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3PL Warehouse for Amazon Sellers

11/4/2020

 
Let’s face it.
Most everyone knows about Amazon. They’re the leading e-retailer in the United States with over 280 Billion Dollars in sales in 2019 alone. Not to mention roughly 150 Million Amazon Prime Members, 300 Million active customer accounts worldwide, and an average 21% revenue growth year-over-year.
With these kinds of numbers, it’s easy to see they are a force to be reckoned with.
If you sell products online, you know Amazon runs a program called FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). This third-party logistics provider (3PL) service allows other businesses to utilize Amazon’s massive infrastructure to provide ecommerce fulfillment for their own customers.  Amazon is the largest third-party logistics providers (3PL) company in the world.
Basically, you ship your inventory to Amazon, advertise your products for sale on the web, and the online powerhouse takes care of the rest. Pick, pack, ship, and even customer service — all done on your behalf.
Seems like a great way for small to medium sized organizations to do business, right?
Well, not so fast. Once you stop and take a closer look, FBA may not be the all-in-one logistics answer you thought it was and here’s why
High Costs That Continue to RiseWhen an e-tailer does as much business as Amazon, there has to be an enormous amount of people and infrastructure involved to make it happen. FBA is no exception.
At last count, there were over 100 fulfillment centers and 15 sort centers worldwide (with more on the way soon). All total, these facilities account for more than 124 million square feet of commercial space in the US alone. If you think a network this size might be expensive to build and maintain, you’re right. Amazon has proved this out in the past, having announced regular periodic price increases on fulfillment and inventory storage fees. 
Because of this tremendous overhead, and the massive number of packages shipped each year, Amazon is actively looking for new ways to reduce operating and shipping costs. And with good reason — Amazon’s shipping cost in 2019 were 38 Billion dollars and take massive loses on shipping to keep customers happy.
To remedy this problem, the web giant has the long term view that investing into their own private freight, air transport, local delivery options, and even drone programs will be the most cost effective strategy to offset rising transportation expenses. However effective this strategy is long term, these are obviously high-priced and capital-intensive expansions that need to be funded somehow.
You are likely paying for these shipping losses and future investments through Amazon’s FBA rate increases for sellers.
Year after year the cost of Fulfillment by Amazon has continued to rise. For example, the cost for storage TRIPLED during the 2018 holiday season, forcing businesses to either overstock (risking added storage expense for idle inventory) or understock (saving money but possibly losing sales during the holiday rush). Fulfillment fees in 2018 have also increased significantly compared to the rates in 2017.
That’s a tough spot to be in.
Counter this with independent logistics companies who DON’T charge extra fees for busy periods and maintain more consistent overall storage pricing. Many logistics companies have in-house fulfillment infrastructures in place that are ready to grow with your business or are willing to make the necessary operational investments to support your shipping activities. As compared to Amazon, where you are just part of the machine, your 3PL will likely have a vested interest in the success of your business. They view you as a partner; not just another contract.
Lack of Personalization OptionsWith today’s savvy consumers, there are three key elements involved in the successful sale of physical goods. Think of these as the trifecta of building a strong brand.
  • A great product
  • The ability to ship quickly and reliably
  • A means to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd
While finding/developing the right product is up to you, distribution and marketing are areas that can be outsourced to others.
There’s no denying that Amazon has their act together when it comes to order fulfillment. Their billion-dollar operation is a model of efficiency that cranks out thousands of orders every day. But on the same token, this is also one of their biggest weaknesses.
In order to handle this type of volume, Amazon’s processes have to be as streamlined as possible. That means zero deviation from center. Each item is packed, wrapped, and sent the exact same way … EVERY … SINGLE … TIME. And by default, no less, in “Amazon” branded boxes (unless you opt to pay more for a generic one).
That’s fine when you are shipping everyday items or low-cost consumables. But NOT if you want to stand out from the crowd. For the customer experience it should be about YOUR brand — not the vendor’s. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is to implement branded packaging, gifting or some other means of differentiation in your fulfillment process.   
Partnering with the right 3PL eliminates this roadblock. As most have white label logistics solutions, which allow you to customize your order as you see fit. Whether it is branding your shipping boxes with your logo or tagline, having a specific plan for packing filler, custom inserts, or having a special arrangement for how the contents should be packed in the shipping box, 3PLs will have experience and flexibility in accommodating these types of requests.
Losing Control of your InventoryBuying trends change constantly and savvy online sellers stay ahead of the competition by adjusting their tactics and strategies to meet these changes. One major downside of the FBA program is some sellers are required to send a large portion, if not all, their inventory to an Amazon fulfillment center. By relinquishing physical control of their inventory, they can’t adapt as quickly which can put them at a huge disadvantage.
Imagine a scenario where a seller sends half their inventory to Amazon for fulfillment and keeps the other half for their own eCommerce store. Everything is going great until they get a call from a big box retailer (Target, Walmart, etc) for a large order which is a huge win, but then they are forced to pull from their on-hand inventory and are left with very little inventory to fulfill orders from their own eCommerce store.
In the middle of the COVID-19 epidemic in March 2020, Amazon prioritized essential products in their marketplace. As a result, sellers who were deemed as selling non-essential goods saw huge delays in delivery times and Amazon was not accepting inbound goods from them to replenish their stocks. This was devastating to some sellers as sales dried up and they had no way to sell their product elsewhere since their inventory was stuck at an Amazon fulfillment center. In addition, Amazon restricted FBA inventory for the 2020 holidays which had a negative impact for a lot of sellers. While the COVD-19 crisis was unprecedented event and it understandable why Amazon took these measures, it highlights some of the dangers of consolidating your inventory with Amazon or being too reliant on a single sales channel.
With the growing number of sales channels, including Big Box, online retailers, and marketplaces (Walmart, eBay, etc), it’s advantageous to have control their physical inventory so they can more easily meet the demands of their buyers.
Also, like most growing brands, your business is constantly changing and adjusting to the customers’ needs. Having access to your inventory to make updates to your product or packaging is common practice and could make or break your business, especially during your peak shopping seasons. Being able to access your own fulfillment center or that of your 3PL logistics providers to make these changes is something that has to be considered.
One way to keep control of your inventory while still maintaining the Prime treatment (i.e. selling to Prime members) you get with the FBA program is to participate in the Seller Fulfilled Prime program. Through this Amazon program, the seller still gets the Prime badge next to their product, but the order is fulfilled by the seller or through their 3PL partner. This scenario allows the seller to retain control of their supply chain and better manage costs while ensuring efficient deliveries and excellent service.
Impersonal Customer ServiceWhile we’d like to think that everything will run smoothly once set up, most know that’s simply not the case. No matter how much you plan, build, or execute, problems are still bound to creep up.
So what happens when your customer runs into an issue? How will it be handled? Better yet, what happens when YOU have a problem and need a prompt resolution?
With FBA and Seller Central, you’re pretty much in the same boat as one of their customers. That means calling an 800 number and speaking to a lower level associate about your problem. Someone who has no clue what your business is about, your history, or how you like to be treated.
Or being subjected to a barrage of back and forth emails where your case is mistakenly “closed” before the problem is actually fixed. You get passed around like a hot potato from one customer service center to the next as you wait for a resolution that never comes.
Working with an independent 3PL partner is the exact opposite. A typical 3PL is staffed with dedicated customer service representatives located mere steps from the actual distribution floor, where your products sit. Agents who know about you and your business and understand what makes them tick. You will likely develop a close working relationship with your customer service rep and they will become your advocate within your 3PL’s distribution center.

10 Tips for Finding a Wholesale Distributor - How to find a wholesaler to supply your small business

4/27/2020

 
A wholesaler is a business that buys products from manufacturers and sells them to other businesses. The wholesaler doesn't operate a store; instead, they supply your small business with inventory that you sell to customers.
 
Whether you run a brick and mortar business or e-commerce store, wholesale distributors play an important role in connecting manufacturers and store owners.
 
Find the Right Small Business Wholesale Supplier
As a small business, you may work with one wholesale distributor or several. But finding the right one to partner with can be tricky. You'll need to find a wholesale distributor that:
 
Connects you with the manufacturers and products your business needs
Has prices you can afford
Serves your geographic region
Is reliable, trustworthy, and easy to work with
Before you can find the right wholesale company to work with, you need to know what products you are selling. Once you know what you're looking for, you can begin searching for the right wholesaler to supply your business.
 
1. Understand Your Industry's Distribution Channels
There are many ways a product can go from manufacturer to retailer. Not all wholesalers serve the same market. Understanding your industry's distribution channels and supply chain can help you find the right wholesale supplier for your retail or online business. Different types of wholesalers include:
Manufacturer: For some products, you can buy directly from the manufacturer. Boutique stores generally buy from small (sometimes one person) manufacturers.
Importer/Exclusive Distributor: A company might have the sole right to import and distribute a product in a certain country. Some may sell directly to retailers, others sell to smaller local wholesalers who in turn sell to stores.
Wholesaler/Regional Distributor: There are usually regional wholesalers who take delivery of boxcar-sized lots and sell to local wholesalers, who then sell to small businesses.
 
Jobbers: These individuals make daily deliveries to local grocers and retail brick-and-mortar stores.
 
Some retailers will move enough volume to bypass jobbers, or maybe in a smaller industry, importers sell directly to retailers. Each industry has its own unique distribution channels, which can then vary by product, region, or country.
 
When you first start, you'll be buying from the smaller wholesalers at higher prices. As your volume increases, you'll be able to get better pricing or move up the supply ladder to a bigger wholesaler.
2. Try the Manufacturer First
Paying wholesalers cuts into your profits. To remove middlemen from the equation, you can start at the source.
 
If you're selling branded items, go directly to the manufacturer of the product. They might sell to you depending on their minimum order requirements. If you're too small for them or they only sell through established distribution channels, ask them for a list of reputable distributors you can contact.
The fewer people you have to go through, the lower your cost will be, allowing you to be more competitive in the marketplace.
When you contact the manufacturer, request a sample of the product you intend to sell. This will allow you to look it over and inspect the quality to make sure it's something you want to sell.
3. Have a Productive First Contact With a Wholesale Supplier
Begin contacting wholesale distributors, either using the list you got from the manufacturer, phonebook listings, or a wholesale directory You want to find out:
 
Their minimum order requirements
Their wholesale unit prices
The region they supply
You can make this initial contact by phone or email, then follow up by phone if you need more information or would like to move forward. To find the best possible match for your business, be honest about what you're looking for and don't try to sound bigger than you are.
 
Don't be afraid to let the people you talk to know you are doing research and looking at other competitors as well. This can help you get better prices, even if you are starting out small.
 
4. Get Specific in Online Searches
If you do an online search, don't just search for general wholesalers or distributors. Be sure to include keywords from your products or niche. Try product names, model numbers and brand names. If any of the potential distributors you find don't have an email address or phone number readily available, you could do a WHOIS search to find the website owner's contact information.
 
The more potential wholesalers you find, the better you'll be able to comparison shop and get a feel for what normal industry prices are, as well as get competitive quotes.
 
5. Look for Wholesale Lots on eBay
Since eBay mainly targets retail consumers, the wholesale options you'll find here are usually only suitable for very low volume retailers. But if you're just starting out, eBay might be the easy start you need to dip your toes into e-commerce.
 
It's also possible that the people who are selling direct to consumers on eBay also have a business-to-business side of their business as well. It's easy to make contact with them on eBay to find out if that's the case.
 
6. Check Major B2B Marketplaces
There are many large B2B marketplaces online where you can buy large lots of products at low prices. Alibaba.com is one of the largest B2B marketplaces of manufacturers, importers, and wholesale distributors. Other B2B marketplaces include:
Look for a marketplace that serves your country or region. There are also industry-specific B2B marketplaces; these can either serve a single country or a global population of retailers.
 
7. Join Industry Groups, Forums, and Other Professional Networks
More experienced small business owners in your industry or niche are often the best source of information about wholesalers. However, other retailers likely will not be eager to share supplier information with competitors. Invest time in networking to build the trust and connections that will help you find the best possible wholesale suppliers for your small business.
 
Participate in online forums which can be a great source of free information and help from other people with experience in your market or industry. You can also build your LinkedIn profile, subscribe to industry newsletters, and join your local Chamber of Commerce or small business networking groups to build your professional connections.
 
8. Subscribe to Your Industry's Trade Publications
Trade magazines are a wealth of information about businesses and relationships in your industry. Nearly every advertiser in the magazine will be a product manufacturer or distributor looking to reach you, and a single issue of a trade magazine can provide the names of dozens of wholesalers or small manufacturers.
 
In addition to magazines, subscribe to online newsletters and blogs. These are often the best way to keep up with daily or weekly industry news and updates.
 
9. Attend a Trade Show
Trade shows are one of the most powerful ways to build and grow your business. These events are designed for retailers to connect with distributors and manufacturers.
 
Trade shows allow you to meet and speak with dozens of wholesalers or manufacturers in a single day. These face-to-face conversations often avoid misinformation or communication difficulties that can occur when contacting people online.
 
The Trade Show News Network is the largest directory of trade shows online. You can search for a trade show by industry, date, city, state or country and/or event name.
 
10. Don't Be Afraid to Make a Mistake
Your first wholesale supplier may not be a vendor that you work with long term. Creating your perfect supply chain is an evolution involving a lot of trial and error.
 
Remember that all you need from your first supplier is a product that you can ship at a profit. It may not be the best wholesale price for you, but you can make changes as your business and professional network expand.
 
Your first goal is to ship a product. Then you can improve your bottom line by trying other wholesale suppliers as you continue to build and grow your business.
 
 

​What Is a Voluntary Liquidation?

4/11/2020

 
Bulk Inventory Buyers
A voluntary liquidation is a self-imposed wind-up and dissolution of a company that has been approved by its shareholders. Such a decision will happen once a company's leadership decides that the company has no reason to continue operating. It is not ordered by a court (not compulsory).
The purpose of a voluntary liquidation is to terminate a company's operations, wrap-up its financial affairs, and dismantle its corporate structure in an orderly fashion, while paying back creditors according to their assigned priority.
KEY TAKEAWAYS – Closeouts Buyers
  • A voluntary liquidation involves the pre-mediated termination of a corporation by selling off its assets and settling its outstanding financial obligations.
  • The purpose of a voluntary liquidation is to cash out of a business that does not have a viable future or which has no other purpose in remaining operational.
  • Such a liquidation is not mandated by any court or regulatory body but must be approved by shareholders and the board of directors.
Understanding Voluntary Liquidations – Excess Inventory buyers
The start of a voluntary liquidation resolution is initiated by a company's board of directors or ownership. Voluntary liquidations are then enacted when a resolution to cease operations (assuming that operations are ongoing) is approved by its shareholders.
Voluntary liquidations stand in contrast to involuntary liquidations. A shareholder vote allows the company to liquidate its assets to free up funds to pay debts. As such, voluntary liquidations may happen due to poor operating conditions (operating at a loss or the market moving in another direction), or due to business strategy considerations.
Such reasoning may be to exact a degree of tax relief for shutting down, or reorganizing and transferring assets to another company in exchange for an ownership or equity stake in the acquiring company. Voluntary liquidations may also be approved because the liquidating company was only meant to exist for a limited amount of time or for a specific purpose that has been fulfilled.
In addition, voluntary liquidation may happen if a key member of an organization leaves the company, and the shareholders decide not to continue operations.
Voluntary Liquidation Process
In the United States, voluntary liquidations may begin with the occurrence of an event as specified by a company's board of directors. In such cases, a liquidator is appointed. The liquidator answers to shareholders and creditors. If the company is solvent the shareholders can supervise the voluntary liquidation. If the company is not solvent, creditors and shareholders may control the liquidation process by getting a court order.
Voluntary liquidations in the United Kingdom are divided into two categories. One is the creditors' voluntary liquidation, which occurs under a state of corporate insolvency. The other is the members' voluntary liquidation, which only requires a corporate declaration of bankruptcy.
Under the second category, the firm is solvent but needs to liquidate its assets to meet its upcoming obligations. Three-quarters of a company's shareholders must vote in favor of a voluntary liquidation resolution for the motion to pass.

Learn to sell on Amazon

3/28/2020

 
How to sell on Amazon.com as a 3rd party seller has been one of the most searched keywords on Google & for good reason. People are discovering that selling online is not as hard as some make it seem. Amazon seller account is the name of the platform that 3rd party Amazon sellers utilize to list and sell their products.
The idea of shipping your products to Amazon and having them ship, provide customer service, process returns is appealing to entrepreneurs of all ages. 
This process is known as selling through FBA!

Learn more about this process and see if this business model fits well with your lifestyle.

Sell Books on Amazon

Source products to sell on amazon

12/2/2019

 


Sourcing products to sell on Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is somewhat different than looking for products to sell on eBay and similar auction websites. You need to start thinking along the lines of selling products at a retail store more so than just selling used items one or a few at a time.
So how can one source products to sell competitively on one of the largest eCommerce sites in the world? Well, there is no one answer to this question. It all depends on the type of products you want to sell. Your own preference for  the kind of eCommerce business you want to build and your customers’ preferences also come into play.
However, there are a few tricks that can help you get started.
How to Source Products to Sell on Amazon
Sourcing Products Overseas
With the world so connected now thanks to the internet, you no longer have to physically go to China, India or Japan to source merchandise from overseas.


Of course, large retailers have been selling products manufactured overseas for years to keep prices low. But today there are a couple of online wholesalers that you can source your products from, and one of the best known of these is Alibaba.com.
This giant online marketplace functions more or less like an Amazon for wholesalers. From the website you can get a variety of products that you can order and have shipped to your preferred destination. As you do this, make sure you search for unique products that are also in high demand so they will quickly sell on your Amazon Store.


Use Google for Your Sourcing
While sourcing products overseas is one option, there are some particular products like supplements that you may want to order domestically. The U.S. has tough FDA regulations so it is wiser to source these kinds of products from approved and compliant suppliers right here at home. If you are, for instance, interested in selling Vitamin C, just search Google for “Vitamin C Private label suppliers.”  “Private label” simply means that the supplier will customize your products with your message and logo after your purchase. This gives you the ability to customize products to make direct connections with your customers — and hopefully generate followup orders.
What’s Next?Once you’ve ordered your products and are ready to sell look into Amazon’s FBA service to handle the fulfillment side of your eCommerce business with ease.
The FBA service allows you to pre-emptively send and store your products in one of Amazon’s many fulfillment centers. The benefit: every time a customer orders a product from your Amazon store, Amazon takes care of the packing, shipping and customer service on your behalf. Pretty cool, right?


find products to sell on amazon

Sell on Amazon FBA
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