FULFILMENT SERVICE - Can any one recommend a good company?

[outdoorman24]

I am in the process of setting up an ecommerce website and I am going to use a fulfilment service. Can anyone recommend a good company?

Thanks

[Bruce_Andrews]

A bit more info will help!
What type of product -what value - what size/weight?
How many per day/week/month, national or international?
B2B or B2C, or both?
Stock holding and control?

[outdoorman24]

Product - Outdoor gear
Units per week - 100
Size - 85 x 85 x 3
Weight - 3-5kg
Value - £40 - £150
Delivery - National B2C
Stock holding and control - Yes

[Jonesy]

Amazon Inventory - we're moving to them in the New Year.

[dataferret]

Amazon Inventory - we're moving to them in the New Year.
Where can I find more details of this service?

Thanks

[AndyP]

errr....what about Amazon? Try here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/seller/fba/fulfillment-by-amazon.html?ld=SCUpgradeLearnMore

[matt_15]

Yes, but what if you don't want to sell from amazon. What if you want to sell from your own website? The package will be delivered with amazons name all over it, which means you would have to sell on amazon...

[matt_15]

Any other fulfilment companies that work for selling off your own website? Thanks

[AndyP]

No personal experience as its not something we have ever considered...but I just did a Google UK search and there seem to be a few there.....thats where I would start...

[Jheath]

Don't know if this thread is useful?
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=85684

[Jonesy]

Yes, but what if you don't want to sell from amazon. What if you want to sell from your own website? The package will be delivered with amazons name all over it, which means you would have to sell on amazon...

They'll deliver orders from your own website, but you need to automate the sale through into their systems, or manually enter the sale again.

[Zishan]

Mail Options Ltd in west london.

[lukec]

I use Big Web Warehouse Ltd and they've been brilliant

Your stock levels are instantly viewable online and you simply submit new orders online.

I'd like to find a good fulfillment house in Germany... have searched on Google without any luck.

[Lindapt]

:) Hi I'm Linda
I work with a number of companies who use PicPac Ltd for there fulfilment and associated services. They specialise in working with new and expanding companies to help create the solutions that fit their requirements and budget. No labelling or marketing other than your own. If you would like to know more then please call me for a friendly no obligation chat on 07736 718381 or 0113 253 8784.

[alphanumeric]

not sure where you are based, but i know a company in Wellingborough (northants) called Datamex that do this kind of thing.

depending on you budget they can create a fully custom solution including the design and build of the website so it integrates with warehouse stock etc.

Might be worth giving them a ring and seeing what you need....

01933 675000

[luckyg]

I use Big Web Warehouse Ltd and they've been brilliant
.

They have their own webshop as well as being a storage and fullfillemnt company and they sell many different types of items.

A bit of conflict of interest methinks. people who will be using them import from far east to resell, but so do big web warehouse.

so you need to keep your cards close to your chest if your using these guys as once they see your items are profitable they could import and sell them themselves.

your either one thing or the other, so i would recommend sticking with a company that does only storage and fulfullment.

[sysops]

They have their own webshop as well as being a storage and fullfillemnt company and they sell many different types of items.

A bit of conflict of interest methinks. people who will be using them import from far east to resell, but so do big web warehouse.

so you need to keep your cards close to your chest if your using these guys as once they see your items are profitable they could import and sell them themselves.

your either one thing or the other, so i would recommend sticking with a company that does only storage and fulfullment.

Amazon actively track what their marketplace sellers are selling, and in many cases appear to set out to undercut their own marketplace sellers. Yet people still sell on marketplace.

[luckyg]

Amazon actively track what their marketplace sellers are selling, and in many cases appear to set out to undercut their own marketplace sellers. Yet people still sell on marketplace.


Are we ever going to have it easy?!!!

[sysops]

Are we ever going to have it easy?!!!

Business is rarely easy, but there is always a way of making it work if you look hard enough and think creatively.

[Mister B]

I think that some people are incredibly naive and think that the only reason why Amazon have the marketplace is for them to gain additional revenue from the commission. Now call me old fashioned and cynical, but I genuinely believe that Amazon, (as Sysops says,) actively track what is sold so that they know what and where the market is heading. This allows them to buy the best sellers in bulk and screw the original sellers.

As for the issue of Amazon fulfillment, I also believe that if you sell and let them do the fulfillment, you're setting yourself up for a big fall. Although it may mean a short term solution to your logistical problems, it does mean that you will be over reliant on one portal. What about the other sales channels, how will they be fulfilled?

Going back to the original questions posed by the OP, why not do it yourself? Attend a business network meeting, speal to Business Link, whoever, it doesn't really matter. there are loads of companies looking to sublet warehousing and office space at the moment. You'd more than likely be helping another small business out as well:)

Mister B

[sysops]

Now call me old fashioned and cynical, but I genuinely believe that Amazon, (as Sysops says,) actively track what is sold so that they know what and where the market is heading. This allows them to buy the best sellers in bulk and screw the original sellers.

To be fair, this data is openly available (with a bit of work). So anyone can spend some time researching what products are selling best in a given sector, on Amazon or eBay. I'm sure Amazon use sophisticated tools for the analysis, but you can do a hell of a lot with a spreadsheet :)

[Mister B]

To be fair, this data is openly available (with a bit of work). So anyone can spend some time researching what products are selling best in a given sector, on Amazon or eBay. I'm sure Amazon use sophisticated tools for the analysis, but you can do a hell of a lot with a spreadsheet :)

How do you do that then? I have a pretty good handle on which the best sellers are, and I can get a pretty good idea of the value of those sales. But my figures are not definitive, only speculative.

Mister B

[sysops]

How do you do that then? I have a pretty good handle on which the best sellers are, and I can get a pretty good idea of the value of those sales. But my figures are not definitive, only speculative.


Say you are interested in selling Fuji digital cameras, and want to know which models are the best sellers.

First, compile a list of the top 10 most active sellers of Fuji digital cameras (going by feedback).

Then, compile a list of each seller's inventory.

Cross-match between them, to find models stock by the most sellers.

Identify the ones they are competing hardest on price for.

Voila, you have a spreadsheet of the best selling products in that sector.

[Grant Ashley]

I am in the process of setting up an ecommerce website and I am going to use a fulfilment service. Can anyone recommend a good company?

Thanks
Hi
I literally just joined the forum 30 minutes ago and spotted your question - it must be my lucky day!
I own and run a fulfilment company we have been established for 18 years and have a great amount of experience in this market. We are quite unique as we work with new start e-commerce operations as well as some big operators. Please feel free to call me on 01444 237101 if I can help or point you in the right direction. Cheers Grant

[Jonesy]

Say you are interested in selling Fuji digital cameras, and want to know which models are the best sellers.

First, compile a list of the top 10 most active sellers of Fuji digital cameras (going by feedback).

Then, compile a list of each seller's inventory.

Cross-match between them, to find models stock by the most sellers.

Identify the ones they are competing hardest on price for.

Voila, you have a spreadsheet of the best selling products in that sector.

Or apply a bit of K.I.S.S theory and use the Amazon Bestsellers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/electronics/560836/ref=pd_ts_ce_nav) section of the site... that's my "headsmacking tip" for the day.

[sysops]

Good tip :) Does that list include data from all sales, or just Amazon direct sales?

[Jonesy]

Good tip :) Does that list include data from all sales, or just Amazon direct sales?

Couldn't tell you to be honest, but most likely everything as Amazon process all payments even if your in Central or Marketplace.

Very handy indeed if you're running an affiliate website though, eh?

[Direction]

I work for a storage, fulfilment & distribution company, so if you are still looking for someone to give you advice, feel free to call us on 01235 510932. We have been set up for over 10 years, and supporting ecommerce companies is a growing part of our business. We will give you advice on how we can make your fulfilment more efficient, and then design a process to suit you. Then you can relax knowing we are handling all your orders for you so you can spend time growing your business. It doesnt have to be expensive either, as costs are charged on a per order basis.

I would say that we have helped many people like you that have got to a point where they either dont want to, or cant manage any more on their own (due to the success of their business) and find outsourcing is the right solution.

I hope this has been helpful to you.

[dragonops]

If you still require storage space, we can offer a full logistics service including inbound deliveries, stock inventory, pick, pack and despatch.
We have up to 400 pallet spaces available immediately at very competitive prices. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0845 0346540 if you wish to discuss this further.

[paretowasright]

It appears a few fulfilment options around but would be good for a location with the phone number as I am sure having a company within a reasonable geographic location may be part of the decision making process?

[luckyg]

It appears a few fulfilment options around but would be good for a location with the phone number as I am sure having a company within a reasonable geographic location may be part of the decision making process?

YUP....I am actively looking for new provider and location is so important to reduce shunting costs.

if anyone else posts their services can you please state your location and distance from nearest port.

[dragonops]

Hi there

Our facility is in Leicestershire, however, location is not an issue as we already operate a distribution contract for a German furniture manufacturer which runs very smoothly. All orders/instructions are sent by email and we control the stock inventory here in the UK and despatch using carriers of their choice. We do however, have local carrier contacts if necessary. If you wish to discuss your requirements further please contact us on 0845 034 6540.