11 Amazon Experts Share Their Best Prep Center Advice

The wrong prep center costs you time, cash, and customers — here’s how to avoid it.

October 22, 2025

Scaling your OA business means at some point, prepping boxes yourself stops making sense. That’s when prep centers come in. But choosing the wrong one (or switching too late) can cost you big.

11 highly- experienced and successful Amazon sellers recently shared their best tips on outsourcing prep:

Here’s the summary of what they said:

1️⃣ Know When to Switch

  • If prep is stopping you from sourcing, it’s time.

  • Many sellers outsource around $1K–$7K in sales.

  • Prepping is a <$20/hr task – your time is worth more.

2️⃣ Watch the Costs

  • Track per-item prep cost to know when to scale or switch.

  • Compare prep center fees vs. running your own warehouse.

  • Watch for hidden charges (pallet in/out, storage, taxes).

3️⃣ Test Before You Commit

  • Start with ~50 units to test speed & reliability.

  • Always have a backup plan – prep centers get overwhelmed.

  • Choose centers with inventory tracking software & clear invoices.

4️⃣ Location Matters

  • Tax-free states (like Oregon, Delaware) can boost margins.

  • If you’re spending big on prep, consider your own warehouse.

  • Overseas sellers? A prep center is almost always the smarter move.

5️⃣ Treat Them Like Partners

  • A good prep center should free your time, not waste it.

  • Communicate often and confirm turnaround times (aim for 96 hours) and always ask for discrepancy reports

  • Think of them as part of your scaling team.

✨ Takeaway:

The right prep center saves you time, reduces stress, and helps you scale faster. The wrong one? It’ll cost you cash and customers.

👉 These 5️⃣ rules are a summary of what 11 seasoned sellers and experts have learned the hard way. Test early, know your numbers, and never forget: your time is your most valuable resource.

And once prep is off your plate, the next big time drain is sourcing. That’s where our lead lists saves the day – profitable, fast-moving leads ready to be flipped for profit on Amazon. No VAs or hours of research required.

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