u/Early-Rain6999

Do you require deposits or onboarding fees from new clients before receiving inventory?

I’ve noticed some startups get nervous when hearing “deposit,” even when it’s being applied toward storage, receiving, or future invoices. From my perspective, deposits help protect against abandoned inventory, unpaid storage, and operational risk.

Curious how others structure this:
• Flat onboarding fee?
• Refundable deposit?
• Credit applied to future invoices?
• No deposit at all?

Also, what’s worked best without scaring away good clients?

I personally think it should be required because of commitment issues especially for startups with no sales.

Who wants to get caught up with all there stuff if they cannot commit to a single purchase credit?

Any thoughts on this? I really need to know this.

I run a small logistics/last-mile operation in California. Right now I have consistent delivery volume coming in and I’m at a point where I can scale by adding another box truck.

The opportunity is there, it’s more about deciding how to fund the expansion. I am either considering to self-fund (slower), or bring in outside capital to move faster.

For those who have taken on private investors for small operations like this or partnerships, how did you structure it? Fixed return, profit split, or something else?

Currently operating as a 3PL but with this initial investment dear god that’ll be a huuuuge deal breaker!!

I run a small logistics/3PL setup in California handling high-value freight and consistent shipments.

I’ve got an opportunity to scale with a box truck that would immediately increase revenue, but I’m currently working through funding options.

Curious—how have others here structured short-term funding for equipment when you already have proven cash flow?

Would you go private investor, financing, or something else?

Hey,

I am not sure why this has come to my attention but I really tend to believe that smaller sqft spaces (if your a 3PL) tend to be more affordable and profitable then having a 30k+ sqft space.

A person can have just a few clients to make 20k+ a month while a person with 20 clients make 30k a month. Has this concern ever been addressed or has this ever came up in the 3PL world ?

Just curious.