FBS is the do-it-yourself model: you store the goods, prepare each order and deliver it with your own courier. The platform’s role is the storefront and the order record — you drive the status from new to delivered.
The FBS journey at a glance
NEWClick Approve → PROCESSINGOUT_FOR_DELIVERYTracking number required in the dispatch dialogDELIVEREDOnly after the buyer actually has itCancel remains available with a reason (you or the customer) until the order is closed — but cancel before dispatch whenever possible; see Cancel an Order.
Dispatching with a tracking number
- When you move a processing order to Out for delivery, the dialog states: “An FBS shipment requires tracking information.”
- The tracking number is required — the confirm button is disabled until you enter one.
- The courier field is shown alongside it — fill it in too; it’s how support and the buyer identify who is carrying the parcel.
Use your courier’s real tracking reference, not an internal note — the buyer sees the order progressing and support can trace the parcel if anything is disputed.
Failed delivery and unavailable customers
Be clear about what the app does and doesn’t do here: FBS status changes are seller-driven, and there is no platform reschedule flow for FBS deliveries. If a delivery attempt fails, the platform won’t re-book it for you.
- Coordinate directly with your courier to retry delivery or agree a new time with the customer.
- Keep the order at
OUT_FOR_DELIVERYwhile attempts continue — never markDELIVEREDfor a parcel the buyer doesn’t have. - If the customer is unreachable after repeated attempts, either cancel the order (reason: customer) or open a support ticket (Shipping & Fulfillment) to document the situation before deciding.
- If the parcel comes back to you, it re-enters your stock physically — reconcile your declared quantity in Inventory if needed.
FBS returns
FBS is the one model where returns are fully yours: a 12-stage seller-actionable flow (courier assignment, collection, quality check, refund) driven from the Returns pages, and returned goods physically come back to you — record what you received under Seller-Received Returns. Start with How Returns Work.
Complete example
Ahmad Home Goods receives FBS order ORD-284551 for a table lamp. Ahmad clicks Approve (status: PROCESSING), packs the lamp and books his courier for the afternoon. He opens the order, clicks Out for delivery, enters tracking TRK-889201 and the courier’s name, and confirms — status: OUT_FOR_DELIVERY. The first attempt fails (buyer not home); Ahmad’s courier calls the buyer and delivers next morning. Only then does Ahmad click Delivered. Total app touches: approve, dispatch with tracking, delivered.
Marking an order Delivered when the courier picked it up — not when the buyer received it. Delivered is the end of the journey, and disputes over premature “delivered” statuses are hard to win.