FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions Answered
Explore the most common inquiries about our services and how we can help your brand thrive on Amazon.
What does Strategic Distributors do?
We run Amazon distribution for brands. That can mean Vendor Central (1P), Seller Central (3P), or both. We buy your product at wholesale, operate the listings, inventory, POs or FBA, ads, and compliance, and pay you. You keep the brand.
What does it cost to work with you?
We operate as a wholesale distributor—you sell us your product at an agreed wholesale price, and we handle everything else. There are no setup fees, commissions, or monthly charges.
You don’t pay us—Amazon does.
How does the process work?
- Channel review — current 1P/3P mix, pricing, inventory, category fit.
- Operating design — which SKUs stay 3P, which move 1P, MAP, wholesale cost.
- Cutover — we take Seller Central and/or list on Vendor Central.
- We buy product from you and replenish Amazon (POs and/or FBA).
- Amazon sells to the customer.
- Weekly run — forecast, content, ads, brand defense.
We manage the entire process, including listings, logistics coordination, and compliance paperwork.
Will you be exclusive?
We prefer exclusivity on Amazon. One operator is how we protect MAP and the Buy Box. If you need a multi-reseller model, say so in the channel review — we may not be a fit.
Do you take over our existing Seller Central account?
That’s the typical 3P path. We review the account, then operate catalog, inventory, ads, and brand protection. We don’t need you to keep a second team in the seller portal.
Can I still control how my product is presented?
Yes—we collaborate with your team to ensure your listing content is accurate and optimized. Our goal is to enhance your brand’s presentation, not override it. We won’t list or change a product without your approval; MAP and brand voice stay yours.
Can you help grow our brand presence on Amazon?
Absolutely. Because we are a trusted Vendor Central distributor with access to dozens of categories and years of experience, we’re able to scale brands efficiently—including product expansion, cross-category listing, and PO growth strategies.
Do I need to be Brand Registered on Amazon?
Not required to start. We can list and manage product through our accounts. If Brand Registry helps content, ads, or brand protection, we’ll use it. It is a tool, not the gate.
What’s the difference between Vendor Central (1P) and Seller Central (3P)?
Vendor Central (1P) means Amazon buys your products wholesale and sells them to customers. Your listing says “Ships from and sold by Amazon.
Seller Central (3P) means a seller sells directly to consumers through Amazon and handles fulfillment, pricing, support, etc.
We operate both. You sell to us either way.
Do I ship product to Amazon or to Strategic Distributors?
All goods will be shipped to one warehouse, controlled by Strategic Distributors. From there we ship into Amazon for Vendor POs and/or FBA. Routing depends on whether the SKU is 1P, 3P, or both.
Do you sell any restricted or gated products?
We follow Amazon’s category guidelines closely. We cannot list products in highly restricted or regulated categories (e.g., certain supplements, firearms, hazmat goods) unless we already have clearance. Contact us for specific category questions.
Will I handle returns?
On 1P, Amazon buys from us and returns do not come back to you. On 3P, we operate the account, so returns and A-to-Z claims stay with us, not your team.
How do you handle chargebacks, shortages, or compliance fines?
We have systems in place to proactively manage Amazon’s compliance requirements. In most cases, we absorb or prevent chargebacks entirely—you are not liable for downstream Amazon compliance deductions when working through us.
How fast can you start?
Vendor Central onboarding is often 7–14 business days by category. A full Seller Central takeover is scoped in the review. We don’t cut over until the 1P/3P plan is set.