Why Halloween is the Perfect Time to Audit Your FBA reimbursements

TL;DR

• Halloween is the perfect time to audit your FBA reimbursements before inventory mistakes haunt you.

• Amazon’s new FBA update helps, but manual claims still need close attention to avoid losing money.

• Missed reimbursements can cost thousands, especially with the holiday season in full swing.

• Don’t let returns or stock issues turn into nightmares—stay organized and proactive.

• Refunzo tracks your inventory and flags missed reimbursements, saving you time and money.

The ghosts and goblins may be out for Halloween, but the real monsters?

They’re hiding in your FBA account.

October is more than just spooky decorations and trick-or-treating.

It’s the month when your Amazon inventory is moving fast, and mistakes are lurking where you least expect them.

Lost items.
Misplaced stock.
Unclaimed reimbursements.

The holiday season is creeping up, and if you don’t get ahead now, those inventory errors will haunt you come January.

That’s why Halloween is the perfect time to audit your FBA reimbursements.

You don’t want missing money hanging around like a ghost. And the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to claim what’s yours.

So grab your flashlight—let’s shine a light on those dark corners of your account. It’s time to make sure Amazon isn’t keeping more than it should.

Quick guide

• The tricks Amazon plays with your FBA reimbursements

• Why missing reimbursements are scarier than you think

• Why is Halloween the perfect time for an FBA audit?

• How to avoid post-Halloween inventory nightmares

• How Refunzo can help?
  
  

The tricks Amazon plays with your FBA reimbursements

Not every trick comes with a treat.

When it comes to your FBA account, some things are sneakier than you realize.

Amazon’s fulfillment process is huge.

And with so much inventory moving through their centers, mistakes happen—more often than you might think.

Items go missing.
The stock gets damaged.
Returns don’t always make it back.

The scary part?

If you’re not paying attention, these issues can go unnoticed. And the money you’re owed slips through the cracks.

But these “tricks” don’t have to cost you.

Let’s take a look at what you should watch for:

1. Lost inventory in Amazon’s fulfillment centers: Sometimes your stock just vanishes. It gets lost in the shuffle, never making it to its final destination. When that happens, Amazon owes you—but only if you catch it.

2. Damaged goods during fulfillment: Even though Amazon handles the fulfillment, accidents happen. If your items are damaged while in their care, you’re due a reimbursement.

3. Customer returns that go missing: Not every return makes it back to the warehouse. And when it doesn’t? That’s another opportunity for a reimbursement you might miss.

4. Miscalculated fees: Amazon sometimes charges you the wrong amount for fulfillment, storage, or returns. If you don’t audit these fees, you could be paying more than you should.

5. Lost or damaged removal orders: When you request your inventory back, it doesn’t always arrive safely. Items can get lost or damaged in transit, and those are claims you need to file to get reimbursed.

6. Overcharged weight and size fees: Amazon uses weight and size to determine fulfillment costs. But sometimes, the measurements are wrong, and you end up overpaying. If you don’t check these, Amazon won’t fix it on its own.

7. Returns not processed on time: Some customers return items late, but Amazon forgets to process the refund. If this happens, you can still file a claim and get your money back.

The more you dig, the more you’ll find that these “tricks” can add up fast.

And the worst part?

They can go unnoticed if you’re not paying close attention.

Now, think about how much these missed Amazon FBA reimbursements could cost you.

The numbers might be scarier than you realize.

Why missing reimbursements are scarier than you think

You’ve seen the tricks Amazon plays.

But here’s the real fright—missing Amazon inventory reimbursement might be costing you more than you realize.

We’re not just talking about a few dollars here and there. When inventory slips through the cracks, it can add up to thousands.

And with the holiday season in full swing, those mistakes multiply fast.

Think about it: One lost item might not seem like much. But what happens when it’s ten? Or fifty?

Amazon doesn’t always catch those missing pieces.

That’s up to you.

And if you’re not looking, the money you’re owed is quietly vanishing.

Now, here’s where it gets even scarier.

Many sellers don’t audit their reimbursements regularly. Neither do they hire Amazon seller reimbursement services.

They assume Amazon will handle it. But Amazon’s system isn’t foolproof—and that’s where the problem lies.

Even with Amazon’s new FBA update, where they promise proactive reimbursements, things can still go wrong.

Starting November 1, 2024, Amazon will automatically reimburse for lost or damaged items in their fulfillment centers.

That’s great, but it’s not a reliable fix.

There will still be cases where items go missing or get damaged, and Amazon doesn’t catch it.

And while they’re reducing the need for manual claims, they aren’t eliminating it.

If something slips through the cracks and you don’t act fast, you could lose money.

Amazon has also updated their deadlines for manual claims. And if you miss these windows, your chance to file for reimbursement is gone.

Let’s break it down:

• Lost or damaged items in a fulfillment center: You now have 60 days from the date the item was reported lost or damaged to file a claim. Miss it, and that reimbursement is out of reach.

• FBA customer returns: You can file a claim between 60 and 120 days after the refund or replacement date. But don’t file before 60 days—Amazon needs time to process the return.

• Removal claims for items lost in transit: You can file a claim between 15 and 75 days from the shipment creation date. Filing before 15 days? It’s too early. Miss the 75-day deadline? No reimbursement.

• All other removal claims: You have 60 days from the shipment being delivered back to you to file a claim. After that, your window closes.

Miss these deadlines, and your reimbursements disappear.

No second chances.

That’s why staying on top of your inventory and claims is more critical than ever.

So what starts as a small oversight can turn into a significant loss. One that creeps up on you slowly, without warning.

The bottom line?

Missing reimbursements aren’t just small mistakes—they’re costly ones.

And they can haunt your business long after the holiday season ends.

Why is Halloween the perfect time for an FBA audit?

Halloween is more than just costumes and candy—it’s the calm before the holiday storm.

That’s exactly why this is the perfect time for an FBA audit.

Right now, your inventory is moving quickly, but things haven’t yet reached the chaotic holiday peak.

It’s the sweet spot for catching any issues before they escalate.

Lost items? Damaged goods? Missed reimbursements?

You’re more likely to spot them now than when you’re drowning in holiday orders.

If you wait, things get complicated.

By the time you hit November, holiday sales will be in full swing.

Mistakes will start piling up faster, and they’ll be harder to catch.

And by January?

You’re not only facing the holiday aftermath of returns and customer inquiries.

You’re also racing against Amazon’s reimbursement deadlines.

Here’s the real risk: Amazon has strict deadlines for filing claims.

If you don’t audit now, you risk missing those crucial windows to file.

• For items lost or damaged in the fulfillment center, you’ve got 60 days.

• For FBA customer returns, you can file between 60 and 120 days after the refund or replacement date.

• And for removal claims on items lost in transit, it’s 15 to 75 days.

Miss any of those deadlines, and your money is gone for good.

Waiting until January to audit means you’re playing catch-up.

You’ll be busy handling holiday returns and dealing with stock issues.

Chasing down reimbursements on top of that? Not ideal.

But if you audit now, you’ll catch those missed reimbursements before they turn into a bigger problem.

No scrambling in January. No lost profits. Just a clean, organized FBA account heading into the new year.

So, why not use this time to get ahead?

The sooner you audit, the better prepared you’ll be for the holiday rush.

How to avoid post-Halloween inventory nightmares

November and December bring their own set of challenges, and if you don’t stay on top of your inventory now, things could get spooky fast.

Here’s how you can avoid the post-Halloween inventory nightmares.

1. Stay ahead of returns: Halloween costumes and decorations mean one thing: returns. And they’re coming. Start preparing now by tracking your inventory closely and setting up systems to handle those post-holiday returns quickly.

2. Double-check your stock levels: With the holiday season right around the corner, you need to know exactly what’s in your warehouse. Misplaced items or inaccurate stock counts can lead to stockouts or overselling—both of which are nightmare material. Audit your stock now before you get buried in orders.

3. File claims as soon as you spot an issue: Found something missing or damaged? Don’t wait. Amazon’s claim deadlines are strict, and the longer you wait, the more likely it is that you’ll miss your reimbursement window. File now, not later.

4. Automate where you can: Manually tracking every little inventory movement is a recipe for disaster. Set up automation tools to flag inventory discrepancies or delays. This way, nothing gets missed, and you stay in control.

5. Watch out for damaged returns: Not all returns come back in one piece. Make sure you inspect every returned item carefully. If something is damaged, file a claim immediately to get reimbursed.

6. Keep your team in the loop: Communication is key. Make sure your entire team knows the importance of tracking inventory and handling claims on time. If everyone is on the same page, you’re less likely to face inventory nightmares.

Avoiding these post-Halloween horrors isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation.

Handle your inventory now, and you won’t be haunted by missing stock and lost reimbursements when the holiday sales hit.

How Refunzo can help?

Halloween might be the season of scares, but your FBA reimbursements shouldn’t be one of them.

With the holiday rush creeping up, it’s easy to lose track of what Amazon owes you.

But instead of chasing down every missed reimbursement yourself, Refunzo, being one of the best Amazon reimbursement services, does the work for you.

Real-time tracking

• Refunzo keeps an eye on your inventory, so you don’t have to.

• As soon as something goes missing or gets damaged, Refunzo flags it.

• That way, you can act before those missed dollars disappear for good.

Automatic alerts

• You don’t need to dig through endless reports.

• Refunzo sends you real-time alerts when something’s wrong.

• You’ll know exactly when to file a claim and avoid missing Amazon’s strict deadlines.

Seamless claim filing

• Manual claims can feel like a nightmare, especially during the holiday season.

• Refunzo simplifies the process, guiding you step-by-step so nothing gets left behind.

• And the best part? You won’t miss those crucial deadlines.

Stay ahead of the game

• Instead of getting caught up in the holiday chaos, Refunzo helps you stay ahead.

• You’ll catch those hidden reimbursements before they turn into a post-holiday horror show.

• Let Refunzo handle the refunds while you focus on growing your sales.

This Halloween, don’t let your profits vanish like ghosts.

Refunzo is here to make sure you get every dollar Amazon owes you—no tricks, just treats.