If a FBA shipment gets checked in and is in “Receiving” status and all units move into “FC Processing” instead of the usual “FC Transfer” column what exactly is happening and what does it typically mean? I had 2 shipments do this at same FC when they got checked in. I have sold lots of units of these two ASINs previously…both shipments the same two different ASINs.
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Our experience is you just have to wait until Amazon “blesses” the units. They play games like this all the time. Let’s wait for @ASV_Vites or @VTR to weigh in. They may know more about what’s actually happening. If you inquire with SS about the inventory, you’ll just get BS answers anyway so just be patient. I know that’s not what you want to hear.
-Ana
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I believe “FC Processing” means the units are in the process of getting both IN or OUT of the system. So technically “FC Processing” is one step before “FC Transfer”.
If you are enrolled in the “in-stock head start” program, customers can find and buy your temporarily out-of-stock products after your shipment plan is created. So in that case, depending on the timing your units may be put straight in FC Processing (preparing to be shipped out) once they reach the FC.
Very true. They’ll probably just say sth along the lines “We cannot manually expedite the process bla bla bla…”
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But, if the units are set aside for the in stock head start program wouldnt I see alot of pending orders under my FBA orders for these ASINs? I checked there and no pending orders at least for these 2 ASINs. Also both ASINs show “Inactive (Out of Stock)” status in SC even though umits have been received this week for these two, but since they are in FC Processing instead of FC Transfer they still show out of stock.
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You may, if customers are willing to wait for a month for their stuff. And if they DO order with the promise date a month in advance, even if the units get in stock before that they will not be shipped until the promise date so they sit in pending for a month or so.
Do you see any in “inbound” status in FBA inventory?
-Ana
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If there are no pending orders for these ASINs then we can rule out this reason.
I mentioned that only as one of the possibilities.
If it’s only under a week I’d say give them more time and monitor the inventory ledger report for any new movements. It is not uncommon for units to sit in one place for days or even weeks before moving to the next step.
You mentioned that this is happening at the same FC, maybe that FC is currently overwhelmed or short-staffed.
I understand the frustration especially when the ASIN is out of stock but patience is key when dealing with FBA.
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Blockquote
But, the shipments that were sent after these to this same FC checked in fine and processed as normal to FC transfer. These shipments did not have any units of the 2 ASINs that were in the previous shipments. So I dont know why only these 2 shipments went diectly into FC Processing.
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Yes I have some units Inbound of these 2 ASINs that will be received at a different FC though. Will see what happens when those get checked in and move to receiving status.
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It was explained to me that FC processing and FC transfer can be delineated by availability for pulling for orders. If a batch of inventory is going through a non accessible route or through transfers where there is no way for the orders to be pulled from like cross country distribution or cross dock centers, the inventory will not be available for head start.
We see this all the time when we do LTL to a single destination on either coast, where part of the inventory will be in processing and another part of the same inventory in transfer. The full amount is not available for purchase on Amazon until Amazon plays their shell game with the inventory.
The third issue is when there is some kind of delay for labeling, identification or other process where processing just means sidelined for inspection/labeling etc.
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So labeling should not be an issue here since they received the amount of units that were sent in the FBA shipments. All units are accounted for thus my FNSKU lsbels were scanned properly. I guess I just need to wait it out then and see what happens.
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I’m thinking it could be 
Maybe Amazon set those shipments or those items aside because there are some kind of issues that need to be fix.
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Yes. What @VTR is saying is correct.
FBA is a mess right now as it always is in Feb. Amazon likes to quadruple capacity limits in Jan and every Tom, Dic k, and Harry likes to send in way too much inventory. The result is a backlog and odd things like you’re seeing.
We have a pallet in FL that was delivered 3 weeks ago that still hasn’t been checked in.
Meanwhile, 5 pallets we shipped last week are already checked in and counted / FC transfer.
It all depends on the receiving facility and how effed up they are at the moment. There’s no decoding Amazon’s stupidity. Logic doesn’t play a part. I’m sure your situation will work out. Might not happen as fast as you want it to.
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OK, I have an inside guy, and here is what happened.
On the day of receipt, your shipment was delivered and checked in, and was then moved to the receiving station.
Juan who was running the scanning belt, had a very wild night, the night before, and was still a little woozy being 830am, and did not notice a fancy package of nails, made in pink from china had opened and was now jamming the belt.
He freaked, and instead of pushing the dreaded ALL STOP BUTTON, he ran toward the supervisor station, located 2 football fields away.
Mr. up and coming, newly minted supervisor, all of 19 years, listens to Juan, and then rushes to the scene to find your shipment and another 2,000 boxes piled in a stack, as the machines kept running.
He ordered all 2,000 boxes to section 25, berates Juan, and puts him back on another working line, and told him, that once the belt is fixed, to return and process the boxes.
Juan, did not do as he was told and 7 days later, your shipment is still in section 25.
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Just a seller that uses “partnered carrier” UPS for us. We got switched to Miami, Florida in the last month. Longest entry into the system ever. As you are seeing with “big boy” LTL.
Travel logistic delays, when in the local UPS terminal, delays. I am convinced it is Amazon holding the trailers. I have seen this first hand since we do work in warehouses. I have seen drivers turned away and told to wait until we page you on a side road. Or told to drop their trailer, where it will be moved to the dock using a tug when the warehouse is ready for it. Then the transportation company, can come back and get the trailer.
I don’t think many 3P sellers know that the UPS partnered shipments end up on a 53 foot trailer at some point. It’s not like the UPS driver showing up to drop off a package.
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You are correct. Amazon controls SPD UPS as well. Boxes sit at the UPS hub until Amazon is ready for them. Usually they move quick but sometimes they don’t…
You will see “A carrier delay has occurred” in the tracking. Amazon even makes UPS take the blame for their own forced hold…
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Yes they do, being in the trade, this is the one that drives me nuts! I think they slow the transport too, with “Natural Disaster and Severe Weather” warnings. (Though I don’t work at distribution hubs, only warehouses.)
I hate getting these on a sunny clear day on the eastern seaboard.
Don’t blame others for your actions Amazon. I would respect you more if you were transparent and told the truth.
I guess it is a good thing they don’t blame us, (3P) sellers. /s
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Update: All the units have now moved to “FC Transfer” and getting orders too. Took about a week after going into FC Processing.
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