"Dear FBA: It’s Not Me, It’s You"

Amazon FBA isn’t always the golden goose it’s cracked up to be.

I know—saying that almost feels like swearing in church. But if you’ve been selling on Amazon for more than five minutes, you’ve probably run into the dreaded “FBA squeeze.” Fees creeping higher, restock limits tightening like your jeans after Thanksgiving, and support tickets getting lost in the black hole of Seller Central. 😤

Now, more sellers—big and small—are ditching Amazon’s logistics and handing the keys to 3PLs (Third-Party Logistics providers). Why? To take back control and stop playing whack-a-mole with Amazon’s warehouse policies.

Let me tell you what’s going on—and how to know if it’s your time to join the exodus.

📦 My Friend Jeff’s Wake-Up Call

Jeff isn’t some 8-figure guru. He’s a dad in Ohio with a full-time job, two kids under five, and a growing FBA business selling kitchen tools. About a year ago, he hit what I call the “FBA Wall.”

He had a winning garlic press (yes, still profitable in 2024—don’t ask how), but every time Q4 rolled around, Amazon smacked him with restock limits. His best-seller would run out of stock just when demand was highest. And each time that happened, he lost momentum, rank, and sales. Not to mention sanity.

So last January, Jeff made the leap to using a 3PL. He now sends all his inventory to a warehouse in Illinois, and only drip-feeds into FBA when it makes sense. That move alone dropped his total storage costs by 40% and helped him stay in stock through Prime Day and October’s early holiday madness.

He’s not “anti-FBA”—he’s just using it like a tool, not a crutch.

🔢 Here’s Why Sellers Are Jumping Ship from FBA Logistics

1. Restock Limits Are a Killer
Amazon keeps moving the goalposts. One month you’re fine, the next you can only send in 18 units. It’s like trying to run a business while blindfolded.

2. Storage Fees Are Skyrocketing
If your stuff doesn’t move fast enough, you’re getting hammered with monthly and aged inventory fees. It’s like renting a mansion to store socks.

3. You’re Powerless in Their System
Got a problem? Good luck. FBA support is like a vending machine that eats your quarters and gives you someone else’s chips.

4. Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) Isn’t Cheap or Easy
Using FBA to fulfill Shopify, Etsy, or Walmart orders? Get ready to overpay—and lose branding control.

5. 3PLs Offer Flexibility Amazon Just Can’t
Want to bundle SKUs? Add an insert? Pre-label for Walmart? Good luck with FBA. 3PLs actually let you run your business like a business.

🎯 So When Should You Switch to a 3PL?

✅ You keep hitting restock limits
✅ Your storage fees are outpacing your profit
✅ You sell across multiple channels (or want to)
✅ You want to launch more SKUs without gambling on space
✅ You need prep help, bundling, or custom packaging

If you check even two of those boxes, it’s time to start researching 3PLs in your region. Start small. Test one product. Keep FBA in the mix, but don’t let it own your operation.

💬 Big Takeaway?

FBA is a powerful tool—but it’s not the whole toolbox. Smart sellers are building hybrid fulfillment models that give them flexibility, save on fees, and keep their best-sellers in stock when it matters most.

🔁 Say It With Me:
👉 “Amazon works for me—I don’t work for Amazon.” 👈

🙋‍♂️ Been burned by restock limits or FBA chaos? Comment if you’ve been there 👇

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✍️ Stay scrappy, stay smart, stay in stock.

Andy Splichal
Founder & Managing Partner of True Online Presence & Author of the Make Each Click Count Book Series

P.S. Want to scale your sales without scaling your stress? I manage PPC for sellers who are serious about growth.

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