Industry Trends

The Fillmore Container FAQ: What You Should Ask Before You Order (From Someone Who's Messed It Up)

Look, I handle packaging orders for our small-batch skincare line. In the past five years, I've personally made (and documented) at least a dozen significant mistakes, totaling roughly $3,500 in wasted budget and delays. Now I maintain our team's pre-order checklist. Here are the real questions you should be asking suppliers like Fillmore Container, based on my errors, so you don't repeat them.

1. What's the real total cost, not just the unit price?

Real talk: The question everyone asks is "what's your best price per unit?" The question they should ask is "what's the all-inclusive total cost?" I learned this the hard way. In Q3 2022, I was thrilled to find a "cheaper" per-jar quote. Saved about $0.15 per unit. What I mean is, I focused on the sticker price and completely missed the setup fee for a non-standard lid color, the higher shipping zone charge, and the fact they didn't offer a bulk discount until 5,000 units (we ordered 1,200). The "budget" choice looked smart until the invoice arrived. Net loss versus the other quote: $280. That's when I started calculating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for every single quote.

2. What exactly is included in your "discount code" or bulk pricing?

Fillmore Container is known for coupon codes (and yes, you should always look for a fillmore container coupon code before checking out). But here's the thing: I once applied a 10% off code for glass bottles, thinking I was a genius. What I missed was the fine print: "Excludes shipping and handling." And the shipping on that bulky, heavy order was... substantial. Saved $75 on the product, spent an extra $90 on shipping (ugh). My policy now? I calculate the final cart total with and without the code, including all estimated fees. Sometimes, a site-wide sale elsewhere is a better deal than a product-specific coupon.

3. What are the true lead times, and what can delay them?

Most buyers see "5-7 business days production" and plan for day 7. The disaster happened in September 2023. I placed an order for a custom-printed run of jars, banking on that 7-day window for a craft fair. I didn't ask: "Is that 5-7 days after artwork approval?" Our design took two rounds of revisions (my fault for not sending print-ready files). That added 4 days. Then, the specific glass color was on backorder (which I wasn't alerted about until I called). We missed the fair. That error cost us $890 in potential sales plus the shipping fee for the now-rushed order. I now ask: "What's the clock start date?" and "Are all components in stock right now?"

4. What are the most common mistakes people make with your products?

This is my favorite question to ask any supplier. It saves you from being a statistic. When I first ordered products offered by Fillmore Container, I assumed all "38-400" lids were created equal. I knew I should double-check the finish, but thought, "What are the odds it matters?" Well, the odds caught up. I ordered regular finish for jars that needed a tamper-evident seal. They didn't fit the induction sealer. 500 lids, $127, straight to the spare-parts bin (note to self: always check sealing compatibility). A good supplier will warn you about lid finishes, glass thickness for hot fills, or minimum order quantities (MOQ) for custom prints.

5. How do you handle mismatches or quality issues?

This was true a decade ago when you were stuck with a bad batch. Today, reputable suppliers have clear policies. I once received a pallet where 10% of the Boston round bottles had slight imperfections in the glass. Not a catastrophe, but not premium. I emailed photos. Their response time and resolution (a partial credit for the affected units) told me more about them than any sales pitch. Before ordering, I now check the "Terms" or "FAQ" for their damage claim process. How long do you have to report it? What proof do you need? (Thankfully, most just need clear photos.)

6. Is local pickup or will-call an option, and does it actually save money?

This seems like a no-brainer for saving on shipping. For Fillmore, depending on your location, it might be. But here's my contrast insight: When I compared the drive time (3 hours round trip), fuel, and vehicle wear-and-tear for a local pickup versus the delivered-to-dock shipping fee, the math surprised me. For a $400 order, shipping was $45. My time and gas were easily $60+. The "free" pickup wasn't free. Now I only consider will-call for true rush emergencies or if I'm already going that direction for other business.

7. What's something I should know that I probably haven't asked about?

This is the golden question. For packaging, the answer often involves sustainability or compliance. For example, if you're in food or cosmetics, you need to know if the container is FDA compliant for your specific application (oils, alcohol, etc.). Don't just assume. Another insider tip: Ask about "overruns" or "shortages." Sometimes you get a few extra units (a nice bonus), but sometimes you might get 5% less. Knowing their standard practice helps with your own production planning. I didn't ask this on a 2,000-unit order and came up 85 jars short, causing a last-minute panic.

Between you and me, the goal isn't to grill your supplier. It's to have a complete picture. The few minutes you spend asking these questions can save you hundreds of dollars and days of headache. I have these questions saved in my checklist, and we've caught 22 potential order errors in the past year using it. That's a win in my book.