Choosing the right fulfillment partner can make or break your online business. With over 300 options in North America, navigating the maze of complicated pricing and varying service levels can be daunting. The wrong choice can lead to operational nightmares, but the right partner can streamline your operations and help you scale efficiently. While pricing, location, and software are crucial factors, one critical step you shouldn’t skip is having a phone conversation with potential partners. Here’s why calling beats email for fulfillment.

Why a Phone Call Matters More Than Emails

1. Understanding Your Business Needs

Personal Connection: A phone call helps establish a personal connection, which is vital for understanding your unique business needs. Unlike emails, calls allow for a more nuanced and interactive discussion about your products and order volumes.

Detailed Discussion: Discussing specifics like product types, seasonal fluctuations, and shipping requirements is far more effective over the phone. You can delve into details that might get lost or misunderstood in email exchanges.

Real-Time Interaction: Real-time Q&A sessions during a call enable you to address concerns immediately and assess the responsiveness of the potential partner.

2. Assessing Compatibility and Trust

Evaluating Responsiveness: A phone call can reveal how prompt and reliable a fulfillment partner is. If they’re slow to schedule or join a call, that might be a red flag about their overall responsiveness.

Building Trust: Voice interactions help build trust and gauge the partner’s commitment to your business. You can get a sense of their professionalism and customer service ethos.

Instant Feedback: Calls provide instant feedback and clarification on important points, which is often lacking in email communications. You can quickly resolve misunderstandings and get a clearer picture of what the partnership would look like.

3. Clarifying Complex Details

Pricing and Services: Complex pricing structures and varying service levels can be confusing. A call allows for a thorough explanation of these aspects, ensuring you understand all costs involved.

Customization Needs: Discussing customization needs and special services is more straightforward over the phone. You can explain exactly what you’re looking for and see how flexible the partner is in meeting those needs.

Future Planning: Long-term plans and scalability are critical topics that benefit from interactive discussions. A call provides a platform to talk about your vision for the next 12 months and beyond, ensuring your potential 3PL partner can grow with you.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of e-commerce, choosing the right 3PL partner is crucial. Instead of relying solely on emails, take the time to have phone conversations with potential partners. This approach helps you understand your business needs better, assess compatibility and trust, and clarify complex details.

Ready to find a fulfillment partner who really gets your business? Book a call with ShipSage today and enjoy top-notch fulfillment solutions that drive growth and efficiency.