Choosing the right 3PL warehouse can be a challenge, especially if you’ve never partnered with one before. There’s always the thought that they might not deliver as promised and hurt your business’s reputation. It’s a great idea to start interviewing possible 3PL warehouse partners long before you need one. Taking time to dig into their background and current performance and find out if they can do what you need is always the best approach. There are a number of things to look for when trying to find the right 3PL warehouse, but just as important are the things to avoid.
Partnering with a 3PL Warehouse on Price Alone
Price is never a good indicator of the quality of an order fulfillment center. The most important element of price is how much value you get for what you’re paying. Some 3PL Warehouses may seem inexpensive at first, but have a lot of hidden fees. They may charge for things their competitors consider part of your regular services. When you compare 3PLs, always make sure you understand what is included and what is extra. Changing to a different 3PL mid-stream is difficult and costly, make sure you ask all the right question before partnering.
Partnering with a 3PL that Can’t Show You Clear Data
When you ask your potential 3PL warehouse partner how accurate the pickers at a logistics company are or how long it takes to go from the pick to the pack floor, any 3PL worth partnering with will easily and eagerly show you the data. If they don’t know what their people are doing, they’re going to fall short when it comes to your inventory. Up to date warehouse management systems and data-collecting software are mandatory. Make sure they can use them too.
Poor Customer Service
When you call a potential 3PL partner and express an interest in getting a quote, or signing up for a service, that is a great opportunity to see the quality of customer service they will provide. If they don’t go out of there way to accommodate you and show a customer-first attitude there’s a good chance they’re going to treat orders like an inconvenience, too. You want to work with a 3PL warehouse that knows how to spread the work around, not make it bigger. Customer service is everything, especially in the fulfillment industry.
Omaha Based 3PL Warehouse
If you’re looking to partner with a centrally located 3PL warehouse that will keep you from making these mistakes we can help. Give us a call, or send an email, and we’ll have a conversation about how we can help you save time, money, and meet your goals.