Amazon FBM Explained: Merchant Fulfillment Strategy for Toy & Miniature Sellers
Amazon FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) is a fulfillment method where the seller stores inventory and ships orders directly to customers instead of using Amazon’s FBA network.
In miniature gaming, toys, and retail supply chains, FBM is especially useful for fragile boxed sets, oversized Battle Mat Terrain, or trending toys that carry high FBA storage fees. Sellers working with a toy wholesale supplier often rely on FBM to move profitable toys wholesale without committing large quantities to Amazon warehouses. Moreover, FBM gives retailers flexibility when their Amazon stocklist includes SKUs with unpredictable demand cycles or items not suited for Amazon FBA products due to size, weight, or prep requirements.
Example in Practice:
A seller keeps Warhammer Combat Patrol boxes, Armada fleet bundles, and terrain sets in a local warehouse. When orders are placed, the business ships each item directly using its preferred carrier. This eliminates inbound shipping delays and allows for reinforced packaging that protects miniatures.
Why does this matter?
FBM directly influences:
- Margin control
- Shipping speed
- Customer satisfaction
- The ability to scale during peak retail periods—especially when FBA capacity tightens
