Three quotes, three different languages
Every 3PL has its own way of pricing and running an account. One bundles the first item picked into the order fee, another charges for every pick. One includes the box, another adds it to the invoice. One promises same-day shipping in writing, another "does its best." None of that shows on the first page of a proposal, and it is why two quotes that look alike can be hundreds of dollars a month apart.
The introductory call is where those differences come out, but only if someone on your side knows what to ask. That is what we do on every call.
SLAs that keep you compliant with your channel partners
Marketplaces and retail partners set the rules: orders placed by a cutoff ship the same day, inventory counts stay accurate, tracking uploads on time. Miss them and the penalty lands on you, not the warehouse. It can mean chargebacks, lost badges or a suspended listing.
Alignment on service levels is critical, so we make sure the 3PL's commitments match the strictest channel you sell through, and that they are written into the agreement rather than assumed.
- Order cutoff and ship-by time. What time an order has to be in for same-day shipping, and what happens during peak.
- Accuracy. Order accuracy and inventory accuracy, measured how, reported how often.
- Receiving. How quickly inbound inventory is put away and available to sell.
- What happens when an SLA is missed. Credits, escalation and who you call.
Where you are today, and where you are going
The right 3PL at 2,000 orders a month may not be the right one at 20,000, and switching providers is disruptive. So we ask each provider about where you are headed, not just where you are.
- Growth and peak. Can they absorb a holiday spike or a viral week without pushing out your orders?
- New channels. Wholesale and retail orders, marketplace prep, subscription boxes or kitting each need capabilities that not every 3PL has.
- Geography. If a second warehouse is in your future, it is simpler to start with a provider that already has one than to add a second company later.
- International. Cross-border shipping, duties and returns handling are their own specialty.
Start with your own numbers
Enter your package sizes on the home page and get an instant parcel and fulfillment benchmark. Then bring it to a free 20-minute call and we will set up the introductions.