E-commerce brands usually are looking for third-party logistics to distribute their product to customers. This helps reduce cost compared to high level logistics like UPS and FedEx.
Finding a reliable and cost effective 3pl is really difficult, usually companies make this connection through word of mouth or referrals. Warehousing List is trying to make a quality list of warehouse provides.
Customers for 3pl usually need:
- House inventory for customers
- Be able to pick up and ship
- Can the 3pl handle large sizes >1000 pounds
- Or small items that are fragile
1. Decide on a location
The location and distant is going to effect the cost and delivery time for your packages. This could have impact on your customers satisfaction.
Also taxes, depending on the state your packages shipping will be taxed. Factor that in the cost of that with the location.
2. Search and walk to business in person.
Google search, reddit search, and use directories like warehousinglist.com, https://3plfinder.com/or Fulfill.com that provides list of businesses.
Go to google search for 3pl this Boston below.
3. Tracking 3PLs
Start tracking in list of 3pls and reaching out but also follow many times with 3pls. It can be difficult for 3pls to specialize to important to establish a partner ship and track your partnerships.
You can get free CRM tracker on execlsheet or googlesheets like this.
You need to follow up and get to the quotation stage.
Basically collect all the quotes into the spreadsheet.
4. Provide deadlines with 3pls
Your goal is to start a partnership by giving a specific date and sometimes they cannot accommodate and that is ok you move on to the next provider. However they could be useful later.
5. Prepare your Order before hand
3pls are going ask you these questions and more:
- What is the number of orders in a month?
- What is the storage requirements? cold or fragile?
- What is the quantity of inbound supplies?
- What are the last mile delivery requirements?
They need these answers to calculate their own cost for providing the service to you.
6. Compare Quotes and Review your interactions
You can quickly compare the cheapest offering to the most expensive. However reflect on who was responsive and who was not responsive or even dismissive. You want to work with people who are responsive to your needs for what you are paying for.
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