Fulfillment services for startups

[ukusbu]

Hi,
i am starting a small e-shop, ebay business. I am looking for a pick,pack, post service in the UK. I got alot of quotes from fulfillment companies, but i feel they are missing the point that i just started out. Some of them require me to pay a monthly fee to track my inventory with their software (i dont need that), others charge only per pallets and some require to have a service fee of 1k to be their customer.

Is there a company that simply charges a monthly storage fee as used, and pick-pack-post fee per order or item?

Please post your experience if you have used a specific company.

Thanks

 

[AndyP]

Hi OP

Happy Xmas. Not the day to discuss business but we do exactly what you require. Lets speak after Christmas.

Andy

 

[smo]

Depends on the items and volume, but its something we have done a lot in the past for national newspaper offers and would be able to do again. Send me a PM with some details.

 

[stefanraj]

There are lots of company in India who are doing the e-commerce website,its better if you go in Google and search as a best website designing company,you will get lots of company details.

 

[smo]

There are lots of company in India who are doing the e-commerce website,its better if you go in Google and search as a best website designing company,you will get lots of company details.

This seems to be utter garbage and totally irrelevant to the OP's question.

 

[owas]

Hi, have sent you a pm, that you may find useful.

 

[mike.davis]

Be careful using an order fulfillment company to start off with, it will be very hard making enough profit to cover your costs and a fulfillment companies cut, especially selling on ebay with there charges.

Personally I would never ever consider this as a start to my business, its lazy. You are also putting the running of your business in somebody elses hands, which defeats the point of it being your business.

 

[Richard Plumb]

Hi

My company specialise in ecommerce but we have been looking at using our warehouse to do some fulfilment as well (its quite empty because our IT work is busy)

Im more than happy to discuss a deal, we are based in Redhill in Surrey and have a secure warehouse.

Kind Regards

Rick

 

[AndyP]

Be careful using an order fulfillment company to start off with, it will be very hard making enough profit to cover your costs and a fulfillment companies cut, especially selling on ebay with there charges.

Personally I would never ever consider this as a start to my business, its lazy. You are also putting the running of your business in somebody elses hands, which defeats the point of it being your business.

This is of course basing everything on the business model that you presumably use. Frankly its an extremely narrow view to take. And to suggest that wanting to use a fulfillment company equates to laziness is a tad naive don't you think? There are many reasons why somebody would want this aspect of their business contracted out, not least the cost balance of warehousing/storage, stock insurance, packaging materials and their storage, packing stations, packing staff, courier agreements etc....the list goes on and on....and all of those responsibilities disappear when third party fulfillment is used. Yes, there is a cost but it has to be balanced against the costs of doing it yourself.

 

[mike.davis]

This is of course basing everything on the business model that you presumably use. Frankly its an extremely narrow view to take. And to suggest that wanting to use a fulfillment company equates to laziness is a tad naive don't you think? There are many reasons why somebody would want this aspect of their business contracted out, not least the cost balance of warehousing/storage, stock insurance, packaging materials and their storage, packing stations, packing staff, courier agreements etc....the list goes on and on....and all of those responsibilities disappear when third party fulfillment is used. Yes, there is a cost but it has to be balanced against the costs of doing it yourself.

I don't think the view of a fulfillment company trying to advertise there service should be allowed in this thread, I am giving my unbiased experienced view, and you are trying to sell something.

 

[Richard Plumb]

I don't think the view of a fulfillment company trying to advertise there service should be allowed in this thread, I am giving my unbiased experienced view, and you are trying to sell something.

Hi Mike

I think that's harsh, there are two sides to this story. We all use fulfillment of one sort or another all the time (royal mail, window cleaners, carwash, accountants) to provide an easy convenient solution at a cost.

This is no different and if it suits the business model then its worth considering. Perhaps there is no warehouse space, time or convenience to meet the orders personally. This can be revisited when the companies sales are much higher.

 

[SIX1]

Be careful using an order fulfillment company to start off with, it will be very hard making enough profit to cover your costs and a fulfillment companies cut, especially selling on ebay with there charges.

I think there are many people who assume that because someone charges for a service it must be more expensive than doing it yourself. To some extent this is true, but if you have a business to run you may not have the 'free' time to train as an accountant, warehouse manager, etc etc

I'd dare say that a specialist is also likely to be a lot more efficient, get better services rates etc and so might actually not cost as any more than doing it yourself.

For many who are running an eBay business as a hobby, then outsourcing many services probably isn't for them because their time is not in scarce supply.

James

 

[AndyP]

I don't think the view of a fulfillment company trying to advertise there service should be allowed in this thread, I am giving my unbiased experienced view, and you are trying to sell something.

What utter rubbish.

1. We are NOT a fulfillment company, it just happens to be a service that we offer. We are primarily, and will continue to be, an ecommerce based b2c and b2b business first and foremost. Spare warehouse and shipping department capacity aligned with masses of good (and bad) experiences gained over the years since we started business has ideally placed us in a position where we really do understand how ecommerce business works from the sharp end.
2. We are NOT trying to advertise our service. The OP asked, I responded. Pure and simple. You will not find one other post here relating to this service from me. It is not something that we push at all. In fact clients have only ever come from word of mouth and recommendation. If the OP wishes to speak to me thats fine, if he doesn't the world won't stop turning.
3. My point, however, was nothing whatsoever to do with me touting for business, it was simply pointing out that your opinion, whilst you are perfectly entitled to it, does not really hold water and to suggest that somebody using a fulfillment service is lazy....well, I don't think I need to say more. Those with any degree of business acumen will undoubtedly see the bigger picture.

As for your point of who should be allowed to post what, where and when....who made you a forum policeman? I'll post what I want, when I want, as and when I see fit to do so. It is never my intention to offend.

 

[truereddevil]

Hi this is something I am actually looking at myself and I have been told 2 of the best companies offering this service are amazon.com and shipwire.com

 

[stefanraj]

I think there are lots of company who are providing this kind of services.In India only there are lots of company who will give you the best work with a budget cost.
Just go to Google and search there,You will lots of vendor there.

 

[SIX1]

truereddevil, be wary of Amazon's FBA service. It's really quite expensive if you're not just selling via Amazon and the service level is very poor if things go wrong. I've heard a lot of bad things about it (just search the forums).

There are many other companies out there, though probably only 5 or 6 that will deal with smaller businesses. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[ukusbu]

Hi,
i apologize for not replying earlier, but i was on holiday. All opinions are quite interesting. I have to say to mike.davis that if you outsource in any way you allways put part of your business into other people hands, but this approach saves warehouse and staff costs.

I got many pms and offers and i will go through them over the next days. Amazon is out of question since they use their own branded packaging materials. Shipwire looks interesting, but their costs permit only for high profit items

 

[mike.davis]

What utter rubbish.

1. We are NOT a fulfillment company, it just happens to be a service that we offer. We are primarily, and will continue to be, an ecommerce based b2c and b2b business first and foremost. Spare warehouse and shipping department capacity aligned with masses of good (and bad) experiences gained over the years since we started business has ideally placed us in a position where we really do understand how ecommerce business works from the sharp end.
2. We are NOT trying to advertise our service. The OP asked, I responded. Pure and simple. You will not find one other post here relating to this service from me. It is not something that we push at all. In fact clients have only ever come from word of mouth and recommendation. If the OP wishes to speak to me thats fine, if he doesn't the world won't stop turning.
3. My point, however, was nothing whatsoever to do with me touting for business, it was simply pointing out that your opinion, whilst you are perfectly entitled to it, does not really hold water and to suggest that somebody using a fulfillment service is lazy....well, I don't think I need to say more. Those with any degree of business acumen will undoubtedly see the bigger picture.

As for your point of who should be allowed to post what, where and when....who made you a forum policeman? I'll post what I want, when I want, as and when I see fit to do so. It is never my intention to offend.

No, of course you are giving an unbiased view...

we do exactly what you require. Lets speak after Christmas.

Andy

My points have been made and still stand, the main one being putting the business in other peoples hands which you haven't replied to, I didn't mean you literally shouldn't be allowed to post I mean that anyone giving there opinion on something they are trying to sell should not be taken as seriously as someone from the outside.

My business acumen is fine thanks, and it has served me well.

I have to say to mike.davis that if you outsource in any way you allways put part of your business into other people hands, but this approach saves warehouse and staff costs.

Maybe I was a bit harsh but the business model that a fulfillment company suits is one that you don't want to grow, I mean if you are content with your business not fulfilling its potential then thats fine, but without your full time and attention no start up business can achieve what you should want it to achieve. Being around it for the trial and errors of a startup is how you learn the ins and outs of your business.

 

[IanDade]

To get back to the original point of this thread, UKUSBU we can help you. We only charge on a "what you use" basis, no monthly fees. Our only charges outside of these "what you use" fees are a small setup cost at the start of your contract to set up our system with your stock etc and link to your shopping cart to get the orders.

Drop me a PM and i will be happy to send you the relevant information and do a quote for you.

From our experience and what our customers tell us, outsourcing your fulfilment to 3rd party operators like us can actually be more cost effective than doing it in house. Many people do not factor the cost of their own time into these equations and just assume that because they are doing it then it is free, but in fact they are using up time that coudl be better spent on their areas of expertise and building the business rather than packing boxes, which is our expertise.

 

[mike.davis]

From our experience and what our customers tell us, outsourcing your fulfilment to 3rd party operators like us can actually be more cost effective than doing it in house. Many people do not factor the cost of their own time into these equations and just assume that because they are doing it then it is free, but in fact they are using up time that coudl be better spent on their areas of expertise and building the business rather than packing boxes, which is our expertise.

Again you are latching onto the price factor, when the main point is fulfillment companies restrict the growth of your business, and once again your opinion is that of a fulfillment company trying to get business.

Whereas mine is an unbiased view having built a successful company strongly working on the view that fulfillment companies are basically the same as employing staff to run the business, and no-one would advise employing staff and leaving the business to grow itself in the early stages of a startup.

My posts are on the subject of the thread, because this is a business advice forum - not a "find more clients and protect your industry" forum.

If the OP wants a small company selling a few bits on eBay, and he never wants it to grow past that - then yes use a fulfillment company.

 

[IanDade]

Again you are latching onto the price factor, when the main point is fulfillment companies restrict the growth of your business, and once again your opinion is that of a fulfillment company trying to get business.

Why do you think that using a fulfilment company restricts your growth? We handle orders for companies who sell hundreds of items a day and are growing. Surely freeing up time to grow your business is invaluable?

My posts are on the subject of the thread, because this is a business advice forum - not a "find more clients and protect your industry" forum.

I am offering "business advice" it just so happens that it relates to my business, if that also leads to a new client then so be it. The OP secifically asks "Is there a company that simply charges a monthly storage fee as used, and pick-pack-post fee per order or item?" Well we do, so i am simply letting him know.

The title at the top of this forum states - "discussion, advice and assistance", i think my repsonse and that of Andy falls under this banner.

 

[mike.davis]

Why do you think that using a fulfilment company restricts your growth? We handle orders for companies who sell hundreds of items a day and are growing. Surely freeing up time to grow your business is invaluable?

No. Understanding your business is invaluable, and you cannot understand your business until you get to know the ins and outs of it, which only comes from being there day-to-day in the first year.

The first year of a startup is vital, while also learning to understand your business you need to get your business running the way you want to run it, not the way a fulfillment company runs it.

I go back to my original argument, using fulfillment company suits some business models, but they are business models which will not grow to there full potential, its fine for a little eBay shop - but unless you want it to stay that way you must be in your business until you get it running itself.

If this wasn't the case then everyone would use fulfillment companies, I mean if it's cheaper and means you get free time then obviously a fulfillment company would be the standard for all businesses - but it's not as simple as that.

For many who are running an eBay business as a hobby, then outsourcing many services probably isn't for them because their time is not in scarce supply.

James

You don't run a business as a hobby, small ebay shops being run in spare time to make a few extra quid, are hobbies - they are not businesses.

Try selling an eBay shop to someone which has no staff, is run from home, solely relies on the person running it and wouldn't run with anyone else. Thats not a business - thats a job.

 

[gamer1810]

I dont post on here very often now, but wanted to add my penny's worth.

Previous to running my own business I worked in direct marketing for 15 years, including stints in large fulfiment houses.

Having seen both sides, I would never advise a start up to use a fulfiment house initially, why?

1) It will be more expensive, your labour is essentially free to start with, a fulfilment houses isnt
2) You wont get the service you would like and need as a start up - small fish in big pond
3) You will be one step removed from a core part of your business and wont learn as much as you will do, doing it/managing it yourself

Hope this helps.

 

[mike.davis]

Finally another unbiased view

 

[gamer1810]

Thanks mike..

I have also thought of a couple of other things:

4) Why go to all that trouble of researching/appointing a fulfilment house, when your time is needed on getting your new business off the ground? the investment in time in appointing a fulfilment house wont be returned for some time
5) if your business is brand new, you may not get credit terms with a fulfilment house, so then you will have to pay upfront for costs that you dont need to incur! Cash is king, so why deplete your cash reserves at such an early stage?

If you are setting up a retail website, for example, fulfilment isnt the dirty side of what you do, it is what you do. Dont put your business future in someone elses hands until you are very established.

So, looking at it from the other side, when might I use a fulfilment house from the start of a new business?

1) if its very, very simple fulfilment and you already have orders or a contract in place that means you know you will have a reasonable volume from day one
2) Bulky items that you couldnt store yourself, say at home or in a small office
3) You are launching a big business with VC backing and dont mind burning through thier cash!

Hope this also helps.

 

[Richard Plumb]

Hi All

Just in the spirit of unbiased views.........

Great points above and I agree that if you can do ANY part of your business at first then do it, save money, the next corner could be good or bad.

But for some people this is a good option

Example - You may have a day job and no storage, you might rent or share. In this case to HIRE extra space and then do your Fulfillment might not be cost effective.

Just another point to make, its important to be as involved in your business as you can but fulfillment is only one part of the business. Buying and selling (webs /shops) are surely the most important for a personal involvement?

Just my thoughts

 

[milamhouse]

Hi,
i am starting a small e-shop, ebay business. I am looking for a pick,pack, post service in the UK. I got alot of quotes from fulfillment companies, but i feel they are missing the point that i just started out. Some of them require me to pay a monthly fee to track my inventory with their software (i dont need that), others charge only per pallets and some require to have a service fee of 1k to be their customer.

Is there a company that simply charges a monthly storage fee as used, and pick-pack-post fee per order or item?

Please post your experience if you have used a specific company.

Thanks

Try ceewhy vancouver at heathfield east sussex 01435 868000.I think they can offer what you need

 

[fulfil_co]

To offer a slightly different view to those already expressed, I am an online retailer who has recently setup a small-scale fulfilment operation myself. I agree with mike and gamer, there is no replacement for knowing your business inside out. I found that having mastered the daily operations though, that my time could be better spent on marketing and building my range rather than packing orders. I also wanted to access the distribution discounts enjoyed by my larger competitors but did not want my stock to be lost in a huge warehouse.

That's why I started my own fulfilment operation. We have a handful of loyal customers already and have capacity for more if anyone is interested. There are no upfront costs as your stock is your collateral. James (TheFulfilmentCompany.co.uk, 01502 587920, 07912977203)

 

[bobagump]

Fulfillment by Amazon ( FBA ) is good.
But expect a lot of costs per unit on that - Its basically only worth it if you sell items which cost at least 20 Pounds per Unit.

 

[fulfil_co]

And if you don't mind your orders arriving in Amazon branded packaging.

Whereas if you use a service like ours then you can have your own branding on the packing slips (inserted into clear document enclosed wallets) and your marketing literature packed along with the items. There are no limits

 

[Niblock]

Hi Ukusbu,

I work for Niblock Logistics Solutions Ltd, a full service logistics comapany specialising in commercial storage, distribution and fulfillment activities. We like to keep things simple for our customers and have helped several start ups like yourself. If you have not made any firm decisions or entered an agreement with another company to fulfill said needs, please contact me as i know we can help. My phone number: 01293 773130.

Regards,

Mark Bromham

 

[marketingquotes]

Hi there,

We offer a free quotes service to get you quotes for fullfulment/DM.

If you want to get a few quotes together go to http://www.marketingquotes.co.uk/direct-mail/quotes/

Regards,

Marketing Quotes Support.

 

[Idontbuy]

We have used a company in Peterborough for the last 3 years the handle between 3 and 100 parcels a day for us.

No big admin fees there do a great job for us offer excellent rates and i would recommend them to anybody on here.

There website is shocking but don't let that put you off (there warehouse specialist not website gurus), we email them the orders once a day in a spreadsheet, they email us back the spreadsheet with the tracking codes in.

PA packaging solutions 01733 200609 if you do call tell them i sent you they might send me a Kit Kat
Cheers
Pete

 

[Ivanzyt]

I guess, as with all things, it comes down to the specific circumstances.

It's a classic make or buy business decision really. Mike B makes some valid points above about outsourcing taking you away from the day to day running of the business and obviously that’s the experience of his business. But for our company we had exactly the opposite experience!

We sell industrial components and our technical expertise was what customers really brought from us. All the time we spent doing logistics was time wasted, our technical engineers are experts and their time is best spent being experts offering advice gleamed from decades of specialist product knowledge. Picking and packing and negotiating with shipping companies is time and money wasted. We really didn't want to be in the warehousing business. So we set the business up from the start using out sourced warehouses and fulfilment.

That being said we did have some bad experiences to begin with.
1- I would avoid the big boys at all costs as they really won't care and you won't matter to them.
2- I would try to find someone that specialises in your business if possible. If you sell technical goods try to find someone who has experience fulfilling that type of customer.
3- If its not possible to find someone with experience in your own products at least find someone that specialise in your business area. So if you are a B2B find someone who warehouses and fulfils for other B2B's. Its a completely different game fulfilling B2B and B2C- we found this out the hard way!

The end to our fulfilment story is interesting. We had consistently poor service from the big boys, we then used local smaller warehouses and these also failed to deliver (quite litterally sometimes!) so we decided to set up our own specialist B2B warehousing and fulfilment company. This is run as a completely seperate entity with our main business as a customer. We got the right people in to run the warehouse and kept our engineers speaking to customers. We do not worry about warehousing now and the fulfilment companys is a stand alone business in its own right.

This might be considered "cheating" but it did highlight a gap in the fulfilment market for quality B2B warehousing services.

 

[Max Bishope]

Dear Potential client.
Our company, based London UK, offers a unique solution for your fulfillment needs. Our in house state-of-the-art filming studio located in London UK allows us to provide fast and efficient next-day delivery. This means that your customers receive their orders quickly, leading to increased satisfaction and ultimately, growth in sales.
Our advanced technology and streamlined processes ensure that all orders are fulfilled with accuracy and precision, giving you peace of mind knowing that your customers are receiving the right products on time. Additionally, our flexible and scalable solutions can accommodate your growing business needs, providing you with the support you need to succeed.
Thank you for considering us as your fulfillment partner. We look forward to helping you grow your sales and meet the demands of your customers. Best regards Max Bishope

Contact info:
Tel: 02030892194
WhatsApp: +447517179969
Email: [email protected]
Website: Fulfilya.co.uk
Address: unit 12, 142 Johnson street London, UB25FD

 

[Mark T Jones]

'Dear potential client'

That doesn't say spam

 

[japancool]

Nor does resurrecting a 12 year old thread to advertise.

Clearly, business must (not) be going well.