I just don't understand punishing us for shipping FBM orders "too quickly"
Forcing us into Automated Handling Times unless we deliberately slow down our handling just doesn't make any sense. We can't wrap our brains around it.
We do both FBA and FBM. The same people that pick our orders also prep our items for FBA. Having flexible handling time with a little bit of padding is essential for creating a balance between packing for these two fulfilment methods. Some days there are more self-fulfilled orders that take up nearly the whole day. Some days we really need to get a lot of FBA prep work done.
It just make sense to group similar tasks together instead of trying to constantly start, stop, and switch between different activities.
Just one example out of dozens I could come up with:
If we have 15 orders for the exact same item... it makes sense to go grab all 15 items and pack them all at the same time, regardless of whether or not they are all "due" to be shipped.
Now, if we want to avoid automated handling times, we're going to have to say "Wait, stop. Only do 5 of those 15 orders because they're not all due today."
It's just counter-intuitive. And it's going to take A LOT of extra brain power and discipline to actually slow down on purpose rather than always try to do as much as we can at at time.
How is this really better for anyone?
137 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yeah, it's a nightmare. I have an order that came in early this morning; I could have packed it in time to go out in today's mail, which would get it to the customer quickly. But instead, Amazon is forcing me to wait until Tuesday, or risk losing that handling time that I sometimes need to run my business properly.
I don't know why Amazon thinks that they know how to run every business better than the people actually doing it.
And be warned; don't even print the labels early; Amazon times the "Handing Time" based on when you print the labels. So for those of us who have a home based business, and used to pack items in the evening, this would mean that we would get noted for fast shipping, get the handling time shortened, but then since it wouldn't get scanned until the next day, would be counted as "late" for INR claims.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
No, it does not make sense.
I would love to see some media coverage as this is just interesting enough to make a good story (provided they get it right -- not good odds there though)
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Every time I think Amazon can't possibly come up with anything more stupid and destructive, they create a new fee, a new inventory page and new "run head in a wall" policies.
I am no longer surprised, my exit is planned.
Seller_kPsgE9cDZSpjF
I am not worried about this metric as Amazon does the same. Just set your shipping time to any order before 12p, and it should allow you the buffer you need.
I treat it like this, if any order comes in before UPS comes for a pickup at about 3 PM my time, the item is getting packed, prepped, and out the door. I am not stressing about Amazon's policy for shipping too quickly, I want the customer to be happy.
In the event of a hiccup, just call the Amazon Health Team and make them aware of any red flags that pop up, OR if you know you are going to break metrics for some happenstance.
Seller_jjbGGIoNtmb6c
I couldn’t agree more. We ship a lot of perishable items. We have to use thermal packaging and dry ice. All the orders from Monday - Wednesday get shipped same day. However, Wednesday afternoon to Sunday have to be shipped on Monday in order to avoid items stuck in transit and spoil. I don’t see them offering to reimburse us for melted chocolate that sits in a warehouse over the weekend. This is just how this part of the business works.
Also, during high volume periods we sleep 5-6h a night and get everything shipped as soon as possible. Now we will have to slow down and loose money (which frankly isn’t worth it anymore cause the only reason we stay in this business is the holidays) or operate at the same intensity all the time. It’s maddening.
Whoever thought about this rule and implemented it this way should be fired immediately. It is obvious that Amazon doesn’t want third party sellers anymore. They should just say so and be done with it.
We don’t feel appreciated or rewarded for the business we bring into Amazon.
Seller_9yQUzZAP34cYw
Agreed. Seller will not have to slow fulfillment of orders to protect their metrics. Amazons policy was "well intentioned" in trying to get packages to buyer in a specified time but all they've really done is guarantee orders will be shipped at the last possible moment so sellers have some statistical protection Amazon's tyranny.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
There's been a lot of discussion regarding this on the forum where Sellers Ask Sellers. Through analysis by people who are far better than I at things like this, it's been pretty well established that, for handling time, Amazon looks at when you printed the label.
Which is, of course, absurd for those of us who are night owls and like to pack orders to be ready for the next day shipments.
OTOH, for INR complaints, Amazon goes by the (sometimes much later( fist scan by the carrier.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
That's great for you. Many of us feel the same; get it shipped ASAP and in the hands of the customer.
However, for some of us, there are times where, for legitimate business related reasons, we CAN'T do that in 1 day (for example, when I get up at 5:00am to drive to a booksale to source books; I'm not getting up even earlier to pack the order than came in 6 hours earlier). So while I can easily ship out in 1 day or less 95% of the time, that other 5% is non-negotiable; I need a second day. (and this is not even factoring in the days where USPS doesn't pick up, so I would now be late for INR purposes if locked into one day)
Or you can look at it as Amazon will set your handling time based on the AVERAGE time; but will punish you on the WORST CASES.
At one point, they were looking at "if 95% of your orders ship in one day" as a reason to change you to one day handling; but after they do that, you ship 94.9% of your orders in one day, you get dinged for late shipments, which affects things like BB.
Amazon should let us run our business in the way that we feel fits best. For the seller who can ALWAYS ship in one day, by all means, give one day shipping; but for those of us who have reasons to not want that (whether directly business or otherwise), let US decide what promises WE make to the customer.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
No, that won't happen until Sept 25.
You might want to read the News section.
I just don't understand punishing us for shipping FBM orders "too quickly"
Forcing us into Automated Handling Times unless we deliberately slow down our handling just doesn't make any sense. We can't wrap our brains around it.
We do both FBA and FBM. The same people that pick our orders also prep our items for FBA. Having flexible handling time with a little bit of padding is essential for creating a balance between packing for these two fulfilment methods. Some days there are more self-fulfilled orders that take up nearly the whole day. Some days we really need to get a lot of FBA prep work done.
It just make sense to group similar tasks together instead of trying to constantly start, stop, and switch between different activities.
Just one example out of dozens I could come up with:
If we have 15 orders for the exact same item... it makes sense to go grab all 15 items and pack them all at the same time, regardless of whether or not they are all "due" to be shipped.
Now, if we want to avoid automated handling times, we're going to have to say "Wait, stop. Only do 5 of those 15 orders because they're not all due today."
It's just counter-intuitive. And it's going to take A LOT of extra brain power and discipline to actually slow down on purpose rather than always try to do as much as we can at at time.
How is this really better for anyone?
I just don't understand punishing us for shipping FBM orders "too quickly"
Forcing us into Automated Handling Times unless we deliberately slow down our handling just doesn't make any sense. We can't wrap our brains around it.
We do both FBA and FBM. The same people that pick our orders also prep our items for FBA. Having flexible handling time with a little bit of padding is essential for creating a balance between packing for these two fulfilment methods. Some days there are more self-fulfilled orders that take up nearly the whole day. Some days we really need to get a lot of FBA prep work done.
It just make sense to group similar tasks together instead of trying to constantly start, stop, and switch between different activities.
Just one example out of dozens I could come up with:
If we have 15 orders for the exact same item... it makes sense to go grab all 15 items and pack them all at the same time, regardless of whether or not they are all "due" to be shipped.
Now, if we want to avoid automated handling times, we're going to have to say "Wait, stop. Only do 5 of those 15 orders because they're not all due today."
It's just counter-intuitive. And it's going to take A LOT of extra brain power and discipline to actually slow down on purpose rather than always try to do as much as we can at at time.
How is this really better for anyone?
137 replies
137 replies
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yeah, it's a nightmare. I have an order that came in early this morning; I could have packed it in time to go out in today's mail, which would get it to the customer quickly. But instead, Amazon is forcing me to wait until Tuesday, or risk losing that handling time that I sometimes need to run my business properly.
I don't know why Amazon thinks that they know how to run every business better than the people actually doing it.
And be warned; don't even print the labels early; Amazon times the "Handing Time" based on when you print the labels. So for those of us who have a home based business, and used to pack items in the evening, this would mean that we would get noted for fast shipping, get the handling time shortened, but then since it wouldn't get scanned until the next day, would be counted as "late" for INR claims.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
No, it does not make sense.
I would love to see some media coverage as this is just interesting enough to make a good story (provided they get it right -- not good odds there though)
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Every time I think Amazon can't possibly come up with anything more stupid and destructive, they create a new fee, a new inventory page and new "run head in a wall" policies.
I am no longer surprised, my exit is planned.
Seller_kPsgE9cDZSpjF
I am not worried about this metric as Amazon does the same. Just set your shipping time to any order before 12p, and it should allow you the buffer you need.
I treat it like this, if any order comes in before UPS comes for a pickup at about 3 PM my time, the item is getting packed, prepped, and out the door. I am not stressing about Amazon's policy for shipping too quickly, I want the customer to be happy.
In the event of a hiccup, just call the Amazon Health Team and make them aware of any red flags that pop up, OR if you know you are going to break metrics for some happenstance.
Seller_jjbGGIoNtmb6c
I couldn’t agree more. We ship a lot of perishable items. We have to use thermal packaging and dry ice. All the orders from Monday - Wednesday get shipped same day. However, Wednesday afternoon to Sunday have to be shipped on Monday in order to avoid items stuck in transit and spoil. I don’t see them offering to reimburse us for melted chocolate that sits in a warehouse over the weekend. This is just how this part of the business works.
Also, during high volume periods we sleep 5-6h a night and get everything shipped as soon as possible. Now we will have to slow down and loose money (which frankly isn’t worth it anymore cause the only reason we stay in this business is the holidays) or operate at the same intensity all the time. It’s maddening.
Whoever thought about this rule and implemented it this way should be fired immediately. It is obvious that Amazon doesn’t want third party sellers anymore. They should just say so and be done with it.
We don’t feel appreciated or rewarded for the business we bring into Amazon.
Seller_9yQUzZAP34cYw
Agreed. Seller will not have to slow fulfillment of orders to protect their metrics. Amazons policy was "well intentioned" in trying to get packages to buyer in a specified time but all they've really done is guarantee orders will be shipped at the last possible moment so sellers have some statistical protection Amazon's tyranny.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
There's been a lot of discussion regarding this on the forum where Sellers Ask Sellers. Through analysis by people who are far better than I at things like this, it's been pretty well established that, for handling time, Amazon looks at when you printed the label.
Which is, of course, absurd for those of us who are night owls and like to pack orders to be ready for the next day shipments.
OTOH, for INR complaints, Amazon goes by the (sometimes much later( fist scan by the carrier.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
That's great for you. Many of us feel the same; get it shipped ASAP and in the hands of the customer.
However, for some of us, there are times where, for legitimate business related reasons, we CAN'T do that in 1 day (for example, when I get up at 5:00am to drive to a booksale to source books; I'm not getting up even earlier to pack the order than came in 6 hours earlier). So while I can easily ship out in 1 day or less 95% of the time, that other 5% is non-negotiable; I need a second day. (and this is not even factoring in the days where USPS doesn't pick up, so I would now be late for INR purposes if locked into one day)
Or you can look at it as Amazon will set your handling time based on the AVERAGE time; but will punish you on the WORST CASES.
At one point, they were looking at "if 95% of your orders ship in one day" as a reason to change you to one day handling; but after they do that, you ship 94.9% of your orders in one day, you get dinged for late shipments, which affects things like BB.
Amazon should let us run our business in the way that we feel fits best. For the seller who can ALWAYS ship in one day, by all means, give one day shipping; but for those of us who have reasons to not want that (whether directly business or otherwise), let US decide what promises WE make to the customer.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
No, that won't happen until Sept 25.
You might want to read the News section.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yeah, it's a nightmare. I have an order that came in early this morning; I could have packed it in time to go out in today's mail, which would get it to the customer quickly. But instead, Amazon is forcing me to wait until Tuesday, or risk losing that handling time that I sometimes need to run my business properly.
I don't know why Amazon thinks that they know how to run every business better than the people actually doing it.
And be warned; don't even print the labels early; Amazon times the "Handing Time" based on when you print the labels. So for those of us who have a home based business, and used to pack items in the evening, this would mean that we would get noted for fast shipping, get the handling time shortened, but then since it wouldn't get scanned until the next day, would be counted as "late" for INR claims.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
Yeah, it's a nightmare. I have an order that came in early this morning; I could have packed it in time to go out in today's mail, which would get it to the customer quickly. But instead, Amazon is forcing me to wait until Tuesday, or risk losing that handling time that I sometimes need to run my business properly.
I don't know why Amazon thinks that they know how to run every business better than the people actually doing it.
And be warned; don't even print the labels early; Amazon times the "Handing Time" based on when you print the labels. So for those of us who have a home based business, and used to pack items in the evening, this would mean that we would get noted for fast shipping, get the handling time shortened, but then since it wouldn't get scanned until the next day, would be counted as "late" for INR claims.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
No, it does not make sense.
I would love to see some media coverage as this is just interesting enough to make a good story (provided they get it right -- not good odds there though)
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
No, it does not make sense.
I would love to see some media coverage as this is just interesting enough to make a good story (provided they get it right -- not good odds there though)
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Every time I think Amazon can't possibly come up with anything more stupid and destructive, they create a new fee, a new inventory page and new "run head in a wall" policies.
I am no longer surprised, my exit is planned.
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Every time I think Amazon can't possibly come up with anything more stupid and destructive, they create a new fee, a new inventory page and new "run head in a wall" policies.
I am no longer surprised, my exit is planned.
Seller_kPsgE9cDZSpjF
I am not worried about this metric as Amazon does the same. Just set your shipping time to any order before 12p, and it should allow you the buffer you need.
I treat it like this, if any order comes in before UPS comes for a pickup at about 3 PM my time, the item is getting packed, prepped, and out the door. I am not stressing about Amazon's policy for shipping too quickly, I want the customer to be happy.
In the event of a hiccup, just call the Amazon Health Team and make them aware of any red flags that pop up, OR if you know you are going to break metrics for some happenstance.
Seller_kPsgE9cDZSpjF
I am not worried about this metric as Amazon does the same. Just set your shipping time to any order before 12p, and it should allow you the buffer you need.
I treat it like this, if any order comes in before UPS comes for a pickup at about 3 PM my time, the item is getting packed, prepped, and out the door. I am not stressing about Amazon's policy for shipping too quickly, I want the customer to be happy.
In the event of a hiccup, just call the Amazon Health Team and make them aware of any red flags that pop up, OR if you know you are going to break metrics for some happenstance.
Seller_jjbGGIoNtmb6c
I couldn’t agree more. We ship a lot of perishable items. We have to use thermal packaging and dry ice. All the orders from Monday - Wednesday get shipped same day. However, Wednesday afternoon to Sunday have to be shipped on Monday in order to avoid items stuck in transit and spoil. I don’t see them offering to reimburse us for melted chocolate that sits in a warehouse over the weekend. This is just how this part of the business works.
Also, during high volume periods we sleep 5-6h a night and get everything shipped as soon as possible. Now we will have to slow down and loose money (which frankly isn’t worth it anymore cause the only reason we stay in this business is the holidays) or operate at the same intensity all the time. It’s maddening.
Whoever thought about this rule and implemented it this way should be fired immediately. It is obvious that Amazon doesn’t want third party sellers anymore. They should just say so and be done with it.
We don’t feel appreciated or rewarded for the business we bring into Amazon.
Seller_jjbGGIoNtmb6c
I couldn’t agree more. We ship a lot of perishable items. We have to use thermal packaging and dry ice. All the orders from Monday - Wednesday get shipped same day. However, Wednesday afternoon to Sunday have to be shipped on Monday in order to avoid items stuck in transit and spoil. I don’t see them offering to reimburse us for melted chocolate that sits in a warehouse over the weekend. This is just how this part of the business works.
Also, during high volume periods we sleep 5-6h a night and get everything shipped as soon as possible. Now we will have to slow down and loose money (which frankly isn’t worth it anymore cause the only reason we stay in this business is the holidays) or operate at the same intensity all the time. It’s maddening.
Whoever thought about this rule and implemented it this way should be fired immediately. It is obvious that Amazon doesn’t want third party sellers anymore. They should just say so and be done with it.
We don’t feel appreciated or rewarded for the business we bring into Amazon.
Seller_9yQUzZAP34cYw
Agreed. Seller will not have to slow fulfillment of orders to protect their metrics. Amazons policy was "well intentioned" in trying to get packages to buyer in a specified time but all they've really done is guarantee orders will be shipped at the last possible moment so sellers have some statistical protection Amazon's tyranny.
Seller_9yQUzZAP34cYw
Agreed. Seller will not have to slow fulfillment of orders to protect their metrics. Amazons policy was "well intentioned" in trying to get packages to buyer in a specified time but all they've really done is guarantee orders will be shipped at the last possible moment so sellers have some statistical protection Amazon's tyranny.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
There's been a lot of discussion regarding this on the forum where Sellers Ask Sellers. Through analysis by people who are far better than I at things like this, it's been pretty well established that, for handling time, Amazon looks at when you printed the label.
Which is, of course, absurd for those of us who are night owls and like to pack orders to be ready for the next day shipments.
OTOH, for INR complaints, Amazon goes by the (sometimes much later( fist scan by the carrier.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
There's been a lot of discussion regarding this on the forum where Sellers Ask Sellers. Through analysis by people who are far better than I at things like this, it's been pretty well established that, for handling time, Amazon looks at when you printed the label.
Which is, of course, absurd for those of us who are night owls and like to pack orders to be ready for the next day shipments.
OTOH, for INR complaints, Amazon goes by the (sometimes much later( fist scan by the carrier.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
That's great for you. Many of us feel the same; get it shipped ASAP and in the hands of the customer.
However, for some of us, there are times where, for legitimate business related reasons, we CAN'T do that in 1 day (for example, when I get up at 5:00am to drive to a booksale to source books; I'm not getting up even earlier to pack the order than came in 6 hours earlier). So while I can easily ship out in 1 day or less 95% of the time, that other 5% is non-negotiable; I need a second day. (and this is not even factoring in the days where USPS doesn't pick up, so I would now be late for INR purposes if locked into one day)
Or you can look at it as Amazon will set your handling time based on the AVERAGE time; but will punish you on the WORST CASES.
At one point, they were looking at "if 95% of your orders ship in one day" as a reason to change you to one day handling; but after they do that, you ship 94.9% of your orders in one day, you get dinged for late shipments, which affects things like BB.
Amazon should let us run our business in the way that we feel fits best. For the seller who can ALWAYS ship in one day, by all means, give one day shipping; but for those of us who have reasons to not want that (whether directly business or otherwise), let US decide what promises WE make to the customer.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
That's great for you. Many of us feel the same; get it shipped ASAP and in the hands of the customer.
However, for some of us, there are times where, for legitimate business related reasons, we CAN'T do that in 1 day (for example, when I get up at 5:00am to drive to a booksale to source books; I'm not getting up even earlier to pack the order than came in 6 hours earlier). So while I can easily ship out in 1 day or less 95% of the time, that other 5% is non-negotiable; I need a second day. (and this is not even factoring in the days where USPS doesn't pick up, so I would now be late for INR purposes if locked into one day)
Or you can look at it as Amazon will set your handling time based on the AVERAGE time; but will punish you on the WORST CASES.
At one point, they were looking at "if 95% of your orders ship in one day" as a reason to change you to one day handling; but after they do that, you ship 94.9% of your orders in one day, you get dinged for late shipments, which affects things like BB.
Amazon should let us run our business in the way that we feel fits best. For the seller who can ALWAYS ship in one day, by all means, give one day shipping; but for those of us who have reasons to not want that (whether directly business or otherwise), let US decide what promises WE make to the customer.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
No, that won't happen until Sept 25.
You might want to read the News section.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
No, that won't happen until Sept 25.
You might want to read the News section.
