Choosing a 3PL is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your eCommerce business. Get it right, and you unlock scalable growth. Get it wrong, and you're stuck in a contract with a partner who can't deliver.
Here are the five questions you should ask any 3PL you're considering.
1. What Are Your Processing Times?
"Fast shipping" means different things to different 3PLs. Pin them down: What's the cutoff for same-day processing? What's the average time from order received to carrier pickup?
The gold standard is same-day shipping for orders placed before a clear cutoff — usually 2pm local time. Anything vaguer than that ("1-3 business days") is a red flag.
2. How Do You Handle Peak Season?
Anyone can handle your volume on a slow Tuesday in February. Ask what happens during Black Friday, Prime Day, or when your product goes viral. Do they have overflow capacity? Seasonal staff plans?
Look for specific answers: how they staff for Q4, what their capacity ceiling is, and whether they can show metrics from last year's peak. Vague reassurances are not enough.
3. What Does Your Technology Stack Look Like?
A modern 3PL should offer real-time inventory visibility, automated order routing, and integrations with your sales channels. If they're still using spreadsheets, run.
Ask to see their WMS in action. It should integrate with your platforms (Shopify, Amazon, TikTok Shop, etc.) and provide a real-time dashboard showing orders, shipments, and inventory counts.
4. What Are the Actual Costs?
Get a complete breakdown: receiving fees, storage fees, pick-and-pack fees, shipping costs, return processing. Watch out for hidden charges like "account management fees" or minimum monthly commitments.
A transparent 3PL will give you a clear pricing sheet with no surprises. Be wary of quotes that seem too good to be true — the hidden fees will catch up.
5. Can I Talk to Current Clients?
References matter. A 3PL that won't connect you with existing clients is a red flag. Ask specifically about communication, accuracy rates, and how they handle problems.
The Bottom Line
The cheapest 3PL is rarely the best value. Look for a partner who communicates well, operates transparently, and has a track record with businesses like yours.
At 3PLGuys, we're happy to answer all five of these questions — and connect you with current clients who can share their experience. Get a quote and see if we're the right fit.
