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Pricing
Get a QuoteCall (310) 415-7759

How to Choose a 3PL: A Buyer’s Checklist

Picking a 3PL is a big decision for a growing brand. Use this checklist to compare accuracy, speed, location, pricing, contracts, integrations, compliance, returns and support.

Folded apparel shirts ready for ecommerce order fulfillment
  • Nine questions to ask every 3PL
  • Warning signs to watch for
  • How Matrix answers each one
  • 99.8% accuracy across 1M+ orders
  • Published rates, month-to-month

99.8% order accuracy across 1M+ orders · Month-to-month, no setup fees

Get Your Itemized Quote

Itemized pricing.

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No minimums · No setup fees · No long-term contract

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Four Questions to Ask Before Anything Else

  1. 1

    What Is Your Accuracy Rate?

    Ask for a number and how it's measured. We barcode-scan every pick and hold 99.8% accuracy across more than one million orders.

  2. 2

    When Do Orders Ship?

    Ask for the cutoff time. Orders placed with Matrix by 2 PM Pacific on weekdays ship the same day.

  3. 3

    Can I See Your Pricing?

    Ask for published rates and an itemized quote. Ours are public, and every quote is itemized.

  4. 4

    What Am I Signing?

    Ask about term length, minimums and exit terms. Matrix is month-to-month with 30 days' notice and no minimums.

On This PageHow It WorksBenefitsChecklistComparePricingFAQGet a Quote

How It Works

How to Evaluate a 3PL in 3 Steps

  1. 01

    Shortlist on the Basics

    Check location, shipping cutoffs, integrations and the product types each 3PL handles.

  2. 02

    Compare Itemized Quotes

    Ask each 3PL for line-item pricing on your real volume and SKUs so you compare like for like.

  3. 03

    Test the Support

    Notice who answers your questions and how fast. That is the support you'll get after you sign.

Benefits

More Questions Worth Asking

Where Is the Warehouse?

Our Los Angeles warehouse is close to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Does It Fit My Products?

We are FDA-registered, with lot tracking and FEFO for beauty, supplements and snacks.

Will It Connect to My Store?

Shopify, TikTok Shop and 200+ integrations, plus retail EDI through SPS Commerce.

How Are Returns Handled?

Loop Returns or your own forms. Units are inspected, and sellable ones restocked for $2 each.

How Fast Is Onboarding?

Ask for a real timeline. We onboard brands within 24 to 48 hours.

Can It Grow With Me?

We work with brands shipping 50 to 50,000 orders a month on the same pricing structure.

Checklist

The 3PL Buyer's Checklist

Operations

How well and how fast your orders actually get out the door.

  • Accuracy rate and how it's measured
  • Same-day cutoff time
  • Warehouse location and nearby ports
  • Compliance for your product type

Business Terms

What working together costs and how easy it is to change course.

  • Published, itemized pricing
  • Contract length and minimums
  • Integrations and returns included
  • A named account manager

Side-by-Side

Warning Signs vs. Matrix Fulfillment

Topic
Warning Sign
Matrix Fulfillment
Why It Matters
Accuracy
No accuracy number to share
99.8% across 1M+ orders, scan-verified
Fewer refunds and reships
Pricing
Rates only after a sales call
Published rates, itemized quotes
You can budget before you commit
Contract
Long terms and order minimums
Month-to-month, 30 days' notice
You stay because it works
Support
A shared ticket queue
An account manager who knows your brand
Problems get solved, not logged
Compliance
General storage, no lot tracking
FDA-registered with lot tracking and FEFO
Ready for regulated products
Contract
12-month lock-in and minimums
Month-to-month, no minimums
You stay because it works, not because you're stuck

Bottom line: the right 3PL gives clear answers on accuracy, speed, pricing and terms, and Matrix is built to answer every question on this list.

Integrations Included in Your Pricing

Shopify, TikTok Shop, Loop Returns and 200+ connections run through ShipHero WMS, with $0 platform fees.

ShopifyShopify PlusTikTok ShopLoop ReturnsWooCommerceAll Integrations

Published Pricing

Our Pricing, in the Open

Real numbers, no gated pricing. Your quote is itemized line by line.

Get My Exact Rate
Pick and Pack
$1.50 per order + $0.35 per additional item
At Volume
As low as $0.50 per order
Storage
$0.25 per bin per day · $0.90 per pallet per day
Receiving
$10 per pallet · $1.50 per mixed carton
Returns
$2 per unit inspected
Setup and Platform Fees
$0

Keep Exploring

Related Resources

What Is a 3PL?

How third-party logistics works for ecommerce brands.

3PL Cost Guide

What fulfillment really costs, line by line.

3PL vs. In-House Fulfillment

When outsourcing makes sense for your brand.

See All Resources →

FAQ

Choosing a 3PL Questions

Still unsure? Call (310) 415-7759 and talk to the team that packs your orders.

What should I look for in a 3PL?

Look at accuracy, shipping speed, warehouse location, pricing transparency, contract terms, integrations, compliance for your products, returns handling and support. Ask every 3PL for specific answers on each.

What is a good order accuracy rate for a 3PL?

Ask for a specific number and how it's measured. Matrix holds 99.8% order accuracy across more than one million orders, with every pick barcode-scanned in ShipHero WMS.

Does 3PL location matter?

Yes. Location affects transit times and how fast imported inventory arrives. Our Los Angeles warehouse is close to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

What contract terms should I expect?

Watch for long terms, order minimums and hard-to-exit agreements. Matrix is month-to-month with 30 days' notice and no order minimums.

What compliance should a 3PL have?

It depends on your products. For cosmetics, skincare, supplements and snacks, look for FDA registration plus lot and expiration tracking. Matrix is FDA-registered with lot tracking and FEFO picking.

How should I compare 3PL pricing?

Get an itemized quote from each 3PL for your real volume and SKUs. At Matrix, pick and pack starts at $1.50 per order plus $0.35 per additional item, bin storage is $0.25 per day, and there are no setup or platform fees.

How do 3PLs handle returns?

Ask how returns are received, inspected and restocked. Matrix works with Loop Returns or your own return forms, inspects every unit for $2, restocks sellable units and reports damaged ones.

How long does onboarding with a 3PL take?

We onboard brands within 24 to 48 hours. Your store is connected and your plan is set right away, and same-day shipping starts as soon as your inventory arrives and is counted.

Put Matrix to the Test

Ask us every question on this list. Itemized pricing.

Get My QuoteCall (310) 415-7759