Debunking 5 Myths About 3PLs

As e-commerce businesses grow, order fulfillment quickly becomes more time-consuming, and manual Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) often become inadequate for managing inventory. As a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that partners with mid to large-size businesses, we often meet with business owners as they surpass 500+ orders per month and find that the work involved in inventory management and order fulfillment is holding the company back from growth.

In some cases, business owners will try to hold off on looking for a logistics partner for longer than they should because they are worried about how much it will cost to outsource logistics or that they will lose control of their operations. While these concerns are understandable, they are often rooted in misconceptions rather than reality.

Debunking 5 Myths About 3PLs

Common myths about third-party logistics providers sometimes prevent businesses from exploring solutions that could streamline operations and unlock growth. Let’s take a look at five of the most common myths about 3PLs.

Myth #1: 3PL Providers Are Expensive

Of course, there will be some costs associated with hiring a service provider, but it is ultimately an investment that will pay off in the long run - and is often more cost-effective than many business owners initially expect. Because of the high volume of shipping they do, order fulfillment companies are able to negotiate better carrier rates than small to medium sized businesses could secure on their own and this translates to savings on every single order, which really adds up over time.

In addition, 3PL fees are also offset by the money businesses save on overhead costs for warehouse space, staff, and all the associated expenses incurred by handling order fulfillment in-house: software and hardware, electricity, packaging, security, and more. Once it’s all added up, hiring a 3PL is one of the most cost-effective business decisions you can make.

Pro tip: Choose a 3PL with transparent pricing that will support your growth without introducing unexpected fees or penalties as your business scales.

Myth #2: Outsourcing Fulfillment Means Relinquishing Operational Control

Taking a hands-off approach to order fulfillment can feel like relinquishing control of critical business operations to an outside partner unfamiliar with customer expectations. In reality, a 3PL provider often enhances control for businesses by taking on the complex, time-intensive demands of logistics, thereby freeing internal teams to focus on strategy, customer experience, and growth while maintaining greater visibility and oversight across the supply chain.

Third-party logistics providers that invest heavily in technology can share a wealth of 3PL data with business owners that provides an overview of all operational processes. This information helps leaders make informed decisions about inventory and demand forecasting, which can improve overall supply chain efficiency without relinquishing any control.

Pro tip: When interviewing 3PLs, ask about their Warehouse Management System (WMS), Order Management System (OMS), or Transportation Management System (TMS).

Myth #3: A Fulfillment Center is Just a Glorified Warehouse

A warehouse is primarily a place to store products, but 3PLs own their own warehouses that operate as order fulfillment centers with a full range of logistics services. While this includes warehouse storage space (which saves businesses from leasing their own warehouses and can improve delivery windows by storing products closer to customers), that is just the start. Other services may include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following:

• Freight
• Shipping (domestic and international)
• Imports and customs
• E-commerce fulfillment
• Security
• Kitting and packing
• Insurance
• Print-on-demand
• Same-day delivery

Pro tip: Choose a 3PL with warehouses strategically placed around the country to decrease delivery windows.

Myth #4: The Quality of Customer Service Will Suffer

Customers are a company’s biggest asset, and businesses naturally prioritize maintaining strong relationships to encourage repeat purchases and long-term loyalty. Rather than harming customer relationships, a high-quality 3PL shares that same commitment to customer experience and works to enhance brand loyalty in a variety of ways:

• Accurate, timely order fulfillment
• Order transparency (messages for when orders are received, shipped, and delivered)
• Efficient returns processing that makes it easy for customers to resolve issues

The result is a consistently improved customer experience across every stage of the fulfillment process.

Pro tip: When interviewing a potential 3PL partner, ask about their commitment to customer service and how they provide order transparency and handle returns.

Myth #5: 3PLs Are Only Beneficial to Large Companies

Owners of growing small to medium sized businesses often struggle to manage inventory and order fulfillment because they lack the infrastructure, technology, and employees to fulfill orders and meet demand as sales increase. In addition, as sales grow, logistics take up more valuable time that could be better spent in other areas such as marketing or strategizing.

Another thing to keep in mind is that different 3PL providers tailor their services to businesses of varying sizes and mid-size companies with 500+ orders per month are often prime candidates for 3PL logistics outsourcing. If your business is on a path to growth, finding a 3PL partner could be the ticket to scaling operations efficiently while maintaining service quality and controlling costs.

Pro tip: Choose a 3PL that caters to your needs and the size of your business.

Order Fulfillment Made Simple with G10

Outsourcing your e-commerce fulfillment to G10 is a practical, cost-effective way to support growth without adding internal complexity. By handing off order fulfillment, inventory management, and shipping execution, your team can focus on merchandising, marketing, and customer acquisition. Our logistics team brings more than 30 years of hands-on Amazon fulfillment experience.

Partnering with G10 delivers measurable operational benefits. Brands see faster and more accurate order fulfillment, lower shipping and labor costs, and fulfillment workflows that scale with volume. Our team provides operational guidance to help navigate carrier rules and direct support through our in-house customer service team. 3PL sales strategies are employed for seasonal spikes and planned for well in advance using data from our high-tech Warehouse Management System so growth does not introduce chaos. We are also committed to clear, transparent pricing and invoicing, so your business is never caught off guard by hidden fees.

Read our e-book to learn more about 3PLS: https://g10fulfillment.com/asset/689260ae8e4f4/3PL-Intel_2025.pdf

Ready to streamline your order fulfillment? Get a personalized quote today!