How Long Does It Take to Sell & Make Money With Amazon FBA

Hey there, fellow entrepreneur! 🚀 Ever catch yourself wondering, How long does it actually take to start rolling in some cash with Amazon FBA? or maybe how long does it take to sell on Amazon? Well, pull up a chair and let’s have a real heart-to-heart about it.

Make Money With Amazon FBA

Let’s Crunch Some Numbers!

Did you know, according to Jungle Scout’s 2022 Seller Report, a whopping 63% of Amazon sellers start seeing that green (I mean profit!) within their first year? That’s over half! But hold up! That’s just one piece of the pie. A ton of factors – like your specific Amazon FBA strategy, competition in your niche, or just the curveballs life throws at you – can influence this journey. And for those of you wondering about other ventures, how long does it take to sell a business? is a valid question with a vastly different timeline.

And while it’s tempting to just give you a straight answer, let’s be real. It’s a bit more complex than that. So, let’s break it down, step by step, and maybe sprinkle in a real-life example or two.

Also, stick around ’cause I’ve got a little secret sauce that could shave weeks off your path to those first sales.

Diving into Amazon FBA Product Research

Alright, here’s the deal. Before even thinking of making some dough on Amazon, or before understanding how much does it cost to open an Amazon store, you gotta find that golden product. You could go old school with some retail arbitrage or get crafty with the Amazon Handmade program. However, the big players? They’re diving deep into Amazon research, buying in bulk, and setting themselves up for long-term success.

Ever heard of A Better Lemonade Stand? The founder, Richard, who’s like the Yoda of ecommerce, suggests spending at least 20 hours on product research. And then there’s the YouTube whiz, Dan Vas, who says hunting down that perfect product could take ya 1-2 weeks. Moral of the story? Take your sweet time and do it right!

From the trenches and experts’ mouths, expect to sink about 20-40 hours into your product research. And hey, if you’re juggling your 9-5 with this hustle, you’re probably looking at 1-4 weeks to nail it.

Connecting with Suppliers: Let the Games Begin!

Dialing Up Those Suppliers

Got that product idea? Awesome! Now, let’s talk suppliers. You could hit up a B2B marketplace and get a list of potentials in hours, but when you consider how long does it take to sell on Amazon, you realize that the real work begins with supplier communication.

For my US-based buddies, a platform like ThomasNet could speed things up. Quick call and bam! But for those looking overseas especially China, which is kinda the Amazon FBA’s unofficial hub, gear up for a bit of back-and-forth. Time zones, language barriers – it’s like a communication dance!

Tatiana James, another Amazon smarty-pants, has a hot tip: Skip the in-platform chats on sites like Alibaba. Shoot ’em an email instead, and if they’re ghosting you, follow up. Then, to really get things moving, switch to apps like WeChat or WhatsApp.

On average? Expect to spend a good 2-4 weeks on this supplier tango.

Getting Your Hands on Those Samples

Now, once you’ve got a few potential supplier buddies, it’s sample time! Air freight is your bestie if you’re getting samples from abroad, even if it’s a bit pricey. A week tops and those samples should be at your doorstep. Going domestic? UPS can get you sorted in 1-5 days.

However, let’s be honest, your product type matters. Basic wholesale stuff? You might just need one sample. But if you’re all about that private label life, expect to play the sampling game a bit longer.

Alright, buckle up, friends! I’m about to spill the beans on everything you need to know about the Amazon FBA journey timeline. If you’re wondering how long the whole process is going to take, well, let’s dive in!

Supplier Shipment: Are We There Yet?

So you’ve found your dream supplier and given them the green light and your hard-earned cash. According to BigCommerce, your excited wait for the products begins, taking roughly 3-4 weeks. Excited, huh?

But, before you start dreaming of the cash rolling in, there’s a little thing called quality check. Ever heard of Web Retailer? They claim that those inspection reports are thicc! Like, 30 pages thicc! Give it a week for the quality buffs to do their thing.

Now, if your products are in top shape after the inspection, it’s payment time! How will you get those goodies? Air or sea? Guided Imports says air freight from China to Uncle Sam’s land ranges from 1-15 days. But if you’re thinking big and shipping a lot, sea’s your best buddy, though it’s a bit of a slowpoke. In a nutshell? From ordering to the Amazon warehouse, expect a 6-8 week wait.

Busy Bee: Making Most of the Wait Time

Okay, just ’cause you’re waiting doesn’t mean Netflix and chill, folks! There’s work to be done. Newbies, if your product isn’t listed on Amazon, now’s the time to get it on there – and make it pop!

Got the writing flair of a wet noodle? No decent camera? Maybe call in some freelancer pros to do the heavy lifting. Word on the street is that platforms like Fiverr can sort you out in a week or two.

The Big Question: When Will My Stuff Sell on Amazon?

Amazon, the big ol’ search beast it is, ranks products based on magical algorithms. Think of it like the popular kids in school; the more sales and love your product gets, the higher it goes on the social ladder. And remember, how much does it cost to open an Amazon store? is only one part of the equation; getting sales is where the real hustle is.

But with about 3,000 newbies stepping into Amazon’s arena every day EDesk said it, not me!, scoring a high rank ain’t a cakewalk. But don’t get your knickers in a twist! Sure, at first, you might be coughing up a lot on Amazon ads, but as the sales come in, things get brighter.

Amazon guru Riley Bennett preaches the importance of the 180-day sales metric. Translation? Give your product half a year to climb the ranks, ’cause patience is key, my friends!

Alrighty then, pals! If you’re sitting there with a dream of selling on Amazon FBA and making it big, you might wanna buckle up. Let’s chat moolah, ’cause you gotta spend money to make money, right? And don’t forget, the journey to selling a business or an Amazon store is not the same. They come with their unique challenges and opportunities.

Amazon FBA Costs: The Real Deal

Before we dive into our tale of triumph and tribulations, we need to shed some light on the potential costs you’ll face. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies; there’s serious dosh involved.

1. Diggin’ Deep with Research Tools

You need some snazzy tools to get ahead of the game, especially if you’re looking for that golden product. Now, these tools ain’t free. Costs range from a cool $30 to a whopping $200 a month. Take Viral Launch’s Pro subscription, which we used, for example. It’s got everything for $99/month. Seems steep, but it’s a one-stop-shop.

2. The Product and Its Source

Ever heard the phrase, You gotta buy low and sell high? That’s the game. But sourcing ain’t cheap.

3. FBA and Other Hidden Fees

Amazon’s got its hand in your pocket with its FBA fees. Plus, there’s that sneaky little cost known as Amazon PPC.

Amazon FBA: A Real Story from the Trenches

Let’s paint a picture here. Imagine you’re all set, armed with the Pro seller account, shipping by sea, and you’ve decided to DIY the product listing.

In December, you’re all prepped, having splashed out $99 for the Viral Launch Pro. January 1st rolls around, and bam! You’re ordering.

January’s Financials:

1. $99 from Viral Launch in December
2. Amazon’s monthly fee: $39.99
3. Down payment for product: $1,950

Total Damage in January? A crispy -$2,088.99.

February’s Financial Diary:

1. Another $39.99 for Amazon
2. The remaining 70% product order cost: $4,550
3. Shipping? A not-so-small $3,000
4. Import duties round off the month: $500

Feeling February’s Pinch? Down by $10,178.98.

Come March, Amazon’s got your goods, and it’s game time. You’re selling about 5 a day, relying a tad too much on Amazon ads, and already thinking of reordering on March 15th.

March’s Math:

1. Monthly Amazon charge: $39.99
2. Reorder down payment: $1,950
3. Revenue: $7,750
4. Total Amazon fees (FBA + others): $2,059.95
5. Amazon Ads: $930

End of March? You’re down by $7,408.92. Units left? 345.

Lastly, those sneaky storage fees. Starting March with 500 units and ending with 155 less means you averaged about 422.5 units. With a cost of $0.83/cubic foot for March, the storage hit you for $121.75 in April.

April: The Optimizing Odyssey

Let’s talk April, gang! Your savvy self has pulled off some Amazon advertising tricks, saving you $4.50 per unit. Not to brag, but sales are looking up too. 7 units a day? Ka-ching! And, oh boy, mid-April has you paying up the balance for that reorder.

April’s Pocket-Watch:

• First things first, that $39.99 Amazon fee.
• A week in, and the March storage bill’s due: $121.75.
• Mid-month and it’s time to pay up! $4,550 for products and $3,000 for shipping.
• Ending on a high note, you rake in $10,500, but out goes $2,790.90 for FBA fees and $945 on Amazon ads.

Bottom Line for April? -$8,356.56, with 135 products left to sell. Buckle up; May’s coming!

May: Keyword Kingpin and Double Trouble!

Mayday! Mayday! You’re nailing that Amazon PPC game. Your keyword game’s on fire, and guess what? Sales are skyrocketing to 9 units a day. In the spirit of doubling down, you’ve gone big on the reorder, which even saves you some bucks per unit.

May’s Money Matters:

• $39.99 to our ever-present pal, Amazon.
• Drop $3,300 upfront for your massive order.
• Your April storage fee arrives at $69.16.
• And let’s not forget import duties, adding $500.
• The month ends with a cool $13,950 in revenue, but there’s $3,707.91 on FBA fees and $837 on ads.

May’s Grand Total? Down by $2,860.62 and 356 units in stock.

June: A Juggling Act

June bugs, brace yourselves! PPC costs are steady, but with more visibility, you’re shifting 11 units daily. Let’s roll out those digits.

June’s Financial Journey:

• Yup, you guessed it, $39.99 to Amazon.
• You’ll want to cover the $7,700 remaining for your product order.
• Shipping is a mighty $6,000 this time.
• Say hello to May’s storage fee: $71.47.
• Revenue is a whopping $16,500, but you’ve got $4,385.70 in FBA fees, $990 for ads, and $1,000 for import.

June’s Damage? We’re down by $6,547.78, with a mere 26 units left.

July: Reviews, Revenue, and Restocking

July’s here and with it, another batch of 1,000 units. Stellar reviews are pushing sales to 13 units a day. But wait, there’s another twist! Yet another reorder of 1,000 units in the pipeline. Always thinking ahead, huh?

July’s Cash Chronicles:

• Our consistent buddy, Amazon, takes its $39.99.
• $3,300 for the upcoming mega order.
• The June storage fee makes an appearance: $55.04.
• July’s a good month for revenue, fetching $20,150, but you’ve gotta part with $5,355.87 on FBA and $1,209 on Amazon ads.

How’s July Looking? Cha-ching! You’re up by $3,642.32 with 623 items waiting for their forever homes.

August: The Sales Surge

August, you’ve outdone yourself! Those daily sales are a soaring 15 units, bringing in a whopping 465 for the entire month. Your PPC game remains strong, all thanks to maintaining the $3 spend per unit.

August’s Fiscal Files:

• Amazon collects its usual $39.99 fee.
• The $7,700 balance for your product order gets squared away.
• Shipping’s taking a decent $6,000.
• July’s storage fee? A significant $237.60.
• You’re wrapping up the month with $23,250 in revenue. But, the outflows include $6,179.85 in FBA fees, $1,395 on Amazon ads, and a $1,000 import duty.

August’s Financial Footprint? A handsome profit of $4,339.88, with 158 products still waiting to find their new owners.

Eyes on the Prize: Next Moves

That’s it! You’ve made your Amazon store not just cash flow positive, but downright profitable. All the invested money is now back in your pocket, with any future orders being comfortably covered by your profits. Let’s discuss your next moves:

• Steady as She Goes: Keeping the business at its current trajectory can guarantee stability.
• Power Play: Amping up Amazon advertising can bring better product ranking and potentially higher sales.
• Expansion Excursion: Finding and introducing another product could be the real game-changer, diversifying your range and income sources.

Reality Check: Setting Expectations

Turning a profit with an Amazon business isn’t an overnight feat. For most sellers, the magic number is between six months to a year. But, banking those profits? Might want to hold off on that if you’re still selling just one product. The business world is unpredictable, especially with a single product in your arsenal. Competition could intensify, superior alternatives might appear, or supply chain mishaps can throw a wrench in your operations.

For stability, think expansion: 4-5 products can cushion you against market fluctuations. This strategy may mean waiting a few years before pocketing personal profits. If patience isn’t your virtue, Amazon’s diverse ecosystem has plenty more to offer:

• Amazon Influencer: Make commissions by promoting products and earning through the Amazon Associates program.
• Amazon Camperforce: RV owners can earn with occasional gigs.
• Amazon Flex: Got a vehicle? Then you could be delivering packages and making money.

Remember, while Amazon FBA offers a lucrative avenue, it’s just one of the many paths in the digital forest of online businesses. Weigh your options, and choose what aligns best with your goals and passion. Your path to financial freedom might just be a click away.

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