What’s the real cost of Amazon’s FBA mistakes and how to claim your refunds

TL;DR

• Amazon FBA mistakes can quietly cost you money without you realizing.

• Lost inventory, damaged products, and overcharged fees can add up fast.

• Missing reimbursement deadlines means lost money you can’t recover.

• These mistakes hurt more than profits; they can damage your reputation too.

• Regular audits and tracking are key to catching FBA errors before they grow.

• Refunzo automates tracking and claims, helping you recover money faster.

Your FBA sales are booming, orders are flying off the virtual shelves, and you’re feeling great about your business. Everything looks perfect on the surface.

But behind the scenes, things aren’t so smooth.

Amazon’s fulfillment centers are busy. Mistakes happen. And those mistakes are quietly costing you money.

Inventory gets lost in the shuffle. Products get damaged before they even reach the customer. Fees are miscalculated.

What does that mean for you?

It means missed reimbursements and money slipping through your fingers without you even knowing.

Most sellers don’t realize just how much they’re losing until it’s too late. They assume Amazon will automatically catch the errors and refund them. But that’s not how it works.

The real cost of these FBA mistakes can add up fast, eating into your hard-earned profits. And if you don’t take action, that money is gone for good.

So, what’s the real cost of Amazon’s FBA mistakes?

And more importantly, how do you claim back what’s rightfully yours?

Let’s find out.

Quick guide

• What does an FBA mistake really cost?

• How often do these mistakes happen?

• Does Amazon pay all the money back?

• How do FBA mistakes affect Amazon sellers?

• Proactive steps to reduce FBA mistakes and recover your money

• The real cost of ignoring FBA mistakes

What does an FBA mistake really cost?

Mistakes happen in Amazon’s FBA process more often than you think. Inventory gets lost, items are damaged in transit, or fees are miscalculated.

Each of these mistakes can chip away at your bottom line.

For example, a single lost item might not seem like much—but if 100 units go missing, and each costs $20, that’s a $2,000 loss right there.

And then there’s the hidden cost of overcharged FBA fees. Miscalculated storage fees or wrong dimensional weight charges could drain hundreds or even thousands of dollars before you catch on.

But it’s not just about the money.

These mistakes can hurt more than your wallet.

Lost inventory means stockouts, leading to missed sales opportunities when customers are ready to buy. And what about damaged goods? That leads to unhappy customers, higher return rates, and potential negative reviews.

Over time, these issues can tarnish your reputation, slow down your cash flow, and impact how fast you can scale.

So, the real cost of FBA mistakes is more than just lost money—it’s lost growth, trust, and momentum in your business.

How often do these mistakes happen?

Amazon has over 185 FBA fulfillment centers worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of employees working round the clock to process millions of orders. 

These centers operate like well-oiled machines—products are scanned, stored, picked, packed, and shipped at breakneck speed.

But think about it for a second: do you believe all those workers in all those fulfillment centers can perform their tasks flawlessly, without a single slip-up?

Of course not.

Human error is inevitable, especially in a system as massive and complex as Amazon’s. And while technology helps reduce mistakes, the reality is that errors still happen every day. From mislabeling to misplaced items, there’s always a chance something will go wrong.

Now, throw in the holidays or high-sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, or Valentine’s Day.

What does Amazon do during these times?

They hire even more help to keep up with the surge in demand.

But here's the catch: while these temporary workers help manage the volume, they aren’t always as trained or as experienced as full-time staff. And that’s when mistakes multiply.

An untrained worker might place your products in the wrong bin or miscount inventory. A rushed process could lead to damaged goods during fulfillment or shipment.

So during these peak seasons, with more people and more packages than ever before, do you think Amazon can guarantee every single one of their workers will operate without any mistakes?

Not really.

The reality is, the bigger the rush, the higher the chance of errors—and those mistakes could cost you big. 

Whether it’s lost inventory, delayed shipments, or mishandled returns, each error is a blow to your bottom line.

And if you’re not keeping a close eye on your FBA account, these mistakes will slip right past you.

Does Amazon pay all the money back?

No, Amazon doesn’t always pay all the money back.

When Amazon reimburses you for lost or damaged inventory, they don’t typically give you the full retail price of your product. Instead, they calculate what they call a “reasonable reimbursement value.”

What does that mean?

Well, they factor in the average selling price of your item over the last 90 days, minus fees like FBA fees and other charges. So the amount you actually get back is often lower than what you originally sold the product for.

Here’s an example to make it clearer:

Let’s say you sell a product for $50 on Amazon, and it gets lost in the warehouse.

When Amazon issues you a reimbursement, they might look at the recent selling price and determine it’s averaging $45. Then, they deduct the fulfillment fees, which might be $5. So, instead of getting $50, you’re reimbursed $40.

It’s still money back, but it’s not the full value you might have expected.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Amazon also caps the amount they’re willing to pay based on the item’s category. So if you’re selling something high-end or with a premium price tag, you might not recover the full cost of the item if it’s lost.

So while Amazon's reimbursement helps, you’re likely losing out on a portion of your potential profit.

And if you’re not tracking these issues closely, you could be missing even more opportunities to recover those losses.

How do FBA mistakes affect Amazon sellers?

FBA mistakes can feel like a small hiccup, but for Amazon sellers, they can have serious ripple effects.

When inventory goes missing, gets damaged, or doesn’t make it back from returns, it’s not just about the lost product. 

The impact stretches beyond that—costing sellers money, time, and even their reputation.

Each error made in the fulfillment process can quietly chip away at profits, and if sellers aren’t vigilant, they could lose more than just inventory. 

The worst part? These mistakes often go unnoticed until it’s too late to fix them.

Here’s how FBA mistakes affect sellers:

1) Lost revenue

When items are misplaced or damaged, the immediate loss is the cost of that inventory. If it’s not reimbursed, it’s money straight out of your pocket.

2) Customer dissatisfaction

Delayed or missing shipments can lead to unhappy customers. Negative reviews can follow, which damages your brand’s reputation.

3) Lowered stock availability

Lost inventory can lead to stockouts. When you can’t fulfill orders, it can lead to missed sales opportunities, especially during high-demand periods.

4) Time-consuming claims process

Filing and managing Amazon inventory reimbursement claims takes time. That’s time you could be spending growing your business, not chasing refunds.

5) Decreased seller ranking

Stockouts or late shipments can negatively impact your seller rating, which can hurt your visibility and sales on Amazon.

6) Missed reimbursements

If you don’t catch mistakes early, the opportunity to file a claim may pass. Missed deadlines mean missed money.

7) Cash flow issues

Inventory tied up in mistakes or awaiting reimbursement can create cash flow problems, limiting your ability to restock or invest in growth.

FBA mistakes might seem small in the short term, but they can have a domino effect that impacts multiple areas of your business. 

Staying on top of them is critical to maintaining a healthy, profitable operation.

Proactive steps to reduce FBA mistakes and recover your money

FBA mistakes are inevitable, but the good news is, with the right steps, you can catch these errors before they snowball into bigger problems. 

The key is being proactive. By taking action early, you not only reduce the chances of errors, but also make sure that when they happen, you’re in a strong position to recover your money.

Whether it's keeping a closer eye on your inventory or being more diligent with your claims process, a little effort upfront can save you a lot of headaches (and money) down the road.

Here are some proactive steps you can take to reduce FBA mistakes and recover your funds:

1) Monitor your inventory regularly

Check your stock levels frequently to ensure there are no discrepancies. Catching missing or miscounted items early gives you more time to resolve issues before they become major losses.

2) Set up automated alerts

Use tools that notify you when there are changes in your inventory, such as stock outs or mislabeling. This helps you act quickly on potential problems.

3) Audit your FBA reports

Review key reports like the Inventory Adjustments Report, Reconciliation Report, and FBA Shipments Page regularly to spot any errors. The sooner you identify discrepancies, the faster you can file claims.

4) File claims promptly

Don’t wait until the end of the year to file claims. Act immediately when you notice a mistake. Remember, Amazon has strict deadlines, and missing them means you lose your chance at Amazon FBA refund reimbursement.

5) Stay organized with documentation

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation on hand, including shipment IDs, invoices, and SKU details. Having thorough records makes it easier to submit a valid claim and recover your funds quickly.

6) Hire Amazon FBA reimbursement services

If tracking every little error sounds overwhelming, consider using an Amazon seller reimbursement services. These tools monitor your account for mistakes, file claims on your behalf, and ensure that no reimbursements slip through the cracks.

7) Train your team on FBA policies

Make sure anyone handling your inventory understands Amazon’s FBA policies, especially around packaging, shipping, and storage requirements. The fewer mistakes you make on your end, the fewer issues you’ll have with Amazon’s system.

8) Regularly review Amazon’s policies

Amazon updates its reimbursement policies and deadlines from time to time. Stay informed about the latest changes so you don’t miss out on opportunities to claim refunds.

By staying proactive and on top of potential FBA issues, you can minimize costly mistakes and make sure your business stays profitable—even when things go wrong.

The real cost of ignoring FBA mistakes

Amazon makes mistakes. And while you can’t blame them for every slip-up, you can claim the money you’re owed.

From lost inventory to overcharged fees, these errors happen more often than you think—especially during peak seasons when everything is moving at lightning speed.

That’s why it’s crucial to stay proactive.

Waiting until the end of the year or assuming Amazon will catch every mistake could cost you thousands.

But here’s the thing—keeping up with all these errors yourself? That’s no easy task.

And that’s where Refunzo can help.

Refunzo is designed to catch these FBA mistakes before they cost you big. It monitors your account in real-time, tracks every lost or damaged item, and files claims on your behalf. You won’t miss Amazon FBA inventory reimbursements, and you won’t have to sift through endless reports or deadlines.

Whether it’s a missing item, a damaged return, or an overcharged fee, Refunzo has your back. It’s like having an extra set of eyes on your FBA account—so you can focus on growing your business.

Because when it comes to Amazon’s mistakes, you can’t afford to let them go unnoticed.

The bottom line? You’ve worked hard for your sales—Refunzo makes sure you keep every dollar you’ve earned. Now that’s what we call a win.