Choosing a chemical distributor is partly about price, but price is only one part of what you are buying. The right distributor helps you get the correct grade, the right documents and a delivery that arrives when you need it. Here are eight questions to ask before you decide.
1. Can you supply the exact grade I need?
Technical, industrial, FCC and USP grades can differ. Ask the distributor to state the grade, concentration and form in the quote so you can compare offers fairly.
2. Will I get the Safety Data Sheet and specification?
You should receive both before you buy, and the SDS should come from the manufacturer unaltered. Our guide on reading an SDS explains what to check.
3. What packaging is available?
Depending on the product, chemicals ship in bags, supersacks, pails, drums, totes, bulk truck or rail. Ask whether a different pack size can be arranged through repackaging.
4. Where and how do you deliver?
Ask about delivery to your location, the freight mode and who arranges it. If you ship abroad, ask whether the distributor handles export paperwork and freight. NTC supplies customers across the United States and internationally.
5. How is pricing set?
Chemical prices move with raw material costs, volume, packaging and freight, so most distributors quote each order. Ask what the quote includes and how long it is valid. At NTC all pricing is by quote.
6. Can you combine my purchases?
If you buy several products, a single supplier can mean fewer orders and fewer invoices. NTC combines orders across clients to buy at better bulk pricing and passes the savings on.
7. Do you offer services beyond delivery?
Look for options you may need later: custom blending, toll manufacturing, private label packaging and supply chain management for scheduled orders.
8. Who will I deal with?
A named contact who answers questions about grades, documents and delivery saves time. Ask how quote requests are handled and how quickly you can expect a reply.
Where NTC fits
NTC is a chemical distributor that supplies more than 700 chemicals in 20 categories to customers across the US and abroad. Read how we work as a nationwide chemical distributor, or see how a distributor differs from a manufacturer in chemical distributor vs. manufacturer.
How to compare quotes fairly
When you have two or three quotes, put them side by side and check that they describe the same thing. Does each state the grade and concentration? Is the packaging the same size and type? Does the price include delivery to your site, or only to a terminal? How long is the quote valid, and are there conditions on the quantity? A lower price that leaves out freight or covers a different grade is not really lower. Ask each distributor to confirm the same list of details in writing, and keep the Safety Data Sheet and specification with the quote. Once you have a supplier you trust, consider moving more of your purchases to them, since one relationship is easier to manage than several.
Request a quote
Tell us the product, grade, quantity, packaging and delivery location through the quote form, email sales@nanotechnologychemicals.com or call 704-659-3682. All pricing is by quote.