HOWELL, N.J. – Sam Hershberg has helped to build New Jersey-based Smart Shipped into a viable option for domestic warehousing. As vice president of Business Development at Smart Shipped, Hershberg contends that a lot of Amazon sellers don’t realize there’s an alternative to FBA that lets them keep their Prime badge, offer one- to two-day delivery nationwide, and actually control their inventory and margins.
Over the past year and a half, Smart Shipped has managed to build out six warehouse locations across the country, with more than two million square feet of space. “We grew that fast because there’s a real gap in the market,” Hershberg says. “We do domestic warehousing, pick-and-pack, and fast outbound shipping—all built around Seller Fulfilled Prime.”
Prosper attendees will be able to meet with officials at Smart Shipped when the show convenes March 10-12 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Prosper Pathway sat down with Hershberg to learn more about Smart Shipped, as well as what attendees can expect to hear if they visit Booth #208 at Prosper.
Prosper Pathway: Why did you decide to exhibit at Prosper?
Sam Hershberg: Prosper attracts Amazon sellers who already know what their FBA fees look like and are tired of accepting them as the cost of doing business. A big part of what we do is help brands transition to Seller Fulfilled Prime, and that conversation moves a lot faster when the person across the table already feels the pain.
Prosper Pathway: Why is U.S.-based fulfillment so important these days?
Hershberg: One- to two-day delivery isn’t a perk anymore—it’s the baseline. On Amazon, delivery speed directly affects search placement, Buy Box wins, and conversion rates. Sellers who can hit those speeds reliably have a real edge. Sellers who can do it without handing their entire operation over to FBA have an even bigger edge.
Prosper Pathway: What misconceptions are there about fulfillment?
Hershberg: A misconception is that FBA is the only way to get fast Prime delivery. Most sellers don’t even know Seller Fulfilled Prime exists as an option. They assume that if they want the Prime badge, they must send their inventory to Amazon and accept whatever fees come with it. That’s not true. With the right warehouse network, you can offer one- to two-day delivery nationwide, keep your Prime badge, and maintain control of your business. The other misconception is that fulfillment is just a cost you absorb. It’s not. It’s one of the biggest levers a seller has. The brands that figure that out grow faster.
Prosper Pathway: What’s the process of working with a brand?
Hershberg: We’re currently working with a mattress brand that was paying close to $100 per unit in FBA fees. For a product that heavy and oversized, those fees add up fast—we’re talking millions in annual fulfillment costs. We moved their inventory into our warehouse network, transitioned them to Seller Fulfilled Prime, and cut their per-unit fulfillment costs by roughly 40%. They’re still offering one- to two-day Prime delivery nationwide, but now they’re keeping significantly more margin on every order. That’s the kind of impact that changes the trajectory of a business.
Prosper Pathway: Why do in-person trade shows still have value?
Hershberg: Every brand’s fulfillment situation is different, and the details matter. You can only get so deep over e-mail or Zoom. At a show like Prosper, you sit down with sellers, look at their actual numbers, and figure out in 15 minutes whether there’s a real opportunity. That kind of conversation builds trust fast and it’s hard to replicate online.