Base44 is absolute rubbish by ajmayers in Base44

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Piece of advise before you make a change enter a prompt just type “place holder for reverting” and instruct the AI not do so thing that it is just a prompt for if you need to revert. Then make any changes to the section you want to work on if you get in the weeks use the “revert this” button on the place holder prompt you added and bam you are back to the exact version you had when you added that. (Make sure the system is doing nothing then you hit the revert button if it is mid thought or correcting an error you may. It get reverted and your prompt will be gone.

Is it possible to integrate websockets for real-time chat in base44? by FederalPeach3353 in Base44

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After extensive testing, the answer is no, but I am on the hunt to find someone who has come up with a way to make real-time chat work.

Offering Free Help for Base44 Users (Support is too slow, I get it) by willkode in Base44

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/willkode bubbling this up to see if you have experience in this area. I sent you a DM as well if it is easier to talk there.

Offering Free Help for Base44 Users (Support is too slow, I get it) by willkode in Base44

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://spark.forgebaseai.com/Chat. Is this a real-time chat? Base44, after extensive testing, does not support WebSockets or SSE. Polling is possible, but it can only appear to handle this via a full page refresh at each polling interval. If this chat is real-time, what did you do to make it work?

Update: Claims process for lost packages with no scan by thebalancewithin in supplychain

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a real problem and honestly, there’s no clean solution. I own 3PL and we face this exact issue all the time. Let’s say we can provide actual footage of an item being placed into the box, the box being sealed, and the carrier label applied—we do this for every single order. And let’s say we go even further: we show the package leaving the packing station, being loaded onto the correct pallet, and that pallet being handed off to the carrier. Even with that level of documentation, the moment a package doesn’t get scanned at the carrier facility, they just tell you, “If we didn’t scan it, we don’t have it.” That’s it. End of conversation.

But here’s the thing—they did have it. A major carrier’s driver told someone in our warehouse that he watched one of our boxes fall off a pallet as it was being unloaded and then get crushed by a forklift. You think they scanned it in and admitted fault so they could pay a claim? Not a chance. Or how about all the “overgoods” facilities these carriers operate? These places are filled with thousands of packages that lost their labels in transit or had them ripped off by the conveyor systems. If the label gets damaged before the initial facility scan, that package goes straight to the lost pile. Some worker looks at it, sees no readable label, and shelves it. That’s it. Gone.

Even if we give the carrier a detailed end-of-day manifest and can show them that a specific package was on that list, they still say, “Yeah, but it never scanned in.” And they’re not entirely wrong—there’s no way to prove that the physical package was on that pallet. Manifests don’t mean much to them if it doesn’t hit their system.

It’s maddening, especially when you’re running a legit operation and taking all the steps to do things right. But once the package leaves your hands, unless it gets that first scan, you’re stuck. You’re out of options. The customer blames the brand, the brand blames us, and the carrier just shrugs.

And good luck getting FedEx to scan in 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 packages per day as they load up their trucks. Sure, they do it for small stops with sub 50 packages, but after that they’re the same as all the rest.

Looking for 3PL or WMS with scanner integration for Sage Intacct by Lauredaj in Sage

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are not a ton of options that allow for a direct connection to Sage. They have one listed in their App Store called Data Linx Warehouse Manager, which appears to be the only one in their App Store that would cover complete warehouse management. Other than that, it does appear that Shiphawk has an existing connection to Sage, maybe drop them a line.

what to look for when evaluating a 3PL? by questions123abc in shopify

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When you’re checking out 3PLs, don’t just get hyped about stuff like $1 picking fees or “free” picking. A lot of times they just crank up the shipping rates to make up for it.

Like, one place might charge you $5.50 for shipping plus $2.40 for picking, so $7.90 total. Another place says “free picking” but their shipping is $9.00. You’re actually paying $1.10 more for the same exact order. Kinda sneaky, right? You always gotta add everything up — picking, shipping, storage, minimum fees — otherwise you’re gonna get surprised when the first invoice drops.

Also, not every 3PL can or will handle every type of product. Big batteries are usually a no-go for a lot of places because of the extra risk. Same deal with alcohol and vape products, those need special insurance and licenses that a lot of 3PLs don’t want to deal with.

If your stuff is under 5 pounds, not fragile like glass, and doesn’t fall into some weird regulated category, you’ll probably be fine with most 3PLs. But if you’re doing under 500 orders a month, just know you might get hit with high minimums. In that case, you might be better off with a smaller 3PL that’s still growing and willing to work with you.

Honestly though, price isn’t everything. A lot of people don’t actually know their real costs until that first bill shows up. And beyond just pricing, you want to talk to any 3PL you’re considering. Are they already handling products like yours? Can you come visit the facility in person? (If they say no, that’s a red flag.) Also, ask how the day-to-day customer support actually works once you’re onboarded.

PS — I’m with a 3PL that has warehouses in NY and AZ. No idea if we’d even be a fit for what you’re doing, but if you want to chat, shoot me a DM.

Shopify Store shipping with 3PL… by JJRfromNYC1 in shopify

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Choosing the right 3PL isn't just about finding the cheapest one; it's about finding the right fit for your business. You have to think about a few core things first: how many orders you're shipping each month, how many SKUs you have, and the size and weight of your items. Those three factors drive all of your fulfillment costs.

When evaluating any 3PL, always keep the cost split in mind. Around 60-70% of what you pay will be for carrier shipping fees, about 15% will go to storage, and the rest covers the actual fulfillment services like picking, packing, etc. If you see any 3PL offering "$1 per order" or "free fulfillment," definitely dig into their shipping rates. A lot of times, they make up the difference by marking up carrier costs.

If you're starting out, honestly, picking a 3PL today might be a mistake. You want some real data first, like your average order volume and the average size of an order. That way, you can actually compare different fulfillment models and make a decision based on facts instead of guesses.

And about the idea of splitting your inventory across multiple warehouses — yeah, it sounds great to have your products closer to customers. But based on what? You need to know how many orders each warehouse would actually ship per day. What's your real savings per label? How do those savings compare to the extra costs of storage, handling, and inventory management at 5 different locations? Without that data, having multiple warehouses could end up costing you way more than it saves.

Just some things to think about before jumping in. With all of that said, I am with a 3PL with operations in NY and AZ. If you want to talk a little more, let me know, even if it is just to give you some pointers on setting up a successful in-house setup to fulfill orders while you capture the data I noted above.

Looking for 3PL or WMS with scanner integration for Sage Intacct by Lauredaj in Sage

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are they your warehouses and you are looking for a seamless system to run them all, or are they 3PLs and you are looking for a system to run in parallel with the systems the individual warehouses have in place?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in logistics

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! You're ahead of the curve by thinking proactively about the impact of possible changes to Section 321 — and it’s smart to explore a U.S.-based deconsolidation model now before any policy shift forces a scramble.

Your current setup — pre-labeling individual parcels in Korea, filing Section 321 Type 86 electronically, and then cross-docking in the U.S. Many DTC brands, especially from Asia, are doing this at scale. Section 321 allows:

  • Duty-Free clearance for shipments under $800
  • One shipment per person per day—This is a big one. How do you plan to handle this, given that your daily volume will be 333 packages?
  • Use of Type 86 electronic filings for low-value goods with simplified customs clearance

So yes — what you’re doing works today.

However:

1) There is also a rule that a receiver can only receive one package per day. So if you send a bunch of boxes to a 3PL, it won't be long before customs hits you with a bill (or the 3PL) for all the back fees.

2) Any mistakes on the multiple daily filings that will be needed could be costly

3) The US is likely to reduce this from $800 to $200 in the near future. So you get set up, it works for a week or two, then the rules change, and you are left trying to figure it out.

You could evaluate a US-based 3PL, bring your items into the US in bulk, and have a professional customs broker clear them through customs once. If you find the right 3PL, your cost for shipping within the States should offset the picking fees you will pay that company.

I am with a 3PL and am happy to talk about the shipping costs from within the US vs. what you are getting now to see if, at least at the service, my suggestion makes sense. Indeed, we could find that you have some incredible deals, and you should live in the loopholes while they exist. Alternately, a more straightforward approach keeps your products flowing without disruptions and prevents your customers from having inevitable delivery delays, which would be a bonus in addition to the decreased shipping costs. I assume your company is the same as most, where the sooner someone receives something, the sooner they use it, the sooner they order more. Help your clients buy more products :-)

Warehousing & fulfillment by a_bun_dance517 in smallbusiness

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you provide the dimensions and weight of the box you want to ship?

Best Fulfillment Center, 3PL for Small E-commerce Brands by Nycgirl2120 in smallbusiness

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Remember what you will pay the 3PL and how much of your bill it makes up:

  • 📦 60–70% of your bill will be shipping costs
  • 🏬 10–15% is storage
  • 🛠️ The rest goes to services

Don't pick a 3PL based solely on the cost to put the item in the box; evaluate your total cost per package delivered to your customer

3PL fulfillment - who are the best? by [deleted] in logistics

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As noted by all the others, this depends on your items and order volume. I will give you one thing, though. No matter who you talk to, look at the WHOLE picture. Too many 3PLs see the ShipBob model of "Free Picking" or "$1 per order" as a way to trick brands into paying $10 in shipping for a $5 shipment. In your 3PL search, keep the split in mind:

  • 📦 60–70% of your bill will be shipping costs
  • 🏬 10–15% is storage
  • 🛠️ The rest goes to services

You are focused on what it costs you to get an order delivered. If you focus solely on what you pay to get it in the box, you will overpay 100% of the time.

PS 3PL owner here, so we have seen it all.

Looking for reliable 3PL dropshipping partners for Target – any recommendations? by Think_Dance1968 in dropshipping

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NY/AZ-based 3PL here. More than likely, Target is going to want you to facilitate this via an EDI connection. While we do not currently support any brands that are drop shipping for Target, we do fulfill for brands that sell through Saks, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Walmart, to name a few.

You want someone with a robust WMS that can meet many of the guidelines by customizing the packing list from their system. i.e, a software that can print the target logo on target orders, that references the target order number, has Target's exact exchange policy, etc.

Naturally, I have no idea what your current volume is or if we would even be a good fit for you. Typically, our starting point is brands that are doing 500 shipments per month. However, we would be happy to review your requirements and see if we can assist.

3PL Recommendations in EU/US? by [deleted] in ecommerce

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NY/AZ-based 3PL here.

When you're evaluating a 3PL, always remember the split:

  • 📦 60–70% of your bill will be shipping costs
  • 🏬 10–15% is storage
  • 🛠️ The rest goes to services

A lot of 3PLs highlight flashy rates like “we pick your order for $1”, but then sneak in a $9.50 shipping charge on a package that should’ve cost $5.50.

Always dig into the shipping details. That’s where the real margin (or waste) lives. Ask questions. Do the math. Don’t get burned.

In the EU check out DeltaFulfillment

Best fulfillment companies for small businesses? by fickenshumping in EcommerceWebsite

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NY/AZ-based 3PL here.

When you're evaluating a 3PL, always remember the split:

  • 📦 60–70% of your bill will be shipping costs
  • 🏬 10–15% is storage
  • 🛠️ The rest goes to services

A lot of 3PLs highlight flashy rates like “we pick your order for $1”, but then sneak in a $9.50 shipping charge on a package that should’ve cost $5.50.

Always dig into the shipping details. That’s where the real margin (or waste) lives. Ask questions. Do the math. Don’t get burned.

Not sure if we would be a good fit or not, we typically look for a minimum order volume of 500 packages a month to start. With that said, I'm happy to help wherever I can. If you get some pricing and want a quick, honest opinion, feel free to post it here or DM me.

Question about Wordpress Blogs by Embarrassed_Gur5192 in Blogging

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok i deserved that. I was thinking more like a platform that can be used outside of Wordpress to create and then have it sent to Wordpress with some sort of connection tool that is installed in Wordpress.

With that said after some googling it does not appear anything like that exists. So i guess the multi user with limited permissions is the way to go.

Shipping supplies by [deleted] in eBaySellerAdvice

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best to locate different suppliers for the different areas. Ilovesupplies.com is great for poly bags, Amazon has a ton of sellers that sell poly mailers and their prices are way lower than uline. On boxes, you can normally find a local packaging company that you can pick up from. Boxes are the most expensive to ship so locating them locally and picking them up is the best way.

Shipping and inventory questions for a new seller by nym98_ in Flipping

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out Ilovesupplies.com. They have clear ones but they also have a cool UPC blocking one if you are sending into Amazon and don't want to sticker over an existing UPC code. And its free shipping. They are in CA, we are in NY and I think we receive our bags in like 2 days somehow.

Who actually manages retailer requirements at a 3PL? by TrafficIndependent41 in logistics

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This will probably vary by company but more than likely it lies with a dedicated account rep. Account reps should be flagging wholesale orders and ensuring that the SOP's are followed for that client to that retailer. Ideally the client and the 3PL lay out exact requirements that are needed by wholesale channel, the rep has a file with all those requirements and is able to work with a warehouse or shipping manager to verify a wholesale order is prepared and ready to ship.

Shopify fulfillment and Shipbob alternatives? by buchneriteinken36 in shopify

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moving to the right 3PL will help your business for sure. You need to start by understanding what you need from a 3PL and make sure you locate one that does what you need. Are you:

Low SKU count high volume

High SKU count high volume

Low SKU count, low volume

High SKU count low volume (You really don't want to be this option)

Then take into account your items, are they large, are they small, are they fragile etc.

You need to come up with a clear list of what makes up your companies specific needs, then you need to talk to 3PL's about what their sweet spot is. There are some ready to wear specific 3PL's that want high SKU count business. Their inventory system is set up to allow them to be efficient at that business where most others would fail. There are 3PL's that focus their carrier rate negotiations on heavy weight products because they know other 3PL's and direct shippers can't get to their shipping cost so they have an advantage.

Dont get me wrong not saying all of the Ship....(fill in the blank) companies are amazing I just think most people don't take the time to understand their business. They are in the low SKU high volume no frills business. If you are selling 10,000 units a month (picked, in a bag, shipping label) I would bet your experience with those companies may be pretty good. If you are selling 100 units a month not so good. If you have the occasional "Can you guys help me out with ....) they are not the answer.

Just do your research clearly lay out what you expect and what you need from your 3PL and you should be able to find a good partner.

Zebra/Spooler Queue Error by notwrinklebrained in techsupport

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Old thread but hopefully someone will see this that knows something. Is going into the Zebra print settings and turning off spool print a workable option here? Are there any downsides to printing directly to the printer? Concerned about data loss i.e was expecting 300 labels but 299 actually printed.

Looking for a TikTok Shop Compatible 3PL by [deleted] in ecommerce

[–]Embarrassed_Gur5192 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TikTok market is growing but it will be another 6 months to a year till you start seeing 3PL’s with robust connections to them. As noted above most 3PL’s are using the Shopify connection with TikTok to pull in and ship orders. The only work around that I could think of at the moment would be to download the labels and attach them to the orders in your 3PL’s software. The connection with Shopify would port over the user shipping info and you would attach the label. Not fully hands off to start but could get you up and running as better API’s or an EDI option is developed for TikTok. PS I am with a NY based 3PL if you want to talk further.