All you other caterers.... - Page 2

HBMTN · 04-07-2010, 05:46 PM

Just starting out I am trying to figure ot which to go with. I am in the same boat Sams and Costco are 1 hour away. Sysco will deliver to me but want at least a $500 order. I and going to be vending or catering 1-2 days on weekends. Don't see how I can place a $500 order to do a $800 catering job. Still trying to figure it out here.

jbrink01 · 04-07-2010, 07:48 PM

I tend to use RD and Sam's alot, but am going to try a distributor next week........I'm lucky in that they pass within 1.8 miles of my house twice a week.

04-07-2010, 09:23 PM

Welcome to the "game" of where to shop and order....with minimums, delivery charges and ever changing pricing, it helps to calculate what your time is worth. Of course your time never trumps a bag of spring mix going bad after one day without even being opened. We've used Sysco, US Foods, RD, Sam's and a multitude of family owned distributorships over the years. I find it helpful to be clear to each entity up front what you expect and let them compete somewhat for your business. After quality of meats, comes quality of side ingredients thereafter it's pricing on paper products, cleaning products and incidentals. Service wise the family owned will go the mile, RD will try for convenience (did you know you can get a printout of all items you buy and they'll load on the flatbed for a scheduled pickup ?). Around Christmas time I have a tendency to hit Sam's for some incidentals cause I can't bypass that damn apple walnut carmel pie they make only three months out of the year. Happy shopping.

jbrink01 · 04-07-2010, 09:49 PM

Thanks. Been doing this 4 years and i'm sick of shopping!

04-07-2010, 07:48 PM	#17
jbrink01 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-17-06 Location: Washington, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I tend to use RD and Sam's alot, but am going to try a distributor next week........I'm lucky in that they pass within 1.8 miles of my house twice a week. __________________ KCBS #13207 **2013 Insane Can Posse Tour** Sponsored By: *Gateway BBQ Store* *Blues Hog BBQ Company* *Plowboys BBQ Company*

04-07-2010, 09:49 PM	#19
jbrink01 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-17-06 Location: Washington, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks. Been doing this 4 years and i'm sick of shopping! __________________ KCBS #13207 **2013 Insane Can Posse Tour** Sponsored By: *Gateway BBQ Store* *Blues Hog BBQ Company* *Plowboys BBQ Company*

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04-07-2010, 05:46 PM	#16
HBMTN is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-16-08 Location: Fairfield, Virginia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Just starting out I am trying to figure ot which to go with. I am in the same boat Sams and Costco are 1 hour away. Sysco will deliver to me but want at least a $500 order. I and going to be vending or catering 1-2 days on weekends. Don't see how I can place a $500 order to do a $800 catering job. Still trying to figure it out here.

04-07-2010, 09:23 PM	#18
bbqpitstop Guest Downloads: Uploads:	Welcome to the "game" of where to shop and order....with minimums, delivery charges and ever changing pricing, it helps to calculate what your time is worth. Of course your time never trumps a bag of spring mix going bad after one day without even being opened. We've used Sysco, US Foods, RD, Sam's and a multitude of family owned distributorships over the years. I find it helpful to be clear to each entity up front what you expect and let them compete somewhat for your business. After quality of meats, comes quality of side ingredients thereafter it's pricing on paper products, cleaning products and incidentals. Service wise the family owned will go the mile, RD will try for convenience (did you know you can get a printout of all items you buy and they'll load on the flatbed for a scheduled pickup ?). Around Christmas time I have a tendency to hit Sam's for some incidentals cause I can't bypass that damn apple walnut carmel pie they make only three months out of the year. Happy shopping.