Top 5 Payment Mistakes Distilleries Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Running a distillery isn’t just about crafting exceptional spirits—it’s also about managing a smooth, compliant, and cost-effective customer experience. Yet, many distilleries lose money or time simply because of avoidable payment-related mistakes.
Whether you're selling bottles at your tasting room, hosting events, or managing a retail presence, optimizing your payment setup can make a major difference. Below are five common mistakes distilleries make when it comes to payments—and how you can sidestep them.
1. Relying on Outdated or Bloated POS Systems
Many distilleries use generic point-of-sale platforms that aren’t built with alcohol sales in mind. These systems often come with unnecessary features, confusing interfaces, and limited compliance tools.
The Fix:
Choose a POS system designed for your business. Look for simplicity, speed, and support for age verification, tipping, inventory, and dual pricing. Bonus if setup and support are handled for you.
2. Overpaying in Processing Fees Without Realizing It
Alcohol sales often include high-ticket transactions and tipping—two areas where fees can stack up fast. If you're using a flat-rate processor without reviewing your statements, chances are you're leaving money on the table.
The Fix:
Request a no-obligation savings estimate. Even small percentage differences can add up to thousands over the year. Consider dual pricing to legally offset credit card fees.
3. Not Verifying Age Properly at Checkout
In-person or not, compliance is critical. Manual ID checks without tracking can expose your business to fines or legal risk.
The Fix:
Integrate age verification into your POS workflow. It protects your business and makes compliance faster and more consistent—especially for staff during busy events or peak hours.
4. Missing Out on On-Site Sales During Events or Tours
Tasting room events, festivals, and private tours are great revenue drivers—but many distilleries lose sales due to long lines, cash-only setups, or broken card readers.
The Fix:
Use a mobile POS that can handle payments anywhere—inside your tasting room, at outdoor events, or even table-side. A reliable, portable setup means fewer missed opportunities and happier customers.
5. Lack of Local, Responsive Support When Things Go Wrong
Your POS system is the backbone of your tasting room experience. When it goes down, you can’t afford to wait hours (or days) for support from an overseas team or ticketing system.
The Fix:
Work with a provider that offers real, local support. Whether it’s a busy weekend or a technical hiccup before a big tour group arrives, you need help fast—preferably from someone who understands your business.
Final Thoughts:
Your distillery deserves more than a basic payment solution. By avoiding these five mistakes, you’ll run a smoother operation, improve customer experience, and protect your bottom line.
CTA:
Want to see how your current system stacks up?
👉Schedule a free savings estimate or POS review with OlaPay today.
