Is 3rd Party Fulfillment Services Right for Your Store?

Running an online store means juggling a lot: customer service, marketing, product sourcing, and, let’s not forget, fulfillment. That’s where 3rd party fulfillment services come in. These services might seem like background players, but they’re the operational engine that powers scalable e-commerce growth.

Instead of packing boxes and racing to the post office, you can let a professional team store, pack, and ship your products. Platforms like Amazon FBA and Walmart WFS are well-known names in this space, but they’re just part of a much larger conversation around 3rd party fulfilment services and modern automation.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is outsourcing fulfillment right for me?”—this breakdown will help you find your answer.

Why 3rd party fulfilment services matter in e-commerce

Why 3rd party fulfillment services matter in ecommerce?

Free up time and reduce stress

Manually processing orders gets overwhelming fast. From printing labels to tracking deliveries, small inefficiencies can snowball. The 3rd party fulfillment services eliminate these hassles. They automate the entire fulfillment process, from receiving orders to managing returns. For sellers who want a centralized system, CrazyVendor’s Order Management Platform streamlines order tracking and dashboard control in one place, fully integrated with 3rd party fulfillment services.

Built to scale with your business

Starting from your garage work until your store goes viral. What happens when 500 orders come in overnight? This is where 3rd party fulfilment services shine. Their infrastructure is built for volume, helping you manage large-scale operations effortlessly while syncing with growing multichannel demand.

Save money while shipping faster

It might sound expensive to outsource shipping, but 3rd party fulfillment services often cut costs. You only pay for the space you use, avoid hiring staff, and gain access to discounted shipping rates. This helps reduce operational costs while improving delivery speed. To support that, CrazyVendor also offers automated shipping and fulfillment tools that simplify logistics across multiple channels.

Fulfillment Impacts Customer Experience

Fast shipping = happier customers

In the age of Prime, customers expect fast deliveries. The 3rd party fulfillment services meet those expectations with local storage and optimized delivery networks. Whether it’s next-day shipping or just reliability, speed leads to higher customer satisfaction. Faster shipping also improves brand loyalty and repeat purchases.

Returns that don’t ruin your day

Returns are inevitable in e-commerce, but they don’t have to be stressful. The 3rd party fulfilment services streamline the process by managing returns professionally. This includes restocking, refund processing, and support handling. A smooth return experience can turn a disappointed buyer into a loyal customer and elevate your brand.

The Type of Seller in eCommerce

Private Label Sellers

These sellers create their own branded products, usually manufactured overseas and sold under their name. They require control over branding, packaging, and inventory levels. 3rd party fulfilment services provide the logistics muscle to scale while maintaining brand integrity. Services like Amazon FBA or ShipBob work well for private label operations that depend on consistent fulfillment quality.

Retail/Online Arbitrage Sellers

These sellers flip products from retail stores or websites to online marketplaces at a profit. Their inventory changes frequently, so speed and low storage costs are key. Fulfilment partners that offer flexible pricing and fast U.S. shipping are ideal. Walmart WFS and Deliverr are strong choices for these fast-moving sellers who need adaptive 3rd party fulfillment services.

Wholesale Sellers

Wholesale sellers buy large volumes of products and sell them individually at a profit. They need high-capacity storage, inventory tracking, and consistent delivery. 3rd party fulfilment services like Amazon FBA or Red Stag Fulfillment offer robust support for this business model. These services help streamline large orders across platforms while keeping costs transparent.

Dropshippers

Dropshippers sell products without physically handling them, often relying on suppliers to fulfill orders. However, hybrid dropshippers now use 3rd party fulfilment services to gain better control over speed and quality. This model is perfect for those who want automation and flexibility. Services like CrazyVendor help bridge the gap and automate product fulfillment across marketplaces through seamless 3rd party fulfillment service integration.

Subscription Box Sellers

These sellers curate themed products into boxes sent out monthly or quarterly. They need kitting, batch processing, and custom packaging options. 3rd party fulfilment services like ShipBob and ShipMonk support recurring orders and time-sensitive shipping. These features help retain subscribers and maintain consistency with minimal manual handling.

Whatever your seller type, using the right 3rd party fulfilment services helps reduce manual tasks and allows you to focus on growing your business. And if you’re a multichannel seller, CrazyVendor has the tools to manage listings, orders, shipping, and inventory all from one dashboard. Explore our solutions for selling on Walmart Marketplace and see how we streamline your fulfillment strategy using powerful 3rd party fulfillment services.

Which 3rd party fulfillment service is right for you?

Walmart WFS: Perfect for budget-conscious sellers

If you’re looking to keep costs low and stay hands-on, Walmart WFS is a great starting point. There are no monthly fees, and the pricing model is simple. You get tools to manage your inventory while benefiting from Walmart’s logistics muscle, all built on 3rd party fulfillment services that scale with you. It’s especially useful for U.S.-focused sellers who want to grow without breaking the bank using lean 3rd party fulfillment solutions.

Amazon FBA: Best for fast-scaling global brands

Need global reach and top-tier logistics? Amazon FBA is your answer. It automates everything—from inventory to customer service—and lets you focus on growth. The fees are higher, but the returns are greater if you’re managing large volumes with powerful 3rd party fulfilment services. FBA is ideal for sellers expanding internationally through a well-established infrastructure.

Other options to explore

ShipBob, Red Stag, and Deliverr offer tailored 3rd party fulfilment services for specific seller types, including subscription boxes and fast-moving DTC brands. Evaluate each service based on how well it aligns with your fulfillment needs. Consider delivery speed, branding options, support, and cost structure. Your choice should match your growth strategy and customer expectations, ideally supported by scalable 3rd party fulfilment services.

Conclusion

If your e-commerce store is growing—or you want it to grow—then yes, 3rd party fulfilment services are worth it. They help eliminate the daily grind of packing, shipping, and returns, so you can focus on building your brand, improving customer experience, and scaling your marketing efforts. Whether you’re just getting started or managing hundreds of orders a day, outsourcing fulfillment gives you the flexibility and support to grow faster with fewer errors and more confidence.

The key is finding the right service for your business model. Want to see what automation could look like in your operations? Start with CrazyVendor’s tools and explore our guide on Technology Transforming Inventory Management, or learn why Walmart sellers need Walmart CRM software in 2025 to stay ahead with next-gen 3rd party fulfilment services.

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