--- title: "Prep center vs DIY - breaking down the math - Amazon FBA Hub | SideHustlr" description: "I see this question a lot so I wanted to share my analysis. I do wholesale and currently prep about 500 units/week. DIY Prep Costs: - Supplies: ~$0.30/u..." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "DiscussionForumPosting", "@id": "https://sidehustlr.ai/forum/amazon-fba/prep-center-vs-diy-breaking-down-the-math-24c069f3", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai/forum/amazon-fba/prep-center-vs-diy-breaking-down-the-math-24c069f3", "headline": "Prep center vs DIY - breaking down the math", "text": "I see this question a lot so I wanted to share my analysis. I do wholesale and currently prep about 500 units/week. DIY Prep Costs: - Supplies: $0.30/unit - My time: 3 hours/day at $25/hour = $75/day - Shipping to Amazon: $0.50/unit average - Total: $0.95/unit + time Prep Center Costs: - Prep fee...", "datePublished": "2026-01-02T22:32:50.844083+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-01-05T22:44:19.802484+00:00", "inLanguage": "en", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "FBAMarcus", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai/u/FBAMarcus" }, "interactionStatistic": [ { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/LikeAction", "userInteractionCount": 14 }, { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/CommentAction", "userInteractionCount": 2 } ], "isPartOf": { "@type": "DiscussionForum", "name": "Amazon FBA Community Hub", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai/hub/amazon-fba" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://sidehustlr.ai/forum/amazon-fba/prep-center-vs-diy-breaking-down-the-math-24c069f3" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "SideHustlr", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai" }, "image": "https://auwlwdihpyweqjalfitu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/side-hustle-logos/hdghr5hhep-1765237091999.jpg", "commentCount": 2, "comment": [ { "@type": "Comment", "@id": "https://sidehustlr.ai/forum/amazon-fba/prep-center-vs-diy-breaking-down-the-math-24c069f3#comment-ca9c8d90-86e5-4cb7-8398-44ff60d5cd31", "text": "This analysis convinced me. Ive been DIYing at about 300 units/week and the time cost is killing me. That point about using freed up time for sourcing is key - time spent prepping is time NOT finding new profitable products. Any prep center recommendations?", "datePublished": "2026-01-03T22:43:28.621587+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "FBAWarehouseKev", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai/u/FBAWarehouseKev" }, "interactionStatistic": [ { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/LikeAction", "userInteractionCount": 5 } ] }, { "@type": "Comment", "@id": "https://sidehustlr.ai/forum/amazon-fba/prep-center-vs-diy-breaking-down-the-math-24c069f3#comment-735f2766-0fd1-451a-88e0-7d23602c201b", "text": "Been using a prep center for 2 years now. The hidden benefit Marcus mentioned about catching issues is huge. Theyve saved me multiple times from sending in damaged inventory that would have resulted in returns or negative reviews. Worth every penny at scale.", "datePublished": "2026-01-04T22:43:28.621587+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "PrivateLabelSara", "url": "https://sidehustlr.ai/u/PrivateLabelSara" }, "interactionStatistic": [ { "@type": "InteractionCounter", "interactionType": "https://schema.org/LikeAction", "userInteractionCount": 4 } ] } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sidehustlr.ai/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Hustle Hubs", "item": "https://sidehustlr.ai/hustle-hubs" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amazon FBA Community", "item": "https://sidehustlr.ai/hub/amazon-fba" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Prep center vs DIY - breaking down the math" } ] } ] --- [$ Earn as a mentor](/become-a-mentor)[How it works](/how-it-works) [![SideHustlr - Earn more. Stress less.](/SideHustlr-Logo.png)](/) [Take the Quiz](/quiz)[Sign In](/auth) Toggle menu [![SideHustlr - Earn more. Stress less.](/SideHustlr-Logo.png)](/)[Sign In](/auth) 1. [Home ](/) 2. [Hustle Hubs](/hustle-hubs) 3. [Amazon FBA](/hub/amazon-fba) 4. Prep center vs DIY - breaking down the math Amazon FBA · tips # Prep center vs DIY - breaking down the math FB FBAMarcus 8 months ago I see this question a lot so I wanted to share my analysis. I do wholesale and currently prep about 500 units/week. DIY Prep Costs: \- Supplies: ~$0.30/unit \- My time: 3 hours/day at $25/hour = $75/day \- Shipping to Amazon: $0.50/unit average \- Total: ~$0.95/unit + time Prep Center Costs: \- Prep fee: $1.00-1.50/unit \- Receiving fee: $0.25/unit \- Shipping to Amazon: included or $0.40/unit \- Total: ~$1.50-2.00/unit My conclusion: If you're doing under 200 units/week, DIY makes sense. Beyond that, a prep center frees up massive amounts of time. I switched to a prep center 6 months ago and used that extra time for sourcing. My revenue went up 40% because I could find more deals. The hidden benefit: Prep centers catch issues (damaged products, wrong quantities) that I was missing when I was doing it myself. 2 replies 14 ## Replies (2) [FB ](/u/FBAWarehouseKev) [FBAWarehouseKev](/u/FBAWarehouseKev)· 8 months ago This analysis convinced me. Ive been DIYing at about 300 units/week and the time cost is killing me. That point about using freed up time for sourcing is key - time spent prepping is time NOT finding new profitable products. Any prep center recommendations? 5 PR PrivateLabelSara · 8 months ago Been using a prep center for 2 years now. The hidden benefit Marcus mentioned about catching issues is huge. Theyve saved me multiple times from sending in damaged inventory that would have resulted in returns or negative reviews. Worth every penny at scale. 4 Login to join the discussion Login to Reply [![SideHustlr - Earn more. Stress less.](/assets/SideHustlr-Logo-DnK4Mrbl.png)](/) Guides [Best Online Side Hustles](/best-side-hustles-online)[Best Gig Economy Jobs](/best-gig-economy-jobs)[Passive Income Ideas](/passive-income-ideas)[Side Hustles for Beginners](/side-hustles-for-beginners)[2026 Roadmap](/2026-side-hustle-roadmap)[AI Automation Side Hustles](/ai-automation-side-hustles-2026) Compare [SideHustlr vs. Upwork](/sidehustlr-vs-upwork)[SideHustlr vs. Fiverr](/sidehustlr-vs-fiverr)[Quiz vs. Upwork's List](/how-to-choose-a-side-hustle-quiz-vs-upwork-list)[Quiz vs. Fiverr's List](/how-to-choose-a-side-hustle-quiz-vs-fiverr-list)[All Comparisons](/compare) Decide [How to Choose a Side Hustle](/how-to-choose-a-side-hustle)[Skill-to-Hustle Map](/skill-to-side-hustle-map) Company [About Us](/about)[FAQ](/faq)[Contact Us](/contact)[Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms of Service](/terms) [Submit a Side Hustle](/submit-hustle)[Find a Mentor](/mentors)[Become a Mentor](/become-a-mentor)[Hustle Hubs](/hustle-hubs)[Celebrity Hustles](/celebrity-side-hustles)[Blog](/blog) © 2026 SideHustlr. All rights reserved.