Using Inventory Ledger without invoices

[RiverRetail]

Decided to go through and ask for reimbursements of lost FBA inbound items that were completely received (according to the Inventory Ledger). Finally got a response asking for invoices and such. We have invoices (and brand permission) so that’s not a worry, it’s just annoying to have the extra step. For those of you who have successfully used the Inventory Ledger to prove Amazon received your items, did you also have to upload your invoices?

Honestly, just trying to not spend hours upon hours on this if I can help it.

[Dogtamer]

@RiverRetail

…
For those of you who have successfully used the Inventory Ledger to prove Amazon received your items, did you also have to upload your invoices?

Yes, we have had Amazon impose that requirement - almost, but not entirely invariably - more than a few times over the last 3 or 4 years.

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@RiverRetail

…
Finally got a response asking for invoices and such. We have invoices (and brand permission) so that’s not a worry, it’s just annoying to have the extra step.
…

Even closer to invariability are the instances where its quite-evident (@least, to me) that such additional requests, in later responses to a FBA Lost Inbound case, are yet another delaying tactic employed in pursuing the ever-execrable “Defective By Design” model of provisioning Customer Support.

Amazon well knows who we are, because we’ve been Selling on Amazon for many, many years with one or another entity currently or formerly under our corporate umbrella.

Amazon well knows that we almost-invariably send FBA Inbound Shipments in case-packed lots (strangely, I’ve never seen such a request for non-case-packed goods shipped in miscellaneous lots), accompanied with a properly-signed packing list.

Amazon has long been aware that we query their APIs multiple times in a 24-hour period.

Amazon has almost-as-long been aware that we DO invariably triumph for each and every FBA Lost Inbound case which we bring.

Nevertheless, the shenanigans fomented by Amazon’s ever-warmer embrace of the Defective By Design Model - often enough exacerbated by its equally-fond embrace of the Silo Management Model of Bureaucratic Administration itself, and/or the ongoing problem with much of the lower echelons of Amazon’s Support Infrastructure being either out-sourced or off-shored (or both) - continue, apace.

Sigh.

[papy]

I get that Amazon wants proof of your purchase and cost for the reimbursement, but it seems crass (or sketchy) to ask for your invoices (and confidential company and supplier info) for their eff up.

There must be a better way, right?

[RiverRetail]

Ok. I’ll just suck it up and crank up the music while I go through these “lost” items. Hopefully I can create a good workflow and just fly through them :).

[dwat0870]

@papy

(and confidential company and supplier info)

Perhaps Amazon is looking for the 3 or 4 global suppliers that they don’t already know about so that they can knock off more sellers…

[Dogtamer]

@RiverRetail

…
Ok. I’ll just suck it up and crank up the music while I go through these “lost” items. Hopefully I can create a good workflow and just fly through them :).

I must admit some surprise that nearly 24 hours have passed without any comments being posted to the Headline-accompanying NSFE discussion (link) for the second of the 072424 News Headlines, “Update on Reimbursement Automation and Eligibility Window to file reimbursement claims” (link), the original text of which is quoted here:

Update on Reimbursement Automation and Eligibility Window to file reimbursement claims

Starting November 1, 2024, we’ll proactively reimburse you for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) items that are lost in our fulfillment centers. We’ll issue the reimbursement as soon as an item is reported as lost by the fulfillment center, which you can track in the Reimbursements report on Seller Central. This more seamless experience saves you time and money by minimizing the need to manually research and file claims for lost items.

Almost all reimbursement claims related to warehouse lost and damaged and customer returns cases will now be proactively reimbursed. However, if you do not receive an automatic reimbursement and you believe that your inventory has been lost or damaged, you will need to file a manual claim. Additionally, all removal claims will still need to be filed manually.

Also starting October 23, we are updating our eligibility window policy. All manual claims must now be submitted within the following timelines:

• A fulfillment center operations claim for an item that is lost or damaged in the fulfillment center must be submitted no later than 60 days after the item was reported lost or damaged.
• An FBA customer returns claim can be submitted between 60-120 days after the customer refund or replacement date. Claims must not be submitted before 60 days to ensure the customer has time to return the item to us for processing.
• A removal claim for items lost in transit can be submitted 15-75 days from the shipment-creation date. Claims must not be submitted before 15 days to ensure the shipment can be delivered back to you.
• All other removal claims must be filed within 60 days of the shipment being delivered back to you.

We understand that you may need to make changes to your current processes to ensure that all claims are submitted within these new eligibility windows. To ensure you have adequate time to adjust, the new policy will go into effect on October 23.

The FBA inventory reimbursement policy will be updated once the policy goes into effect on October 23.

I must also admit to having some qualms about whether or not such an automated mechanism will do much more than muddy the soup…

[Uncle_Leroy]

@dwat0870

@papy

(and confidential company and supplier info)

Perhaps Amazon is looking for the 3 or 4 global suppliers that they don’t already know about so that they can knock off more sellers…