New ODR Forced Automated Handling Times is Typical Communism
I build custom computers and set a 4-5 day handling time on my listings. Generally I ship the product before that handling time is consumed.. well I guess I "Outperform" in that sense. The buffer is set so that I never underperform, as in, so I never disappoint the customer.
Amazon does not like that I "outperform" my own personal comfort zone that I set to ensure happy customers, so they are now forcing me to delay my orders on purpose, as that would be the only way to negate having my buffer time become too low to stay in business. See, Amazon "knows best" what MY customers need.
It is obviously a direct assault to destroy FBM merchants. Sure, it may result in higher sales, but, perhaps I do not want higher sales if I cannot keep up? Precisely the plan for Amazon, overwhelm the FBM merchant with too tight of handling times (and sudden changes between SKU), resulting in deactivation due to either ODR <90% or potentially having to cancel orders that cannot be fulfilled in time.
This is exactly why ODR protection now requires automated handling time, a typical trap. Amazon will no longer protect you unless you destroy yourself. Use their program (by force). Amazon has no right to force a seller to fulfill an order in a given time frame. I suspect that is not legal. If it is, it should simply be stated, if you cannot fulfill your order (create your product for those doing custom) in 2 days or less, you cannot sell on Amazon. But this is not explicitly stated, probably because that would be illegal.
So the way for Amazon to destroy FBM merchants, particularly custom, is to automate their handling and delivery times... and I am only pointing out the handling time issue, but they also are attacking the actual metric for ODR, many people are claiming their packages are being counted as late when they are verifiably delivered on time.
Another day on Amazon, another purge of FBM sellers.
This is probably the end of a vast majority of FBM sellers here on Amazon, particularly those without pre-fabricated items. They should at least exempt custom sellers from this ridiculous policy.
New ODR Forced Automated Handling Times is Typical Communism
I build custom computers and set a 4-5 day handling time on my listings. Generally I ship the product before that handling time is consumed.. well I guess I "Outperform" in that sense. The buffer is set so that I never underperform, as in, so I never disappoint the customer.
Amazon does not like that I "outperform" my own personal comfort zone that I set to ensure happy customers, so they are now forcing me to delay my orders on purpose, as that would be the only way to negate having my buffer time become too low to stay in business. See, Amazon "knows best" what MY customers need.
It is obviously a direct assault to destroy FBM merchants. Sure, it may result in higher sales, but, perhaps I do not want higher sales if I cannot keep up? Precisely the plan for Amazon, overwhelm the FBM merchant with too tight of handling times (and sudden changes between SKU), resulting in deactivation due to either ODR <90% or potentially having to cancel orders that cannot be fulfilled in time.
This is exactly why ODR protection now requires automated handling time, a typical trap. Amazon will no longer protect you unless you destroy yourself. Use their program (by force). Amazon has no right to force a seller to fulfill an order in a given time frame. I suspect that is not legal. If it is, it should simply be stated, if you cannot fulfill your order (create your product for those doing custom) in 2 days or less, you cannot sell on Amazon. But this is not explicitly stated, probably because that would be illegal.
So the way for Amazon to destroy FBM merchants, particularly custom, is to automate their handling and delivery times... and I am only pointing out the handling time issue, but they also are attacking the actual metric for ODR, many people are claiming their packages are being counted as late when they are verifiably delivered on time.
Another day on Amazon, another purge of FBM sellers.
This is probably the end of a vast majority of FBM sellers here on Amazon, particularly those without pre-fabricated items. They should at least exempt custom sellers from this ridiculous policy.
65 respuestas
Seller_DdmPiA1p1S2Wu
I completely agree and am in the same boat. I am now also having to delay shipments to customer to make sure I stay under the 2 day handling time gap, but of course the other side of that coin is that it makes it more likely an order will be late which is directly caused by Amazon's actions. Then, if the late shipments happen too much, again because of Amazon's actions, they will disable your listings or account.
Seller_dmrMJDFrsokJ0
I also sell custom products. I have set a handling time of 3 days and most of the time I can exceed that expectation. However, many times I need to communicate with the customer for clarification or have questions about their order. Or perhaps on occasion I need more time for the custom process. I need the 3 day handling time to ensure I can always ship on time.
This ludicrous police will force me to hold all orders until the last minute. I don't think that is fair to the seller or the customer. This is completely unethical and more than suggests that Amazon does not care about us third party sellers. Automated handling time will put me out of business.
Amazon custom definitely needs an advocate.
KJ_Amazon
Hello @Seller_72yKc2oq4VVrH
You can request an exception to set handling time manually for custom-made, media, and heavy & bulky SKUs. To request an exception of your handling time, contact Selling Partner Support.
I shared your feedback with our partner team, as well as feedback from other Handmade/Custom sellers in these threads.
KJ_Amazon
Seller_s7F7fMBDtix0d
What Amazon's problem is, is they assume EVERY customer wants EVERYTHING they order AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. I would HOPE that a minority of customers are like that. When I check out and I buy an item over $30 (I am not Prime), I get an option which is automatically selected for me to get my item by say... Friday for $6.99 extra (or next day for like $15), and I have to UNCHECK that choice and check the one for free shipping (for over a $30 order). That choice is usually a couple of days later. And in fact, I usually get my items on the same estimated day as if I had chose the $6.99 option. As long as my item arrives sometime in the next week-ish, I am happy and I believe most customers are.
Seller_DbcsSDaMHenTu
Ok you are saying the AHT is mandatory now and they will remove the manual handling time? Please explain
Seller_Xm9ZXdbDd6NZw
What's really crazy is all the FBA orders that get delayed. Just got an email for one on prime day 2 weeks ago. Sorry it hasn't even shipped yet, they're having supply chain issues. Would you like to wait an unknown length of time or cancel?
So they sold an item they didn't have in stock. Waiting 2 weeks to tell me. And it's still for sale right now.
Seller_DBzTQPDCouH9d
I couldn't believe it when I read their email, either. Hard to believe this goes on right under the radar ??
Seller_pdPNwT3IIPMAL
Do FBA and build your own cite and brand
Seller_T0qOSBvVNLY7P
Not sure what you mean - I have items that I make that I have set the handling time to 4-5 days. My other items I have handling set to 2, turned off automatic handling - it's not mandatory (at least in my categories).
KJ_Amazon
@Seller_72yKc2oq4VVrH
For certain product categories (Custom-made, media, and heavy and bulky SKUs), you have the flexibility to request an exception to manually set a SKU-specific handling time that will override what AHT has configured.
To request an exception of your handling time, please contact Selling Partner Support and ask them to create a ticket for you to have a handling time exception. We recommend doing this for SKUs where your handling time may be very unpredictable and using your history may be inaccurate.
To learn more, see Manage your handling time.
If you are having problems getting that exception processed, please update this thread.
