You get a quote from a 3PL, and the per-order rate looks great. Then the first invoice lands, and it’s a lot higher than you expected. Usually nobody did the math wrong. The quote just didn’t tell the whole story.
We’re a 3PL in Garden City, Idaho, right outside Boise, and plenty of brands have come to us after getting surprised by an invoice. Here's what we tell everyone to check before signing with any fulfillment partner, including us.
Fees That Catch Brands Off Guard
Most quotes spotlight pick and pack and shipping, because those are the numbers everyone compares. The rest shows up on the invoice.
Ask about:
- Setup and onboarding. Flat, hourly, or included?
- Monthly minimums and software fees. What’s covered, and does it change as you grow?
- Receiving. How are boxes, pallets, mixed-SKU shipments, and containers billed?
- Storage. How is space measured, and are oversize or long-term items priced differently?
- Shipping. Are discounted carrier rates passed through to you?
- Returns, support, and special projects. Are they included or billed separately?
Almost every 3PL charges for most of these, and that’s normal. What matters is whether you can see them before you sign. Not sure how your current quote stacks up? Send it our way, and we’ll walk through it with you, no strings attached.
Contract Red Flags
The contract decides how much those fees can change and how hard it is to leave.
Watch for:
- Auto-renewal with a long notice window. Miss it, and you could be locked in for another full term.
- Long terms with steep early termination penalties.
- Price increases with no cap. “Rates subject to change” can mean almost anything.
- Vague language. “Other charges may apply” is a cue to ask exactly what those charges are.
- No service commitments. If accuracy and ship times aren’t in writing, there’s nothing to hold anyone to.
- Fees to get your inventory back. Ask what leaving costs before you sign.
If you ever switch, our guide on how to switch 3PL providers covers what a clean exit looks like.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- Can you send a sample invoice based on my actual order volume and inventory?
- Do you have any fees that aren't on this quote?
- How much can prices go up each year, and is there a cap?
- What’s the contract length, and how do I exit?
- What happens if you miss your accuracy or ship-time commitments?
One more tip: give every 3PL the same sample month of orders and inventory, and ask each to price it top to bottom. The real differences show up fast.
How We Handle This at TAG
We built our pricing around one idea: you shouldn’t need a spreadsheet to understand your invoice. Every fee is laid out before you sign; our software and admin charge is a flat monthly fee, shipping runs on discounted carrier rates, and annual price adjustments are capped. We also put our service in writing: orders ship the same day, or we credit the freight, and if we mispick, we make it right and cover the cost.
Curious what that looks like in real numbers? Our guide on what a Boise 3PL actually costs walks through how we think about pricing.
Ready for a Clear Quote?
If you’re comparing 3PLs or just got an invoice that made you question pricing, reach out. We reply within 24 hours; we’ll look at your numbers, and we’ll give you a straight answer on whether or not we’re the right fit.
