Common Questions About Ordering from Fillmore Container — An Admin Buyer's Perspective

I manage all the packaging and container ordering for a mid-sized cosmetics manufacturer. Roughly $40k annually across 8 vendors. When I took over purchasing in 2020, Fillmore Container was one of the first places I tried. Here are the questions I get from colleagues who are new to ordering bulk containers — answered honestly, from someone who's made the mistakes so you don't have to.

1. Is Fillmore Container's bulk pricing actually competitive?

Honestly? It depends on what you're comparing it to. For standard glass jars and bottles — especially in the 4oz to 32oz range — their per-unit pricing is pretty solid, especially once you factor in the discount codes. But I learned the hard way that the lowest per-unit price isn't the whole story.

I once compared a quote from Fillmore Container to a smaller specialized vendor for a custom amber bottle run. The per-unit price was lower at Fillmore. But the smaller vendor included palletizing and shrink-wrapping in their price. Fillmore charged extra for that. By the time I added everything up, the difference was about 4%.

Verdict: Fillmore is great for standard, off-the-shelf containers in moderate bulk (500-2000 units). For very large runs or heavily customized packaging, it's worth cross-shopping. ~from my experience

2. Where do I find a working Fillmore Container coupon code?

This is probably the most common question I get. The short answer: check their website's promotions page, and sign up for their email list. Codes change frequently — I've seen everything from 5% off your first order to seasonal 10% discounts.

A few things I've learned about their coupon codes:

• They almost always have a minimum order value. Usually $50-$100.
• Some are product-specific. I once had a code that only worked on glassware, not on lids or closures.
• They don't always stack with other promotions. So don't assume you can use a 10% off code AND free shipping.

Take this with a grain of salt, but I've found the best discounts around holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Labor Day, that sort of thing. No guarantee, but it's been true in my experience.

3. What's the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for bulk pricing?

That's the thing — Fillmore Container doesn't have a single, firm MOQ. It varies by product. I've ordered as few as 48 mason jars and still got what I'd consider a decent bulk rate. But for some specialty items, like specific colored glass cosmetic jars, the MOQ might be 500 units.

From my experience: if you're ordering less than 100 units of most standard items, you're basically paying retail. The real pricing kicks in at around 250-500 units per SKU. For custom orders (if they do them — more on that below), the MOQ is typically higher.

4. Does Fillmore Container offer custom labeling or custom packaging?

This is a point of confusion for a lot of people. Fillmore Container is primarily a distributor of stock containers. They're not a custom packaging manufacturer. So if you need a custom mold, custom glass tint, or custom embossing on the jar itself? That's not their thing.

However...

They do offer some adjacent services. I've ordered custom envelope stickers from them (the keyword data suggested this was a possibility, and I've personally used this service for labeling sample jars). They also sold me generic blank labels that I printed myself. But full-on custom printed jars with your logo? You'll need a specialized packaging manufacturer for that.

Bear in mind: If you need custom labeled or printed containers, your supply chain will involve at least two vendors: one for the container (like Fillmore Container) and one for the printing/labeling. That's normal for this industry.

5. How is shipping handled for bulk container orders?

Shipping is where a lot of the hidden costs live. Here's the reality:

• Shipping is not free for most orders. Unless there's a specific promotion, you're paying freight. For a pallet of glass jars, shipping can easily be $50-$150 depending on your location and the order weight.
• Delivery times are estimated, not guaranteed. I once had a shipment arrive two days late because of a trucking delay. That cost me in terms of production schedule.
• Damaged goods happen. Glass breaks in transit. I've had boxes arrive with broken jars. Fillmore Container's customer service was reasonable about it (they issued credits), but it's a hassle you should plan for.

My advice: always factor in shipping costs when comparing prices. A vendor with slightly higher per-unit pricing but free shipping might end up being cheaper overall for smaller orders.

6. Who shouldn't buy from Fillmore Container?

I'm a big believer in honest recommendations. So here's where I'd say Fillmore Container isn't the best fit:

1. If you need extremely specialized containers with unique dimensions, materials, or custom molds, you'd be better off with a manufacturer that specializes in custom glass or plastic packaging.
2. If you're ordering very small quantities (like 12 jars for a home hobby). Their pricing isn't designed for that. You'd likely get a better deal on Amazon or at a craft store.
3. If you need next-day delivery. I don't think Fillmore Container offers standard rush shipping. Their lead times are reasonable (usually 5-7 business days for stock items), but they're not an emergency supplier.
4. If you're a startup with no budget flexibility. While their prices are decent, they're not the absolute cheapest option. For someone bootstrapping, a cheaper online marketplace might make more sense — even if the quality isn't as good.

7. Any tips for managing the ordering process?

Managing 60-80 orders annually across 8 vendors has taught me a few things. Specific to Fillmore Container:

• Create an account before your first order. It saves your shipping info and order history, which makes reordering much faster.
• Keep a record of your coupon codes. I have a spreadsheet. Sounds boring, but it saved me from missing a discount more than once.
• Check if your items are in stock. Some products go out of stock frequently. If you find a container you like, it's worth buying a reasonable quantity ahead of time.
• If you're a new customer, start with a small test order. I ordered 50 jars of two different styles on my first order. I'm glad I did — I realized one style didn't fit my lids correctly.

I hope this helps you navigate your first — or next — order from Fillmore Container. Like I said at the beginning, I've made the mistakes so maybe you don't have to. Feel free to treat this as a starting point, not gospel. And always, always double-check the specs before you approve the order.