| In many cases you may not have a choice where | | | | You may find yourself with a liquor, wine and |
| you will buy your liquor, due in large part to the | | | | beer inventory that is inflated and harder to |
| fact it may be regulated by state laws. Be sure, if | | | | control...and possibly dead money sleeping. |
| you hold a liquor license for re sale and you intend | | | | When you have a choice of who you can buy |
| to keep it, make sure you abide by the state | | | | from, consider the following factors: |
| laws, not doing so can be very costly. In many | | | | Price: are you getting the best cost for the equal |
| states, you will be obliged to buy from state | | | | or better product? |
| stores. These states are better known as | | | | Delivery schedule: how often does your supplier |
| "control states" or "monopoly states". In states | | | | come to you: daily, weekly...? |
| where this does not apply, known as "license | | | | Location of reseller: will this have an affect on |
| states", you will be allowed to buy your liquor | | | | cost? Can they come to you in bad weather? |
| inventory from any licensed wholesaler or licensed | | | | What is you run out of a product, can you go to |
| distributor that in recognized by the state you are | | | | them? |
| doing business in. Please note, you may also want | | | | Reseller facilities: does the reseller have large |
| to verify county laws as they may forbid | | | | storage areas and stock heavily or are they |
| purchasing your alcohol inventory from other | | | | constantly out of stock? |
| counties. | | | | Are their storage areas temperature controlled? |
| Most license states, on a monthly basis, will publish | | | | Travel: does the supplier handle product properly? |
| a master list that displays the names of all the | | | | Are wines kept on their sides? Are beer or cold |
| wholesalers in the state you can purchase your | | | | products kept cool during transport? |
| wine, liquor and beer inventory. They will also | | | | What is the minimum order a supplier will accept |
| display the different varieties they carry and the | | | | to deliver to your place of business? |
| prices they will charge. As for control states, they | | | | Terms and conditions: COD, credit cards, net 30 |
| will publish lists of all the brands you can carry in | | | | days... |
| inventory, with that the prices you will pay and | | | | Does your supplier have accessories you may |
| the addresses of where you can place your | | | | need for your business on special occasions like |
| orders. You may also choose to work with a | | | | party favors, small wares for the bar like pourers |
| sales representative. These representatives can | | | | and strainers...? |
| speak to you of the products they carry, trends | | | | This may seem like small details, but they are all |
| in the business, promotions, pricing...you cannot | | | | very important to help control your liquor, beer |
| buy from them directly, but they can tell you | | | | and wine inventory costs and help manage your |
| where you can purchase their products. Beware | | | | business. |
| of sales representatives that try to over sell you! | | | | |