Selling on Amazon

When I was hired in September; one of the first things I was asked to do was to research the process of selling items on Amazon. Puget Systems wanted to start selling some of the optional add-on acrylic pieces that we custom make for our systems and let Amazon handle the orders and shipping to customers. That would not only provide our shipping department more time to process the computer orders, but would make it so customers could easily purchase them without having to set up an account with us to purchase a small part. 

I had to first research all the rules and fees that Amazon requires and charges, how their fulfillment program and the whole selling process worked. If you are like I was, and someone that had never sold large amounts of items on Amazon or used their fulfillment services, you would think that it wouldn’t be a super difficult thing to do, but Amazon has so many different policies and requirements that it was quite the process. 

I then had to take all my research findings and present it in a PowerPoint presentation for my manager and the owner of the company. The purpose for that was to get them in the loop and let them determine if the whole process would be worth it to the company. We decided to sell GPU Braces, TX1 Kits and TK1 Kits- once it was approved, I set up a seller account and got the ball rolling. I also had to apply for UPC codes for each product that we were selling on amazon because our products are manufactured at Puget Systems and there are no other ones already being sold.  

 

It took a little tweaking on my end for the first couple of batches that were sent out. I had to see how many of each product was being sold and how quickly Amazon was going through the inventory. Replenishment alerts were set up to notify me once their supply was at 3 weeks. I had to increase the number of units per shipment being made in production so that the laser machine was not taken over every other week. We started out with 100 GPU Braces, 20 TX1 Kits and 50 TK1 Kits being made, and now, 6 months later have come to a good number of products being made at a time. We found that if we produce, assemble and ship out; 360 GPU Braces, 100 TK1 Kits and 60 TX1 Kits that the process only needs to be done about once a month. 

Here is an overview of the entire process; when the Amazon stock alarm goes off, I will let production know which acrylic pieces need to start being made. It usually takes 3-5 days to get them all cut. The pieces are then handed to me to start to the assemble kits. Then, I have to get the bag and screw counts updated in our system and make sure more is ordered for the next batch. After that is done, I print the custom UPC codes and label each individual product with it.  Once everything is ready to ship, I have to set up the shipment(s) through our Amazon account which includes putting a certain amount of kits in certain boxes, which go to different fulfillment centers around the US, printing the shipping labels, as well as weighing and measuring the boxes. It is my job to keep up on the customer questions or resolve any issues they may have as well as keep up and adjust the inventory. On average, from start to finish, each replenishment order takes anywhere from 7-14 business days.  

The GPU Braces include; (2) #6-32 5/8” screw
                (2) #6-32 3/8” screw
                (2) M3 10mm screw 

  

https://www.amazon.com/Puget-Systems-Universal-Acrylic-Brace/dp/B019ZZQVK8

The TK1 Jetson Kit includes; (1) Bottom acrylic panel
                     (1) Top acrylic panel
                     (4) #4-40 .25” standoffs 
                     (4) #4-40 1.25” standoffs
                     (4) #4-40 5/8” screws
            

https://www.amazon.com/Puget-Systems-Acrylic-Development-Enclosure/dp/B01A1GUIYK

The TX1 Jetson Kit includes;  (1) Bottom acrylic panel
                      (1)Top acrylic panel
                      (4) #6-32 .25 standoffs
                      (4) #6-32 1.25” standoffs
                      (4) Thin acrylic spacers
                      (4) #6-32 3/8” screws
                                               (1) Acrylic SSD spacer
                                               (4) M3 12mm0.5 screws
                                               (1) 12” SATA power/data extension cable
                                               (4) .5” rubber feet
                                               (4) Thick acrylic spacers
                                               (4) #6-32 .75” socket cap screws
                                               (1) 7/64” hex key

https://www.amazon.com/Puget-Systems-Acrylic-Enclosure-NVIDIA/dp/B01AYPGMJS