How to Know If You Actually Need a New 3PL

The Question Most Brands Skip

“Do we need a new 3PL?”

It’s a common question—and one that’s often answered too quickly.

Frustration builds. SLAs feel tight. Communication feels slower than it used to. Someone suggests, “Maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.” Conversations start with providers before the underlying problem is clearly defined.

Sometimes, a new 3PL is the right move.
Other times, switching partners simply moves the same issues into a new building.

The difference isn’t urgency.
It’s clarity.

Why “Something Feels Off” Isn’t a Decision Framework

Most brands don’t decide to leave a 3PL because of a single failure. The trigger is usually a pattern:

• Things feel harder than they should
• Small issues pile up
• Confidence starts to erode

But frustration alone doesn’t tell you what is broken—or whether changing providers will fix it.

Before engaging new 3PLs, brands benefit from separating:

• Structural limitations from
• Operational annoyances

That distinction determines whether a transition is necessary, or premature.

The Readiness Checklist (Yes / No Only)

This checklist is intentionally simple. No scoring models. No benchmarking. Just clarity.

Answer each question honestly, yes or no.

☐ We know why we’re considering a new 3PL
(Not just that things feel frustrating, but what specifically isn’t working)

☐ Our current setup is holding us back (not just annoying)
(The issue impacts growth, margin, or customer experience)

☐ We understand our monthly order volume
(Enough to describe it clearly and consistently)

☐ We’re willing to change how things work, not just who runs them
(Processes, assumptions, and constraints, not just the logo on the building)

☐ Someone internally owns this decision
(A clear decision-maker, not a committee with no accountability)

How to Read Your Results

0–2 Yes
Pause.

You may be feeling real pain—but the next step isn’t provider outreach. It’s clarity. Without it, conversations with 3PLs will be speculative, optimistic, and hard to compare.

3–5 Yes
You’re ready to get organized.

This doesn’t mean you must switch providers. It means you’re prepared to evaluate your options with structure—and to have grounded conversations about fit.

Why This Step Matters More Than Speed

Engaging 3PLs too early often creates:

• Vague proposals
• Wide pricing ranges
• Assumptions filled in by sales optimism
• Misalignment that only surfaces after onboarding

Taking time to answer these questions first doesn’t slow the process—it prevents rework later.

Clarity upfront reduces friction downstream.

Get Ready Before You Reach Out

Switching fulfillment partners is a high-stakes decision. The cost isn’t just financial—it’s operational focus, internal time, and execution risk.

Next step:
Get ready before you reach out to 3PLs.

A clear understanding of your situation makes every subsequent conversation more productive—and every decision more durable.