Thoughts on Seller Assistant Ai

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 12:53am

Thoughts on Seller Assistant Ai? I think its a marked improvement over Seller Support, but that’s just me

HobbesIsMyTiger · March 16, 2025, 1:17am

Better than Seller Support is like saying “does this taste better than than tuna I forgot on the counter for 4 days?”

The bar for me, as a seller, whether or not to use Seller Assistant is whether or not I get my issue resolved, or at least a correct answer on why it hasn’t been resolved. Amazon’s bar is probably something more like: is this cheaper without being problematically worse, and the answer will be yes because Seller Support is already an empty shell of a program, AI is always cheaper than people (salaries? lame!), and the results don’t matter because Seller Support sends random, irrelevant template answers with no accountability anyway.

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 1:36am

Concur 100% with you.

I do see a sliver of light though. Seller Assistant is very helpful when clarifying amazon policy. Now, whether, Amazon follows its own policies is a different matter. We must operate with the best information we have and that is a very tall order on amazon. Yet still, if I must clarify something, Seller Assistant has been a 100 x quicker and better than Seller Support and for me, where I hesitate to open any cases now, that matters.

As an example on a recent post about AWD, @Dogtamer brought up the following:

https://test.sellersasksellers.com/t/does-awd-makes-sense/3926/10?u=tried_tested

I preemptively, asked Seller Assistant Ai for clarification and it linked me to policy that allows for a seller to use non-partnered carrier and still be re-imbursed for MFI inventory. So that, is at least, majorly helpful.

Overall, agreed!

Dogtamer · March 16, 2025, 1:45am

Interesting; I was not aware of this possibility.

May I ask if you still have the URL of said policy page to share?

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 1:50am

Amazon Sign-In Amazon Warehousing and Distribution terms and conditions

2 and 3

rms · March 16, 2025, 1:57am

There have been some who have worried that eventually AI will replace humans. That may be true, and it might be a disaster. But maybe not, if we keep a leash on them.

Regardless, it is becoming obvious that there will be a intermediary time when AI has replaced stupid humans. I think that it may be upon us.

It may be the beginnings of a golden age for humanity. ( Imagine not having to deal with stupid people - unless you are related to them. )

HobbesIsMyTiger · March 16, 2025, 2:12am

Hmmm. You seem confused.
You see…
The stupid people?
They are coding the bots.

Yeah.

Dogtamer · March 16, 2025, 2:14am

That’s the SHC policy page I linked in your referenced post, so I’m not surprised that ~~Dufus~~ Seller Assistant directed you there for whatever search query parameter(s) you submitted.

I may be missing something, however, because I’m not seeing your interpretation of Sections 2 & 3 (remember, I’m an old codger ) in the text; I still maintain that the widely-reported problems with the Section 4a provision I quoted in that other thread re: Eligibility would currently seem to be Amazon’s go-to stance for non-Partnered Carrier/non-AGL AWD Inbound Shipment Workflows, no matter if the fault actually lies on its side, or the sellers, or the carriers.

lake · March 16, 2025, 2:31am

Unfortunately, that AI may be just as stupid as the humans it replaces. Consider whether Amazon might use existing cases and their solutions to train the AI, Might be the only available source of training available in sufficient quantity.

That should make you shudder. Expect that gold to be fool’s gold.

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 2:52am

Full response below to test responses when asked specific questions - sloppy responses are mine - obviously:

Today, 5:40 PM

Is there an AWD calculator that allows me to calculate all the fees associated with storage at AWD as an option - all the way from inbound shipping, all the way to outbound transfer to FC. There is a webinar on the 19th which I plan on attending but there are multiple questions which need to be clarified. One such example is liability for MFI - my understanding from what I’ve read on the amazon seller forums is, unlike Amazon FBA, where if inventory is amiss upon Inbound shipment it is reconciled with the Packing Slip and amazon then reimburses Seller for the missing units. And recently, Amazon has changed their reimbursement policy, but still there is some calculation which allows seller to reconver lost resources. However, it would seem with Inventory headed to AWD warehouses unless a Seller utilizes AGL for the shipment, amazon bears no responsibility for MFI units that may arrive at AWD Warehouses, but that AWD workers may misplace. Please clarify.
Seller Assistant

Yes, there is an AWD calculator to help you estimate the fees associated with storing your inventory in AWD, including inbound shipping and outbound transfer to FBA. [1]

Here’s how you can use the AWD calculator:

Go to the AWD Fees page in Seller Central. This page provides the current fee rates for storage, processing, and transportation. [1]
Estimate your average monthly storage volume in cubic feet. You can use your historical data or projected inventory levels. [1]
Calculate the estimated monthly storage fee by multiplying your average monthly storage volume by the applicable storage rate. [1]
Estimate the processing and transportation fees based on your projected number of replenishment orders and the total volume of those orders in cubic feet. [1]
Add up the estimated storage, processing, and transportation fees to get the total estimated AWD fees for your business. [1]

The AWD calculator can help you plan and budget for your AWD-related costs. Let me know if you have any other questions!

As an Amazon seller, I understand your concern about the liability policy for missing or misplaced inventory at Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) facilities compared to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). [1]

Here’s a summary of the key differences:

Reimbursement for Lost or Damaged Inventory:

For inventory lost or damaged at an AWD facility or in transit to/from an AWD site, Amazon will reimburse you according to the FBA inventory reimbursement policy. [1]
This includes units considered lost if Amazon cannot physically locate them for 30 days or more after reporting the missing unit to you. [1]
However, Amazon will not reimburse for degradation of accessories or packaging that occurs during the AWD screening process - instead, they will replace those items. [1]

Claim Window:

For lost or damaged units at AWD facilities, you must submit your claim within the claim window specified in the FBA inventory reimbursement policy for fulfillment center operations claims. [1]
For units lost or damaged in transit to other channels via Multi-Channel Distribution (MCD), the claim window is the same as the FBA inventory reimbursement policy for removals claims. [1]

Reimbursement Calculation:

If Amazon determines your AWD reimbursement claim is valid, they will reimburse you according to the valuation methodology described in the FBA inventory reimbursement policy. [1]

I hope this helps provide clarity on the liability and reimbursement policies for AWD versus FBA. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

The AWD reimbursements for lost/damaged inventory (obviously excluding degradation of units which is a seller problem) is irrespective of who the Shipment carrier is to AWD warehouses? Meaning it does not have to be a partnered carrier and for AWD that would mean only AGL (Amazon Global Logistics)
Seller Assistant

Based on the Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) terms and conditions, the AWD reimbursement policy for lost or damaged inventory applies regardless of the shipment carrier used to send inventory to AWD warehouses. [1]

Specifically, the policy states:

“The unit was shipped via a supported shipping method as identified on the AWD program page (except that this eligibility criteria does not apply if Amazon confirms it received a unit shipped via an unsupported method but then subsequently loses or damages it in the AWD facility).” [1]

This indicates that as long as the shipment method is supported by AWD, the reimbursement policy applies, whether you use Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) or another carrier. [1]

The key requirements are that the ASIN must be in your inventory catalog, there was a valid AWD appointment, the unit complies with AWD eligibility, and you sent the exact units stated in your shipping plan. [1]

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Can you clearly define the following quote of yours “…shipment method is supported by AWD…” ; more specifically, if I use a logistics provider from Freightos (there are many shippers there) - I should have no issues, as long as what arrives at the AWD facility matches my shipment plan - correct?
Seller Assistant

Yes, you can use any logistics provider from Freightos to ship inventory to AWD facilities and still be eligible for reimbursement if the inventory is lost or damaged, as long as the shipment matches your plan. [1]

Here’s how it works:

AWD supports shipments from both Amazon Partnered Carriers and Seller Managed Carriers. [1]
If you use a Seller Managed Carrier like one from Freightos, you’ll need to select “Non-Amazon Partnered Carrier” in the AWD workflow and provide the carrier code. [2]
As long as the shipment you send matches the details in your AWD shipment plan, such as the number of units and box dimensions, you’ll be eligible for reimbursement if anything is lost or damaged. [1]
The key is ensuring the actual shipment aligns with your plan - the carrier you use doesn’t impact your eligibility for reimbursement. [1]

Let me know if you have any other questions!

and since shipments can take anywhere from 30-45 days to clear customs and arrive at their destination in my experience - how long are AWD shipment plans valid for?
Seller Assistant

As an Amazon seller, I understand your concern about the validity of your AWD shipment plans given the transit times. Let me provide some clarity based on our policies:

According to our guidelines, once you approve a shipping plan, you are required to ship your products to Amazon as stated in that plan, including sending the stated quantity of each product to the assigned Amazon facility. [1]

Specifically for multi-destination shipping plans, we require that all shipments in the approved plan arrive within 30 days after the first shipment is received at our fulfillment centers. [1] This is to ensure your inventory is available for customer orders in a timely manner.

If your domestic shipments don’t arrive within 45 days of shipment creation, or your international shipments don’t arrive within 75 days, we will automatically close those shipments. [1] However, we understand that delays can happen due to factors outside your control, such as customs clearance. In those cases, we will keep the shipments open.

The key is to create realistic shipping plans upfront that account for the transit times to get your products to our fulfillment centers on time. I’d be happy to provide more guidance on managing your AWD shipments if you have any other questions.

1. So since these would be FCL shipments - are you telling me that AWD shipment plans don’t allow for FCL in one shipment to a single AWD warehouse?
2. Since my manufacturing is overseas. It would be International. I have a customs bond and usually have shipments cleared through clear which is built into Freightos. 75 days should be more than enough time.

Would AWD work for me considering, 1. and 2. immediately above

Seller Assistant

Yes, you can use Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) for international Full Container Load (FCL) shipments from your overseas manufacturing to a single AWD warehouse, given the 75-day window for international shipments to arrive after creating the shipment plan. [1]

Here’s how you can do it:

Ensure your products meet the AWD product eligibility requirements. [1]
Create your AWD shipment plan and select the destination AWD facility. [2]
Book a delivery appointment for your carrier through the Carrier Central portal, providing the required shipment details. [2]
Ship your FCL cargo directly to the designated AWD facility. [1]
Your inventory will be stored at the AWD facility and automatically replenished to Amazon fulfillment centers as needed to maintain your FBA stock. [1]

The 75-day window for international shipments provides ample time for your cargo to clear customs and arrive at the AWD warehouse. [1] This can help streamline your supply chain and inventory management for your FBA business.

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to provide further assistance.

“Book a delivery appointment for your carrier through the Carrier Central portal, providing the required shipment details.” Can you clarify this? Usually, when I have FCL shipments delivered to my own warehouse facility, they call me to confirm delivery date and usually arrive within a 1-2 hour window - unless there is some traffic delay, then I follow up with dispatch and they tell me what the driver ETA is approximately. Sometimes, a truck breaks down and they miss the delivery appointment. In light of this, can you clarify the quote in question?
Seller Assistant

As an Amazon seller, I understand the importance of efficiently managing your FCL shipments to AWD facilities. Let me walk you through the process of booking a delivery appointment for your FCL shipments:

Schedule a Delivery Appointment: Your carrier will need to schedule an advanced delivery appointment through the Carrier Appointment Request Portal in Carrier Central. [1]
* Ensure your carrier has created an account in Carrier Central if they don’t have one already. [1]
* Your carrier must select the destination AWD facility that appears on the box labels generated in the “Send to Amazon Warehousing and Distribution” workflow. [1]
* The carrier must provide details like freight type, load type, trailer number, and delivery date for your shipment. [1]
Provide Accurate Shipment Information: Your carrier must enter the following details in the appointment portal: [1]
* Amazon reference number
* Progressive number (obtained from your carrier)
* Bill of lading provided by your carrier
* Box count
* Unit count
* Amazon reference ID list
Confirm Appointment Details: Once the appointment request is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation that it’s been received. After Amazon verifies the request, the appointment will be scheduled, and the details will be sent to your carrier’s registered email address. [1]
* You can check the status of the appointment in the carrier appointment request portal. [1]

Unlike your typical FCL shipments to your own warehouse, the delivery windows for AWD facilities are more structured to ensure efficient processing. While there may be less flexibility, the appointment system helps streamline the receiving process. [1]

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I’m here to help ensure your FCL shipments to AWD are booked and delivered smoothly.

So what if the carrier misses the appointment set at (for example) 8 am on a particular day, will the appointment become invalid? What if a truck breaks down?
Seller Assistant

I understand your concern about a missed or late delivery appointment at the AWD facility. This is an important issue, as timely deliveries are crucial for efficient FBA operations and customer experience.

If the carrier misses or is late for the scheduled delivery appointment, there are a few key things that can happen:

Shipment Refusal: If the carrier arrives more than 30 minutes late for the scheduled appointment, the fulfillment center may refuse to accept the shipment. [1] This is to maintain operational efficiency and avoid disruptions.
Rescheduling: In the event of a missed or late appointment, the carrier will need to request a new delivery appointment. [1] This may cause delays in getting your inventory received and available for sale.
Potential Costs: If the shipment is refused due to a missed or late appointment, you may incur additional costs from the carrier for the failed delivery attempt. [1]

To help avoid these issues, I recommend the following:

Communicate Proactively: Ensure your carrier is aware of the delivery appointment requirements and the consequences of missing or being late for the scheduled time. [1]
Monitor Delivery Status: Closely track the status of your shipment and delivery appointment in Seller Central. If there are any delays, work with your carrier to reschedule the appointment as soon as possible. [1]
Build in Buffer Time: When scheduling the delivery appointment, consider building in some buffer time to account for potential traffic, weather, or other delays that could impact the carrier’s ability to arrive on time. [1]

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I’m here to help ensure your FBA shipments are delivered smoothly and on time. [1]

rms · March 16, 2025, 7:28am

Uhh…where is the tl;dr?

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 4:02pm

The main issue being reported was that unless a seller uses a partnered carrier for their shipment plan - any missing from inbound (MFI) inventory wasn’t eligible for reimbursement. So all shipments that fit within the parameters of AWD, are, in fact, eligible.

FBA reimbursement policy applies.

AWD supports two shipping methods: partnered carrier (AGL) and seller managed carrier (Freightos or what have you)

The rest of the stuff is me trying to test the responses of the Seller Assistant Ai and create a heuristic to compare cost structures between self-storage (which is a terminal issue for me) vs using Amazon.

In my view, there is no eventual difference between FBA warehouses and AWD warehouses save the fact that FBA warehouses have operated for a while now so they’re far more refined operationally, whereas AWD warehouses probably have kinks that need refinement - but sooner or later, the two will be nearly identical for all intents and purposes.

dwat0870 · March 16, 2025, 4:37pm

Only a small curve ball here.

The largest issue for me is as described by @lake when they state the obvious problem – “Consider whether Amazon might use existing cases and their solutions to train the AI, Might be the only available source of training available in sufficient quantity.”

See my recent ‘discussion’ with Michelle_amazon regarding her statement that receipts no longer work for ungating on this post –
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/104507ac-5406-4d6f-be24-fa4926b4fe70?postId=e65445a6-b7e1-4a9b-91dc-6a9a17bf632d

"Great advice but can Amazon PLEASE go in and remove all the references to “RECEIPTS” in the archives in the posted requirements for approvals. .

There are a number of us on here that have been ‘vocal’ about the changes in policies over the past couple years, and the most frequent objection to what we respond with has been historic AMAZON statements about “invoice or receipt.”

Amazon leaving those words in policy statements is creating a ‘bait and switch’ for new sellers who have not spent time reading the Forum.

I understand that Amazon collects millions of dollars a year at $40/month from all these guys until they get suspended (for using receipts), but seriously, that is unconscionable behavior and some lousy management."

" Hi @NEVERLAST,

Thanks for your feedback and I agree. I didn’t realize there were any help pages still stating that. However, I will go through the help pages and see if I can find all the help pages that need updating and work on getting them correct."

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 4:51pm

Very good points. I would test Seller Assistant in a clean thread on this very question. Suggestions:

How is Seller Assistant different from Forum Moderators
How is it trained - what information and data is available to it?
And then specifically, on a separate thread go down the rabbit hole with specific scenarios of receipts vs invoices and sourcing validation

This can all be tested now.

Tried_Tested · March 16, 2025, 6:09pm

I think constantly testing the responses based on queries is useful (also entertaining). This is way off, but I’m seeing how far I can ask questions away from policy:

Becoming a Large FBA Amazon Seller - what is the capex required to become a $10million seller on Amazon in your estimation. This includes: brand, inventory, number of skus, marketing including ppc etc. Thoughts?
Seller Assistant

The estimated capital expenditure (capex) required to become a $10 million seller on Amazon can vary significantly depending on several factors:

Brand development and registration: $5,000 - $15,000
Initial inventory: $50,000 - $500,000+ depending on product category and number of SKUs
Marketing and PPC: $10,000 - $100,000+ per year
Logistics and fulfillment: $5,000 - $50,000+ per year

In total, the upfront capital required could range from $70,000 to over $1 million, with ongoing annual expenses of $15,000 to $150,000+. The exact amount will depend on your specific product, brand, inventory needs, marketing strategy, and fulfillment model.

I’d recommend speaking with an Amazon selling consultant or experienced seller to get a more tailored estimate based on your unique business plan and goals. Let me know if you have any other questions!