What to Ask Before Placing a Pallet Order: A Checklist for Purchasing Managers

Placing a pallet order sounds simple, but the details matter. The wrong size, grade, or lead time can create problems that take time and money to fix. A few good questions before you commit will save you from most of those issues.

Here is a practical checklist for anyone placing a pallet order, whether it is your first time or you are switching suppliers.

Before You Call or Submit a Request

Have these four things settled before you pick up the phone. Suppliers give better answers, and better pricing, when you come in with specifics rather than questions.

1

Pallet size

Confirm what your racking, equipment, and customers require. 48x40 GMA is most common.

2

Quantity

Have a rough number ready. Knowing whether you need 100 or 1,000 helps get a meaningful price.

3

Timeline

When do you need them, and how much lead time can you work with?

4

Grade preference

New, recycled, or a mix? If recycled, have a grade preference in mind.

Questions to Ask the Supplier

A good supplier answers these directly and without hedging. Vague answers are information too.

Questions to ask the supplier

Q

What sizes do you stock regularly, and what are current inventory levels?

A supplier who hedges on this may not know their inventory well.

Q

What is your typical lead time for an order of this size?

Ask specifically — not just generally. You need a number in business days.

Q

How do you grade recycled pallets?

Ask what Grade A, B, and Economy mean to them specifically.

Q

What is your delivery area, and what does delivery cost?

Get this in writing before you commit.

Q

What happens if pallets arrive damaged or incorrect?

Know the process before there is a problem.

Q

Can you handle repeat orders on a regular schedule?

If you need pallets weekly or monthly, confirm they can support that.

Red Flags to Watch For

Every supplier occasionally ships something that is not right. What separates a good supplier from a bad one is what happens next.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

🚩

Vague answers on lead times or stock levels

A supplier who cannot give straight answers is either disorganized or telling you what you want to hear. Either way, that is a problem.

🚩

Pricing that changes between conversation and written quote

This signals unclear processes. Get pricing confirmed in writing early in the process.

🚩

No clear process for handling problems

Every supplier occasionally ships something incorrect. A good supplier knows exactly what they will do when that happens.

What Is a Standard Pallet?

New vs. Used Pallets

How Much Do Standard Pallets Cost?

Atlas Pallets & Packaging supplies new and recycled pallets to manufacturers, warehouses, and 3PLs across the Midwest. We stock GMA 48x40 in volume, grade our recycled pallets clearly, and have a straightforward process for anything that arrives wrong. Request a quote or call us to talk through your next order.