If you’re an Amazon seller, you’re probably familiar with Amazon FBA. But what about Amazon MCF (Multi Channel Fulfillment)? This lesser-known service can be a great way to increase your sales and grow your business.
This blog post will discuss Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment and how it works. We’ll also discuss the benefits of using this service and some drawbacks. So read on to learn more!
What is Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment (MCF)?
FBA is an alternative service for Amazon sellers that is more thorough than Fulfillment by Amazon and can be taken on by people with a professional seller account on the platform.
You may use the Fulfillment by Amazon service to sell your stuff on Amazon, which will handle the logistics for you. The Amazon distribution network handles deliveries for you, but only those made via Amazon and in your nation.
The convenience of keeping all of your products in one place and having orders fulfilled by a single firm is self-evident—everything is centralized. Any changes you need can be made with just one phone call, and quality control is maintained across all your sales channels. It’s easy and time-saving, but how about money?
How Does Amazon MCF Work?
Multi Channel Fulfillment is straightforward: sellers put their goods on Amazon, and Amazon fulfills orders.
Sellers connect their eCommerce channels to Amazon to create an order feed. Amazon MCF is a little restricted in its integrations–it works with well-known platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. Still, it doesn’t support sales from other marketplaces like Walmart, eBay, and Etsy.
After that, vendors upload their products to Amazon (if they haven’t already). Although it appears to be a simple procedure, it is full of difficulties because Amazon is constantly changing the rules regarding FBA inventory restrictions and making it increasingly more complex for sellers to get all their items onto the platform.
As orders come in, Amazon will select, pack, and ship the purchase to the customer. Unfortunately, for MCF, legendary fulfillment speed is less legendary now – they give FBA volume precedence over MCF, making it significantly slower and having worse statistics.
Am I Qualified For Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment?
Multi Channel Fulfillment allows FBA sellers to use multiple channels for shipping their orders. Once you’ve got inventory in Amazon’s warehouses, it’ll fulfill customer orders through any of your other sales channels—at a cost.
Using Multi Channel Fulfillment, you can reap the benefits even if you don’t sell on Amazon. However, note that you need an Amazon seller account to start. You’ll be required to list your items on Amazon eventually, but you can pick a “start selling” date much further so potential buyers won’t see them immediately.
What’s The Difference Between Amazon (FBA) And Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)?
The main difference is that with Multi Channel Fulfillment, you can send your products to Amazon from other sales platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce. This allows you to use Amazon’s fulfillment network without selling exclusively on the forum.
Another key difference is that MCF orders have lower priority than FBA orders, so they may take longer to fulfill. Amazon also guarantees a different level of customer service for MCF orders than it does for FBA orders.
Benefits of using Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment
There are several benefits to using Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment, including:
– Reach a wider audience: By selling on multiple platforms, you can reach a wider audience with your products.
– Save time: Amazon will handle the Fulfillment for you so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.
– Increased sales: With Amazon’s vast reach and reputation, their fulfillment service can help increase your sales.
Drawbacks of using Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment
There are also some drawbacks to using Amazon Multi Channel Fulfillment, including:
– Limited integrations: Currently, Amazon only supports a few eCommerce platforms for MCF orders.
– Lower priority: MCF orders have lower priority than FBA orders, so they may take longer to fulfill.
– Worse customer service: Amazon does not guarantee the same level of customer service for MCF orders as it does for FBA orders
Does Amazon MCF Ship Internationally?
MCF is the most extensive fulfillment network globally, with 150 US-based centers and 175 internationally. As of now, MCF only supports media product distribution overseas.
Can I Use FBA Without Selling On Amazon?
No, you cannot use FBA without selling it on Amazon. FBA is a fulfillment service offered by Amazon, so you must sell your products on the platform to use it. However, with Multi-Channel Fulfillment, you can sell on other platforms and still use Amazon’s fulfillment network.
Can Amazon Fulfill Orders From My Website?
Yes, Amazon can fulfill orders from your website. To do this, you’ll need to connect your website to Amazon and create an order feed. Once that’s set up, Amazon will fulfill any orders from your site.
The Bottom Line
If your brand would benefit from a more centralized system for processing eCommerce orders, regardless of slightly higher fees, then MCF is the right solution. However, MCF may not be the best option if you want greater control over your orders and branding details.
If you have any questions about Amazon selling, including the fulfillment process, business strategies, choosing the best management and analytics applications for your E-Commerce business, FBA vs FBM, or any other topics related to the world of Amazon, feel free to post your queries on Amazon Seller Forum. Our community of E-Commerce experts is available to help you find the answers you need.
