Our post-pandemic summer is winding down! With customers’ delivery expectations rising, your business is probably looking to ramp delivery capabilities. Bringing on a third-Party Logistics Provider (3PL) is a great way to enhance your business capabilities and meet rising expectations. Before you jump into one of the dozens of available options, here are some important points to consider when choosing a third party service.
The Five Most Important Questions to ask when choosing a service:
1. What services do they provide?
It may seem obvious, but it’s important to adequately determine your business’s delivery needs and find a provider that can properly match your desired service level. A business should align their delivery service with customer expectations. After all, happy customers lead to happy reviews and additional business. Examples include:
Last mile or reverse logistics
Warehouse movement: warehouse to warehouse to store store to business/contractor (b2B), warehouse to customer (b2c), store to customer.
Size-centered: big & bulky speciality or small parcel
White glove vs first threshold service levels
Industries of delivery expertise
Final mile, middle middle or OTR (long-haul transport)
Notably challenging deliveries
2. What payment processing methods and technology are in place?
Are you able to integrate your technology to provide the customer with simple pricing? Make sure pricing is straightforward so there are no surprises for you or your customers. One important question: Is the pricing up front for your customers to see during purchase? This may require additional technology (more on that below). Additionally, it’s important to consider how the funds transfer. Will your business pay the service or delivery pro directly? Will you pay per delivery or per month? What about a contract? Check those terms and conditions and make sure the 3PL is cost-effective for your company.
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3. What are the options for customer delivery?
It may be crucial for some businesses to provide flexible same-day delivery. For others, super-accurate scheduling may be most important. Can you tell the customer when their item will be at their door, down to the half hour? Impressive! Does your enterprise decide how many delivery pros are needed for each delivery? That could be important.
4. How do they rank in customer service and Service Ratings?
Of course, the actual service matters! A 3PL should work to complement your business, not hinder it. It’s important to make note of characteristics from both the third party company and the third party laborers. Third party workers should communicate clearly and delight your customer.
There are a lot of great Third Party Providers in the logistics industry right now! Deciding to outsource and enhance your processes can be a huge step in the right direction when trying to meet the increasingly demanding expectations of today’s retail consumer. Do some research, ask questions, and work to diligently find the right fit for your company. Ask to customize service levels or build new integrations if necessary! Your perfect 3PL is out there.
At Bungii we provide same-day, last mile, big & bulky delivery services. With customizable service levels and innovative reverse-logistics solutions, we are able to provide a variety of options within our virtual fleet. Connect with a member of our team today to learn about the value Bungii can provide your business.
5. What Integration Tech and tracking is provided?
There are a lot of great Third Party Providers in the logistics industry right now! Deciding to outsource and enhance your processes can be a huge step in the right direction when trying to meet the increasingly demanding expectations of today’s retail consumer. Do some research, ask questions, and work to diligently find the right fit for your company. Ask to customize service levels or build new integrations if necessary! Your perfect 3PL is out there.
At Bungii we provide same-day, last mile, big & bulky delivery services. With customizable service levels and innovative reverse-logistics solutions, we are able to provide a variety of options within our virtual fleet. Connect with a member of our team today to learn about the value Bungii can provide your business.
Our team specializes in:
- On-demand home delivery (from warehouse or store)
- Expedited and hot shot business delivery
- Curbside pickup with threshold delivery (no personal contact)
- Same-day, commercial delivery
- Buy online & either pickup in store (BOPIS) or deliver from store or warehouse.
- Reverse logistics
