Imagine finding out you’re losing money on Amazon not because of bad sales, but because you missed claiming what you’re owed.
It happens more often than you think.
Many sellers assume Amazon reimbursements are automatic or easy to manage. But the truth is, between tracking missing inventory, filing claims correctly, and catching small errors, it’s a full-time job on its own. And every missed claim is money Amazon gets to keep, not you.
That’s why smart sellers don’t just react, they build a system. Whether that means handling claims yourself, using software to catch mistakes, or handing it over to an expert agency, the right setup protects your profits without draining your time.
Let’s dive into what reimbursement really involves and which path makes the most sense for where you are right now.
What reimbursement is involved?
Reimbursement on Amazon isn’t just about filing a form and getting paid. It’s a detailed process that starts with finding out if you’re even owed money. You need to check reports for lost, damaged, or incorrectly charged items, match them with your inventory records, and spot any mistakes Amazon didn’t catch.
Once you find an issue, you have to gather proof, prepare a claim, and submit it properly through Seller Central. After filing, you often need to follow up to make sure Amazon processes your claim. It’s time-consuming, easy to miss small errors, and requires careful tracking to recover the full amount you’re owed.
The DIY (Do-it yourself) approach
Handling Amazon reimbursements claim yourself can be a smart option for some sellers. Here’s a deeper look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
- No third-party fees: When you manage reimbursements yourself, you don’t have to pay any agency or tool fees. Every dollar you recover goes straight back into your business, which is important for sellers working with tight margins.
- Full visibility and control over claims: You have complete control over what claims are filed, how they are presented, and when they are followed up. This helps you stay fully informed about your inventory issues and learn exactly how the reimbursement process works.
- Great for small sellers or those with time/experience: If you have a smaller catalog or the time to manage claims properly, the DIY approach can work very well. Experienced sellers who know Amazon’s systems can often spot mistakes quickly and act without needing outside help.
Cons:
- Time-consuming: Managing reimbursements manually can take hours every week. You’ll need to check multiple reports, search for issues, and stay updated on Amazon’s rules and deadlines.
- Manually checking and matching reports: Finding missing or damaged items isn’t automatic. You have to manually match inventory records, shipment data, and financial reports, which can be tiring and confusing without a clear system.
- Easy to miss eligible claims: Small errors, like missing deadlines or submitting incomplete claims, can lead to lost reimbursements. Without experience, it’s easy to overlook mistakes Amazon made—or to file incorrectly and get rejected.
When to consider
If you’re just starting, have a small number of SKUs, or enjoy managing your Amazon operations closely, the DIY method can be a good fit. It’s cost-effective but requires careful attention and consistent follow-up.
Reimbursement software tools
For many Amazon sellers, using reimbursement software tools can be a big time-saver. These tools are designed to automate a lot of the manual work that comes with finding and filing reimbursement claims. Let’s break down the pros and cons clearly:
Pros:
- Automatically scan reports for common errors: Reimbursement tools can review your Amazon reports in seconds, looking for common issues like lost items, damaged goods, or incorrect refunds. This saves you from having to dig through spreadsheets yourself.
- Save hours with pre-drafted claims and dashboards: Many tools offer ready-to-send claim drafts and easy-to-use dashboards that highlight which claims need your attention. This means you can act quickly without starting every case from scratch.
- Ideal for high-volume sellers: If you have hundreds or thousands of SKUs, it’s nearly impossible to catch every error manually. Software tools make it easier to keep track of everything without getting overwhelmed. High-volume sellers, in particular, benefit because they can spot problems early and recover more money faster.
Cons:
- Can miss edge cases or complex scenarios: While the software is great at spotting obvious errors, it can sometimes miss more complex situations—like problems that happen at the warehouse level, mixed shipments, or complicated returns across multiple SKUs. (e.g., warehouse-level errors, multiple SKUs).
- Still need to manage and file cases yourself: Even though the tool finds errors, it doesn’t completely remove your work. You usually still need to review claims, upload supporting documents, and submit cases through Seller Central yourself.
- Subscription or recovery fees (often 20–30%): Most reimbursement tools charge either a monthly subscription or take a percentage of what they recover (often around 20–30%). While they save time, they do cost money—so you need to weigh if the savings are worth the fees.
When to consider:
Reimbursement tools are a good option for busy sellers who don’t have time to manually check reports but still prefer to manage their claims. They automate the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on selling, but they require you to stay involved and complete the final steps.
If you want more automation but don’t mind doing a little follow-up work, a good reimbursement tool can strike the right balance between time savings and control.
Reimbursement agencies
Hiring a reimbursement agency can take a lot of the workload off your plate, especially if you manage a large catalog or sell across multiple Amazon marketplaces. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Full service—auditing, filing, following up: Reimbursement agencies handle everything for you. They audit your accounts, find missing or damaged inventory, file claims with Amazon, and keep following up until the case is resolved. This saves you from spending hours on paperwork and case management.
- Can identify claims tools often miss: Agencies usually have experienced teams who know how to spot tricky claims—like warehouse errors, shipment mistakes, or lost items across multiple fulfillment centers—that automated tools might overlook.
- Saves hours each month for large catalogs: If you sell a lot of products or operate in more than one Amazon region (like the US, UK, or Australia), it can be nearly impossible to keep track of everything manually. Agencies make it possible to stay on top of claims without sacrificing your time.
Cons:
- Usually charge a percentage of recovered funds: Most reimbursement agencies charge between 10% and 30% of whatever money they recover for you. While it saves time, it also means you’re giving up a part of your potential earnings.
- Quality varies: Most reimbursement agencies charge between 10% and 30% of whatever money they recover for you. While it saves time, it also means you’re giving up a part of your potential earnings.
When to consider:
If you are managing a large number of SKUs, operating across multiple marketplaces, or simply don’t have time to chase down every missing item, an agency can be a smart move. It’s a good option if you want expert support with minimal hands-on work while still protecting your reimbursements. An FBA inventory reimbursement can be much easier to recover when you work with a trusted reimbursement agency that knows how to spot and file every eligible claim.
Which one is right for you Amazon seller?
Choosing the right reimbursement option depends on your business size, time, and goals. Start by asking yourself a few key questions:
- What’s your monthly FBA volume?
- If you have a high number of sales, managing claims manually can become overwhelming.
- Do you have the time and patience to monitor reports and file claims regularly?
Next, think about your budget. Are you willing to pay service fees for extra help, or do you prefer saving money by doing it yourself? Also, consider whether you want full control over the process or peace of mind by handing it off to experts.
Finally, ask yourself if you’ve missed reimbursements in the past. If so, it might be a sign that a tool or agency could help recover more money. Matching the right approach to your needs can protect your profits and save you a lot of stress.
What’s the smartest way to handle reimbursements?
Managing Amazon reimbursements isn’t as simple as it looks and missing even a few claims can add up to a real loss over time. Whether you handle it yourself, automate it with a tool, or work with a full-service agency, the key is finding a system that matches your business size, time, and budget.
If you want full control, DIY might be right. If you want speed, a tool helps. For full peace of mind, expert help matters. Amazon consultants can guide you in choosing the right path and help maximize the money you recover without wasting time or risking mistakes.
