New Seller Dos and Don'ts, Step by Step
A do/don't pair and a short illustration for every step of the transaction, from posting a request to getting inventory forwarded.
The dos and don'ts below follow the actual sequence of a prep center transaction - not general advice, but what matters at each specific step, with a short illustration of what it looks like when it goes right or wrong.
Posting your request
This is where most downstream problems start or get prevented. A structured, specific request is what lets a prep center's response actually be useful.
Do
- Describe the product, quantity, and carton count as specifically as you can.
- Include where the shipment is coming from and where it needs to go.
- List the exact services you need - or use a preset if you're not sure.
Don't
- Post a vague request and expect providers to ask follow-up questions.
- Leave origin or destination blank "to keep it flexible."
- Assume every provider does every service you might need.
A seller posts "apparel, 500 units, need labeling" with no origin or destination. Matching can't tell if any provider actually covers them, so the request goes nowhere.
Reviewing matches
Matches aren't ranked purely by who's cheapest or closest - they reflect service fit, coverage, and capability. It's worth reading why a match landed where it did.
Do
- Read the match reasoning, not just the tier label.
- Give a "Worth a conversation" provider a chance if only one detail is missing.
- Compare more than price - turnaround and communication matter just as much.
Don't
- Assume the top-ranked match is automatically the best fit for your product.
- Dismiss a near-match without finding out if it's a dealbreaker.
- Send to only one provider if your window is tight.
A seller ignores every "Worth a conversation" match and only messages "Strong match" providers - missing a nearby provider who could easily accommodate the one detail they were missing.
Choosing a provider
The provider you choose is who you'll be coordinating with for every future shipment, not just this one. Fit matters more than the lowest number on a quote.
Do
- Ask about current turnaround time before committing, not after.
- Confirm they've handled your product type before.
- Get pricing for the full shipment, not just one service line.
Don't
- Choose based on price alone.
- Assume a provider's general services list covers your specific product.
- Skip asking how they handle damaged or missing units.
A seller picks the cheapest quote without asking about turnaround, then finds out the provider is backed up two weeks - well past the seller's deadline.
Before you ship
Everything you can tell the prep center before the truck leaves is time you save once it arrives. This is the step most easily skipped - and the one that causes the most delay when it is.
Do
- Send a pre-alert with tracking numbers and expected arrival date.
- Share SKU-level quantities and label requirements up front.
- Confirm the shipment format (parcel, carton, pallet, LTL) matches what you told them.
Don't
- Send inventory with no notice.
- Assume the prep center already knows your Amazon shipment plan.
- Wait until the truck is en route to mention special handling needs.
A seller ships a supplier order without ever telling the prep center it's coming. It arrives with no advance notice, no SKU mapping, and sits until someone can sort it out.
While it's in transit
A shipment in transit isn't "out of your hands" - delays and changes still need to reach the prep center before they reach the dock.
Do
- Pass along any carrier delay or schedule change as soon as you know it.
- Confirm the delivery appointment if one is required.
- Keep tracking information accessible in case the prep center needs it.
Don't
- Assume the carrier will communicate schedule changes to the prep center for you.
- Go quiet until the shipment arrives.
- Ignore a delivery appointment requirement because it "probably doesn't matter."
A carrier reschedules delivery by two days, but the seller doesn't tell the prep center - who had already blocked labor and dock time for the original date.
Receiving and prep
This is the step you have the least direct control over, which is exactly why fast, clear communication back to the prep center matters most here.
Do
- Respond quickly if the prep center flags an exception or asks a question.
- Confirm instructions for damaged or missing units before they come up.
- Ask for photo documentation if you want visibility into condition.
Don't
- Let an exception email sit unanswered for days.
- Assume "no news" means everything is fine.
- Skip reviewing the prep center's count/condition report if one is provided.
A prep center flags 3 damaged units on receipt, emails the seller, and hears nothing back for a week - holding up the entire batch while waiting on instructions.
After prep - forwarding and beyond
The transaction doesn't end when prep work is done - inventory still has to reach the right destination, and that depends on information staying in sync on both sides.
Do
- Confirm your FBA destination before prep work starts, not after.
- Tell the prep center immediately if your shipment plan changes.
- Save this provider relationship's process notes for your next shipment.
Don't
- Finalize your Amazon shipment plan after cartons are already labeled.
- Assume a shipment plan change won't affect already-completed prep work.
- Start over from scratch with the same provider next time instead of reusing what worked.
A seller's FBA shipment plan changes after prep is already done, so the cartons are labeled for the wrong destination and have to be relabeled before they can ship.
More in New Seller Guide
What Is an FBA Prep Center?
A simple, beginner-friendly explanation of what prep centers do and when sellers need one.
How to Compare Prep Center Quotes
Comparing quotes isn't just about the lowest price - weigh total cost, service fit, turnaround, and risk.
Questions to Ask a Prep Center
Practical questions that reveal a provider's capabilities, limits, pricing, process, and communication style.
Need a prep center now?
Post one request and connect with prep partners that match your shipment needs, services, and destination.