What Questions Should You Ask Your Next 3PL Provider?

How do you determine which 3PL provider is the best? An indispensable part of business operations, it is important to let 3PL suppliers manage your supply chain. This is why you should not just choose anyone.

Although it is not uncommon to compare the pros and cons or read customer reviews, we recommend that you go further. As with finding new employees, the best way to find out which 3PL company is best for you is to interview your best prospects. Although this may require more work and more time, it is ultimately worth it. If you are worried, then the following questions should be at the top of your list.

1: How do you meet my e-commerce needs?

Before choosing to change to another 3PL provider, make sure you understand the person you are hiring. Although they may be similar, there are differences between the two companies. In the rapidly changing world of e-commerce, it is important to understand how potential 3PL companies can meet your exact transportation needs. 

Believe it or not, there are logistics companies everywhere that are not involved in e-commerce, or because of demand, they are new, which means they may lack experience. If you are an e-commerce company, it is important to choose a company that can meet your needs. To find the perfect match, don’t choose a company that only meets general e-commerce needs but fully meets your e-commerce needs.

2: What logistics services do you provide?

When it comes to freight, every company has its preferred method. You own yours, and the 3PL providers own theirs. You want to make sure everything is aligned. However, you also want to make sure that you have the right to choose and that the company you choose is willing to accept it. 

Many companies claim to provide “one-stop” services, but not everyone does. You should investigate your potential 3PL companies to find out if they are as they claim. Trust us, if you don’t want to fall into any trap, please pay more attention to freight.

3: To what extent do you assume responsibility and how to deal with claims?

The question is divided into two parts, which can catch the other person off guard. Everyone likes them, but no one wants to answer them, which makes the two-part question so big. 

The assumption of responsibility is an important aspect of transportation (whether it is domestic or international transit), so we recommend this issue as a surprise attack. The correct coverage will give you peace of mind, and it will help ensure better customer service.

4: How did you handle or correct errors in the past?

This is a multifaceted problem. On the one hand, this is a way for you to view the company’s mistakes. On the other hand, it reveals how the interviewing company handled these errors. Early mistakes are not always bad, so we remind any 3PL companies that have not made mistakes. 

Ideally, you will want to find a company that has grown through errors. To be sure, their recent records and customer reviews should be evidence of their improvement. Handling errors also means that you know how to resolve the mistakes, whether something similar has happened to them.