Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the current onboarding timelines at major UK logistics hubs, and how long does stock processing take once received?
Lead times at major logistics hubs are currently tight and vary by location. **LCB Linton** is not accepting stock arrivals until 20 December, with a 3-day processing window from receipt to stock being ready in your account. Members suggest checking alternative logistics hubs as timelines may be better elsewhere. Plan accordingly if you're sending stock before the Christmas period, as delays are likely at primary hubs.
What are the options for handling UK duty-paid stock when exporting internationally?
When stock has been duty-paid in the UK but needs to be shipped abroad, you face the choice of either removing the duty stamp or exploring whether duty can be reclaimed through a bonded warehouse. - **London City Bond (LCB)** — can de-stamp duty-paid stock, though the process is expensive and stamp removal is labour-intensive. Members suggest asking LCB directly whether duty reclaim is possible when working with them, as they may have experience recovering duty on exported stock. - **Direct de-stamping** — some members accept losing the duty paid as a cost and simply obliterate the stamp before shipping, though this approach forfeits any potential reclaim. Recommendation: Before committing to de-stamping costs or loss, contact LCB or a similar bonded warehouse operator to ask explicitly whether duty reclaim is available on your shipment; several members indicated this may be possible but requires direct inquiry.
How do EPOS systems handle stock control and wastage tracking in bars and restaurants?
EPOS systems can manage stock control and wastage tracking within the platform itself, though member experience suggests the implementation varies significantly by system quality. **Stock control via EPOS:** Premium accounts typically offer built-in stock management features accessible through customer support. The system allows CSV bulk uploads for recipes and inventory data, enabling you to track usage and wastage. **Key caveat:** Members reported that the bulk upload functionality is not user-friendly, which has been a significant driver of bars moving away from certain EPOS platforms. If choosing an EPOS specifically for integrated stock management, test the inventory workflow thoroughly before committing—poor usability can create operational friction that outweighs the convenience of a unified system. **Separate software option:** Some members use dedicated stock management software alongside their EPOS rather than relying solely on the EPOS system's built-in features, suggesting this hybrid approach may be worth evaluating if your EPOS stock tools feel cumbersome.
What are the options for holding spirits stock under bond in Europe without committing to a full distributor relationship?
Members hold stock under bond at independent European bonded warehouses rather than via traditional distributor arrangements. The two main options mentioned are: - **LIS Logistics** (Netherlands) — holds stock under bond for members - **Amsterdam Warehouse Company** (Netherlands) — bonded storage option Members also reference using freight/removal services for similar arrangements: - **Rapid Removals** — used by at least one member for bonded stock movement and storage One member mentioned a logistics app called "tipap" for managing this type of arrangement, though details were limited. This approach appears most common in the Netherlands, and members treat it as a standard route for independent stock holding without requiring a distributor relationship. No specific pricing, lead times, or detailed T&Cs were discussed in the excerpts provided.