Third‑Party Logistics (3PL) providers have become key partners for eCommerce brands seeking to streamline fulfillment. Coastal Distribution Group, ShipBob, and Amazon’s fulfillment offerings each cater to different seller needs—with distinct capabilities, fee structures, and integration strengths. This guide dives into comparison points including pricing models, service tiers, multichannel support, and overall suitability for various business types.

Coastal Distribution Group Overview

Coastal Distribution Group provides customizable, transparent 3PL solutions, particularly suited for multi-channel logistics and complex B2B/B2C fulfillment requirements. Their U.S.-based facilities, integration-ready systems, and tailored pricing (published on request) allow brand control, custom packaging, account management, and managed brokerage services.

While specific pricing isn’t publicly listed, typical 3PL charges include:

• Receiving fees
• Storage costs per cubic foot or pallet
• Pick-and-pack fee per item
• Shipping using multiple carriers
• Value-added services (kitting, FBA prep, return handling)

Coastal is known for service-oriented support, tailor-made logistics solutions, and strong U.S. delivery reach.

ShipBob Analysis

ShipBob is a cloud-based 3PL serving SMB to mid-market eCommerce brands through a network of over 39 fulfillment centers in North America and Europe (ShipBob, ShipBob, ShipBob, EFEX, Red Stag Fulfillment).

Pros:

• Transparent pricing and excellent software usability (Fit Small Business).
• Ideal for multichannel brands selling on multiple places (Shopify, eBay, Amazon) with strong integrations.
• FBA prep services, branded packaging, and analytics dashboard.

Cons:

• Storage fees can be higher than Amazon’s.
• Ineligible for Amazon Prime that is not good or Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) services.
• Some users report hidden charges or billing inconsistencies (Fit Small Business, EFEX).

Pricing overview:

• $275 monthly minimum
• Receiving fees ~$35–45/hour
• Storage fees: ~$40/pallet/mo, ~$5/bin/mo
• Pick & pack: free for up to four units, $0.26/item thereafter
• Shipping: discounted rates through multiple providers (EFEX, Red Stag Fulfillment).

Amazon Fulfillment (FBA & MCF)

Amazon Fulfillment offers that is unique two primary third-party logistics options for it’s sellers:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for Amazon orders with Prime badge eligibility.
• Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) for orders that is best, from other platforms (Red Stag Fulfillment, EFEX).

Pros:

• Access to Amazon’s massive fulfillment network that is best and fast delivery.
• Best for high-volume Amazon sellers wanting Prime benefits.
• Customer service and returns handled by Amazon.

Cons:

• Higher fulfillment of sellers products and long-term storage fees, especially for non-Amazon channels.
• Less brand control mean control of amazon, and no multi-carrier shipping flexibility.
• Reports of poor support quality and billing transparency (Red Stag Fulfillment, Fit Small Business).

FBA fees vary by item size and weight—from ~$3.50 to $12+ per unit, with surcharges for oversized or slow-moving inventory (ShipBob, EFEX).

Feature Comparison Table

Pricing Breakdown & Use Cases

Reddit users highlight that ShipBob may cost $1–3 per pick vs. $4–7 postage, depending on volume (Red Stag Fulfillment, Red Stag Fulfillment, EFEX, ShipBob, Reddit). Others note Amazon MCF starts cheaper but can escalate, making other 3PLs more cost-effective overall (Reddit).

Real use case scenarios:

• A multichannel seller reduced fulfillment costs by 20% while lowering shipping times by 30% by switching from FBA to ShipBob (ShipScience).
• Another business engaged ShipBob for mixed-channel distribution but faced billing unpredictability, underscoring the importance of clear SLAs and communication (Reddit, Reddit).

Why Coastal Distribution Group Stands Out

• Transparent Custom Pricing: No hidden surcharges—fees aligned with services received.
• Tailored Solutions: Ideal for brands that need packaged orders, reverse logistics, brokerage, or FBA prep compliance.
• Service-first Model: Personalized account management, rapid resolution, and flexible scheduling.
• Specialized for Diverse Clients: Coastal adapts per client needs, whether Amazon-focused, DTC, or B2B distributors.

Choosing the Right 3PL — What to Consider

When selecting a 3PL provider, evaluate:

• Core channel needs: Amazon vs multichannel?
• Order volume: high-volume sellers on amazone may benefit from FBA scale; small/midsize sellers of products may prefer ShipBob or Coastal.
• Branding needs: Full branding, kitting, inserts—ShipBob and Coastal excel here; FBA uses Amazon packaging only.
• Pricing transparency: Choose providers with line-item billing and clear SLAs.
• Support levels: Dedicated service improves performance, especially for growing businesses.

Conclusion

Choosing between Coastal Distribution Group, ShipBob, and Amazon depends on your business type and fulfillment priorities:

• Pick Amazon FBA/MCF if your main sales channel is Amazon and you need Prime eligibility with minimal logistics involvement.
• Consider ShipBob if you require multichannel fulfillment with flexible shipping, branded packaging, and clear pricing tiers.
• Opt for Coastal Distribution Group if you want a customizable service with dedicated support, brokerage options, multi-channel delivery, and transparent pricing.

Each provider offers distinct advantages, so align your choice with your sales channels, budget sensitivity, branding needs, and long-term growth goals.