How to compare fulfillment services in Romania: real prices and the 7 criteria that matter
Fulfillment offers aren’t standardized, and “starting from” rates hide exactly the costs that hurt. Here’s what a fair price looks like, with our public numbers on the table — from €0.61 per order with absolutely everything included — plus the 7-criteria grid to compare any provider, including us.
At Fast Fulfill, a typical order shipped in a mailer costs pick from €0.34 + pack €0.27 (courier mailer included) = from €0.61 all included — under 1% of revenue on an average €70 basket. Goods reception is €0.10/unit, storage €0.40/m³/day, returns from €0.46 per return. Our numbers are public precisely so you can compare us with anyone. And beyond price, there are 6 more criteria that decide whether your logistics works.
When you request fulfillment offers, you get documents that are hard to put side by side: one quotes per parcel “all inclusive”, another itemizes 12 components, a third gives you an attractive rate that omits exactly the costs that hurt — materials, additional products, returns. And there is one more trap: otherwise decent providers who lock you into a package with high rates for services you do not need. This guide solves both problems: it shows you what a complete, fair price looks like, with our real numbers as a benchmark, and gives you the 7-criteria grid — the same questions for every provider — so you compare apples with apples.
The prices
What fulfillment actually costs — Fast Fulfill’s numbers, public
The simplest way to compare providers is to have a complete benchmark. Here’s our calculation, component by component, for a typical order (small product, shipped in a mailer):
On an average €70 basket and consistent monthly volume, a fulfillment cost from €0.61/order represents under 1% of revenue. Put that number next to your packing hours, the rent of your own space and processing errors — and the comparison becomes simple. The full step-by-step calculation is in our pricing guide.
The comparison
Common practice vs the Fast Fulfill standard, criterion by criterion
Send every provider the same questions from the criteria column and ask for written answers, with numbers. Ours are already on the table. Good providers answer concretely; vague answers (“it depends”, “we’ll discuss”) on more than 1-2 criteria are the most reliable red flag you can get for free.
The decision
What type of partner fits you
- You sell a single, easy-to-pack product type
- You don’t use COD, or refusals are negligible
- No campaigns, sets or seasonal peaks
- You can tolerate occasional dispatch delays
- Volume is small and stable, with no growth plans
- You want predictable costs: from €0.61/order, no surprises
- COD is a significant share of your orders
- You sell on multiple channels (site + marketplace)
- You run campaigns, bundles and peak seasons
- You want to scale without hiring warehouse staff
Verification
How to test a provider before signing
Any comparison on paper has a limit: you learn the truth only when real orders run. The correct three-step procedure:
- Request a full sample calculation on your typical order (product, packaging, materials, shipping label) — not a “starting from” rate. Compare the total per order, then relate it to your average basket. Our benchmark: from €0.61/order — under 1% of revenue on a €70 basket.
- Run a pilot: send your best sellers, connect the store and work 2-4 weeks in real conditions. Track the percentage of same-day shipments and how problems are communicated.
- Check the exit before the entrance: termination terms and the stock return procedure. A provider confident in itself doesn’t lock you in with penalties — it keeps you with price and quality.
The detailed criteria and full list of questions are in the guide to choosing a fulfillment center, and all fulfillment answers in one place in the 50 questions and answers guide.
Put us first through the 7-criteria test
Send us your volume, products and platform — you’ll get the detailed offer with the full calculation on your typical order, numbers on the table. Then compare us with anyone, at ease.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — prices and comparing providers
How much does fulfillment cost at Fast Fulfill?
A typical order (small product, shipped in a mailer) costs from €0.61 with absolutely everything included: pick from €0.34 (collecting the product from the shelf) plus pack €0.27, which also includes the courier mailer. Goods reception is €0.10/unit, one time, when stock enters the warehouse. Storage is €0.40/m³/day — you pay exactly the space you occupy, calculated daily. Returns are processed from €0.46 per return, and kitting from €0.12 per unit (€14/hour). On an average €70 basket, fulfillment represents under 1% of revenue — among the lowest costs on the Romanian market.
How do I correctly compare fulfillment offers with different structures?
Bring them to the same denominator: ask each provider for the total cost of the same typical order of your store (same product, packaging, destination), with all components included — reception, storage, pick & pack, materials, shipping label. Compare the total per order, not individual rates. As a benchmark: at Fast Fulfill the total is from €0.61/order for a product shipped in a mailer, courier mailer included. A provider who refuses this calculation is already telling you something important.
What are the most important criteria when choosing a fulfillment service in Romania?
Seven criteria decide quality: the complete, transparent price per order (benchmark: from €0.61 all included), storage billed on the space actually used, same-day dispatch, real-time stock visibility through a portal, COD order confirmation before shipping, fast returns processing and communication quality. A low rate with weak service costs more in total — but a low rate with all criteria met is exactly what you’re looking for.
Why does the way storage is billed matter?
Because it’s the classic place where invoices inflate. Many providers bill flat “per SKU” or “per pallet” fees — you pay the same for a perfume bottle and a shoe box. Fair billing is on the actual volume occupied: at Fast Fulfill, €0.40/m³/day, calculated daily. Concrete example: 50 makeup SKUs occupy ~5 m³ and cost ~€60/month — that is, €1.20 per SKU per month.
Is it worth running a pilot before signing with a fulfillment provider?
Yes — it’s the best investment in the whole selection process. You send part of your stock, connect the store and run 2-4 weeks in real conditions: you see the percentage of same-day shipments, packing quality, the portal and response speed. You also verify the real invoice matches the offer’s calculation. A provider who refuses a pilot is worth avoiding.
What makes Fast Fulfill different from other fulfillment providers in Romania?
First, the most competitive prices on the market, published transparently: from €0.61/order all included (pick from €0.34 + pack €0.27 with courier mailer), reception €0.10, storage at €0.40/m³/day on the space actually used, returns from €0.46 and kitting from €0.12 per unit. And you pay only for what you use — no packages with services you do not need. Then the operational standard: same-day dispatch including in peak season, a portal with live stock integrated with the WMS, WhatsApp COD confirmation and a real point of contact. The warehouse is in Bucharest, and the collaboration can start with a pilot.
