Amazon Self Ship Or Easy Ship – Which Fulfillment Option Should You Choose?
Amazon is a well-known and reputable eCommerce selling platform that gives sellers the convenience, reach, and sophisticated tools to rapidly grow their businesses. To enhance your success, however, you must choose a fulfillment option. From various options available, two of the most common and popular fulfillment options are Amazon Self-Ship and Amazon Easy Ship, and your decision regarding the two options will come down to your shipping model, budget, capabilities, and goals for your business. This is most notably true for most businesses engaged in Amazon seller account management services, where sustainable, ongoing growth is the goal.
In this blog, we will analyze Easy Ship and Self-Ship in-depth, weigh up the advantages, and assist you in navigating which is best suited to your business.
What is an Amazon Easy Ship?
Amazon Easy Ship is a shipping option where you fulfill orders using Amazon’s logistics network. As a seller, all you need to do is pack your product. When the order is ready, Amazon picks up shipping and delivery from your location.
This is a good option for sellers who want the reliability of Amazon’s delivery service without sending products to the Amazon Warehouse.
Benefits of Amazon Easy Ship
- Amazon-Managed Logistics: Amazon handles the shipping and delivery process by finding a carrier to pick up, ship, and deliver, greatly reducing the seller’s workload.
- Prompt Arrival: Orders placed using Easy Ship have a Prime or almost Prime speed of delivery; therefore, customers will be more satisfied with their delivery speed.
- Increased Confidence: Buyers are more likely to trust the seller and move forward with their purchase if Amazon is the shipping provider.
- Real-Time Tracking: Buyers and sellers will have the ability to track in real time for total visibility, all within the framework of support from Amazon.
What is Amazon Self-Ship?
Amazon Self-Ship allows sellers to manage their logistics chain on their own, from packing their product, selecting a shipping courier, and ultimately ensuring delivery. The seller controls each aspect of the process, giving them increased control but adding more operational work.
Advantages of Amazon Self-Ship
- Control: You control which courier partner you work with, the time period for shipping, and how you pack the products.
- Price Flexibility: You can negotiate directly with courier companies, which can significantly lower your shipping costs.
- Customization Options: You can customize packaging, combine it with marketing inserts, or treat fragile items with greater care.
What is the Difference between Amazon Easy Ship and Self-Ship
Knowing the relationship between the two options can help you determine which option is best for your business. Here are some of the differences to consider:
Responsibility and control
- Self-Ship: The seller is responsible for the entire item shipment process, from shipment to delivery.
- Easy Ship: Amazon will take control of the shipment once you pack the item.
Cost
- Self-Ship: This method is often cheaper, particularly if you can broker good shipping rates.
- Easy Ship: The cost is usually higher because it is more convenient and reliable to ship with Amazon.
Speed of delivery
- Self-Ship: Delivery speed will depend on the shipping company you choose.
- Easy Ship: Delivery is usually faster and reliable due to Amazon’s advanced shipping logistics.
Customer experience
- Self-Ship: Those shipping from sellers, like you, will receive shipping-related business calls.
- Easy Ship: Your customers will receive an Amazon-like delivery experience that is consistent and reliable.
Prime Eligible
- Self-Ship: It is not Prime Eligible.
- Easy Ship: It is often eligible for Prime. This helps with product visibility; however, if you only use Easy Ship, all of that order will take time.
Choosing the Best Solution for Your Business
Neither option is better overall; your option depends on your logistical ability, specific business size, and demand from customers. Oftentimes, sellers using Amazon seller account management will consider important factors such as price, speed of delivery, and required work to decide on an option.
Choose Amazon Self-Ship if:
- You have a logistics team in-house or a courier you love.
- You want complete control of the process.
- Cost savings outweigh the speed of shipping.
- Your customers do not need your products urgently.
Choose Amazon Easy Ship if:
- You want fast, reliable deliveries facilitated through Amazon shipping.
- You cannot deliver the products yourself or through your own logistics team.
- You want the added visibility of being Prime eligible.
- You want to offer the best customer experience.
Conclusion
Each option has its advantages, depending upon your operational strength as well as your business goals. If you are valuing convenience, fast deliveries, and prime benefits, Easy Ship would be a great choice. If you want to have complete autonomy and control over the shipping costs you are spending, then Self-Ship may fit your needs better. Overall, no matter your selection, businesses using Amazon Seller Account management services can better evaluate their options and assemble a streamlined fulfillment plan for greater sales growth and long-term faster delivery times.
