The checklist
- Location. Where is the warehouse relative to your customers? A central US location shortens zones to both coasts.
- Transparent pricing. Ask for the full rate card and a sample invoice. Watch for setup fees, minimums and account fees.
- Shipping rates. Do they compare carriers on each order, or use one carrier for everything?
- Packaging approach. Do they right-size boxes to avoid dimensional-weight charges, or use a few standard sizes?
- Integrations. Do they connect to your channels, such as Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, eBay, Etsy, Temu or WooCommerce?
- Order accuracy. How are picks verified? Is scanning used at pick and pack?
- Receiving speed. How quickly does new inventory become available to sell?
- Returns. Can they inspect, grade and restock returns, and show you the results?
- Reporting. Is there a live dashboard for orders, inventory and costs, with exports?
- Minimums. Do they work with your current order volume, not just the volume you hope for?
- Communication. Who do you talk to when something goes wrong, and how fast do they answer?
- Special services. Kitting, custom packaging, dropshipping, freight or climate control if you need them.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Can you price last month’s invoice from my current 3PL line by line?
- What exactly is included in pick and pack, and what is extra?
- How do you handle dimensional weight?
- What happens during peak season?
- How do I leave if it doesn’t work out?
Red flags
- No written rate card, or prices that change after onboarding.
- One-size-fits-all packaging.
- No access to live inventory data.
- Long contracts with large minimums for small brands.
Want to compare? Request a free quote or email us last month’s invoice and we’ll price it line by line. See why sellers choose TradeHive3PL.
Want exact numbers for your store?Get a free quote, or send last month’s invoice and we’ll price it line by line.
Get my free quote Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to switch 3PLs?
It depends on inventory volume and integrations, but most moves follow the same steps: quote, connect your store, ship inventory, and start fulfilling once stock is received.
Should I use more than one 3PL?
Large brands sometimes use several warehouses to shorten delivery. For most growing brands, one well-located warehouse in the central US covers the country efficiently.
What is a good order accuracy rate?
Ask each 3PL how they measure it and how picks are verified. Scan-verified picking and packing is the standard to look for.