Who should I meet before signing with a 3PL?
You have talked with sales. You have reviewed the proposal. The pricing makes sense, the technology checks the right boxes, and the warehouse looks like it could support your business.
Before you sign, there is another question worth asking: Who will actually be taking care of my business once the sales process is over?
A 3PL relationship can last for years. The people you meet during the sales process are only the beginning. Your products will eventually be in the hands of facility leadership, operations teams, systems experts, warehouse associates, and others making decisions about your business every day.
You should know some of those people before you become a customer.
Start With the People Running the Building
If possible, meet the general manager and members of the operations team at the facility where your inventory will live.
These are the people who will learn the details of your business. They will be involved when volume suddenly increases, inventory arrives differently than expected, a retailer introduces a new requirement, or your team comes to them with something new.
Bryan, who works across sales and marketing at Barrett Distribution Centers, recently discussed this on the Behind the Docks podcast.
That is a very different conversation from simply asking whether a warehouse has enough space for your inventory. You are getting to know the people who could eventually become an extension of your own team.
Meet More Than the Sales Team
The salesperson may introduce you to the company, but they will not be the only person responsible for your experience once inventory arrives.
Depending on your business, you may want to meet people from operations, systems and technology, onboarding, transportation, or teams supporting specialized services. If your brand has unique requirements, find out who will be responsible for making them happen.
Bryan identified “not being encouraged to broadly meet larger teams besides the sales guy” as something brands should pay attention to when evaluating a potential 3PL.
You do not need an introduction to every person in the company. You should, however, understand who will be involved in your business and feel comfortable asking them questions.
Ask Who You Will Call When Something Goes Wrong
This might be one of the most important things to understand before signing.
Even a strong fulfillment relationship will eventually encounter something unexpected. A promotion performs far better than forecasted. Inventory arrives late. An integration needs attention. A retailer changes a requirement. An order needs to be investigated. Ask who gets involved in those moments and how communication works.
Bryan speaks openly about the reality of these relationships:
“Sometimes the customer’s not always right. And sometimes Barrett’s not always right. Sometimes we make mistakes.”
The goal is not to find a 3PL that promises nothing will ever go wrong. It is to find people you trust to communicate, respond, and work alongside your team when something does.
Meet the People Behind the Promise
At Barrett Distribution Centers, we believe getting to know a potential fulfillment partner should go beyond a presentation and a rate sheet. Visit the facility when possible. Meet the people who would support your account. Ask how they work, how they communicate, and what happens when plans change.
Because choosing a 3PL is not only about finding the right warehouse, technology, or price.
It is about finding the people you will trust with your products when the contract is signed and the real work begins.
Looking for a 3PL that takes the time to understand your business?
Tell us where you are today, where you want to go, and what you need from your fulfillment partner.
Start a conversation with Barrett Distribution Centers.
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