Vendor Flex, a program in which Amazon performs a portion of the vendor’s warehouse owner that is mainly applied to Amazon orders, is one way for brands to obtain an additional level of logistical flexibility with Amazon. The program has piqued the interest of brands looking for new ways to optimize the distribution network, and Amazon appears to be pitching the program to more brands.
The Vendor Flex Program was launched to provide merchants with shipping benefits and better stock control. However, since this program is new, many sellers must know about the Amazon Seller Flex program.
Customers are more likely to trust you now that you have the FBA label, and Amazon Seller Flex allows sellers to manage their inventory and package orders, giving them more control.
Since every one of their goods is kept in their warehouse, they have better control of their inventory management system or improve inventory management.
There is no monthly charge for storage from Amazon.
Amazon receives no goods. It implies that transportation costs are low.
Amazon handled customer service well.
Amazon will get you FBA tags that will help you improve your credibility and make it easier to identify merchandise in warehouses across countries.
Sellers who use Seller Flex will experience customer satisfaction and fast delivery, leading to happier customers.
If you choose to sell locally, buyers will receive next-day or two-day delivery, making it more appealing for them to purchase your product.
Amazon holds Seller Flex to create a broader mix of goods for Prime customers.
Amazon Flex provides a negotiating tool for better rates with FedEx and UPS, leveraging increased volume and scale.
Amazon can use Seller Flex to obtain insights into sellers not using FBA by generating data on delivery times and performance.
Sellers enrolled in this program can save shipping costs on logistics, and Seller Flex allows them to lower overhead costs that end up as operating expenses.
Provide all your relevant business information and requirements.
Send the corresponding documents for the evaluation.
Review the approval process to install warehouse inventory management software and provide Flex login details.
The registration form can be found on the Amazon Vendor Flex page. Once the vendor Flex registration process is approved, you are now ready to use vendor Flex.
You can only join Seller Flex on Amazon if they send you an invitation since it is an invite-only service that allows sellers to join and participate by invitation. It is fit for all small and medium-sized businesses with multi-channel brands.
Here is the requirements checker helps to determine vendor eligibility:
Sellers must have up to $0.6 million in monthly sales.
Step 2: Sellers can access the Seller Flex area of their account after logging in.
Step 3: Sellers can view their orders, sales history, and account information in the central seller tab.
Step 4: Amazon Sellers can manage shipping and fulfillment settings, create accounts, and sell through Amazon Marketplace.
Requirements To Start Amazon Seller Flex
These guidelines outline the specific requirements for the sellers and warehouse owners so they will be accepted into the program.
Hardware
The following requirements fall under this category:
Two computers with a minimum of Windows 7 OS and 2 gigabytes of RAM
Two barcode scanners
Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), Inverter, or any power backup
Two stable internet connections
Three printers – one shipping label printer, one gift printer, and one PDF invoice file printer
Prime packing supplies, which the company provides.
Property Packing
The following requirements fall under this category:
Minimum of six employees operating the warehouse
A labeled system of organizing products and merchandise
A packing station area
Parking space for transport vehicles.
Amazon Seller Flex Program Drawbacks
Despite its attractive perks, the Amazon Flex Program has some downsides to using it. As a result, sellers should consider the program’s drawbacks before signing up, as it may only be compatible with some businesses.
Your Seller Access Is Restricted
Aside from the stringent requirements for joining the Amazon Seller Flex program, it is only appropriate for sellers who deal in either expensive products or a wide range of products. As a result, if you sell low-cost items or have a limited product line, this program may not benefit you.
The Cost of Operations Is Expensive
Sellers Flex program requires additional costs, such as equipment, warehousing, and staff, which may be even more expensive than using the Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) service.
High Standards
You must meet high-selling operation standards to stay on the Amazon Flex program.
You Only Have Specific Locations To Sell From
Amazon Seller Flex has limited availability, so sellers outside specific locations should check if it is available.
Limited Portfolio
If you sell a product with your brand on Amazon and have a limited number of SKUs, this program may be for someone else since it needs more management of resources.
Is There An Amazon Seller Flex App?
You can manage your Seller Flex business using this Amazon Seller Flex App on your mobile phone. In this app version, you can receive inventory, remove inventory, create and activate picklists, and access picklist details. In addition, they will gradually enable other warehouse operations through the mobile app in their upcoming version.
What Products Are Best Suited For The Seller Flex Program?
With its pros and cons, the Seller Flex program may only be a perfect fit for some Amazon sellers. However, you may consider this program if you sell one of the products listed below.
Slow-moving products: These products will incur additional fees as they are stored for a long time in the FBA warehouse. You can choose the Seller Flex program for this type of product.
Since the items are stored in your warehouse. It also applies to seasonal products.
Oversized products: Products that are huge, heavy, and delivered in bulk require additional storage costs in the FBA warehouse. Sellers can use the Seller Flex Program to reduce additional costs for these types of products.
Conclusion
Seller Flex is an innovative program from Amazon offering a more flexible way for sellers to manage their inventory and fulfill their orders. Instead of sending all the items to Amazon’s fulfillment center, those warehouse owners can store the products themselves and ask Amazon to pick up and ship the products to their customers. It helps these sellers save costs on warehousing and increase delivery speed.
However, the Seller Flex program also has plenty of drawbacks. For instance, this is an invite-only program, and Amazon can select only those who meet high sales standards. They should also know that running one’s warehouse can be expensive, and therefore, they should carefully calculate the profit margin before signing up for the program.
A: No. But Amazon has strict standards, and you must meet specific requirements to get selected. After being invited, you must prepare all the hardware for this program, including two computers, two barcode scanners, two stable internet connections, three printers, and so forth.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for Seller Flex on Amazon?
A: Sellers must have an invitation from Amazon to join the program rather than apply for it. To meet the requirement, they must have up to $0.6 million worth of sales monthly, an Amazon seller rating of 90% and above with good customer feedback, and a total of up to 1000 units of merchandise monthly.
A: You can manage your Seller Flex business using this Amazon Seller Flex App on your mobile phone. In this app version, you can receive inventory, remove inventory, create and activate picklists, and access picklist details. In addition, they will gradually enable other warehouse operations through the mobile app in their upcoming version.
8-figure Amazon seller and serial online entrepreneur since 2015. Research and practice various online business models, and apply his in-depth learnings to further expand and grow his businesses as well as help others to achieve greater successes. Ex-VP of a high tech VC in Vancouver and a Management Consultant with over a decade of experience in the industry. Master's Degree from HEC Paris.
