Are you looking to improve and diversify your Amazon business by adding various fulfillment options? I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’ll teach you exactly how to sell Amazon FBA and FBM at the same time.
From my extensive experience in e-commerce, I’ve gained a deep understanding and appreciation for both Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM). I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about leveraging both methods simultaneously so you feel fully informed and prepared to maximize your Amazon sales and streamline your operations.
What Are Amazon FBA and FBM?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of selling both FBA and FBM, here’s a quick breakdown of what these terms mean. If you want a deeper dive, check out our comparison guide: Amazon FBA Vs FBM—Which Is Better?
What is Amazon FBA?
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a seller service where Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping of your products. You send your inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and they take care of the rest. This allows you to benefit from Amazon’s extensive logistics network and customer service capabilities.
What is Amazon FBM?
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) means that you, the seller, handle all aspects of storage, packaging, and shipping. This seller method gives you more control over your inventory and fulfillment processes, but it also requires more time and resources on your part.
Can You Do FBA and FBM at the Same Time?
Yes, you absolutely can sell FBA and FBM at the same time. The beauty of Amazon’s platform is its flexibility. Using FBA and FBM allows you to diversify your fulfillment strategies and optimize your business operations. Let me show you how to get started:
Step 1: List your product twice
You’ll need to create two separate listings for the same product—one for FBA and one for FBM. This way, you can manage stock levels for both fulfillment methods and ensure you’re always meeting customer demand. Plus, two listings increases your chances of a sale.
Here’s the simplest way to do it:
- Create a new MSKU for the same product or ASIN.
- Using the ASIN, search for the product you wish to sell both FBA and FBM.
- Either on the product page or via the search bar, click on the “Sell Yours” button.
- From here, enter a SKU, choose your price, your quantity, and your preferred method for selling. This will create a smaller secondary listing, linked to the first. Doing it this way means you won’t have to monitor both listings for any future changes.
Option 2:
If you don’t want to do it the way I explained above, you could also create a new listing like you created the original. Just know that if you want to change images or descriptions in the future you’ll have to change them across both listings.
Option 3:
Another way you can do FBA and FBM at the same time is through your inventory listing. Head to “Manage Inventory” and find the product you want to edit. At the end of the listing, you should see the option to “Add Another Condition.” Now, adding another price to the product, another condition, and either FBA or FBM is possible.
Step 2: Manage Inventory Smartly
You should allocate some of your inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers while keeping the rest in your warehouse. This lets you quickly switch between FBA and FBM depending on factors like demand spikes or stock shortages.
Step 3: Leverage the Benefits of Both FBA and FBM
You’ll want to use FBA and FBM strategically to maximize business operations. I recommend using FBA for high-demand items that require quick shipping and FBM for slower-moving products or those with tighter margins.
What Happens If You Sell FBA and FBM?
When you sell both FBA and FBM, there will be times when you’ll be expected to fulfill a delivery and other times that Amazon will do it for you. All you have to do is keep track of your listings, and make sure the orders fulfilled by you are delivered quickly, efficiently, and to a high standard.
Keep in mind this means that you’ll still have to pay Amazon FBA fees when necessary.
Pros and Cons of Selling Both FBA and FBM
Selling FBA and FBM might seem like a lot of work, but there are plenty of reasons why this might be the best decision for your business. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling FBA and FBM simultaneously.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Avoid stockouts • More flexibility to adapt to customer demands • Reduced risk of fulfillment delays • Increased chance of making a sale • Target non-Prime customers • Diversify your business | • It can be complicated to manage to fulfillment methods • Potential for customer confusion with two product listings |
As you can tell from the number of pros vs. cons, selling via both fulfillment options is often the best way to approach your Amazon business. It might require some extra effort, but the extra control, opportunities for diversification, and ability to avoid stock-outs and delays shouldn’t be overlooked.
Final Thoughts: Should You Sell FBA and FBM?
Combining FBA and FBM can be a game-changer for your Amazon business. It offers flexibility, mitigates risks, and can ultimately lead to higher customer satisfaction. I don’t want to downplay the complexity of selling both FBA and FBM—it does require careful planning and management. But if you’re prepared to invest the time and resources into managing both fulfillment methods, the rewards can be substantial.
