The 3PL explosion has brought a wave of “fly-by-night” startups that aggressively advertise “AI-powered” logistics but lack the financial stability to protect your inventory. These under-capitalized warehouses often rely on rapid customer acquisition to cover cash flow gaps, creating a “house-of-cards” scenario for unsuspecting sellers. This post warns against deceptive pricing gimmicks, upfront deposit traps, and the dangers of middlemen brokers. Learn how to perform essential due diligence—verifying financial stability, checking BBB ratings, and insisting on live technology demos—to ensure your inventory doesn’t end up in “3PL jail” when a startup collapses.