Introduction

Choosing the right third-party logistics (3PL) partner can make—or break—your fulfillment operation. Before you sign a contract, make sure you’re asking the right questions to avoid surprises down the road.

1. Will I have a dedicated account manager?

Fulfillment issues don’t resolve themselves. Ask whether you’ll have a single, dedicated point of contact who understands your business, or if you’ll be routed through a generic support queue. A dedicated account manager means faster answers, more transparent communication, and someone who can proactively flag issues—before they become unexpected costs.

2. What fees might I not be expecting?

Common hidden costs include long-term storage fees, minimum monthly charges, account management fees, or penalties during peak seasons. A good 3PL will proactively tell you what could increase your bill, not wait for the invoice to explain it.

3. How do you scale as my business grows?

Your fulfillment needs today won’t be the same as they are six months from now. Ask how the 3PL handles volume spikes, new sales channels, or SKU expansion—and whether pricing stays consistent as you scale.

4. What visibility will I have into my inventory and orders?

You should always know where your inventory is and what’s shipping out. Ask what systems they use, how real-time the data is, and how easy it is to audit orders and charges.

5. How do you handle mistakes—and communicate them?

No operation is perfect. What matters is accountability. Ask how errors are reported, corrected, and credited. A trustworthy 3PL won’t hide issues—they’ll surface them quickly and fix them.

The Right 3PL Shouldn’t Be a Mystery

If you’re looking for a fulfillment partner that offers a dedicated account manager, clear communication, and true cost transparency, we’re built for that. We believe you should always know who to call, what you’re paying for, and why.

If you’re ready for a 3PL relationship with fewer surprises and more clarity, we’d love to talk.