If you’re an FBA seller, you trust Amazon to handle your products—from storage to shipping. But sometimes, things go wrong. Items go missing. Boxes get crushed. Units never make it back after a return.
It’s frustrating, and it costs you money. So why does it happen? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Let’s break down the common reasons Amazon loses or damages your inventory—and how you can stay ahead of it.
- Busy warehouses = more room for error
Amazon has hundreds of warehouses filled with thousands of sellers’ products. Items are constantly being received, shelved, picked, packed, shipped, and returned. With this kind of volume, it’s not surprising that things occasionally go missing.
A box might be misplaced. A barcode could be scanned incorrectly. Or an item might be dropped and damaged during sorting. The faster things move, the more likely small errors happen.
- Human mistakes during receiving
When your products arrive at an Amazon Fulfillment Center, staff members check them in. If your shipment had 50 units but only 48 were scanned properly, those two might go “missing.”
Sometimes they’re in the warehouse, just labeled incorrectly or placed in the wrong bin. Other times, they’re lost in the system completely.
- Damage during handling or shipping
Amazon handles everything—from storing your items to packing and delivering them. Your product might get dropped, crushed, or damaged by machines or people along the way.
If the damage happens before the product reaches the customer, Amazon usually takes responsibility. But you still have to follow up to make sure you’re reimbursed.
- Customer returns that don’t come back right
Let’s say a buyer returns a product. Sometimes it arrives back damaged or with missing parts. Other times, it never comes back at all, but the customer already got a refund.
Amazon is supposed to track this. But occasionally, the system doesn’t catch it, and you end up losing money. If you’re not checking return records regularly, these issues can slip through unnoticed.
- Mislabeling or inventory mismatches
If there’s a barcode error, your item could get shelved in the wrong place or marked as a completely different product. Later, when someone goes to pick it, it shows as “not found.” That item is now lost—even though it’s somewhere in the warehouse.
These mismatches can also affect your sales data and available inventory.
So, what can you do about it?
Amazon won’t always catch these errors. That’s why it’s up to you to keep an eye on your inventory and file for reimbursement when something goes wrong.
You can start by checking your reports regularly:
- Inventory Adjustments
- Returns Reports
- Reimbursements Reports
- Removal Reports
If you notice a problem—like lost items not reimbursed or returns that never made it back—you can file a claim.
But here’s the catch: You need to act within a time limit. Miss the window, and you lose your chance.
Use lifetime free Amazon FBA reconciliation to your advantage
If going through reports sounds like a lot, you’re right—it is. That’s where tools like Refunzo come in. Refunzo offers lifetime free Amazon FBA reconciliation, so you don’t have to dig through data every month.
They track errors, spot missing or damaged inventory, and help you recover what you’re owed. You just connect your seller account, and they take care of the rest.
Want to maximize your reimbursement claims? Here’s how.
To maximize your reimbursement claims, you need two things: detailed tracking and quick action. Use automated tools that monitor your reports daily. Keep a close eye on returns and removals. And file claims as soon as you spot something off.
If you don’t want to do it yourself, let a trusted service handle it. You’ll save time—and you’ll likely recover more money.
In conclusion
Amazon doesn’t lose or damage inventory on purpose. But with millions of items moving daily, mistakes happen. What matters is how quickly you catch those mistakes and act on them.
If you’re serious about protecting your profits, use smart tools, stay alert, and take advantage of services like Refunzo that offer lifetime free Amazon FBA reconciliation. It’s the easiest way to make sure Amazon’s errors don’t cost you.
Don’t leave your money on the table—track it, claim it, and get what you deserve.
