Just a friendly reminder to all, check your shipping settings and templates today!
(Yes, I know that today is March 15. #IdesOfMarch)
4 Likes
Thanks for the reminder. None of mine changed; guess I’m (at least for now) in good shape based on going through the opt-out process last time.
None of my settings were overridden either, thankfully. I’d like to think Amazon knows better than to mess with me when it comes to shipping template settings. 
(I’m sure they don’t, but I like to think it. 
)
We have handling times set at item level “Offer Tab” which override all that ssa / shipping template stuff which I just mostly ignore.
Same, and I’m very glad about that.
We have handling times set at item level “Offer Tab” which override all that ssa / shipping template stuff
I’m not sure handling time has much to do with the transit times from your templates. Item-specific handling times will prevent Amazon interference with the handling portion, but wouldn’t you still be screwed if they switched you to shipping automation to set your transit times?
I actually don’t know, but it’s never been an issue they way we have things setup.
I did find this interesting tidbit when researching..
with Shipping Settings Automation enabled your account health is protected from negative feedbacks due to late deliveries, and we will suppress negative feedback related to late deliveries on your Shipping Settings Automation orders
That is interesting.
I suspect that most who allow automation (whether wittingly or un) don’t know of this, so Amazon will have no reason to keep the promise.
I cannot imagine very many at Amazon know it.
Also surprised they put out bait with no hook – no requirement to use Amazon buy-shipping – but I see they do specify that you had to use only the services that would have been offered by Amazon.
I actually remember this was one of their selling points when they first announced it.
Let us handle your shipping set-up and you won’t be penalized if things go wrong.
But again (I know I sound like a broken record), I see very little value, if any, in this ‘benefit’. The main reason is -
- Most shipments arrive on time so customers have no reason to complain. Unlike Amazon, I know how to set up my shipping templates so the actual arrival date is almost always before the promised date.
Call me silly, but I think it’s better to make a promise, meet it, and have the buyer be happy than to make a promise, not meet it, have the buyer be upset, and have Amazon remove the penalty.
Amazon is basically saying - if you let us handle it, things can get screwed up and no one (except the buyer…!) will care.
That’s not my style. 
I notice that it says “You used the same (or faster) shipping …”
Many of the people who have complained about the automated shipping do so when they are forced to pay extra for a faster shipping than they normally use; so if they don’t pay extra, Amazon won’t cover them.
No thanks.
Forced shipping template “upgrade” to SSA coming 4/25/23 AMAZON email
"We need to reject this as it does not allow for the bad parts of carriers systems nor the regional performance differences due to weather, poor distribution center thru put etc.
You can choose to opt-out but there is a veiled threat in the original email that we will not be protected from carrier performance issues if we do not allow this to happen!"
It appears that this is happening now on 4/25.
Did everyone get an email; I didn’t, and I have checked as far back as Feb?
Notice under Shipping Settings
When you click on Edit Preferences:
This appears to be happening whether we like it or not.
“We will use the shipping preferences to upgrade your manual shipping templates to the Shipping Settings Automation templates.”
The last change Amazon made all my local orders and surrounding regions were only showing priority as an option for packages under 1 lb, and I had to increase transit time by a day to get First Class back.
The shipping template no longer shows a separate option for your local State; all the regions are together. Maybe the change was made a while ago, and I never noticed; I haven’t had any issues purchasing first class, but I also changed my handling time to same-day shipping.
The OP mentioned that there is an option to opt-out, but I’m not seeing it; maybe it’s in the email?
I do not want to use Amz Auto shipping!!
This appears to be happening whether we like it or not.
It sure looks like that’s what Amazon wants you to think.
I don’t have that ‘Scheduled template upgrade’ headline on my shipping settings page, and I don’t check the email that Amazon has on file, so don’t know if they sent me anything.
I think you could just uncheck all the templates you show and see if it will let you save your changes. If not, you could create a bogus template with no items attached and let them automate the f— out of that one.
People are going to be super hosed, because the automation automatically opts you into 2-day shipping too. Sellers are going to be in for a rude awakening when that happens, and customers who want their items fast are going to be peeved with all the cancelled orders. 
I don’t have it either.
I unselected all my manual templates, but you are forced to select at least 1, so I selected the Default Amz Template.
I just saw the opt-out option; I missed it before.. 
I wonder if they are doing this in groups again because @doilyboutique444 posted in February about the upgrade, so I wonder if it went through for them on March 13th?
How often do sellers look at their shipping settings? I can see tons of forum posts in the near future, especially if not all sellers are getting emails, and alas, the shipping 
@Roxy is no longer around to help…
I find it curious that Amazon doesn’t make these types of announcements in the forum.
Where did you find the opt-out option?
I don’t, because they don’t want us to know about them. They just want to sneak them in the back door and hope none of us notice. 
There is a banner showing under * Shipping Templates with the notice, but it sounds like not everyone has it (yet).