Part IV

3PL pricing and the rate card, line by line

Published articles open now; the rest are coming soon.

4.1Pricing models

4.1How 3PL pricing works: an overview of the rate cardExplainer16 min
4.1Activity-based (à la carte) pricing explainedExplainerComing soon
4.1All-in or per-order pricing: pros, cons and hidden assumptionsExplainerComing soon
4.1Cost-plus and open-book pricingExplainerComing soon
4.1Fixed plus variable pricing for dedicated operationsExplainerComing soon
4.1Gainshare and incentive-based pricingExplainerComing soon
4.13PL monthly minimums: how they're calculated, what counts toward them, and how to negotiateExplainer10 min
4.1Setup, onboarding and implementation feesExplainerComing soon
4.13PL account management and technology (platform) fees explainedExplainer8 min
4.1Integration fees: one-time vs. recurringComparisonComing soon
4.1Per-SKU and SKU setup feesExplainerComing soon

4.23PL receiving fees: per pallet vs. carton vs. unit vs. hourComparison10 min
4.2Container unloading: 20', 40' and 40' high-cube, floor-loaded vs. palletizedComparisonComing soon
4.2Non-compliant receiving surcharges: what triggers themExplainerComing soon
4.2Missing or inaccurate ASN feesExplainerComing soon
4.2Labeling, relabeling and prep fees on inboundExplainerComing soon
4.2Inspection and QC fees on receiptExplainerComing soon
4.2Re-palletizing, sorting and mixed-SKU carton feesExplainerComing soon
4.2Inbound appointment, detention and after-hours receiving feesExplainerComing soon

4.33PL storage fees: per pallet vs. per bin vs. per cubic foot (and per square foot or location)Comparison10 min
4.3How 3PLs measure storage: snapshot, daily average, peak or proratedExplainer10 min
4.3Partial pallets and rounding: how 3PLs count a "pallet"ExplainerComing soon
4.3Pallet height and weight standards and oversize pallet chargesExplainerComing soon
4.33PL long-term storage fees and aged-inventory surcharges explainedExplainer11 min
4.3Seasonal storage spikes, overflow space and off-site storageExplainerComing soon
4.3Bin vs. pallet migration: when moving inventory saves moneyComparisonComing soon
4.3Storage for slow movers, packaging and marketing materialsExplainerComing soon
4.3Hazmat, temperature-controlled and secure-cage storage premiumsExplainerComing soon

4.43PL pick and pack fees: first pick vs. additional pick vs. per unitComparison10 min
4.4Why multi-unit orders cost more than you expectExplainerComing soon
4.4B2B and wholesale pick fees: each vs. case vs. pallet pickComparison10 min
4.4Packaging materials: who supplies them, how they're priced, and markupExplainerComing soon
4.4Custom and branded packaging handling feesExplainerComing soon
4.4Inserts, gift notes, samples and marketing collateral feesExplainerComing soon
4.4Kitting and assembly pricing: per kit, per component or hourlyExplainerComing soon
4.4Special projects and hourly labor rates: how to control themExplainerComing soon
4.4Rush, same-day and priority order feesExplainerComing soon

4.5How 3PLs bill shipping: pass-through, markup or their own rate cardExplainer11 min
4.5Using your own carrier accounts vs. the 3PL's: total cost and controlComparisonComing soon
4.5Carrier surcharges passed through: fuel, residential, delivery area, additional handling, large package, peakExplainerComing soon
4.5Label fees, address correction fees and reshipment chargesExplainerComing soon
4.5How 3PLs bill LTL and FTL freight on B2B ordersExplainer11 min

4.63PL returns processing fees: per return vs. per unit vs. hourlyComparison11 min
4.6Inspection, grading, refurbishment and repackaging feesExplainerComing soon
4.6Restock vs. dispose vs. return-to-vendor pricingComparisonComing soon

4.73PL accessorial fees: a complete list of 40+ warehouse chargesReference22 min
4.7Order edits, cancellations and address changes after releaseExplainerComing soon
4.7Manual order entry and customer-service-originated ordersExplainerComing soon
4.7Cycle counts, physical inventory and special count feesExplainerComing soon
4.7Inventory adjustment and investigation feesExplainerComing soon
4.7Lot, expiry and serial-number capture feesExplainerComing soon
4.7EDI transaction fees and retailer compliance labelingExplainerComing soon
4.7Pallet, shrink-wrap, corner board and stretch-film chargesExplainerComing soon
4.7Disposal, destruction and donation feesExplainerComing soon
4.7Photography, measuring (cubing) and product setup feesExplainerComing soon
4.7After-hours, weekend and holiday labor premiumsExplainerComing soon
4.73PL hidden fees: charges to never accept without a definitionReference11 min

4.83PL price escalators and CPI clauses: how annual increases workExplainer10 min
4.8How carrier rate increases (GRIs) reach your 3PL invoiceExplainer10 min
4.8Labor and wage-driven increasesExplainerComing soon
4.8Warehouse fuel, energy and "cost of operations" surchargesExplainerComing soon
4.8Mid-contract price increases: what's allowed and how to respondExplainerComing soon

4.9What do 3PLs charge? Fee-by-fee ranges, with methodology and caveatsReferenceComing soon
4.9Total fulfillment cost per order by vertical and order profileExplainerComing soon
4.9Why published benchmarks mislead, and how to benchmark properlyReferenceComing soon

4.10Which 3PL fees and contract terms are negotiable (and which aren't)Reference11 min
4.10Your leverage: volume, term length, payment terms, ease of operationExplainerComing soon
4.103PL tiered pricing and volume discounts: how tiers workExplainer11 min
4.10Rate locks and price protectionExplainerComing soon
4.10Ramp periods: negotiating minimums during launchExplainerComing soon
4.10Negotiating shipping markup and carrier discountsHow-toComing soon
4.10Negotiating packaging costsHow-toComing soon
4.10Mid-term renegotiation: when and how to askExplainerComing soon
4.10Negotiation mistakes that cost brands the mostHow-toComing soon