What is Seller Flex in Amazon?

Amazon Seller Flex

Amazon is incubating its business model day in and day out. Every advancement so made is helping the small businesses to improve. Just like the other models, the Seller Flex in Amazon is another way to help businesses enhance their operation. Well, here we will discuss what is Seller Flex in Amazon and provide the complete insight of the program.

What is the Seller Flex in Amazon?

The Seller Flex is an operation enhancement program for the vendors on Amazon. With Seller Flex the vendors get more control over their inventory. Unlike Fulfillment-by-Amazon (FBA), the vendors will keep their items in their warehouse. But rest works the same way as FBA. Upon receiving an order, the Amazon Transportation System (ATS), will pick the item(s) from the vendor’s warehouse and deliver it for them. Indeed, it is upgraded for the FBA program, having the control management tweaking.

Applying for Seller Flex:

There is no application process available for Seller Flex. Instead, the vendors have to wait for the invitation from Amazon. Amazon will send the invitation to the vendor that falls into the program’s criteria. However, the criteria are not yet shared with anyone. Indeed, it is classified information for Amazon, as the program is still under tests. The vendors who are eligible for the Seller Flex get an email from Amazon to join the program.

Assumed Criteria:

So far, there are no criteria in public for Seller Flex. But, based on the experience, a criteria list has been sorted. Please do not anticipate as a confirm criteria, as this has not been provided by Amazon. It is only the observation:

• Sales should be above 6 hundred thousand INR every month.
• The vendor should have a rating of 90% or better.
• Units sold every month should around 1000.

Besides, there can be some more targets as well. Even, we might be having more targets on our list. These are all assumptions. And until Amazon describes anything, there can nothing be sure. Further, there might be an indirect way as well to get the Seller Flex. Though we do not recommend, as it is not sure what response you may get. Well, the way is that if anyone in your circles has the Seller Flex, you may ask them to connect you with their Flex manager. If not, they may ask themselves about the firm criteria of Amazon to invite vendors to the program.

However, it better to wait up, as Amazon may introduce this program as a regular model. As of now, it is in the testing phase.

Seller Flex Requirements:

Here are some requirements for the Seller Flex in Amazon:

• Vendors should have their warehouse.
• All the printing equipment should be on-site, which includes but not limited to printers, scanners, labelers, and taggers.
• The backup power supply should be available
• Prime packaging material should be available with the vendor
• Racks, shredders, and bins per the items kept in the warehouse and the orders received

Plus Points of Seller Flex in Amazon:

Here are some of the plus points of the Seller Flex program:

• Amazon backed products are trusted by consumers. They prefer ordering the products having an FBA tag. Dealing directly with Amazon is easier than dealing with the vendors. Also, the delivery is fast which excites the consumers. Similarly, the Seller Flex program will have the Amazon tag on order. And that is an indicator that sales will go up.
• Vendors have the leverage to manage their inventory. Indeed, it is also a benefit for Amazon, as they will not have to spend resources to stock heavy items. The vendor shall keep it and enjoy the Prime eligibility.
• We all know that FBA was not free of charge programs. Vendors had to pay for the warehouse fee. But with the Seller Flex, the warehouse and upkeep cost will be gone. Use your warehouse and save money. Similarly, vendors had to pay the removal fee to Amazon for the items they wanted to remove from FBA. But with Seller Flex this expense will also nullify. Along with that, any return order will batch no fee on for the handling. Additionally, handling charges were another fee that the vendors had to bear. Since they will be controlling their inventory on their own, the handling fee will also depart. Certainly, every order you take and pack will save you money instead of incurring an expense.
• One of the biggest troubles that vendors had was the shipping to Amazon warehouse. With Seller Flex, the shipping trouble will be gone forever.
• Having your warehouse means having complete information on storage and inventory. If the storage is going less, you may pause the suppliers to bring in the items. Indeed that will remain in your control. And this is among other benefits for Amazon, as it will have to capitalize less space and make less expense.

How to create an Amazon Seller Account?

Concerns with Seller Flex:

Vendors have shared a few concerns with Seller Flex that you should also look into:

• Seller Flex does give you complete control, but for that, you should have ample resources, especially, human resources.
• Managing the inventory at the warehouse is a tough job and requires special tools and skills, which is quite costly.
• Amazon charges technology fees in the Seller Flex program for the system controls you will get. Indeed, this is a concern for some vendors.

FAQs:

1. What is Seller Flex in Amazon?

Seller Flex in Amazon is a business model introduced with the tweaking to the existing FBA model.

2. How can I apply for Seller Flex?

Vendors cannot apply for this program. Instead, it is an invitation program. Amazon invites vendors that match their classified criteria.

3. Is Seller Flex available in India?

Seller Flex in Amazon is available in India. And it has been over some time it has been introduced. However, presently it is in the testing mode, and the fully operational model is yet to launch.

4. Is there any fee to join Seller Flex?

There is no fee required to join Seller Flex as of now. But a vendor may need to ascertain a budget for the office supplies and warehouse management tools.

5. Is Seller Flex good for my business?

Seller Flex is good for your business if your business volume and operational benefits are way higher than breakeven. Because the warehouse management takes away a lot of money, compared to the FBA fee.