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Essential tips for sourcing your Amazon products

Kika Angelic

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Product sourcing for Amazon refers to the process of finding and acquiring products to sell on the Amazon marketplace. This can include identifying products that are in demand, negotiating with suppliers to obtain competitive pricing, and ensuring the products meet Amazon’s quality standards.

As an Amazon seller, sourcing products is a crucial aspect of building a successful business on the platform. The process of product sourcing can involve a variety of methods, including:

Wholesale purchasing: Buying products in bulk from a supplier and reselling them on Amazon.

Private label: Creating your own brand and having a manufacturer produce the products for you.

Retail arbitrage: Finding products at retail stores or online marketplaces at a discount and reselling them on Amazon.

Dropshipping: Partnering with a supplier who ships products directly to customers on your behalf.

Regardless of the method, effective product sourcing involves research, analysis, and relationship-building with suppliers. By sourcing quality products that meet customer demand, Amazon sellers can build a profitable business and achieve success on the platform.

Product sourcing can be a complex process that requires careful research and analysis to find the right products at the right price. Here are some general steps to follow for successful product sourcing:

Identify your niche: Start by choosing a niche or category of products you want to sell. This can help you focus your research efforts and become an expert in that area.

Research demand: Use tools like Amazon’s Best Sellers list, Google Trends, and social media to identify popular products and trends within your chosen niche. You can also look at customer reviews to see what products people are talking about.

Research suppliers: Look for reliable and trustworthy suppliers for the products you want to sell. You can use directories like Alibaba, Global Sources, and ThomasNet to find suppliers, or attend trade shows and network with suppliers in your industry.

Analyze pricing and profitability: Once you’ve found potential suppliers, compare their pricing to ensure you can make a profit on the products you want to sell. Be sure to factor in other costs like shipping and storage fees.

Order product samples: Before making a large order, it’s important to test the quality of the product by ordering a sample. This can help you identify any potential issues before committing to a large order.

Place an order: Once you’ve found a supplier and tested the product, place a small order to test the market and see how well the product sells.

Build relationships with suppliers: Maintain good relationships with your suppliers by communicating regularly and paying on time. This can help you secure better prices and terms in the future.

Overall, successful product sourcing requires a lot of research, careful analysis, and good communication with suppliers. By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can find quality products to sell on Amazon and build a successful business.

Successful product sourcing requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and resources. Here are some key requirements to consider:

Market knowledge: A successful product sourcing strategy starts with a deep understanding of your target market. You should have a good grasp of customer needs, preferences, and trends, as well as an understanding of the competitive landscape.

Supplier network: Building a strong supplier network is crucial for successful product sourcing. You should have relationships with reliable suppliers who can provide you with high-quality products at a reasonable price.

Negotiation skills: Negotiating with suppliers is an important aspect of product sourcing. You should be able to negotiate effectively to get the best possible price and terms.

Quality control: Ensuring that the products you source meet your quality standards is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and building a good reputation. You should have a system in place for quality control and product testing.

Logistics and supply chain management: Managing the logistics and supply chain for your products can be challenging, particularly if you’re dealing with international suppliers. You should have a good understanding of logistics and be able to manage the shipping and storage of your products.

Financial management: Successful product sourcing requires a good understanding of financial management. You should be able to manage your cash flow, track your expenses, and maintain a healthy profit margin.

Data analysis: Analyzing data is essential for identifying trends and making informed decisions about product sourcing. You should be able to track sales data, analyze customer feedback, and use data to inform your sourcing strategy.

By developing these skills and resources, you can create a successful product sourcing strategy that will help you find the best products to sell on Amazon and build a thriving business.

Shipping sourced products to an Amazon warehouse involves several steps. Here’s an overview of the process:

Create a shipment plan: Before you can send your products to an Amazon warehouse, you need to create a shipment plan in your Amazon seller account. This involves specifying the products you’re sending, the quantity, and the destination warehouse.

Prepare your products for shipment: Once you’ve created a shipment plan, you need to prepare your products for shipment. This may involve labeling, packaging, and palletizing your products according to Amazon’s guidelines.

Choose a carrier: You can use Amazon’s partnered carriers or choose your own carrier to transport your products to the Amazon warehouse. If you choose your own carrier, you’ll need to provide the carrier with the shipment details and delivery address.

Generate shipping labels: You’ll need to generate shipping labels for each box or pallet you’re shipping. You can print these labels through your Amazon seller account, or use a third-party labeling service.

Deliver the products to the carrier: Once your products are packaged and labeled, you can deliver them to the carrier for transport. Be sure to obtain a tracking number or other proof of delivery to track your shipment.

Track the shipment: Once your shipment is en route, you can track its progress using the carrier’s tracking system. You should also monitor your Amazon seller account for any updates on the status of your shipment.

Confirm receipt of the shipment: After your shipment arrives at the Amazon warehouse, Amazon will confirm receipt and update your seller account with the status of your products.

Overall, shipping sourced products to an Amazon warehouse requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following Amazon’s guidelines and ensuring that your products are properly labeled and packaged, you can ensure a smooth and successful shipment process.

Shipping sourced products to an Amazon warehouse requires following certain requirements and guidelines to ensure the products are received and processed correctly. Here are some of the key requirements to keep in mind:

Labeling: Each product must be labeled with a scannable barcode that includes the Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) and your unique seller SKU. The label must be clear, readable, and securely attached to the product.

Packaging: Products must be packaged securely to prevent damage during transit. You should use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing materials to protect the products. Be sure to follow Amazon’s packaging guidelines to ensure that the products are received in good condition.

Shipment details: When you create your shipment plan in your Amazon seller account, you must provide accurate information about the products you’re sending, the quantity, and the destination warehouse. You’ll also need to specify the carrier you’re using and the shipment method.

Carrier requirements: If you’re using a carrier other than Amazon’s partnered carriers, you’ll need to ensure that the carrier meets Amazon’s requirements for carrier eligibility. You’ll also need to provide the carrier with the necessary shipping labels and delivery address.

Delivery window: You’ll be assigned a delivery window for your shipment based on the carrier and warehouse location. Be sure to deliver your products within the specified window to avoid delays and additional fees.

Tracking and confirmation: You should use a carrier that provides tracking information so that you can monitor the status of your shipment. Once your shipment has been delivered to the Amazon warehouse, Amazon will confirm receipt and update your seller account with the status of your products.

By following these requirements and guidelines, you can ensure that your sourced products are shipped to the Amazon warehouse in a timely and efficient manner, and that they are received and processed correctly.

In conclusion, sourcing products to sell on Amazon can be a challenging but rewarding process. To be successful, you need to have a deep understanding of your target market, develop a strong supplier network, and have the necessary skills and resources to negotiate effectively, manage logistics, and ensure quality control.

Once you’ve sourced your products, you’ll need to ship them to an Amazon warehouse to be stored, processed, and fulfilled. This involves following certain requirements and guidelines, including labeling and packaging your products correctly, providing accurate shipment details, and choosing a carrier that meets Amazon’s eligibility requirements. By following these guidelines and requirements, you can ensure that your products are received and processed correctly, and that your customers receive their orders in a timely and efficient manner.

Overall, successful product sourcing and shipment to Amazon warehouses requires careful planning, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. With the right strategies, resources, and skills, you can build a thriving business selling products on Amazon.

I hope you found this article helpful. Many Amazon sellers recently started trading stocks and crypto currencies, hoping to diversify their income, which is a very good idea with all the uncertainty which comes with the platform. For this reason, we launched a new Facebook group, Crypto Arbitrage Income (Bitcoin, Crypto, Altcoins, Blockchain, Trading) – feel free to join us and forget about the troubles of selling on Amazon for a moment!

Regarding Amazon Seller Performance, you can always participate in our Amazon Seller Performance – Friendly Advice – Worldwide group, where you will be very welcome.

If you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with any Amazon-related issues such as suspensions, listing blocks or is looking for professional assistance, please don’t hesitate to subscribe to my new OnlyFans page at: www.onlyfans.com/kikaangelic

In case you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with Seller Identity Verification on Amazon, please feel free to watch my most detailed video on the subject, addressing all common questions:

My name is Kristina Hajdukova, but I am known as Kika Angelic. I used to be the most prolific and reputable contributor on the Amazon Seller Forum until being removed and defamed. Here you can learn more about my story: My GoFundMe page seeking help from Amazon – feel free to support me! Eventually, I became the first person in the world to succeed in a defamation lawsuit against Amazon and the company had to prominently publish me an apology and pin it to the top of the whole Amazon Seller Forum, click here to see it! Regarding Amazon Seller Performance, you can always participate in my Amazon Seller Performance – Friendly Advice – Worldwide group, where you will be very welcome. If you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with any Amazon-related issues such as suspensions, listing blocks or is looking for professional assistance, please don’t hesitate to subscribe to my new OnlyFans page at: www.onlyfans.com/kikaangelic

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Amazon is trying to make sellers use their new ocean freight service for FBA shipments from China

Kika Angelic

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Today, Amazon e-mailed their third party sellers to promote a new service called Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) aimed to offer reasonably priced shipments.

According to the announcement, Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) offers FBA Sellers end-to-end shipping services via ocean transportation options from CN into EU and US fulfilment centres and/or SPs’ own warehouses that can be conveniently booked through Seller Central or Shipper Central. AGL shipping services includes shipment pick-up in origin, palletization (if required), export/import customs clearance, and domestic delivery in the destination country.

This is the first time Amazon started offering AGL directly to sellers. It will also include the option of shipping to your own warehouse through our Ship-to-Storage (STS) program. STS allows you to ship ocean full-container-load (FCL) cargo with Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) from China to your designated, non-Amazon storage facility.

Here you can view a screenshot of the full announcement from agl1-eu-sales-team@amazon.com:

Here is a copy of the full text:

Onboard now with Amazon Global Logistics for global ocean shipping!

Dear Seller,
 
Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) offers FBA Sellers end-to-end shipping services via ocean transportation options from CN into EU and US fulfilment centres and/or SPs’ own warehouses that can be conveniently booked through Seller Central or Shipper Central. AGL shipping services includes shipment pick-up in origin, palletization (if required), export/import customs clearance, and domestic delivery in the destination country.
 
We also give you the option of shipping to your own warehouse through our Ship-to-Storage (STS) program. STS allows you to ship ocean full-container-load (FCL) cargo with Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) from China to your designated, non-Amazon storage facility.
 
What are the benefits of AGL services
 
·       Save Time: Deliver products faster by shipping directly from SPs’ manufacturers in China to fulfillment centers and/or 3rd party warehouses.
·       Reduce Costs: Lower inventory handling costs through a more efficient supply chain management.
·       Ship with confidence: Book shipments with predictable and efficient shipping schedules at competitive rates.
·       Simplify operations: Use a single portal to create, book, track, and pay for shipments.
 
How to get started
 
There are three simple steps to get started.
 
Set up your payment method choosing the currency in which you wish to pay
The second step is to create your Importer of Record (IOR) profile. You will need to create an Importer of Record profile for each country you would like to import to. Please select the following links based on the destination country you plan to ship to; (Portal Link: UKDEFRIT,ES).
Once your IOR profile has been approved, you will be able to place your first booking. You can find our latest booking guides by marketplace here; (Booking Guide Link: UKDEFRITES).
 
Helpful resources:
Download our Getting started guide
Download our Container Checklist guide here
 
Kind regards,
The Amazon Global Logistics Team
Amazon.com | EU
agl1-eu-sales-team@amazon.com

I hope you found this update helpful. Many Amazon sellers recently started trading stocks and crypto currencies, hoping to diversify their income, which is a very good idea with all the uncertainty which comes with the platform. For this reason, we launched a new Facebook group, Crypto Arbitrage Income (Bitcoin, Crypto, Altcoins, Blockchain, Trading) – feel free to join us and forget about the troubles of selling on Amazon for a moment!

Regarding Amazon Seller Performance, you can always participate in our Amazon Seller Performance – Friendly Advice – Worldwide group, where you will be very welcome.

If you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with any Amazon-related issues such as suspensions, listing blocks or is looking for professional assistance, please don’t hesitate to subscribe to my new OnlyFans page at: www.onlyfans.com/kikaangelic

In case you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with Seller Identity Verification on Amazon, please feel free to watch my most detailed video on the subject, addressing all common questions:

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Important update regarding your Amazon FBA inventory at AFW1

Kika Angelic

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This week, Amazon e-mailed their third party sellers regarding FBA inventory stored in the AFW1 warehouse, which was damaged due to severe weather causing structural damage to that facility, forcing it to close. It is expected to remain closed until at least the end of April 2023.

According to the notice, Amazon will be soon reimbursing sellers for any lost and damaged inventory, adjusting their IPI Score or refunding storage fees.

Here you can read a copy of the full announcement:

Important update regarding your inventory at AFW1

Hello, 

Our records indicate that you have inventory at, or on the way to, our AFW1 fulfillment center. On December 13, 2022, severe weather caused structural damage to that facility and we were forced to close. We expect to remain closed until at least the end of April 2023. We understand this has affected your business and will work to provide the most up-to-date information. 

Below are other important updates for your inventory stored at AFW1. 

   1. While AFW1 is closed, we are unable to fulfill customer orders with inventory stored there. Once AFW1 is operational again, we will evaluate the condition of your inventory to determine if it is sellable. We expect the fulfillment center to remain closed until at least the end of April 2023 and will communicate further details on sellable inventory as we know more in the coming weeks. Inventory will be evaluated based on the inventory adjustments policy (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/G200453260). If you don’t agree with the Amazon valuation of a unit, you can file a claim using the Contact Us page in Seller Central within 90 days after we issue the reimbursement. If we determine your inventory was damaged by this incident, we will reimburse you per our FBA inventory reimbursement policy (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/G200213130). You will be able to track your refund by accessing your Reimbursements report (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/reportcentral/REIMBURSEMENTS/0).

   2. We will refund the storage fees for any inventory affected by this closure. Storage fees from December and January will be reimbursed by March 15. You may see storage fees associated with affected inventory from February-April, which will be refunded on a monthly basis until AFW1 is operational. 

   3. For shipments already sent to AFW1, Amazon will continue to redirect them to a nearby fulfillment center at our cost. 

   4. For any inventory that has been redirected or is currently available in other fulfillment centers, those listings will remain sellable and we will fulfill customer orders with the available units. Any new shipments will go to a fulfillment center that can currently fulfill customer orders. If stranded inventory impacted your ability to sell, we will contact you with additional information and details. 

   5. If your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score is being affected by this closure, we will ensure your capacity limit is not negatively affected and will allow you extra capacity if necessary, beginning now and for at least 13 weeks after AFW1 is reopened. We’re aware that the stranded inventory can impact your IPI score and this incident was out of your control. We will share further details in the coming weeks to help navigate this situation.

Action requested: If you have created shipments planned for AFW1, but have not sent them yet, please delete these shipments and re-create them. A new shipping destination will be automatically assigned during the creation of the new shipment.

For additional details, go to “FAQ for the AFW1 closure”:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/G5HFTYE2FWA3N7G6

We are still actively investigating this incident and will update this page and share more details with impacted sellers as we have more information. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding and patience. 

The Fulfillment by Amazon team

I hope you found this update helpful. Many Amazon sellers recently started trading stocks and crypto currencies, hoping to diversify their income, which is a very good idea with all the uncertainty which comes with the platform. For this reason, we launched a new Facebook group, Crypto Arbitrage Income (Bitcoin, Crypto, Altcoins, Blockchain, Trading) – feel free to join us and forget about the troubles of selling on Amazon for a moment!

Regarding Amazon Seller Performance, you can always participate in our Amazon Seller Performance – Friendly Advice – Worldwide group, where you will be very welcome.

If you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with any Amazon-related issues such as suspensions, listing blocks or is looking for professional assistance, please don’t hesitate to subscribe to my new OnlyFans page at: www.onlyfans.com/kikaangelic

In case you are an Amazon Seller who needs help with Seller Identity Verification on Amazon, please feel free to watch my most detailed video on the subject, addressing all common questions:

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Impact of negative Product Reviews on your Amazon business

Kika Angelic

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Negative feedback is something that every business will experience at some point, and it can have a significant impact on product sales. When customers leave negative product reviews, it can be discouraging for business owners and employees, and it can also turn potential customers away. In this article, I will explore the impact that negative feedback can have on product sales.

Decreased Trust

Negative product reviews can decrease the trust that customers have in a product or an entire brand. If a customer sees negative feedback about a product, they may begin to question whether the product is worth buying. If they don’t trust a product, they are less likely to make a purchase.

Brand Damage

Negative product reviews can damage a brand’s reputation. When customers leave them, they can be seen by potential customers who are researching the product. If there is a pattern of negative comments, it can make a brand look unreliable, untrustworthy, or low-quality. Brand damage can be difficult to overcome, and it can have a long-lasting impact on sales.

Increased Customer Returns

Negative product reviews can lead to increased customer returns. If customers purchase a product in a hurry and then go through the reviews, they may choose to return the product for a refund or exchange. This can be costly for businesses, as they may need to absorb the cost of the return or exchange, as well as the cost of shipping.

Customer Loss

Negative product reviews can lead to the loss of customers. If a customer has a negative experience with a product, they may choose to take their business elsewhere. Additionally, if a customer sees negative comments about a product, they may be less likely to purchase from the brand again in the future. Losing customers can have a significant impact on sales, as it is more expensive to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones.

How to remove unwarranted product reviews on Amazon?

Here you can review the Amazon Community Guidelines:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201929730

If you believe that the review violates them, go into “Contact us” – “Products and inventory” and “Product reviews”.

Here you can submit a removal request which will take a few days to get reviewed.

Conclusion

Negative product reviews can have a significant impact on product sales. They can decrease trust, reduce sales, damage a brand’s reputation, increase returns, and lead to the loss of customers. To minimize the impact of negative comments on sales, businesses should focus on providing high-quality products and excellent customer service. Additionally, businesses should take negative feedback seriously and use it as an opportunity to improve their products and processes.

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Additionally, here you can watch my YouTube video, where I am presenting you several secret tips about appealing Amazon Seller Account suspensions (don’t be confused by the opening of the video, where I am enjoying a vacation – it’s a part of the story):

Many Amazon sellers recently started trading stocks and crypto currencies, hoping to diversify their income, which is a very good idea with all the uncertainty which comes with the platform. For this reason, we launched a new Facebook group, Crypto Arbitrage Income (Bitcoin, Crypto, Altcoins, Blockchain, Trading) – feel free to join us and forget about the troubles of selling on Amazon for a moment!

Regarding Amazon Seller Performance, you can always participate in our Amazon Seller Performance – Friendly Advice – Worldwide group, where you will be very welcome.

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