Hit my 50th liquor order with the same distributor this morning

I've been buying through Great Lakes Distributing for the last 7 years at my bar, and I just realized I hit 50 orders with them last week. It's weird seeing that number add up because when I first started, I was just grabbing whatever was cheapest. Has anyone else noticed how your supplier relationships change over time as you settle into a routine?

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noran213mo ago

Have you actually figured out what your total cost per case is including all the little stuff like delivery fees, rush fees, and the time spent vetting new reps? Because switching distributors three times in five years sounds like a lot of extra paperwork and headaches to me. I'd rather spend that time on my menu or talking to my regulars than fighting with some new sales guy over a price list. There's real value in knowing exactly when my truck shows up and that my rep won't screw up my order on a Friday night, and that peace of mind is worth more than a few bucks per case. Sometimes the cheapest route isn't the one that keeps your bar running smooth.

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wyattmitchell3mo ago

Fifty orders with one distributor sounds more like a trap than a milestone. You're basically telling me you've been locked into the same pricing structure for seven years without shopping around. I've switched distributors three times in the last five years and saved enough to cover an extra shift for my staff each month. Those relationships people brag about usually just mean they're paying premium prices for the privilege of knowing the sales rep's first name. Maybe you're not seeing any issues because you're not looking for better deals.

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