What to Do with Amazon FBA Product Returns? Unveiling Pro Strategies

The Untold Secrets of Amazon FBA Returns Unveiled

Have you ever wondered what happens to those products your customers return on Amazon FBA?

It's a question that has lingered in the minds of many sellers, myself included.

Stick around, because in this series, we're diving deep into the world of handling FBA product returns, unraveling the mysteries and providing you with practical insights.

Now picture this: customers buy from you, the FBA seller, and then decide to return the purchased items.

What do you do with these returns?

Here are a few options, and I've been in the game long enough to give you the lowdown.

Handling Amazon FBA Returns: The Options

Option 1: You can instruct Amazon to dispose of the returned items. 

I've been following this route for a while, and here's the deal.

When you choose this option, the products that come back as returns won't be returned to stock or sold again.

The upside?

Amazon does a quick check, and if the returns are broken or damaged, they can handle the disposal for you.

But, wait, there's more to the story.

As of now, there's a fresh alternative emerging in the scene—the liquidation mode.

Picture this as Amazon's attempt to give your returned products a second chance at life, albeit at a significantly reduced price.

Now, I get it; the thought of getting a lower price might not be the dream scenario.

However, in the world of FBA returns, something is often better than nothing.

It's like a clearance sale for your returned items.

Amazon takes charge, tries to sell them at a bargain, and you get a fraction of the original price.

It might not be your golden ticket, but hey, it's a door that's opened, and sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Now, onto another avenue – the option to ship returns to your own prep center.

Think of a prep center as your personal warehouse.

You instruct Amazon to ship those returns directly to your prep center, which acts as a hub for your products.

If you're in the United States, you also have the option to redirect them to your home address.

Quick note: for those outside the United States, shipping returns to another country is a no-go.

You've got to keep it within the US borders.

But, assuming you're within those borders, you've got choices.

Once the returns are back in your hands, you're at the crossroads of decision-making.

Option 1: Fix what's broken.

If your returned items need a little TLC, this is your chance to breathe new life into them.

Maybe it's a simple repair, or perhaps a quick refurbishment can turn them back into sellable assets.

Option 2: Reship to Amazon.

If the returns are in good shape and just need a second shot at finding a happy buyer, send them back to Amazon.

It's like giving your products another spin on the marketplace roulette.

So, you've got these returned products in hand, and upon a visual check, they seem good to go.

Now, the million-dollar question arises – what's the cost of getting them back into the game?

Let's break it down.

Firstly, consider the logistics.

Calculate the expenses involved in removing the items from Amazon, shipping them to your location, and then sending them back after fixing.

It's a crucial step in deciding whether it's economically feasible.

Is the product expensive enough to justify the costs, or is it more on the affordable side, making the whole process less appealing?

It's a balancing act that every FBA seller needs to master.

Now, here's a nugget of wisdom.

In a recent interview with Joe Abitbol from OnSite Support, we delved into a game-changing strategy to reduce the number of returns through enhanced customer service.

Trust me; it's a must-watch.

I've even secured a special 50% OFF On-Site Support promotional code, "VOVA50" directly from them to ease the onboarding fees.

But here's the scoop: OnSite Support isn't necessarily a fit for smaller sellers, but if you're a big player dealing with a substantial volume of returns, it could be your secret weapon.

They offer a nifty integration – a button inside the Buyer Central, not just the Seller Central.

It's something like "Get support from the brand" and is similar to having a direct line to your customers, granting you the opportunity to resolve issues before they escalate into returns.

Picture this: a customer encounters an issue, hits that magical button, and voila!

They can chat with you.

With OnSite Support, you can craft a tailored funnel, providing top-notch assistance to prevent returns.

It's a win-win; your customers get the help they need, and you dodge those pesky return statistics that can impact your Amazon standing.

In the grand scheme of things, managing returns isn't just about dealing with individual products; it's about safeguarding your standing and rank on Amazon.

So, let's tie up the loose ends and sum up the key takeaways from our journey so far.

You've got options.

First, you can opt for the traditional route of disposing of products, a method I've employed for a while.

And then, there's a recent twist that caught my attention – a new disposal option within Amazon itself.

That's like a semi-disposal for a modest sum.

You initiate this within Seller Central, or you can choose to ship the items out of Amazon, either to yourself or to a prep center.

But, and it's a big but, the critical question remains: is this operation financially sound for you?

Does it add up, or is it a potential loss?

Take a closer look and weigh the pros and cons before deciding the fate of those returned products.

Here's a creative spin – think beyond disposal.

Explore the possibility of selling those products on alternative marketplaces.

Your home could become a mini-market for these items, still allowing you to recoup some value.

And returns, as we've uncovered, can account for a significant chunk of your sales – possibly a few percent per year.

The third thing we talked about was OnSite Support with Joe Abitbol.

If you haven't watched the interview yet, it's embedded below.

In this interview, we dove into what OnSite Support is all about and how it could be your game-changer in reducing the avalanche of returns.

Toward the end, I shared my exclusive 50% off discount coupon for the platform, known as VOVA50.

So, there you have it!

Your journey to smarter returns management kicks off right here.

Wishing you an absolutely fantastic day ahead!

Until next time, bye!