Choosing <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/picking-and-packing.cfm”>Warehouse Organizations</a>

If your small business carries inventory, you have storage issues. As your inventory grows, so too does your need for storage and warehousing becomes a consideration. Warehousing services cover a broad variety of activities. From a rented garage type warehousing unit all the way up to a professional pack and ship outfit.

Some online retailers are run out of tiny rented self-storage units. The last day’s orders can be picked and packaged in the storage unit and sent out for shipping at the end of the day. If the business is successful, however, it can easily outgrow this setup and warehousing services are the logical next step. 

Differing types of <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/index.cfm”>Warehousing Services</a>

Warehousing doesn’t mean just storage. It can, and this is the commonest type of warehousing. With type of warehouse you simply rent floor space or with no added extras. Access might be limited and the use any special equipment, such as fork trucks, or additional facilities will add to the cost. With any type of warehouse (even the U-Store type) insurance and security should be investigated. Some products may require special environmental considerations. Don’t forget to check that the warehouse is climate controlled.

Be on the look out for these things at least: theft and fire insurance – theft and vandalism is often a real problem if you aren’t around to check on your merchandise. Check that the facility has liability insurance and ask what bonding options they offer.

In additions to simple storage, warehousing services might also offer pick and pack style order fulfillment. You forward them your orders and they will pack it all up and send it to the customer.

Alternatively you could use a service that will pick orders for you and leave the shipping arrangements up to you. This would allow you to double check orders before they disappear in the mail.

Additional Considerations:

·           Climate controlled warehouses – for artwork, antique furniture or other items that might be affected by humidity or temperature variations.

·           Registered warehousing – for custom delicate items, both shipping or receiving goods.

·           High security warehousing – usually both patrolled and alarmed in addition to being secured by compartment/area.

·           Hazardous substances storage – a special type of warehousing is required dangerous materials.

Warehouse Plus <A href=”http://www.fulfillmentplusny.com/direct-to-consumer/picking-and-packing.cfm”>Pick, Pack and Ship</a>

If you have very large items (or large numbers of the same item) to be sold, you will need somewhere to store them before they can be shipped. They then are moved to the shipping operation. However, by using a service that combines both storage and a pack and ship services you will remove this problem.

Order picking and the neccessary paperwork might still be a problem however, but when an order is drawn from stock, the pack and ship company handles the rest. This becomes important for merchandise that is difficult to transport or require special delivery tracking, proof of receipt or insurance. Most warehouses use barcoding to keep track of your unventory as part of their pack and ship facility. They may also provide other record keeping, such as postage costs or other auxiliary services. 

Pack and ship services will also usually accept deliveries as part of their service. This can be a real time saver as you won’t be expected to rush off to the warehouse quite so much. 

Warehousing on a Budget

Often, people that already run a warehouse operation are open to leasing storage space for your goods. These are typically informal arrangements but an agreement should be signed that covers access and responsibilities. Insurance for your merchandise will be up to you.

Different types of warehousing can be found almost anywhere for the creative entrepreneur. A neighbor’s basement might suffice or even a fenced in lot if the goods can be covered against the weather. Often, an agreement to use a storage space in exchange for material improvements on the building works for both parties.

Likewise, be on the lookout for businesses with empty rooms that aren’t being used. These can sometimes be leased quite cheaply, because they would otherwise go to waste. Whatever space you use, it is important to pay attention to insurance against loss – it’s best not to rely on the current policy, it probably won’t cover you because the premises are being used for a different purpose .

Filed under: Earn Extera Cash From Home • Live A Little

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