Put these on your scorecard
- Choose one order sample and one inventory snapshot for every candidate.
- Place each quoted charge into a consistent category.
- Use clearly labeled scenarios, not assumed market benchmarks.
- Identical baseline
- Fee categories
- Changed assumptions
- Invoice reconciliation
Lock the baseline
Choose one order sample and one inventory snapshot for every candidate. Specify packaging, parcel dimensions, destinations, receiving pattern, and any returns or kit work. Ask providers to state exclusions and quote validity. The test is only comparable if each proposal covers the same requested work; otherwise a low total may simply reflect an omitted activity.
Make a fee crosswalk
Place each quoted charge into a consistent category. Separate one-time setup, recurring fixed charges, per-activity charges, and transportation costs. Ask what triggers each line and how quantities are recorded. If a proposal bundles services, document the included limits and extra charges. Keep the original rate sheet linked to the worksheet so another reviewer can follow the arithmetic.
Change the workload deliberately
Use clearly labeled scenarios, not assumed market benchmarks. Try fewer orders with unchanged storage, a promotion with more multi-item baskets, and a higher share of returns. Ask which fees respond to each change. Do not use a single cost-per-order figure to hide a fixed monthly charge or a channel mix that differs between scenarios.
Score the evidence behind the total
Record whether the quote can be reconciled to a mock invoice and whether the provider has answered the open questions. Keep pricing clarity separate from the amount itself. A transparent proposal can still be expensive for your workload, and an attractive total can still require clarification. Use the cost worksheet for calculation, then carry the supporting evidence into your scorecard.
Put the guide to work
Use the downloadable worksheet to record your requirements, the evidence you receive, and the next action. The rows below are prompts for your own evaluation; they contain no provider scores or claimed results.
| Discussion item | Record before deciding |
|---|---|
| Identical baseline | Your requirement and the proposed approach |
| Fee categories | Supporting document, example, or calculation |
| Changed assumptions | Remaining question and the person responsible |
| Invoice reconciliation | Decision, review date, and next step |
Download the editable worksheet (CSV)
Opens in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets. Fill in your own information; downloading does not submit a request.
Continue your research
Use these profiles to prepare provider-specific questions: Simpl Fulfillment · Tondo Fulfillment · Shipfusion. Inclusion here is a reading suggestion, not a scored recommendation. Category selections are explained on the relevant category pages.
Research scope and provider sources
This is original buying guidance, not an account of a facility visit or a customer interview. Examples are hypothetical. Provider sources support their published service descriptions; confirm the proposed account scope directly.