There are many things to consider when you’re trying to choose a spirits transportation provider, especially since the very nature of your product is so delicate and the palettes you’re catering to so refined.
1. A Good Reputation
It may sound simplistic, but one of the most important things you can do before choosing a company to transport your spirits to get online and look up reviews. Given this industry is a narrow, specialized one, you’ll be able to trust the opinions of your colleagues. There’s nothing more obvious than when a company fails their customers, especially with product that is delicate. Try to go through word of mouth when you’re choosing which vendor to transport your spirits, or get online and see what other people in your field have to say about particular transportation companies.
2. When Do They Ship?
One rule of thumb is to check out when your company of choice actually ships spirits. For example, according to PennLive, it’s a bad idea to ship wine if temperatures go over 80 degrees for a long period of time, since it impacts the integrity of the product. However, also be sure to remember that just because a company transports spirits and wine during particular months, that doesn’t mean that they’re untrustworthy. The key is how they ship particular types of wine and spirits, and when. Some methods of transportation are climate controlled and pricier, whereas others are all about being cost effective with less emphasis on temperamental product.
3. Versatility Based on Product
Although you may be solely interested in shipping only spirits or wine, a good way to determine whether the company at which you’re looking is by researching how they ship different products. Usually, a transportation company that specializes in wine and spirits will offer different options depending on the type of product they’re transporting. For example, if you’re dealing with wine which can be temperamental, a truck shipment may not be ideal. On the other hand, if you’re transporting something that doesn’t require extreme temperature control, then a truck might be fine and is more cost effective. The bottom line is that you need to find a company that properly tailors their recommended shipping methods to the product you’re looking to transport.
Finding a reliable shipping company isn’t difficult if you use common sense. Consider your expertise of the product that you’re looking to ship, and make sure the company is knowledgeable.