New Vendor Submission and Selection Process

We are very proud of our portfolio of wine, spirits and non-alcoholic products and we honor the sales commitments we have made to our existing Vendors. We have implemented a process for effectively evaluating new brands and ensuring that we can attain the results that meet our mutual expectations:

1. If you'd like to discuss our philosophy and your portfolio, contact Quality's President/CEO, Joe Best, at 404 367 9463, Ext. 115.

2. Any samples and pricing you would like to submit for consideration should be shipped to Quality Wine and Spirits, 2279 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, Attention: Joe Best

3. Our wine and spirits experts conduct tastings for all new vendors' products twice each month. Should your brand be selected for representation, our sales, accounting and purchasing departments will send you the necessary information you need to begin doing business in the State of Georgia.

4. All line extensions must be pre-approved by one of our sales managers. All can be reached by calling the corporate offices at 404 367 9463.

Sales Managers:

Rick Howe
Director, Vendor Relations
rhowe@qwine.com
404 367 9463, Ext. 124

Ted Bergquist
Director, Off-Premise Sales
ted@qwine.com
404 367 9463, Ext. 148

Tony Ridings
Director, On-Premise Sales
tridings@qwine.com
404 367 9463, Ext. 125

 

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Special Orders and Pre-sales

We understand that there are allocated products that need to be offered on a Pre-sale basis and products that Vendors need to sell that are non-stock items.

In order to meet your expectations and comply with the label registration requirements of the State of Georgia, all Special Orders/Pre-sales are to be submitted to Paul Stack, Director of Purchasing, 404 367 9463, ext 119.

In order to properly execute Pre-sales, it is imperative that Paul be notified at least six weeks prior to the time the Pre-sales are to be finalized.

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Georgia Brand and Label Registration

In order to do business in the State of Georgia, you must acquire license as a foreign importer and register all brands to be sold in Georgia.

Please note that Georgia is a three-tiered alcohol distribution state, therefore, Quality Wine & Spirits cannot be involved in the registration of an importer or its brands.

For information contact:

Georgia Department of Revenue
Alcohol & Tobacco Tax Division
Ronald Johnson, Director
Dennis Rich, Chief of Operations and Audits
PO Box 49728
Atlanta, GA 30359
Telephone: (404) 471-4900
http://www.etax.dor.ga.gov/alcohol/index.aspx

You must also register as a foreign corporation:

Georgia Secretary of State’s Office
Corporations Division
2 MLK Jr. Dr. SE
Suite 315, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
Telephone: (404) 658-2817
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/default1024.asp

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Purchasing

For questions and information regarding purchasing, contact:

Paul Stack
Director of Purchasing
pstack@qwine.com
404 367 9463, Ext. 119

Programming Brands

We are interested in promoting key brands throughout the year and during the holiday selling season. To learn more about how your specific brands can be programmed and what programs work for On and Off Premise promotions, contact:

Ted Bergquist
Director, Off-Premise Sales
ted@qwine.com
404 367 9463, Ext. 148

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Contacting Our Customers

It is against Georgia law for a vendor to contact or visit a customer without a Quality Wine and Spirits sales representative being involved in the meeting or the call.

Customer Sales Information

We believe that Customer Sales Information is confidential and should be treated as such. Therefore, our policy is to limit the information concerning our customers to depletion information on your specific brands.

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Vendor Visits

We actively solicit vendor visits to work the market Tuesdays through Thursdays with presentations to our sales staff on Friday mornings.

In order to ensure we can properly facilitate vendor visits and that your sales expectations are met, please contact Rick Howe, Director of Vendor Relations, Ext. 124, or rhowe@qwine.com, to arrange your market visit.

When your visit is scheduled, you will be sent a Vendor Visit Form, which must be completed prior to your visit to the market. Please remember that we service the entire State of Georgia and that you should consider scheduling enough time in the marketplace to also visit Athens, Augusta and Savannah.

Expenses Related to Vendor Visits:

1. Meals requested by vendors will either be paid by the vendor or billed back at 100%
2. Samples utilized during vendor visits will be billed back at 100%
3. Customized tasting books prepared in accordance with vendor visits will be billed back at $25. per page

Any exceptions to these policies must be approved in advance, in writing by the President/CEO of Quality, Joe Best, Ext. 115.

In order to ensure we can provide adequate market coverage and have your wines available to sell, all vendor visits must be scheduled 8 to 10 weeks in advance with Rick Howe, Ext. 124.

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Accounts Payable/Receivable

If you have any questions regarding accounts payable/receivable issues, please contact:

Mashawn Barner
Accounting Supervisor
404 367 9463, Ext. 105
mashawn@qwine.com

Payment Terms

Our payment policy for all domestic purchases is net 30 from the date of receipt, unless additional payment terms are negotiated with our Vendors. Checks are produced on the 10th and 25th of every month.

Our payment policy for all Direct Import purchases is net 90 from the date of receipt, unless additional payment terms are negotiated with our Vendors. Checks are produced on the 10th and the 25th of every month.

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Depletion Analysis and Custom Report Requests

Quality Wine and Spirits, Inc. wants to ensure that our Vendors are getting the information they need to properly manage their business. We currently provide depletion information on a monthly basis. For information contact:

Brittany Best Vanderyt
Vendor Relations Manager
404 367 9463, Ext. 106
brittany@qwine.com

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Vendor Charge Backs

In order to simplify the bill back process and eliminate additional accounting work, we are asking all of our Vendors to post a percentage discount for samples to be used in the market to secure new placements. Based upon historical data, we ask for the following:

1. New Items/Brands – a one time deduction of 4% to introduce the item/brand
2. Existing Items/Brands – 2% on all invoices

We will, of course, match your investment to secure new placements. This discount covers samples for Quality's sales representatives. The discount does NOT cover the following:

1. Special tastings authorized by you
2. Trade Shows
3. Vendor/Broker ride-withs
4. Donations to charity events approved by the Vendor/Broker
5. Non-saleable products

Items 1-4 above will require advance vendor approval. Non-saleable products will be billed back as incurred. Should we recognize specific problems with a vintage and/or shipment of wine, a management representative from Quality will contact the Vendor directly as issues are encountered. Should you have any questions or concerns, contact Joe Best at 404-367-9463, Ext. 115, or one of our sales managers directly.

Companies not supporting this process will be billed back for samples used at laid-in bottle cost for all samples used in the market place.

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State and Local Tax Information

State Wine Tax

• $.40 per liter wines 14% alcohol or less produced outside of the State of Georgia
• $.67 per liter wines over 14% alcohol produced outside of the State of Georgia

State Liquor Tax

• $1.00 per liter “distilled spirits” (under 80 proof) produced outside of the State of Georgia
• $1.40 per liter “alcohol” (80 proof or more) produced outside of the State of Georgia.

Local Wine & Liquor Tax

• $.22 per liter