First things first, let\u2019s quickly cover how Amazon payments work. For most sellers, Amazon issues payments every 14 days and includes proceeds from all orders that have been marked delivered for 7+ days since your last payment. This seven-day window ultimately acts as a buffer in case a buyer decides to return or file a claim. After seven days, Amazon assumes they\u2019re satisfied with their order and releases the funds in your next payment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there are times when Amazon holds the payment for longer \u2014 and that\u2019s when you might see an unavailable balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amazon Unavailable Balance: What Is It & Why Do They Occur?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAn unavailable balance is an amount of money Amazon is holding from your regularly scheduled payout. The amount itself could be all or part of your payment, and it could be released on your next scheduled payment or be held for longer. It really depends \u2014 and we\u2019re going to break down why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have an unavailable balance, you\u2019ll find it on your Payments report in Seller Central. From there, go into Account Health<\/a> to see why<\/em> you have one to begin with. Chances are, your available balance will be due to one of these common factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Late delivery<\/strong>: Amazon already holds your income for 7+ days post delivery to account for returns. If they don\u2019t get delivery confirmation in that window, then they\u2019ll hold your payment for longer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Claims or chargebacks:<\/strong> If you have an A-to-z Guarantee claim or chargeback<\/a> within the last 30 days, you can expect an unavailable balance to occur until things get resolved. Sometimes this can take up to 14 days or longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Poor Seller Performance:<\/strong> When seller performance drops, it\u2019s usually because of increased claims, chargebacks and returns \u2014 all of which contribute to an unavailable balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other Account Review: <\/strong>If there are sudden changes to your account, activity or sales, or if you\u2019re new to selling, you might see an unavailable balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sellerapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/payoneer-sellerapp-1100x458.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Avoid an Unavailable Balance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn the simplest terms, you can prevent an unavailable balance if you can avoid the common causes we just listed. For reliable delivery\/fulfillment, consider outsourcing to a service like FBA and\/or use a mail carrier that you trust. To prevent claims, chargebacks and returns, make sure your listings are descriptive and accurate and include a lot of visuals \u2014 you don\u2019t want a buyer to be surprised by their shipment when it arrives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other strategies you could implement? Be proactive with your customers \u2014 send an email after they receive an item to make sure they are satisfied and offer support if they\u2019re not. Ask for positive feedback. Respond to inquiries in a timely fashion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, you want your account to be in good health. Evaluate your listings, packaging, fulfillment processes, etc. to make sure nothing needs fixing \u2014 and if it does, then find a solution fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing worth nothing: your product category<\/a> might increase your chances of getting an unavailable balance. Certain areas are just more prone to them, like clothing or shoes because they\u2019re often returned or exchanged for sizing and\/or fit issues. If this is the case, it might make sense to note how sizing works in your description (i.e. if it runs small, if you recommend sizing up, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you do all these things and still get an unavailable balance, don\u2019t panic. You have options. Check out our breakdown of them in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cash Flow 101: How to Overcome an Unavailable Balance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhen you\u2019re already waiting two weeks for Amazon to pay you, you have to be creative with your cash flow. When you have an unavailable balance, you\u2019re now waiting longer than those two weeks \u2014 and you don\u2019t know exactly how much longer. This means you need a top-notch cash flow strategy, so you can continue buying inventory, making payroll, investing in marketing, etc. etc. There are several ways to increase cash flow \u2014 here\u2019s a breakdown of each, plus their pros and cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Late delivery<\/strong>: Amazon already holds your income for 7+ days post delivery to account for returns. If they don\u2019t get delivery confirmation in that window, then they\u2019ll hold your payment for longer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Claims or chargebacks:<\/strong> If you have an A-to-z Guarantee claim or chargeback<\/a> within the last 30 days, you can expect an unavailable balance to occur until things get resolved. Sometimes this can take up to 14 days or longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Poor Seller Performance:<\/strong> When seller performance drops, it\u2019s usually because of increased claims, chargebacks and returns \u2014 all of which contribute to an unavailable balance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other Account Review: <\/strong>If there are sudden changes to your account, activity or sales, or if you\u2019re new to selling, you might see an unavailable balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Avoid an Unavailable Balance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In the simplest terms, you can prevent an unavailable balance if you can avoid the common causes we just listed. For reliable delivery\/fulfillment, consider outsourcing to a service like FBA and\/or use a mail carrier that you trust. To prevent claims, chargebacks and returns, make sure your listings are descriptive and accurate and include a lot of visuals \u2014 you don\u2019t want a buyer to be surprised by their shipment when it arrives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other strategies you could implement? Be proactive with your customers \u2014 send an email after they receive an item to make sure they are satisfied and offer support if they\u2019re not. Ask for positive feedback. Respond to inquiries in a timely fashion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the day, you want your account to be in good health. Evaluate your listings, packaging, fulfillment processes, etc. to make sure nothing needs fixing \u2014 and if it does, then find a solution fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing worth nothing: your product category<\/a> might increase your chances of getting an unavailable balance. Certain areas are just more prone to them, like clothing or shoes because they\u2019re often returned or exchanged for sizing and\/or fit issues. If this is the case, it might make sense to note how sizing works in your description (i.e. if it runs small, if you recommend sizing up, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do all these things and still get an unavailable balance, don\u2019t panic. You have options. Check out our breakdown of them in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cash Flow 101: How to Overcome an Unavailable Balance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re already waiting two weeks for Amazon to pay you, you have to be creative with your cash flow. When you have an unavailable balance, you\u2019re now waiting longer than those two weeks \u2014 and you don\u2019t know exactly how much longer. This means you need a top-notch cash flow strategy, so you can continue buying inventory, making payroll, investing in marketing, etc. etc. There are several ways to increase cash flow \u2014 here\u2019s a breakdown of each, plus their pros and cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Other Account Review: <\/strong>If there are sudden changes to your account, activity or sales, or if you\u2019re new to selling, you might see an unavailable balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Claims or chargebacks:<\/strong> If you have an A-to-z Guarantee claim or chargeback<\/a> within the last 30 days, you can expect an unavailable balance to occur until things get resolved. Sometimes this can take up to 14 days or longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"payability](\"https:\/\/www.sellerapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Affordable-Allergy-Quote-Facebook-1100x576.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"payability](\"https:\/\/www.sellerapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Empty-Shelves-Newsletter-1100x576.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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