Industry Trends

8 Questions About Fillmore Container Orders That Will Save You Time (and Money)

You Have Questions. I've Made the Mistakes.

I've been ordering packaging for our small-batch operation for about four years now. In that time, I've placed maybe 20 orders with Fillmore Container — some went great, a few did not. I've wasted money on wrong lids, misjudged shipping costs, and once ordered 500 jars that were just barely the wrong size. (Should mention: that mistake cost us about $320 plus the hassle of finding a friend with a pickup truck to return them.)

So when people ask me about ordering from Fillmore, these are the questions that actually come up. Not the marketing fluff. The real stuff. Let's get into it.

1. Does the Fillmore Container discount code actually work?

Yes, it does. But — and this is the part nobody tells you — it's not always applied the same way.

I've used fillmore container coupon code or fillmore container discount code found on various deal sites. In my experience, the code is usually something like FILLMORE15 or SHIP10 (but always verify the current one on their site or a trusted coupon page). The code typically gives you a percentage off or free shipping above a certain threshold. Honestly, the biggest savings come when you combine the code with their bulk pricing. The code itself might save you 10-15%, but buying the 12-pack case instead of single jars saves you a lot more per unit. (Note to self: always check the case pricing first.)

The catch? Make sure you apply it at checkout. I've forgotten twice. That's on me.

2. I'm just starting out. Will Fillmore Container take my small order seriously?

Short answer: yes, they will. I've placed orders as small as $75 and as large as $1,800. The experience was basically the same — order was processed, shipped on time, no attitude. That's actually one of the reasons I keep going back.

Look, I remember when I was starting out, I'd call packaging suppliers and there was this tone — you know, like, "that's a small order, we'll get to it when we get to it." Fillmore wasn't like that. They treated my first tiny order the same as my later bigger ones. (I should add that they do have a minimum, I think it's around $50 or so, but if you're buying jars, you'll hit that easily.)

Small doesn't mean unimportant — it means potential. The suppliers who got my early $200 orders are the ones I still use for $2,000 orders today.

3. What's the biggest mistake people make when ordering jars from Fillmore?

Oh, I can answer this one from experience. Most buyers focus on the jar size and completely miss the neck finish and lid compatibility.

"The question everyone asks is 'how many ounces?' The question they should ask is 'what lid does this jar take?'"

I ordered what I thought were 8-ounce wide-mouth jars for a hot sauce project. They were 8 ounces. They were wide mouth. But the neck finish was 70mm, and my standard 70mm lids didn't fit because the thread pitch was slightly different. That was the $320 mistake I mentioned earlier.

Fillmore's site is actually pretty good about listing the finish size (like 38-400, 70-450, etc.), but you have to check it. Don't assume. And definitely don't assume that lids from other suppliers will match — I learned that the hard way.

4. How much does shipping actually cost?

This is the one that trips people up. Shipping heavy glass jars isn't cheap. And everyone underestimates it.

I once ordered a case of 24 quart-sized mason jars. The jars themselves were maybe $35. The shipping? Another $22. (Actually, I think it was $21.67 for FedEx ground — I remember because it annoyed me.) So the total was almost double what I expected just from the price per jar.

A few things that help:

• Order by the case — cases are packed to stack efficiently, so you're paying for less dead space. Single jars ship in boxes with more padding, which costs more.
• Check the discount code — sometimes there's a free shipping threshold. I've seen codes that waive shipping for orders over $100 or $150.
• Consolidate your orders — one larger order ships cheaper than two small ones. (I really should plan ahead more.)

According to Fillmore's shipping page, they ship via FedEx and UPS. For bulk orders, sometimes truck freight is the better option.

5. Can I return jars if I order the wrong thing?

You can, but you probably don't want to. Let me break it down.

Fillmore does accept returns on unopened, undamaged cases. But you pay return shipping. For a case of jars, that could be $25-$30. And some items — like custom lids or clearance items — are final sale. So basically, the return policy isn't a safety net; it's more of a, "we'll help you fix your mistake, but it'll cost you."

What I do now: I buy one jar first if I'm trying a new size or style. Pay the $5 shipping for a single jar to test it. If it works, I order the case. That one test jar has saved me from at least three wrong-size orders. It's a no-brainer.

6. How long does delivery actually take?

In my experience, Fillmore ships within 1-3 business days. That's pretty standard. Then it's up to FedEx (which is basically a gamble some days). Ground shipping from their location in Pennsylvania to me on the West Coast takes about 5-7 business days. So total: figure a week to a week and a half.

You can pay for expedited shipping — I've done 2-day FedEx once when we were out of stock on a popular item. It cost about $40 more, but we needed it. (Saved $80 by skipping expedited shipping once? No, actually, I skipped expedited to save $40, then had to spend $60 on a rush order later. That's classic penny-wise, pound-foolish.)

Your mileage will vary, but if you need jars for a production run, order at least 10 business days ahead. Don't cut it close.

7. Are Fillmore's glass jars good quality?

I've ordered from a few suppliers — Uline, Berlin Packaging, some Amazon sellers — and I'd say Fillmore's quality is solid for the price. Are they the absolute thickest, most premium glass? No. But they're consistent, they don't have bubbles or flaws, and the lids seal properly. I've used their 8-ounce and 16-ounce wide-mouth jars for hot sauce, honey, and even some cosmetic balms. Never had a complaint.

One thing I noticed: their jars come in large master cartons with decent padding. Out of maybe 500 jars, I've had 3 break during shipping. That's about 0.6%, which is basically in line with industry standards for glass packaging. (According to industry data, 1% breakage is considered acceptable for glass shipping.)

Bottom line: if you need premium, hand-blown Italian glass, go elsewhere. If you need good, functional, affordable jars that customers won't complain about, Fillmore is perfect.

8. One question people don't ask but should: What's actually in stock?

Here's the thing: Fillmore's website shows stock status — "in stock," "low stock," "out of stock" — but I've learned to check before I build a production plan around an item. A few times, I've added items to my cart that were in stock, but by the time I checked out two days later, they were backordered. That's on my procrastination, not them. But still.

The fix: call them. I know it's old-school, but I've called their customer service three times. They pick up, they're nice, and they can tell you exactly how many cases are on the shelf. That's saved me from at least one "I-ordered-it-but-it's-backordered" headache.

Also, if you're planning a large order (like 50+ cases), email them. Sometimes they can reserve stock for you. That's a pro move I wish I'd known earlier.

Wrapping This Up (Pun Intended)

I didn't start this as an expert on Fillmore Container. I started as someone who needed jars and made mistakes. The list above is basically the checklist I now use before every order.

Quick recap:

• Test one jar before buying a case.
• Use the discount code — but check it applies.
• Factor in shipping costs (they add up).
• Check lid compatibility (neck finish, not just jar size).
• Order 10 days ahead minimum.
• Call to confirm stock for big orders.

Hope this saves you a few hundred bucks and some frustration. Now go order those jars.