Inbound Podcast

Most 3PLs are losing freight revenue every week without knowing it. Their merchants are shipping with Amazon LTL discounted labels, using unknown carriers, and stock is sitting unchecked for three to six weeks. When check-ins are slow, the 3PL takes the blame. AMZ Prep has spent millions building one of the largest Amazon FBA inbound freight networks in North America. Through the Middle Mile Program, we're now opening that infrastructure directly to 3PLs. In this episode, Blair Forrest walks through exactly how it works and why it matters for every 3PL servicing Amazon merchants today. What's covered: Why 3PLs keep losing freight business to Amazon LTL and unknown carriers How the AMZ Prep Middle Mile Program connects 3PLs to the fastest Amazon FBA inbound network in the country How stock checks in within 48 to 72 hours instead of the traditional three to six weeks How to ship to one consolidation hub instead of splitting stock five ways How 3PLs can help merchants eliminate Amazon FBA placement fees How to win back freight revenue and position your 3PL as the Amazon expert This is the same infrastructure AMZ Prep uses to win large merchant deals. The Middle Mile Program puts those same tools in the hands of 3PLs across the country. If you run a 3PL and you want to stop losing freight business to Amazon, this episode is built for you. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Os1WOIMxmCw Explore AMZPrep fulfillment solutions: https://amzprep.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amzprep/

Every year, Amazon’s meltable season catches brands off guard, but 2026 is shaping up to be bigger than ever, with over 58,000 ASINs already flagged and FBA restrictions kicking in on April 20th. In this episode, Blair Forrest, Founder of AMZ Prep, breaks down exactly what’s happening, what it means for your catalog, and the three paths every affected brand needs to seriously consider right now. We dive into the realities behind disputing flagged ASINs, the true cost structure of Seller Fulfilled Prime for cold chain products, and why for many brands, FBM may be the only viable option during this period. Blair also shares real-world scenarios to highlight how pricing and packaging decisions—like selling a $39 single unit versus an $80 case pack, can completely change your margins and fulfillment strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn: The full 2026 meltable ASIN restriction timeline across Amazon US and Canada How Amazon’s 155-degree threshold impacts different product categories The step-by-step approach to disputing flagged ASINs before the April 20 deadline What it actually takes to qualify for Seller Fulfilled Prime with cold chain logistics Why most brands need a $40–$50 MSRP minimum to make SFP work How bundling can help you reach profitable AOV thresholds The real cost of switching to FBM and how to plan for a 30–70% drop in order volume When losing the Prime badge is manageable and when it becomes a serious risk If you’re selling meltable products on Amazon, this is a must-listen episode to protect your margins and avoid costly mistakes this season. Meltable Season Playbook Download https://amzprep.com/meltable-season-playbook-download/ Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1ufLnvEaaVU Explore AMZPrep fulfillment solutions: https://amzprep.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amzprep/

Most 3PLs are losing freight revenue every week without realizing it. Their merchants are shipping with Amazon LTL labels or unknown carriers, stock is sitting unchecked for three to six weeks, and the 3PL ends up taking the blame for delays they didn't cause. AMZ Prep built one of the largest Amazon FBA inbound freight networks in North America, and now we're opening it to 3PLs through our Middle Mile Program. In this episode, Blair Forrest breaks down exactly how it works: Why 3PLs keep losing freight business to Amazon LTL and unknown carriers How the AMZ Prep Middle Mile Program gives 3PLs access to the fastest Amazon inbound infrastructure in the country How stock checks in within 48 to 72 hours instead of the traditional three to six weeks How to ship to one consolidation hub instead of splitting stock five ways How 3PLs can eliminate Amazon FBA placement fees for their merchants How to win back freight revenue and position yourself as the expert This is one of the core reasons AMZ Prep wins large merchant deals. Now we're giving 3PLs access to the same infrastructure. If you run a 3PL and you're ready to stop losing freight business, this episode is for you. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Os1WOIMxmCw Explore AMZPrep fulfillment solutions: https://amzprep.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amzprep/

Are you selling hazmat products across Amazon, DTC, or retail? In this episode, Blair Forrest, CEO of AMZPrep, explains why hazmat fulfillment requires specialized infrastructure and how AMZPrep is built to handle it. We cover our dedicated hazmat-certified facilities, in-house MSDS review team, compliant storage, prep, and approved carrier network for regulated shipping. Blair also breaks down our Amazon middle-mile strategy, including hazmat load consolidation and faster inbounds to approved Amazon facilities. The episode explores how hazmat brands can maintain Prime eligibility through Seller Fulfilled Prime, while also supporting omnichannel fulfillment across Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, Target, and B2B retail partners. If you sell regulated products and need compliant, scalable fulfillment, this episode breaks down how hazmat logistics should actually work. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WgWGHkDrohI Explore AMZPrep fulfillment solutions: https://amzprep.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amzprep/

Are you a brand running omnichannel fulfillment across Amazon, DTC, and retail? In this episode, Blair Forrest, CEO of AMZPrep, breaks down why AMZPrep is built for omnichannel brands selling across Amazon, Walmart, Target, Shopify, and major B2B retailers. I explain what omnichannel fulfillment really means in practice and how we support Amazon, DTC, B2B, and retail operations under one platform with full visibility. I also walk through how our marketplace, ERP, and B2B integrations work, including Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, NetSuite, SAP, and more, so everything flows through a single system instead of disconnected tools. We talk about Seller Fulfilled Prime and how we enable one- and two-day delivery while maintaining the Prime badge, and how that same Prime-like infrastructure can improve conversion rates across every other channel you sell on. I also cover how we handle flexible, fully compliant prep for Amazon, retail routing guides, and strict B2B requirements without slowing down inbound timelines. If you’re an Amazon seller, brand owner, or operations leader looking to simplify fulfillment while scaling across multiple channels, this episode explains how omnichannel logistics should actually work. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hp4YB5M3R4A Learn more about omnichannel fulfillment: https://amzprep.com/omni-channel-3pl-fulfillment-services/ Explore AMZPrep fulfillment solutions: https://amzprep.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amzprep/

In this episode, we break down the real trade-offs between single-node and multi-node fulfillment strategies for e-commerce brands. From inventory complexity and storage costs to regional carriers and Seller Fulfilled Prime, discover when additional warehouses actually help—or harm—your margins. Learn how to use data-driven network optimization to decide the right number of facilities for your brand, plus practical, battle-tested battle-tested tips for apparel, bulky items, high-SKU catalogs, and Amazon prep operations. Whether you're scaling from one warehouse or managing multiple nodes, this episode gives you the framework to make smarter fulfillment decisions in 2025.

Amazon has officially announced it will end FBA prep services in January 2026. This episode explains what that change means for merchants, the timeline, and the immediate risks including inbound delays, higher chargeback exposure, and stranded inventory. We cover the opportunities this creates: specialized AMZ Prep centers and 3PLs that can be cheaper and faster, how to vet partners (SLAs, compliance, technology), and how pricing models work post-shutdown. Actionable guidance includes questions to ask prospective 3PLs, how to handle Seller Central integrations and shipment plans, and contingency agreements for mislabeled or mispacked shipments. Prepare now to avoid disruption when the change takes effect.

Ads don’t matter if inventory sits outside Amazon for weeks. This episode reveals AMZ Prep’s exact inbound playbook to get stock into Amazon faster, reduce costs, and avoid bottlenecks. Learn Amazon infrastructure (NXIDs, RXIDs, FCs) and tactical steps: split to regionals, pre-book appointments, floor-load for live unloads, consolidate shipments, and choose carriers for better check‑in speed. Practical Q4 guidance: start early, obsess over inbound speed per DC, limit peak storage, avoid over‑indexing AWD, and measure metrics to prevent lost sales and negative reviews.

Join Blair Forrest, founder of AMZ Prep, as he dives into the journey of transforming a small logistics company into a major player competing against billion-dollar firms. This episode explores the challenges and strategies of thriving as a bootstrap company in a rapidly evolving industry dominated by private equity giants. Discover how AMZ Prep uses technical expertise, face-to-face customer relationships, and bold moves to stand out from the crowd. Learn about the importance of media and content creation in building a brand, along with Blair’s predictions on market consolidation, efficiency innovations, and the future of logistics. Follow along this David and Goliath story, where the underdog aims to make a significant mark in the world of logistics.

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Amazon's Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) , Program offering a glimpse into the challenges and opportunities it presents to businesses. Our mission at AMZ is to replicate the Amazon Prime experience across every global channel, ensuring same-day order fulfillment that arrives by 5pm the next day. The episode highlights our recent success with a high-volume merchant, examines the critical metrics necessary to maintain the Prime badge, and addresses the complex logistics involved in fulfilling large orders. Insights are shared on the strategic decisions and financial investments required to excel in the SFP program, and the key takeaways for brands considering this option include the importance of a solid distribution network and the high expectations for on-time delivery. Discover how this program can turn into a profit center for some businesses while posing significant challenges for others. Learn about the benefits of offering a Prime-like experience on platforms like Shopify and Walmart, and how these capabilities can enhance conversion rates and customer satisfaction.