Shipping Options on Amazon: Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of Shipping Options on Amazon: What You Need to Know
Below are the shipping options available to sellers and their pros and cons
Self-Ship:
Pros: The seller has complete control over the shipping process and can choose the carrier, shipping speed, and any additional services (such as insurance). This can be beneficial if the seller has a preferred carrier or if they want to offer different shipping options to the customer.
Cons: The seller has to handle all aspects of the shipping process, including packing and labeling the order, scheduling pickup or drop-off, and paying for shipping. This can be time-consuming and may require additional resources.
Easy Ship:
Pros: Easy Ship is a program offered by Amazon that allows sellers to outsource the shipping process to Amazon. Amazon will handle the packing, labeling, and shipping of the order, as well as any returns or customer service issues. This can be convenient for sellers who want to focus on other aspects of their business or who don't have the resources to handle shipping themselves.
Cons: Easy Ship is only available to certain sellers and may not be an option for everyone. In addition, sellers may have less control over the shipping process and may not be able to offer certain shipping options to their customers.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA):
Pros: FBA is a program offered by Amazon that allows sellers to store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers. When an order is placed, Amazon will pick, pack, and ship the product to the customer, as well as handle returns and customer service issues. This can be convenient for sellers who want to focus on other aspects of their business or who don't have the resources to handle shipping themselves.
Cons: FBA is only available to certain sellers and may not be an option for everyone. In addition, sellers may have less control over the shipping process and may not be able to offer certain shipping options to their customers. There may also be additional fees for using FBA, including storage fees and fulfillment fees.
Below are the shipping options available to buyers and their pros and cons
Standard Shipping:
Pros: It's the most economical option and delivery times are usually within a week.
Cons: It's not the fastest option and you may have to wait longer for your order to arrive.
Two-Day Shipping:
Pros: Delivery is guaranteed within two business days, which is faster than Standard Shipping.
Cons: It's more expensive than Standard Shipping.
One-Day Shipping:
Pros: Delivery is guaranteed within one business day, which is the fastest option available.
Cons: It's the most expensive shipping option.
Same-Day Delivery:
Pros: Delivery is guaranteed on the same day that you place the order (as long as you place it by the cut-off time).
Cons: It's only available in select areas and can be expensive.
Prime Shipping:
Pros: It includes free two-day shipping on eligible items, as well as other perks such as streaming of movies, TV shows, and music.
Cons: It requires a subscription fee and is only available to Amazon Prime members.