Pricing & FAQ

What is the 3-tier System?

The US is the only country in the world that has a 3-tier system in alcohol.

• Tier 1: Producers (and importers)
• Tier 2: Wholesalers (also known as distributors)
• Tier 3: Liquor Stores, Bars, and Restaurants

Alcohol sales usually go from Tier 1 > Tier 2 > Tier 3 > consumer. Generally, only Tier 3 (ex. Liquor stores) can sell to consumers in the US.

As challenging as the 3-tier system may be - all alcohol brands are on the same playing field. And fortunately, because of the 3-tier system, it is unlikely that the massive online marketplace (named after a rainforest) will ever be able to ship alcohol same-day from its warehouses.

Can I ship DTC (direct-to-consumer)?

There are only very specific scenarios where you, as the brand, can package an alcohol bottle and ship it to a consumer.

• Domestic wineries can generally ship DTC to 47 states
• Liquor - only DTC ship to about 5 states..
• Beer - only ship within the same state as the brewery (if that is even allowed)
• Imported products (spirits, wine and beer) are not eligible for DTC shipping.

As DTC is generally not permitted for many spirit brands - we recommend and will introduce you to our vetted Retailer Network of liquor stores - who can buy and ship your products.

Does LiquorPilot have a liquor license?

No. We are a software company who has developed an dedicated ecommerce platform to process alcohol orders. We partner with licensed retailers (liquor stores) who will buy and ship product on your behalf.

Do I need a distributor to work with LiquorPilot?

In most cases, yes, but it may be possible to self-distribute. We are also happy to make introductions to distributors..

Please schedule a demo with our team so we can assess and provide a personalized fulfillment recommendation that is still 3-tier compliant.

Why should I partner with LiquorPilot?

We are a full service ecommerce platform - we will build a branded ecommerce store for your brand and also introduce you to reputable retailers who can fulfill your product online.

• Introduction to our Retailer Network - we partner 20+ retailers in the US - and will make introductions.
• Pre-negotiated retailer rates & no commissions. Our negotiated retailer rates are the most competitive as we charge no commissions.
• Split checkout. Sell alcohol + apparel. All in one shopping cart.
• First party data. Access to all customer data including email & phone
• Customizable website. - 100% personalized to match your Brand's identity.
• Designed for growth. We can have 1 or 10+ retailers on the backend fulfilling orders.

How are payments processed for alcohol orders? How do I get paid?

When someone places an order online, the order details get forwarded to the selected liquor store who then packages it up and ships it out. Payment goes directly to the liquor store to ensure 3-tier compliance.

Payments flow through the traditional 3-tier system. Liquor store will buy product from your distributor (that's how your distributor gets paid). Distributor buys from you (and that's how you get paid). For all intended purposes - our set up is just like another "retail account".

For those who ship DTC - payments and order fulfillment is handled by you directly.

Is there a set up fee? What does it include?

Yes. There is a one-time set up fee of $2500.

The setup fee covers the entire on-boarding process:

• Fulfillment coordination - DTC or retailer fulfillment?
• Introduction to our Retailer network of Liquor store partners and help with negotiating product pricing.
• Compliance stewardship
• Website build and/or integration to your existing website
• Installation help with Facebook Pixel, Klaviyo, Google Analytics and GTM. We'll set it up for you.
• Assistance with logistics - while we can't handle set up freight shipments for you directly we will make introductions and help find solutions

The monthly fee does not kick-in until after your ecommerce store goes live. During the on-boarding process - you will have direct access to our Team and our industry expertise.

Can I keep my existing website? Can you build the shop for me?

Yes and Yes! We offer two seamless website integration options:

1. Integrated ecommerce - for brands who already have a website, we will add javascript and "overlay" ecommerce directly over your website. We can integrate into Shopify, Wordpress, SquareSpace, Wix, and even custom websites.
2. Standalone shop - LiquorPilot can also create a fully custom, branded shop for you.

Both options are fully available and you can switch between integrations at any time. A lot of our clients start with the standalone shop to get onboarded asap and then move to the integrated website.

Do you offer any marketing services to assist with ads, creative, and marketing content?

Yes. We are in the process of piloting a new marketing add-on to some of our top performing brands. Please reach out to your performance manager or schedule a demo to learn more about our pilot offering.

How many states can your retailers ship to?

Our trusted Retailer Network can ship to 42+ states. For clients with big volume and looking for maximum coverage, we can get you to all 50 states. Please schedule a demo to learn more about our retail fulfillment capabilities.

What is the sign up process like?

Our team will send a digital contract for you to sign (it’s a pretty standard SaaS contract). Once signed, you will receive a digital invoice to pay for your one-time setup fee. The invoice can be paid through credit card or ACH. Once the contract is signed and invoice paid, we will schedule a kick-off to coordinate fulfillment strategy and next steps.

What is the typical timeline?

We strive to onboard new clients within 60 days of signing. However, it is not unusual to see on-boarding take as long as 90 days when inventory delays take place. We recommend requesting a demo as soon as possible.

I still have a question. Who do I contact?

If you're interested in learning more about our ecommerce platform, please schedule a personalized demo, contact us via the link below, or send an email to hello@liquorpilot.com.