Does Amazon Deliver Furniture in 2023? (Costs, Timeframes, and Expert Tips for Sellers)
Yes, Amazon absolutely provides furniture delivery through their trusted third-party shipping partners. On average, you can expect delivery of sofas, beds, dressers and other large items in 10-20 business days for free as an Amazon seller or Prime member.
But shipping bulky furniture comes with unique logistics, longer timeframes, and costs compared to delivering small goods…
As an experienced ecommerce seller specializing in oversized furniture and appliances, I‘ve navigated the ins and outs of delivering couches, mattresses and other challenging products through Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA).
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share insider tips on Amazon furniture delivery from a seller‘s perspective. You‘ll learn:
Average delivery times and key logistics
Costs and fees associated with large items
Optimizing listings for furniture and big/heavy products
Best practices for packaging and preventing damage
Managing customer expectations around shipping
Resolving delivery issues and furniture returns
And more Amazon FBA advice for furniture sellers!
Let‘s dive in…
Overview of Amazon Furniture Delivery Process
While Amazon sells virtually any home good under the sun, they rely on strategic shipping partners to deliver oversized items like sofas and dining sets.
Main Furniture Delivery Carriers
Amazon leverages dedicated freight carriers to provide furniture delivery across the US:
ABF Freight – Full truckload transport for large/heavy FBA items. Requires lift gate and residential delivery.
Pilot Freight – Specializes in irregularly shaped and oversized deliveries like furniture, fitness equipment and appliances.
XPO Logistics – Last mile delivery of bulky items including furniture, treadmills, patio sets, grills and more.
CEVA Logistics – Global supply chain provider managing furniture/appliance delivery for Amazon sellers and vendors.
The Furniture Shipping Process
When a customer purchases your large furniture item on Amazon, here is the general delivery process:
You ship the furniture from your warehouse to Amazon‘s fulfillment center.
Amazon receives the item and catalogs it into their fulfillment system.
When a purchase is made, Amazon contacts the freight carrier to schedule residential delivery from their location to the customer‘s address.
The carrier picks up the furniture and handles the first mile transport from Amazon to the destination.
Delivery drivers unload the item, bringing it into the customer‘s home if white glove service was requested.
This seamless process allows you to focus on sourcing and selling furniture, while Amazon manages warehousing and last mile delivery.
Does Amazon Furniture Delivery Qualify for Prime 2-Day Shipping?
One key difference between small FBA products and oversized items is the shipping speed. Bulky furniture does not qualify for Prime 2-day shipping, even with a paid Prime membership.
Because third party freight carriers handle the deliveries based on their own routes and warehouses, Amazon cannot guarantee specific delivery days or next day arrival.
However, Prime members still receive free shipping on eligible furniture – it just takes longer than regular Prime orders.
How Long Does Amazon Furniture Delivery Take?
So if you can‘t expect quick 2-day Prime delivery, what are the actual transit times for furniture sold through FBA?
Average delivery times for sofas, beds, dressers and other furniture on Amazon range from 10 to 20+ business days.
However, delivery windows can vary based on:
Size of the item
Time of year (holidays)
Customer location
Carrier schedules and availability
Here are the typical delivery estimates based on my experience selling bulky goods through FBA:
Smaller furniture – Desks, chairs, small tables – 7-14 business days
Medium furniture – Sofas, mattresses, dressers, beds – 14-21 business days
Oversized/heavy furniture – Sectional couches, dining sets, large storage units – 20-30+ business days
I recommend communicating these average timeframes to buyers in your Amazon listings. Setting proper expectations helps avoid frustrated customers wondering where their furniture is.
Prime 2-day shipping does NOT apply to furniture – build appropriate timelines into your listings
What Are the Costs of Shipping Furniture Through FBA?
One of the benefits of the FBA program is Amazon providing fulfillment services like storage, picking/packing and delivery. But what are the actual costs associated with shipping large furniture through FBA?
As an Amazon seller, you pay:
FBA storage fees – Charged monthly based on space used and item size
FBA fulfillment fees – Picking, packing and weight handling costs per unit sold
FBA delivery costs – Carrier charges for transport from fulfillment center to customer
Let‘s break down an estimated example for a medium-sized couch:
Furniture Shipment Costs | |
---|---|
Sofa Dimensions | 72"W x 36"D x 35"H |
Monthly Storage Fee | $7.80 ($0.48/cu. ft) |
Fulfillment Fee | $29.45 |
Delivery Fee | $75-150 (approx.) |
Total Fees Per Item | ~$115-$190 |
So you‘re looking at around $100-$200 total in FBA fees to ship a typical sofa. Compare that to handling delivery yourself at $250+ on average.
For large or heavy items, FBA delivery becomes much more cost efficient than DIY shipping. The greater buyer reach on Amazon offsets the extended transit times.
Packaging Tips to Prevent Furniture Damage
Packaging furniture properly is crucial to prevent damage during shipping and delivery. Here are some professional tips:
Use thick cardboard edge protectors around corners and flat surfaces.
Wrap furniture in thick plastic layer before placing in box.
Securely brace doors, legs and movable parts with foam blocks.
Fill empty spaces inside furniture with inflatable packing pillows.
Tape down loose hardware like cam locks and bolts.
Double box when possible – place in snug interior box then larger exterior.
Seal boxes securely with water-resistant reinforced tape.
Clearly label boxes with "This Side Up" and "Fragile" markings.
Take steps to prevent dings, scratches and other damage during shipping.
I recommend using specialty freight boxes designed specifically for furniture and large items. These are stronger than typical cardboard shipping boxes.
Popular brands like Uline and ShipFLat make boxes designed for sofas, mattresses, tables and other uniquely shaped furniture.
Optimizing Amazon Listings for Oversize Items
As a seller, you can take some proactive steps to optimize your Amazon listings for large furniture products:
Show dimensions – Clearly list product dimensions so customers can measure fit. Include assembled and box sizes.
Add weight – Specify the assembled weight and shipping weight. This sets expectations on heft.
Note shipping timelines – Indicate average delivery windows to align with carrier timeframes.
Highlight free delivery – Even though it‘s slower, free shipping appeals to buyers.
Use size appropriate photos – Show proper scale and room context in your images.
Mention Amazon services compatibility – “Works with Amazon Key delivery” assures in-home placement.
Being upfront and specific on shipping logistics in your listings helps attract informed buyers. I also advise moderate pricing on big and heavy items to account for delivery friction.
Managing Customer Expectations Around Furniture Delivery
"Where is my sofa?" – this is likely the #1 question furniture sellers field from Amazon buyers.
Since Amazon sets the expectation of fast Prime delivery, some customers get impatient or concerned as bulky items take 2-3 weeks en route.
Here are some proactive things you can do to manage buyer expectations around elongated furniture delivery:
Set reasonable delivery estimate windows in your listings
Send a quick “thank you” message reminding buyers of timeframes
Provide carrier’s tracking number so they can follow transit status
Communicate delays promptly and suggest contacting carrier directly
Offer small incentives like $10-20 gift cards to compensate for wait
Proactively contact high value buyers 1 week prior to scheduled delivery
The goal is keeping customers informed and demonstrating you empathize with their urgency to receive large purchases. This helps reduce frustration and complaints when items take longer to arrive.
Troubleshooting Delivery Issues and Damage Claims
Despite best efforts, mishaps like shipment delays or damage during delivery still occur. Here is my recommended process for resolving furniture delivery issues:
For damage during shipping:
Have receiver thoroughly inspect and document damage with photos
File a claim with the freight carrier if damage is severe (they cover insurance)
Submit an Amazon FBA reimbursement request for reimbursement of inventory value
For lost/delayed shipments:
Have buyer contact carrier directly using provided tracking number
If unable to resolve with carrier, file Amazon FBA reimbursement claim
Offer small courtesy compensation (gift card, discount code) for major delays
While certainly a headache, properly filed damage and lost shipment claims are reimbursable through Amazon and carriers. This protects your business from major losses. Document everything thoroughly.
Best Practices for Furniture Returns and Refunds
Accepting easy returns is table stakes for furniture sellers on Amazon. Lean into return-friendly policies like 30 day windows and free pickups to reduce buyer hesitancy.
When a customer initiates a furniture return:
Provide prepaid return shipping labels for smaller items that fit in standard boxes.
For larger items, have Amazon arrange freight carrier pickup from the buyer‘s home.
Give clear instructions for disassembly and repackaging before scheduled pickup.
Inspect all furniture returns upon arrival – file FBA reimbursements for any damage.
Upon receiving returned items in sellable condition, promptly issue refunds.
I budget approximately 10-15% return rate on medium-large furniture based on my experience. Defective and damaged items are fully reimbursable through FBA.
Final Thoughts on Selling Furniture Profitably with FBA
As you can see, selling oversized products on Amazon introduces some unique logistics – but the broad market exposure and fulfillment services make furniture viable.
Just be sure to optimize listings for shipping transparency, follow best practices for customer communication and returns, and leverage FBA reimbursements appropriately.
With the right strategies, furniture can be a lucrative addition to your Amazon FBA product mix. Delight customers with affordable, high quality living space upgrades delivered right to their homes.
Have any other questions about Amazon furniture delivery I didn‘t cover? Let me know in the comments!