One buyer has tanked my OTDR and I received a warning, how to proceed?
I'm a very small seller, 50-100 books per month. My On-time delivery rate has fallen below the required 90% and I received a warning today. I checked the sales that dropped my metric, and every one came from the same buyer over a span of separate orders. It appears that, for whatever reason, the package (I sell books exclusively) is held at a USPS regional distribution facility for about a week every time.
I already use Automated-handling time because I ship within 1 day regardless, and I buy shipping on Amazon, but I do not use shipping setting automation (SSA) given I've read it often requires you to use a faster (more costly) shipping method.
The buyer seems to be a drop-shipper or something like that -- not sure -- but they've purchased a number of books from me over the past year or two, always with a different name going to the same address, and occasionally Amazon won't let me use the bound printed matter / media mail rate from "buy shipping", which makes me think their algorithm knows there is an issue there already.
I don't have any other late deliveries -- just to this single entity. Should I cancel future orders from them (if this is even an option)? Should I use a faster ship method to them specifically? Is it possible they have a deal with the local distribution center to hold packages for them (I assume they order a huge number of used books off of Amazon on a daily basis) and that increased speed wouldn't help? Just not sure how to proceed given I don't want to mess with the protection that SSA provides. I think I did it one time in the past and they were always wanting me to send it express or something like that, which is obviously untenable. If I'm mistaken on SSA (shipping settings automation), please inform me otherwise :) . Thanks
One buyer has tanked my OTDR and I received a warning, how to proceed?
I'm a very small seller, 50-100 books per month. My On-time delivery rate has fallen below the required 90% and I received a warning today. I checked the sales that dropped my metric, and every one came from the same buyer over a span of separate orders. It appears that, for whatever reason, the package (I sell books exclusively) is held at a USPS regional distribution facility for about a week every time.
I already use Automated-handling time because I ship within 1 day regardless, and I buy shipping on Amazon, but I do not use shipping setting automation (SSA) given I've read it often requires you to use a faster (more costly) shipping method.
The buyer seems to be a drop-shipper or something like that -- not sure -- but they've purchased a number of books from me over the past year or two, always with a different name going to the same address, and occasionally Amazon won't let me use the bound printed matter / media mail rate from "buy shipping", which makes me think their algorithm knows there is an issue there already.
I don't have any other late deliveries -- just to this single entity. Should I cancel future orders from them (if this is even an option)? Should I use a faster ship method to them specifically? Is it possible they have a deal with the local distribution center to hold packages for them (I assume they order a huge number of used books off of Amazon on a daily basis) and that increased speed wouldn't help? Just not sure how to proceed given I don't want to mess with the protection that SSA provides. I think I did it one time in the past and they were always wanting me to send it express or something like that, which is obviously untenable. If I'm mistaken on SSA (shipping settings automation), please inform me otherwise :) . Thanks
4 replies
Seller_ywc4Mu1IGbgcK
Hello, let me address drop shipping. That is a violation on Amazon. If you believe that is the case create a violation concern. Drop shipper have the book sent directly to their customers and not themselves. As for the item being held at a USPS distribution center for a week. THAT IS A UPSP issue, nothing you can do about that. Some shipping addresses do not work with the Amz buy shipping due to the address information as it doesnt confirm to the regular three line address, etc. The you have to go to the post office. Also when USPS items arrive at shipping centers then are put in massive bins to be resorted. Though media nd bound printed matter is low priority and thus slow items can sit. Not sure where you are but the NW USA, has fires and smoke. USPS has noted on their website, items can be delayed. Just ship as fast as you can.
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
These 2 statements make me think that the delivery address cannot accept delivery from USPS. It's not an issue with an algorithm, it has to do with the address and what carrier is able to deliver there. Apparently, USPS does not deliver to that address. Unfortunately, it happens.
What options are available through Amazon's Buy Shipping that are claim/odr protected? If options from the USPS are not offered, then you shouldn't use them, or else your odr is going to take the hit. It may cost you a few extra bucks to send via UPS or FedEx, but it will keep your nose (and our metrics) clean.
Seller_nRFmxiQg4EGrw
No, someone selling on their own website and having it dropshipped is not violating any Amazon policy. It's only when you sell something ON AMAZON and have it dropshipped without following policy that it is a violation.
A bookstore ordering from you to have shipped to their customer is fully allowed.
As for no MM/BPM, that is often the case when Amazon thinks that using those services will result in the package arriving outside business hours, which for some reason Amazon thinks is a terrible thing. To get around it, change the "Ship Date" in the drop down menu; that will often allow BPM.
The other cause is when a book is mis-categorized; I see this most often with gardening books being in the "Lawn and Garden" category; the upside is that you don't pay the extra $1.80 for media, so comes close to balancing out. Of course, you could still by MM elsewhere.
