As an Amazon seller, the efficiency and accuracy of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) are crucial to your business’s success. However, there can be moments when you discover that some of your inventory is missing or misplaced within Amazon’s fulfillment centers. This can cause frustration, lost sales, and, in some cases, unnecessary financial losses. But don’t panic! If you’re facing missing inventory at FBA, there are steps you can take to address the issue effectively.
In this post, we’ll explore what you should do when your inventory goes missing at FBA and how you can resolve it with the right steps.
1. Double-Check Your Inventory Reports
Before jumping to conclusions, it’s important to make sure the issue isn’t a result of miscommunication or data errors. Amazon provides several reports that allow you to track your inventory at different fulfillment centers. The most common one is the Inventory Adjustment Report.
What to do:
- Go to Seller Central and review the Inventory Adjustments Report to confirm whether any inventory discrepancies are documented.
- Check if there have been any discrepancies noted, such as inventory being removed or transferred between warehouses.
By doing this, you can verify if there are any system errors or whether the issue stems from your shipments or inventory management.
2. Open an Investigation with Amazon Seller Support
If you’ve confirmed that your inventory is indeed missing, it’s time to reach out to Amazon Seller Support. They can open an investigation to identify where your inventory went and whether it was misplaced during fulfillment or transit.
What to do:
- Contact Amazon Seller Support via the “Help” section in your Seller Central account.
- Provide them with all the relevant information, such as your shipment ID, the product ASIN, and the quantity that’s missing.
- Request that they open an investigation into the issue and ask for the next steps to resolve it.
Amazon’s support team will then escalate the issue to the appropriate department for investigation. In some cases, Amazon may locate your inventory, or they may offer compensation if they find that your inventory was lost within the fulfillment center.
3. Submit an FBA Case for Missing Inventory
If after contacting Amazon, your inventory is still unaccounted for, you may need to submit an FBA case. This step is critical if you believe that the inventory loss is due to Amazon’s error.
What to do:
- In Seller Central, navigate to the FBA Issues section and select Create a Case.
- Choose the relevant option for “Missing Inventory” and submit all necessary details, including shipment IDs, product details, and quantities.
- Be clear in your case submission about the missing inventory and provide any documentation you have (like receipts, tracking info, etc.).
Amazon’s investigation team will review your case and work to resolve it. If they determine that Amazon is at fault, they may compensate you for the lost inventory.
4. Track and Document All Communications
It’s essential to maintain clear and organized records of all communications with Amazon support. In case the issue escalates or you need to follow up, having all the relevant information on hand will speed up the resolution process.
What to do:
- Keep a detailed log of all conversations with Amazon Seller Support, including case numbers, dates, and responses from Amazon.
- Document any additional steps or actions you’ve taken to address the issue.
This will help you stay organized and provide useful reference material if the issue remains unresolved and you need to escalate it further.
5. Request Reimbursement for Lost Inventory
If Amazon’s investigation concludes that the inventory is missing due to their fault (e.g., it was lost at the warehouse, damaged beyond saleable condition, or misplaced), you may be eligible for reimbursement.
What to do:
- After Amazon resolves the case, request reimbursement for the missing inventory if they find Amazon at fault.
- Amazon may provide you with a reimbursement for the lost products or offer a voucher in some cases.
6. Prevent Future Inventory Losses
While it’s essential to address current issues, it’s also critical to put measures in place to prevent missing inventory in the future. Proactive steps can minimize the chances of facing inventory loss and missing stock again.
What to do:
- Ensure proper labeling: Make sure your products are correctly labeled and packaged according to Amazon’s FBA labeling guidelines to prevent fulfillment errors.
- Track your shipments: Keep a close eye on your shipments by using shipment tracking to monitor when your inventory reaches Amazon’s warehouse.
- Audit your inventory regularly: Periodically check your FBA inventory reports to make sure all your stock is accounted for.
By staying on top of your inventory management, you can catch any issues early and reduce the risk of losses moving forward.
Conclusion: Stay Calm and Take Action
Missing inventory at FBA can be a headache, but it’s not the end of the world. By following these steps—double-checking your inventory, contacting Amazon Seller Support, submitting an FBA case, and requesting reimbursement—you can resolve the issue effectively. Don’t forget to take preventive measures to reduce future inventory losses.
If you ever find yourself unsure or overwhelmed by this process, Amazppc is here to assist with handling your FBA-related issues, including inventory management and PPC campaigns. Contact us today to help navigate and optimize your Amazon business.