When it comes to selling your products on Amazon, you have two fulfillment options to choose from, Amazon FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant), which involves shipping directly to customers using a shipping service, or utilizing Amazon’s FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) program. Which one is better?  This question is common among Amazon sellers. Both programs have pros and cons, so you’ll need to think about your specific business needs and choose the best option based upon that criteria. This article will compare Amazon FBA vs. FBM in detail to help you make a smart choice.

What is FBA?

FBA is an acronym for “Fulfillment by Amazon.” It’s a business model in which a business sells products on Amazon, and Amazon then takes care of all the logistics, including picking, packing, and shipping the products to customers. FBA is one of the most popular ways businesses sell their products.

With so many advantages to selling through Amazon FBA, which we will discuss later in this article, it’s no wonder why several businesses are looking into FBA as their fulfillment option.

What is FBM?

Amazon FBM, which stands for “Fulfillment by Merchant,” is the fulfillment option in which the seller stores, packs, and ships the items to customers. In Amazon FBM, the seller ships the products directly to the customer and is in charge of the entire fulfillment process. This option offers greater control and flexibility over the fulfillment process but also comes with the added responsibility of handling the shipping and storage of the products.

Amazon FBA Pros and Cons 

Pros of FBA

• Prime Eligibility

Customers with Amazon Prime prefer products that are fulfilled by Amazon, which gives FBA sellers an edge over FBM sellers.

It increases FBA sellers’ exposure and can lead to more customers visiting their Amazon stores.

• Order Fulfillment

Like most small business owners, you’re constantly juggling a dizzying array of tasks, from marketing to inventory to customer service. 

But one challenge you will face is fulfilling orders. That’s where FBA comes in – handling the order fulfillment, so you can take some of the pressure off you.

• Returns and Customer Service

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) also takes care of returns and customer service for the seller, making the process easy and quick for the customer. This can greatly improve the customer experience and enhance the seller’s reputation. With Amazon’s well-established customer service system, customers can quickly initiate returns or resolve any issues with their purchases, which can reduce the seller’s workload and minimize the risk of negative feedback.

This can make customers happier and more loyal in the long run, which can help the seller’s business grow over time.

• Warehousing and Handling Hassel

FBA is hassle-free for inventory management because Amazon handles your warehousing, logistics, and fulfillment. It means you don’t have to worry about inventory management or managing stock, which can save you time and money in the long run.

• Multi-channel fulfillment:

Multi-channel fulfillment is another key benefit of Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). With this feature, sellers can fulfill orders from multiple sales channels, such as their own website, through a single fulfillment solution, streamlining their operations and saving time and resources. This allows sellers to reach customers through multiple channels and increase their sales potential.

• Global Reach

Another benefit of Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is its ability to help sellers reach customers globally. With Amazon’s huge network of warehouses and distribution centers all over the world, sellers can reach more customers and enter new markets, and customers can get their orders quickly and reliably no matter where they live.

This global reach opens up new opportunities for sellers and can lead to increased sales and growth.

Cons of FBA

• More Returns

Amazon’s open return policy can cause some sellers to get more returns or get returns more often than they used to. Even though the open return policy may be good for customers, it can also be hard on sellers, who may have to pay for products that are returned. This can impact their profitability and make it more difficult to manage their business effectively.

Therefore, it’s important for sellers to consider the potential impact of Amazon’s open return policy on their business and plan accordingly. This may include implementing strategies to reduce the number of returns, such as providing clear product descriptions and offering high-quality products.

• Lead Time

It can take several days for products to reach Amazon’s fulfillment centers, adding lead time to the fulfillment process. This can impact delivery times and customer satisfaction, especially for customers who expect fast shipping.

In order to maintain customer satisfaction and ensure timely delivery, sellers should continuously monitor their FBA stock levels and proactively send in more inventory before it runs low. This attention to detail and proactive approach can ensure a smooth and efficient fulfillment process.

Now that we have understood what Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is and its pros and cons, let’s discuss Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).

Amazon FBM Pros and Cons

Pros of FBM

• More Control Over Inventory 

FBM gives sellers full control over all parts of the fulfillment process, such as managing inventory, shipping, and customer service. This allows sellers to personalize their operations and tailor them to the unique needs of their business.

• Cost Saving

The FBM model has lower fees compared to Amazon’s FBA. You don’t have to pay for storing products in Amazon’s warehouses, and there are reduced fees in other areas. This leads to higher profit margins for your products, especially if they have small margins to begin with. However, it’s important to note that you still have to pay Amazon a fee for each sale (the Amazon Referral Fee) and cover the shipping expenses yourself.

• Flexibility

FBM offers sellers greater flexibility regarding shipping options, packaging materials, and handling returns. This allows sellers to customize their operations to meet the specific needs of their customers, including faster shipping times, special packaging requests, and streamlined return processes.

• Data Access

By handling fulfillment in-house, sellers using FBM have direct access to valuable customer information and order data. This allows them to gain insights into customer behavior and preferences and make informed business decisions that can help improve customer satisfaction and increase sales.

Cons of FBM

• Returns and Customer Service

As an FBM seller on Amazon, you are responsible for handling all customer service inquiries, including returns, product inquiries, shipping issues, and any other customer concerns. This requires a system for timely response, resolution of issues, and management of returns.

While good customer service can increase customer satisfaction and drive sales, it can also be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially for small businesses.

• Buy Box

To secure the Buy Box, FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) sellers face a greater challenge than FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) sellers. The fulfillment method plays a critical role in deciding who wins the Buy Box. To increase their chances, FBM sellers may need to adjust their pricing strategy, potentially lowering their prices to make themselves more competitive.

Wrapping Up!

Amazon FBA vs. FBM, Which is best for your business? There are a lot of comparisons to be made between the two business models, and it can be a tough decision.

FBA is better for high volume, higher margin products where sellers don’t want to handle storing and shipping. FBM is better for small-scale, low-margin, or one-off products where the seller is okay with storing and shipping products. If you like having more control over your inventory, then FBM is for you. However, if you like the idea of Amazon storing and dealing with returns, FBA is the way to go.

We hope this article has helped you understand what’s better for you in the Amazon FBA vs. FBM debate. Still have questions?  Enlist your SPCTek’s experts to get a Free Consultation today.