A great salt vendor does more than get you to rock salt quickly. They are a reliable partner, especially during snow-prone seasons.
It would help if you avoided the fly-by-night vendors who seem to pop up everywhere and operate for only a few months each year. You want a supplier that is established within the industry.
Experience
Salt is a common commodity, but finding the right supplier can make all the difference. A bulk rock salt supplier should be able to answer questions, provide helpful advice, and demonstrate empathy for their customers. The best vendors can help buyers calculate how much rock salt they will need for the winter, as well as assist them in determining whether or not they would be better served purchasing by the bag or the pallet.
A rock salt vendor with strong logistics means that they can respond quickly when needed and won’t make you wait around for the answers you require. This can mean everything from being able to ring them up and have someone pick up the phone when you call to having an efficient accounting team that can get you your invoice in no time. It also means that they will have enough salt on hand to meet your needs throughout the season.
Pricing
A quality bulk rock salt supplier should be upfront and honest about pricing. Look at their customer reviews and research to see how much others in your area pay for rock salt. If their prices are dramatically different from others, that should send up a red flag that they may be trying to pull a bait and switch.
The best salt distributors will offer wholesale pricing to businesses that use their products. This helps them stay competitive and profitable while giving their customers the best price for their salt needs.
A quality salt distributor will be able to show you what they have on location and get you the product as quickly as possible. A slow turnaround time is a sign of a disorganized business that you should pass on. The same goes for a vendor that takes too long to send you your invoice, which can indicate a logistical mess happening on the backend.
Customer Service
A solid customer service reputation goes a long way. The best salt vendors will take the time to help their customers calculate how much rock salt they need for winter weather and make it easy to place orders and pay invoices.
They’ll also be responsive to questions, concerns, and requests. If you call a salt vendor and have to ring them repeatedly or email and never get a response, it’s time to move on to a new supplier.
A reliable salt supplier will always have a stockpile on location and can meet any requirements at the drop of a hat, even in the middle of a snowstorm or blizzard. They’ll know their clients by name and be able to offer them the products they need to keep things running smoothly during the most challenging of times.
Logistics
The food industry, from bakery goods to guacamole, requires complex logistics to keep things running smoothly. Especially in a climate like ours, when salt is needed for businesses and snow removal services to operate.
An excellent wholesale salt vendor will know their inventory, be able to communicate with customers about availability and delivery dates and be able to make adjustments when needed. They will also be able to provide their delivery options for a fee.
Having your supply of quality, chef-trusted, flakey sea salt – such as the famous Maldon sea salt flakes – is a great way to keep your facility and operations ready for anything that comes your way!