6 Tips to Choose a Fulfillment Partner For Your Company
Choosing the right Philadelphia B2B fulfillment partner for your business is an important decision that could potentially lead to huge savings for your company. There are many companies in the US today who offer fulfillment services, but not all of them are created equal. Some companies offer better prices than others while some even provide a higher level of customer service than others.
When choosing a company to outsource the warehousing and production needs of your company, there are many factors you should take into consideration. These factors include their experience in the industry, reputation, pricing, and capabilities. Below are a few of the most important considerations that will help you decide which warehouse services provider is best for your company.
The first thing you should look at is their experience in the industry. How much have they handled projects in the past? What types of operations do they handle, and what types of customers have they served? Experienced companies will be able to handle all kinds of warehouses, from small office spaces to large distribution facilities. They will also be familiar with all of the legal aspects of warehousing, inventory, shipping, and returns so you don't have to spend extra time or money on these details.
Next, you want to make sure they have the right pricing. You should evaluate costs of similar services offered by different providers, as well as rates for new services. You should also evaluate any possible future costs such as installations, renovations, or expansions. You can easily get a good idea of what the going rate is for your warehouse space, products, and services by looking online. Philadelphia warehouse companies frequently post rates online to give you an idea of what you can expect.
After you've reviewed the available Philadelphia warehouse companies, you want to examine their capabilities. For instance, you might want a provider that offers extra services such as on-site loading and off-site loading. Or you might want a provider who will cover or eliminate the cost of packing and shipping products. You should also inquire about options such as on-site or full service pick up, drop off, and storage. Inquire about other areas such as inventory, order processing, labeling, and pick and pack procedures.
It's also important to determine the kind of return policies the warehouse company has in place. Do they accept returns if the product arrives and it doesn't meet your specifications? Will they replace goods that were wrongly shipped and are not covered by the warranty? Find out what their policies are and compare them to those of your competitors.
Find out how long it will take the warehouse provider to complete your orders. How quickly do they need to get your products to you? Is it possible to speed up the process and receive your goods overnight? Inquire about special overnight services such as rush services and same day delivery.
Finally, you should see if the Philadelphia fulfillment company you're considering uses only the most advanced equipment and techniques. A reputable firm should be using high-tech conveyor systems and other modern conveniences to help move your items from one point to another. In particular, you want to find out if they utilize software that makes it easy for your employees to enter and exit warehouse locations as needed. The faster your employees can perform their daily tasks, the more efficiently they'll be at completing the tasks at hand. Finally, you'll also want to consider the amount of time the warehouse is open for business, including weekends and holidays.