Looking to improve and diversify your Amazon business by adding a variety of fulfillment options?
Although how to add both FBA and FBM product listings may not be immediately obvious, it is possible. And it could have a profit-boosting effect on your business.
FBA and FBM are Amazon seller fulfillment methods. FBA relies on Amazon to take control of shipping and storage, while FBM puts responsibility in the sellers hands. Both methods have their advantages and drawbacks, which is why you might consider using both.
To find out how to list a product both FBA and FBM on Amazon, take a look at this guide. We’ll tell you how to do it, and why it might be the best thing for your business.
What Are Amazon FBA And Amazon FBM?
FBA and FBM are two methods that sellers can use on Amazon. FBA stands for “Fulfillment By Amazon”, and Amazon can store and ship products. FBM is “Fulfilled By Merchant”, and the merchant takes responsibility for shipping and inventory.
FBA is a popular choice for sellers, as Amazon fulfillment centers can take control of the storage and shipping, helping business owners to reach a larger customer base easily. Amazon also takes responsibility for customer service with FBA. There is a fee to sell Amazon FBA.
FBM, on the other hand, puts control back into the sellers hands. The seller is in charge of storage and shipping, and also has to deal with customer complaints. There’s no need to pay extra Amazon fees, and you can organize the business as you choose.
FBA and FBM both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re struggling to decide which method is better for your business, then you might prefer to combine the two, and sell both Amazon FBA and FBM.
How To Sell FBA And FBM At The Same Time
It is possible to sell both Amazon FBA and FBM at the same time. This allows you to make the most of the benefits of FBA and FBM. So, how do you do it?
To sell an item both FBA and FBM at the same time, you need to 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.
If you don’t want to do it this way, you can create a new listing in the same way you created the original. However, if you want to change images or descriptions in the future, make sure to change across the listings.
Another way to sell both FBA and FBM 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, it’s possible to add another price to the product, another condition, and either FBA or FBM.
With these methods, you can sell an item both Fulfilled by Amazon and Fulfilled by Merchant. There will also be two listings, which can help to drive more sales towards you.
If you want to sell both FBA and FBM, then you will have to pay the FBA fees when necessary.
These tips are for selling a single product both FBA and FBM. If you want to sell some products FBA and some FBM, the method isn’t quite so complex. Just set your preferences when you add a listing.
Then, it’s down to you to monitor your account and respond to your orders as needed.
What Happens If You Sell Both FBA And FBM?
If you sell both FBA and FBM, then sometimes you’ll be expected to fulfill a delivery, and sometimes Amazon will be in charge of shipping and storage.
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.
Why Sell FBA And FBM At The Same Time?
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.
Avoid Stock-Out Problems
Stock-outs can feel like a disaster, and when an order is FBA, there’s little you can do to negate these issues. But if the listing is both FBA and FBM, you have a little more control during these stock-outs.
FBM listings may not get the same level of sales, but they ensure you don’t fall out of the keyword rankings entirely. And customers will be happy to see that their favorite product is still in stock, which improves customer satisfaction.
Target Non-Prime Customers
Amazon Prime members receive free 2-day shipping on most items. These customers are already familiar with Amazon, and they’re likely to buy from them again.
Non-prime customers, on the other hand, are likely to be charged for shipping on an Amazon FBA item. They might then turn to another seller, or a different marketplace, to get the item for cheaper.
By offering an Amazon FBM listing, you are in charge of shipping, and you can charge as much (or as little) as you like.
By targeting non-prime customers, you can reach new customers who haven’t bought from Amazon before, or don’t use Amazon to avoid shipping costs.
Attract Customers To Your Listings
Another side effect of having both an FBA and FBM listing is one can make the other look better in comparison. For example, if you have to charge extra for the associated costs of FBM, the FBA listing will seem like a better deal.
Related articles:
Take Control Of Your Business
It’s worth considering both FBA and FBM, as it allows you to make decisions for each product. For example, if you have a heavy product that sells slowly but creates a large profit, then you might prefer to sell this FBM.
You won’t have to worry about long-term storage fees, and you can ensure the best delivery. On the other hand, lightweight items that sell quickly are best sold FBA. Amazon can ensure smooth shipping, while you focus on other areas of the business.
Diversify Your Business
There are some types of products that will be difficult to sell FBA, and some that will be time-consuming to sell FBM. By selling through both streams, you can diversify the listings, and maximize your profits.
Although it might require some extra effort, selling via both fulfillment options can be the best way to approach your Amazon business. The extra control, opportunities for diversification, and ability to avoid stocks-outs, shouldn’t be overlooked.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a fulfillment method isn’t always easy. In some cases, the best choice for an Amazon seller is to use both FBA and FBM. To do so for a single product, you simply have to list the item twice, and vary the fulfillment options.
It might require some extra effort on your part, but the improved customer experience can work wonders for your business.
