2. There needs to be more transparency when an event/act of god delays mail.
3. Eliminate the time delivery and just change to end of day. Saying a package arrived late when it delivered at 12:01 pm instead of 12:00 pm is ridiculous.
I think we can all agree that amazon is trying to tighten things up and make it a better experience for customers but there needs to be adjustments made.
Seller_6NYy0sAeVHZ80
!. Sellers s should not have their OTDR affected by a customer providing an incorrect address and a package returning or being forwarded.
2. There needs to be more transparency when an event/act of god delays mail.
3. Eliminate the time delivery and just change to end of day. Saying a package arrived late when it delivered at 12:01 pm instead of 12:00 pm is ridiculous.
I think we can all agree that amazon is trying to tighten things up and make it a better experience for customers but there needs to be adjustments made.
