Our clients have only one thing in common: none of them have exactly the same requirements. Some sell exclusively to consumers, others only to businesses. Some ship maternity products, while others ship lifestyle items. Some send small, low-value items, while others ship large, high-cost boxes. Regarding packaging, some have ready-to-ship boxes, while others need customized packaging. That’s just the way it is. That’s business, especially in e-commerce.
Although the foundation is the same—selling products online—the logistics and conditions of each store are different. That’s why the first thing I recommend to anyone looking for a 3PL to assist with logistics is that it’s not just about finding a warehouse; it’s about finding a partner who understands the complexity of your business and is flexible enough to become an extension of your company.
My issue with current logistics solutions, especially in Germany and the EU, is that the larger and more established a 3PL is, the more they try to standardize their processes, attempting to implement a one-size-fits-all solution that ultimately only benefits the 3PL. Entrepreneurs end up paying the price later.
Therefore, it’s crucial, from the outset, to recognize whether you’re dealing with a 3PL that just wants your business or one that will become the partner you need to grow and scale. The latter will simplify things; the former will add extra steps to your processes and severely impact your efficiency and the speed at which your startup operates. You don’t need a warehouse; you need a partner who cares about your business growth as much as you do.
But things can be risky, especially in a country like Germany, where everything is governed by bureaucracy and some companies specialize in complicating processes as much as possible, delaying by months what should take hours. I’m talking about something as simple as dispatching a pallet with 20 boxes—a ridiculous scenario but a recurrent case that a client experienced with their old warehouse. Never underestimate how complex some warehouses in Germany can make your business.
How do you spot a bad 3PL? It’s evident from the first emails. How long do they take to respond? How long do they take to give you a straightforward answer and pricing? How many people do you have to talk to, and how long do you wait to get a proposal and plan? How extensive is their price list? Are you talking to someone directly in the warehouse or just a salesperson who has never lifted a box in their life?
The right partner will not only save you thousands of euros in the long run but also spare you thousands of hours of headaches and simplify your logistics.