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FedEx is the world’s largest package delivery company and has a long-standing history in its field. In 2002, FedEx acquired Kinkos to expand their customer base across North America. They then expanded internationally through acquisitions worldwide including TNT Express and Airborne Express. Nowadays, FedEx offers both ground and air services for packages as well as express freight that covers most major US cities by truck or air cargo service (FEDEx).
The “FedEx Fulfillment Review: Services, Pricing & Alternatives” is a blog post that discusses the services, pricing and alternatives for FedEx. Read more in detail here: fedex fulfillment center locations.
FedEx Fulfillment, a FedEx Corp. subsidiary, offers third-party logistics (3PL) services such as storage, order fulfillment, and shipping. With low order minimums, cost-effective services, and a quick onboarding time, the platform caters to small and medium-sized companies (SMBs). To deliver complete, end-to-end supply chain solutions, the organization draws into the parent company’s well-established network of services. Thirteen fulfillment facilities throughout the United States, as well as one in Europe, enable for efficient global delivery.
FedEx Fulfillment may be found here.
Since Our Most Recent Update
We were unable to find any trustworthy information on FedEx Fulfillment, including price, minimum order criteria, and customer service structure. FedEx seems to be adamant about not disclosing the facts of their Fulfillment business, based on our attempts and discussions. As a consequence, we no longer recommend the firm as a 3PL option. FedEx’s unified logistics platform, on the other hand, has maintained it on our list of the finest order fulfillment services (for now).
The data for this assessment came from prior FedEx Fulfillment salespeople and customers, as well as third-party web sources. While we did our best to provide the most thorough evaluation possible, certain aspects about FedEx Fulfillment’s services may have changed after we wrote it.
When Should FedEx Fulfillment Be Used?
FedEx built its fulfillment operation with small businesses in mind, making it suitable for ecommerce startups and brick-and-mortar retailers looking to expand online. The company’s extensive Network of Fulfillment allows for unrestricted expansion, earning them a position on our list of the best order fulfillment services.
FedEx Fulfillment is especially recommended for:
- Small, light goods: Previously, the firm demanded a 4:1 order-to-SKU ratio (daily orders sent versus number of unique SKUs in stock) and could only allow items weighing less than 50 pounds and measuring less than 18x14x8 inches. Although we couldn’t check if these constraints still apply, FedEx has a reputation for being a suitable choice for high-volume firms selling tiny, lightweight items.
- FedEx has a large, worldwide network, with multiple strategically situated hubs accessible via its European Global Distribution Center. Clients might choose to keep a part of their goods in another country to save money on transportation and reduce delivery times.
- Multichannel sellers: FedEx Fulfillment’s platform collects order data from all major ecommerce channels, making multichannel sales easy to handle.
- For solopreneurs that have outgrown their in-house fulfillment operation, FedEx Fulfillment provides a ramp-up time for developing operations, enabling you to progressively scale to meet that demand throughout the first quarter.
- B2B sales: FedEx’s software has comprehensive bulk-order compatibility, as well as value-added logistics services including trade and customs counseling, freight brokerage, and supply chain consultancy, allowing it to successfully fulfill wholesale orders.
When to Use a Substitute
- High-value, heavy, delicate, or enormous items: FedEx Fulfillment cannot handle items weighing more than 50 pounds or measuring more than 18x14x8 inches. Even for packages weighing 20–50 lbs., partnering with a speciality supplier is the most efficient and cost-effective method of fulfillment. For special handling and big item shipment, we suggest Red Stag Fulfillment.
- Crowdfunding projects and product launches: FedEx does not provide batch fulfillment services; ShipBob is one of the only fulfillment companies that offers customizable batch programs for atypical businesses.
- FedEx is unable to fulfill Amazon Prime or Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) purchases, which is a significant problem for Amazon-centric merchants that value the coveted Prime badge. The firm may use the Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) program to fulfill Amazon purchases, but these orders are not eligible for Prime. FedEx Fulfillment does not provide Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) preparation, unlike comparable restricted firms like ShipBob.
Overview of FedEx Fulfillment
FedEx Fulfillment is a new division of the logistics behemoth, having debuted in 2017 and largely seen as a counter to Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon) initiative. Despite its youth, the firm benefits from FedEx’s well-developed infrastructure and shipping capabilities, which gives it a significant competitive advantage.
Its large warehouse network and top-tier logistics capabilities set it apart from the competition, and it also has a leg up on the competition with services like customized packaging and subscription-box kitting.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FedEx Fulfillment temporarily ceased its return services, reverse logistics, and overseas fulfillment in 2020. Despite the fact that all normal fulfillment services were restarted in 2021, it does not seem that the branch is one of FedEx’s main priorities. There is very little current information on FedEx Fulfillment’s current price and rules accessible online. We have yet to obtain any direct information despite several efforts as possible customers and via our media contacts over the previous three months (which is highly unusual).
The following services and features are available via FedEx:
- Thirteen warehouses in the United States, as well as one foreign fulfillment facility, provide access to FedEx’s well-established transportation network.
- Order fulfillment: FedEx Fulfillment makes it a point to decrease the number of human hands on each order via automation and process streamlining, boosting efficiency and lowering the mistake rate throughout the fulfillment process.
- FedEx Fulfillment only supports FedEx shipping services, however the courier provides worldwide fulfillment in over 200 countries and territories, as well as two-day delivery almost anyplace in the United States.
- It works with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, eBay, Walmart, Etsy, and a few more platforms, as well as having a sophisticated application programming interface (API).
- FedEx Fulfillment is a minor portion of FedEx’s vast logistics operation, so you have access to all of FedEx’s other services, including industry-leading return handling.
- FedEx Fulfillment provides real-time order and shipping tracking for you and your customers, as well as real-time inventory data insights.
- Climate control: The company’s primary fulfillment and distribution facility in Memphis, Tennessee, is completely climate-controlled and monitored using a temperature monitoring system that is compliant.
- FedEx Fulfillment’s one dashboard allows you to manage orders from all of your sales channels.
- Customer service: FedEx Fulfillment’s customer service qualities have been criticized, particularly in the previous two years. It provides phone and email help, as well as a ticket-based resolution mechanism, however I couldn’t identify any hours of operation.
- Easy onboarding and startup friendliness: FedEx Fulfillment is a wonderful alternative for startups and small enterprises since it has a low minimum order requirement and a short ramp-up time.
- Kitting, bundling, reverse logistics, temperature control, international delivery, and other services are available via FedEx Fulfillment. Subscription box specialty programs are offered, and the firm may design unique packaging pieces for your brand. FedEx also provides its logistics experience via its supply chain consulting add-on to assist you find chances to solve issues and enhance procedures.
How FedEx Fulfillment Compares to Other Fulfillment & 3PL Companies
Pricing for FedEx Fulfillment
We couldn’t find current prices since FedEx doesn’t post fulfillment pricing. The data in this report are based on previous corporate information and trustworthy web evaluations. As a result, we suggest contacting FedEx directly at FSC-Leads@fedex.com for a quotation.
Previously, the corporation charged the following fees as a baseline cost, with extra volume reductions integrated. Here’s how much FedEx Fulfillment charges on a regular basis.
Key Features of FedEx Fulfillment
Here are some of the characteristics that distinguish FedEx from its rivals.
Software
Inventory management, processing, distribution, transportation, logistics, reverse logistics, and order information are all integrated into the FedEx Fulfillment platform, enabling sellers to keep track of every mission-critical aspect of the fulfillment process.
Through its dashboard, FedEx, as part of the logistics behemoth, can give extensive cargo tracking knowledge with enhanced capabilities. It also has advanced reporting capabilities, allowing for analyses that go beyond normal stock-level monitoring.
FedEx’s software connects with all major ecommerce platforms, as well as other selling tools, despite its turnkey integration options not being top-tier. Multichannel sellers may see and handle all of their orders in one place or filter them by sales channel.
Billing
FedEx Fulfillment makes advantage of the powerful Billing Online technology developed by its parent company. Clients may receive a detailed and highly customized summary of their account activities by going onto the FedEx site.
This contains both historical and current invoices, both of which may be exported or emailed to other platform users. The secure interface allows the main account holder to receive, analyze, pay, and dispute bills.
Charges may be grouped by time period to receive a more detailed picture of your fulfillment costs. Shipping expenses may also be itemized to provide specific data for each shipment, such as the sender, receiver, shipment details, duty/tax charges, charge details, reference information, and proof of delivery.
Network of Fulfillment
FedEx Fulfillment is a network of 13 US warehouses that allow merchants to distribute product according to their client base(s), reducing shipping costs and reducing delivery time.
FedEx’s Global Distribution Center (GDC) in Memphis is the principal location. It’s the country’s biggest and best-equipped warehouse, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Furthermore, the center is temperature-controlled and monitored using a temperature-recording system that is compliant.
FedEx also has a European Global Distribution Center, which facilitates access to the company’s strategically situated global hubs.
This remarkable infrastructure works in tandem with FedEx’s other logistics branches to provide vendors and consumers with a seamless supply chain experience.
Shipping in 2 Days
FedEx Fulfillment is able to fulfill orders nationally within two days because to its well-developed parent firm. There are also a number of alternative shipping choices available, ranging from expedited delivery to economy ground.
In many circumstances, FedEx can deliver seven days a week, and you’ll save a lot of money if you use FedEx Fulfillment.
Services for the Specialized
FedEx Fulfillment is unique in the fulfillment sector in that it can develop custom/branded packaging components for its customers. In addition to subscription box kitting, wrapping, and assembly, the firm has a climate-controlled warehouse in the United States.
Integrations with FedEx Fulfillment
Although there isn’t a full list of FedEx’s turnkey integrations accessible online, several evaluations claim that the selection is restricted. FedEx Web Services is a sophisticated API that may be used to construct bespoke connections for your ecommerce platforms. This API, according to FedEx, is designed for two-way communication and has a low barrier of entry, meaning it can be written in any coding language by even novice programmers.
The following is a list of FedEx’s publicly available direct integrations:
- Shopify, Magento, Walmart, Etsy, eBay, and WooCommerce are ecommerce systems and marketplaces.
- QuickBooks, Square, and Xero are examples of accounting, tax, and finance software.
Ease of Use for FedEx Fulfillment
- Support: It’s unclear whether FedEx Fulfillment has its own staff of customer service reps. On the FedEx Fulfillment website, there is very little information on the company’s customer service practices, and internet reviews characterize the service as inconsistent and poor. Multiple branches of the organization are likely to be handled by a team of cross-trained agents, leaving little space for personal attention.
There have been fulfillment-focused personnel that worked independently from the rest of FedEx’s offices in the past, but we were unable to contact them lately.
- As a possible new customer with an online company, we’ve had trouble reaching out to the FedEx Fulfillment sales staff. We’ve determined that starting service with the firm is very tough after months of unanswered calls and emails.
- Error Policies: The error policies of FedEx Fulfillment are not available online, and we were unable to get any explanation from employees.
- FedEx Fulfillment’s mistake rate is kept under wraps. The parent company’s delivery accuracy percentage is 98.7%, although that statistic only takes into account goods that arrive on time. There is currently no information available on the accuracy of FedEx Fulfillment’s selecting, packaging, storing, and handling procedures.
- FedEx Fulfillment’s software enables industry-leading delivery transparency by allowing advanced tracking to be seen directly from the platform. On FedEx’s Online Billing platform, billing transparency is also given via thorough, itemized invoices.
Alternatives to FedEx Fulfillment
Are you unsure which fulfillment business is the greatest fit for your needs? Our guide to the finest order fulfillment services can be found here.
FedEx Fulfillment Users’ Opinions
FedEx Fulfillment user evaluations are quite tough to get by online. FedEx Logistics has a small amount of positive reviews overall, but the most of them are assessments about what it’s like to work for FedEx rather than utilize its services.
Only one of the 55 confirmed reviews on Gartner Peer Insights cited order fulfillment. However, the majority of the assessments focus on other FedEx aspects related to its fulfillment process. Overall, FedEx Logistics has excellent evaluations, and consumers are really pleased with the cooperation.
A few more FedEx Fulfillment review articles have been published, however there is little useful information.
FedEx Fulfillment is a well-established enterprise that is supported by the parent company’s well-established transportation services. This organization is likely a strong option for third-party order fulfillment, with a cost structure that makes collaboration affordable to startups and small enterprises.
Unfortunately, it seems that since the COVID-19 epidemic, FedEx has elected to devote less resources to its fulfillment branch. Surprisingly little information is provided online, and contacting the fulfillment team has been difficult.
We propose FedEx as your fulfillment partner based on its success in prior years. However, after months of anonymous contact that resulted in unanswered messages and emails, we’ve come to the conclusion that starting service with the organization is very tough.
To learn more about FedEx’s current solutions, contact FSC-Leads@fedex.com, and keep backup alternatives in mind.
As you consider your alternatives, consider utilizing FulfillmentCompanies.net, which compares your unique requirements to 500+ prescreened organizations to determine the greatest match for your company. Furthermore, the service is entirely free to use.
Go to FulfillmentCompanies.net for more information.
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In 2022, FedEx will be celebrating their 100th anniversary. The company is currently in the process of updating their services and pricing. They are also expanding into new markets such as China. Reference: fedex fulfillment number.
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