| One of the most important aspects of your business | | | | also charge a fee for keeping your inventory up to |
| is the order fulfillment. Order fulfillment is getting the | | | | date. Though any fee is bothersome, this one is an |
| customer what they paid for in a timely manner and | | | | important one to have because it means that the |
| a great way to accomplish this is by using an order | | | | order fulfillment service is up to date with what you |
| fulfillment service. | | | | do and do not have to ship out. This can save you |
| When considering whether or not an order fulfillment | | | | from accidentally selling something that you currently |
| service is the route you want to take it is important | | | | have out of stock. |
| to consider all the costs that are associated with it. | | | | Set up Fees: This fee is not seen as much as it once |
| Some of the coasts that may be incurred with an | | | | was due to an increase in competition. However, you |
| order fulfillment service include: | | | | should always ask if the order fulfillment service you |
| Storage Cost: Because you will have your entire | | | | are considering charges a set up fee. If they do it is |
| inventory stored in the order fulfillment services | | | | only going to be a onetime fee and may be worth it |
| warehouse you will have to pay for such storage. | | | | to you if the facility is convenient to you. |
| Some services will charge per item and some will | | | | Return Processing Fees: Sometimes a customer will |
| charge per pallet so be sure you know ahead of time | | | | want to return an item for a number of reasons. |
| so that you dont run into an unwelcomed fee. | | | | When this happens many order fulfillment services will |
| Shipping: You will be responsible for all the shipping | | | | charge you a return processing fee or a re-stocking |
| charges that occur as your items will ship out. If you | | | | fee. |
| ship enough you may be able to get one of the | | | | These days it is not unusual to find an order |
| major parcel carriers to give you a bulk discount, but | | | | fulfillment service that is all inclusive. In other words, |
| either way it is you that will have to pay the charges. | | | | they will charge you one flat fee that included |
| Package and Handling: You will likely also have to pay | | | | everything and this will usually be due on a regular |
| a package and handling fee to the order fulfillment | | | | basis. Still others will charge on an ala carte basis so it |
| service as they will be the ones responsible for | | | | pays to ask ahead of time what fees you will incur. |
| boxing, padding, and handling your items that get as | | | | Before making your final decision, talk to a few |
| shipped out. | | | | different order fulfillment services and do a little |
| Receiving Fee: If you have items sent on a regular | | | | comparative shopping. Just be sure that you are |
| basis to your order fulfillment services warehouse | | | | getting an order fulfillment service that will meet your |
| you can expect to pay a receiving fee. | | | | needs as well as your budget. |
| Inventory Fee: Some order fulfillment services will | | | | |