Because of the sheer amount of sales taking place on Amazon platform, there are hundreds of products that are picked, packed and shipped daily. When such a huge operation is running, mistakes are bound to happen and they are more frequent than you think. These mistakes caused by Amazon can cost you in hundreds (if not thousands) but you shouldn’t be the one paying for them. When Amazon drops, breaks misplaces or damages your product they are liable to pay you for that. Amazon picks some of them, but some are slipped through the cracks.
If you are not checking your seller account and inventory regularly, then the amount is higher than you think. Most of the sellers either don’t know about this or they choose to ignore it because of the complexity of the process. Identifying Amazon reimbursements requires downloading and cross-referencing multiple business reports from Seller Central. However, finding claim opportunities is only half battle won. You will then have to generate a case and provide Amazon with several documents. Amazon is increasingly rejecting FBA reimbursement claims or making partial refunds because the information submitted wasn’t enough. To save you from any potential rejections, we have listed out the information and documents you must submit while creating a case.
#1: Tracking ID
If by any luck, after scouring through multiple inventory spreadsheets, you are able to find out any FBA inventory reimbursement opportunities, the first thing you will do is contact support. When you create a ticket, Amazon will ask for the Tracking ID. Tracking ID is absolutely essential while filing Amazon FBA refunds for missing inventory and discrepancies. If you don’t have it, your claim won’t be approved. No tracking ID, no reimbursements – as simple as that.
#2: Signed BOL
The bill of lading (BOL) is a receipt of freight services and considered as one of the most important documents in the shipping industry. It acts as a contract between freight the carrier and the shipper. While claiming Amazon seller returns, you will need to submit the BOL document. Your BOL should show the number of boxes in the shipment and the total weight when it was picked up by the carrier. That’s not it. The document should be stamped by Amazon confirming that the shipment was received and signed for at the fulfilment centre.
Sellers usually don’t keep their BOL document as it’s a physical document but you can always save a soft copy of signed BOL and submit to Amazon while claiming reimbursements.
Here is the sample of signed BOL.
#3: Purchase Invoice
Wait a minute, do I have to share my purchase invoice with amazon? Yes, you have to. Don’t worry. Amazon needs the invoice to confirm that you genuinely bought the product. They don’t need your purchase price. DO NOT make the mistake of crossing the purchase price as this can lead to account suspension.
Of the clients we have worked with, about 80% were skeptical to share their invoice with Amazon. They thought that once Amazon will know about their purchase price and profits, they wouldn’t refund the complete amount. That’s not even nearly true. Amazon is a retail giant and they don’t bother themselves with such petty things.
Your invoice should be the original invoice from the supplier or manufacturer and must include the following details:
– Date of the purchase
– Product name of the missing items
– Quantity purchased
– Full name and address of invoice issuer
– Full name and address of buyer
If your invoice lacks any of the information listed above, the claim will be rejected. Yes, Amazon is cruel.
Sound like too much? We have a solution. Amazon FBA inventory reimbursement is a never ending process, not to forget, very tedious and time-consuming. If you are struggling to manage the reimbursement process yourself or your time is too valuable for this grunt work, you can always hire our Amazon reimbursement services. Our Amazon refunds manager uses a comprehensive “6-Point” audit process to check every possibility where you may be shortchanged. And the best part is that you pay us only after Amazon credits the reimbursements into your bank. You literally have nothing to lose.