10 Tips for Selecting a Reliable Drink Supplier in Australia

Getting what you need for your Brisbane convenience store, restaurant or other hospitality business, can be a challenge. When looking for a drink supplier that can provide the beverages you need consistently, reliably, and at the best possible price, it helps if you do your homework upfront and follow these tips for selecting the most suitable one from the start.

1 – Decide what’s most important

Make a list of the factors you consider most important in your beverage supplier. For most Brisbane businesses this will be a combination of price, payment terms, quality, specific delivery schedules, packaging, and other factors.

2 – Shop around and compare

Do your homework. Check with a number of drink suppliers how they stack up on the factors you consider most important. Don’t assume that they are all the same. You may not find one that scores 10 out of 10 on every factor but it will help you narrow down your shortlist.

3 – Get it in writing

Don’t just take the supplier’s word for it – gather pricelists with terms and conditions included and compare them like for like.

4 – Don’t decide PURELY on price

Price is always important, but if it is very low there may be other factors that will negatively impact your business – such as a poor delivery schedule or poor quality goods. The supplier may also charge for delivery to make up shortfalls. Find this out before deciding.

5 – Speak to the boss

Make sure that you deal with someone who has the authority to grant discounts or special deals. Identify who has this authority and then talk with them directly rather than through a third party.

6 – Negotiate

If you are buying in bulk, be prepared to negotiate on price with your shortlisted suppliers – this can save you valuable dollars in the future.

7 – Check response times

You want to be sure that if you have a problem, it will be dealt with quickly. If your initial requests for information are not dealt with promptly it is unlikely this will improve when you are a customer.

8 – Ask for promotional materials

Even if the supplier cannot move on price, ask what else they can throw into the deal. Promotional material is usually in good supply – try to secure as much of this as possible.

9 – Check reputations

Word of mouth travels fast – especially bad reputations. Check what the experiences of other local businesses have been with a particular supplier. This should give you an indication of its dependability.

10 – Include the details in your contract

Details like times of deliveries are important to your business. Drinks need time to cool down in the heat of a Brisbane summer, so ensure that your beverage supplier commits to getting them to you at suitable times.

Finally, note that, while the largest drink suppliers may provide the best prices, dealing with suppliers that monopolise your local area puts you in a poor bargaining position. You can find more tips on choosing the right supplier for your business here.

Statis Beverages is a leading non-alcoholic drinks supplier for the Brisbane area. As an Australian-owned business in operation since 2002, we care about our reputation for great service, reliability and value. That’s why we assign an account manager to each customer.

Please contact us for more information on supplying soft drinks to your Brisbane retail or hospitality business.