How to Handle Amazon FBA Missing Inventory Step by Step
TL;DR
Keep detailed records of all shipments, including receipts, tracking numbers, and product details.
Review inbound shipment issues, warehouse errors, and customer returns.
Collect packing slips, tracking info, invoices, and photos to support your claim when submitting to Amazon.
Use Amazon Seller Central to submit claims with clear descriptions and organized documentation to avoid delays.
Regularly check the status of your claim in Amazon's 'Case Log' and respond to any requests.
Conduct routine inventory audits and use tools like Refunzo to automate reconciliation and streamline the claims process.
Navigating the missing inventory problems with Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service can be challenging. The disappearance of goods that sellers have shipped to Amazon's fulfillment centers has a detrimental effect on sales, the overall condition of inventories, and the business's profitability. Knowing how to manage these situations well is necessary to keep operations stable and ensure that financial losses are kept to a minimum. The process requires meticulous documentation and swift action to identify, report, and resolve any discrepancies with Amazon in a rigorous approach.
The first step in handling missing goods is to meticulously monitor and examine every inventory shipment that is shipped to Amazon. For sellers to quickly identify any discrepancies between their inventory reports and Amazon's inventory reports, they need to have a systematic and transparent method for keeping records. Sellers can work with Amazon to resolve missing product issues by developing a systematic monitoring, reporting, and follow-up process. This proactive approach lessens the possibility of issues resulting from inventory errors and speeds up the FBA reimbursement procedure.
Step 1: Identify the missing inventory
The first step in handling missing inventory for Amazon FBA is to carefully note any differences between what you sent and what Amazon has documented. You can thoroughly review inventory records on your Amazon Seller Central account, which is where this procedure starts. These reports list the products that have been received, sold, and are currently stocked, enabling you to identify any discrepancies.
Keeping thorough shipment records, which include shipping receipts, tracking numbers, and lists of the kind and quantity of each item shipped, is essential for efficient tracking. When making any claims to Amazon regarding unsolved inconsistencies, this paperwork is crucial for validating the missing products. Frequent matching of your records with Amazon's data guarantees that any errors are found and fixed quickly.
Step 2: Investigate possible causes
Inbound shipment issues: To begin with, confirm that the items have been delivered to Amazon's fulfillment facilities. Verify the package tracking information to make sure every item was declared delivered. Items that were lost in transit before arriving at the warehouse may be indicated by any discrepancies or interruptions found in the delivery reports.
Internal warehouse issues: Several errors can occur in Amazon's warehouse operations, leading to missing goods. There could be discrepancies between the recorded and real stock due to misplaced items. Products that have been mislabeled may be improperly categorized or stored. Additionally, products may not be tracked correctly inside the inventory system due to mistakes made in scanning or inputting data during item delivery or while in storage.
Customer returns: Returns from customers can have a big impact on inventory accuracy. Returns may appear as missing during inventory counts if they are not correctly refilled. Further disparities can arise when returned goods are not re-entered into the available stock because they are damaged or deemed unsellable. To maintain proper stock levels, it's also essential to make sure that all returns are appropriately documented in the inventory system after they've been processed.
Step 3: Gather the necessary documentation
The gathering of all pertinent evidence to bolster your Amazon reimbursement claim is the third step in resolving missing inventory concerns with Amazon. This involves obtaining documentation of the shipment, such as packing slips that validate the contents of the cargo and accompany it, tracking numbers that prove the product was shipped and received by Amazon, and invoices that list the items and amounts sent. These records provide the essential evidence needed to show that the goods were shipped to Amazon's fulfillment centers.
It's also essential to keep a thorough record of any correspondence related to the shipment. This includes maintaining any emails you may have had with Amazon's customer service or any talks you may have had with the delivery company that shipped the goods. If at all feasible, pictures of the shipment taken prior to shipping must be attached as well. These images should accurately depict the state and packaging of the products, offering visual proof that may be vital in situations when products are reported lost or damaged upon arrival. Gathering and arranging these records methodically guarantees that you are ready to make a compelling argument when submitting a claim to Amazon.
Step 4: File a missing inventory claim with Amazon
Access inventory reports: Log into Amazon Seller Central, navigate to the 'Inventory' menu, and select 'Inventory Reports'.
Choose report type: Select a report such as "Inventory Event Detail Report" or "Daily Inventory History Report" relevant to the missing inventory issue.
Download and review: Download the report for the period in question and meticulously review it for discrepancies or errors that might explain the missing items.
Initiate a support case: Go to the 'Help' section, click on 'Contact Us', and select the 'Fulfillment by Amazon' category, then 'Investigate other FBA issues'.
Submit documentation and evidence: Clearly state the problem in the form and include any relevant supporting paperwork, including invoices, packing slips, tracking information, letters, and images of the package taken before delivery.
Step 5: Submit the claim
When you're ready to file the claim, make sure you provide a concise and clear description of the problem that explains the specifics of the difference and how it impacts your inventory. Include all previously obtained supporting documentation, including packing slips, invoices, tracking numbers, and any relevant photos or contact with Amazon or the shipping company. To give Amazon all the information it requires at once, the documentation should be arranged and presented understandably. To avoid any delays or further questions from Amazon, this comprehensive and in-depth submission is essential. This will enable a more efficient and quick resolution procedure.
Step 6: Follow up on the claim
Using Amazon Seller Central's 'Case Log' feature, you should keep a close eye on the status of your claim once you file it. You'll be able to keep up with any requests or developments from Amazon by doing this. To guarantee that the process proceeds without needless delays, if Amazon contacts you for more information or clarification, please reply as soon as possible with the relevant details. Do not hesitate to escalate the issue if your claim is denied without a valid cause or if it is denied after lengthy delays. You can accomplish this by getting in touch with Amazon directly through their support channels, where you can ask for an assessment or more information. To make sure that your problem is fixed and that you get any FBA reimbursements that are owed to you on time, proactive follow-up is important.
Step 7: Prevent future issues
Setting up routine audits is essential to reducing inconsistencies in the future and improving inventory management. By taking this proactive step, you can find inventory imbalances and fix them before they become more serious problems. By automating the reconciliation of your inventory data with Amazon's reported figures, technologies such as Refunzo can significantly facilitate this procedure, guaranteeing accuracy and saving time. It's also critical to keep thorough records of all shipments, payments, and correspondence about your inventory. This entails keeping track of all receipts, tracking data, and emails exchanged with logistics companies or Amazon. Having this extensive proof at your disposal accelerates the claims process, boosting its efficiency and improving the chances of successful reimbursement if inconsistencies recur.
Conclusion
Maintaining your company's health and profitability in Amazon's FBA program requires efficient management of missing inventory. You may protect your operations against large losses by adhering to organized procedures, which include spotting inconsistencies, looking into reasons, filing claims, and averting future problems. The implementation of routine inventory audits, accurate documentation, and prompt claim submissions are essential procedures that guarantee you receive fair compensation for any inventory errors.
Streamline your inventory management and simplify the reimbursement process with Refunzo. Our automated tools are designed to efficiently track your inventory, quickly identify discrepancies, and assist in the timely submission of reimbursement claims. Don't let Amazon FBA missing inventory disrupt your business—let Refunzo help you stay on top of your Amazon FBA operations. Contact us today to learn more about how Refunzo can protect and enhance your Amazon selling experience.
