Why Isn’t LibDib Free Anymore?
When LibDib launched, one of our founding principles was simple: make distribution accessible to every Maker. For years, we offered a free option that allowed brands to establish distribution, post products and access LibDib markets without a monthly fee.
As LibDib has grown, so has what it takes to support every active Maker and offering on the platform.
You're Not Just Paying to Post a Product
LibDib isn't simply an online marketplace or product directory. We are your licensed distributor.
When your products are active with LibDib, we're maintaining the infrastructure that allows licensed restaurants, bars and retailers to legally purchase those products through the three-tier system.
That includes:
- Maintaining wholesale licenses and operations across multiple markets
- Coordinating compliant logistics and fulfillment at discounted rates
- Reviewing and maintaining Maker, product and offering compliance
- Managing pricing and state-specific requirements
- Verifying Buyer licenses and credit status
- Processing orders, invoicing and collections
- Taking on Buyer credit risk
- Reporting and paying applicable state excise taxes
- Maintaining sales, depletion and customer reporting
- Providing the technology Buyers and Makers use to transact
Much of this work happens whether a Maker sells 100 cases in a month, one case—or none.
Why the Change?
Our original free model was built around the idea that LibDib would earn its revenue when products sold. As we've expanded into more markets and supported more Makers, we've learned that there is a meaningful ongoing cost to maintaining distribution access for every active brand.
We want LibDib to remain a sustainable distribution option for emerging and established brands alike—and continue providing access without the sales minimums, volume requirements and other barriers often associated with traditional distribution.
That's why active distribution through LibDib now requires a membership.
Creating a More Active Storefront
There's another important reason for this change: we want LibDib to be a more active, useful place for Buyers to discover brands.
Over the years, the free model made it easy for Makers to sign up, post products and then never actively work the market—the classic “post and pray” approach. That can leave Buyers browsing products from Makers who may no longer be actively selling, supporting accounts or investing in the market.
Requiring an active membership helps us build a healthier storefront filled with Makers who are actively working to grow their business. That means more engaged brands, more current offerings and a better experience for Buyers looking for products they can actually purchase and build a relationship with.
What Does a Membership Give Me?
Our LibDib Access membership is designed for Makers who primarily need one thing: a licensed, compliant path to market.
With one membership, Makers can access LibDib's operational markets through a single distribution relationship, while maintaining control of their brand and customer relationships.
For Makers who want lower distribution markups, additional support or more complex programs such as chain business, Silver and Gold memberships provide additional services.
Why Not Just Increase the Distribution Markup?
We considered that.
But increasing the markup for everyone would disproportionately impact Makers who are actively selling. A membership model allows us to keep distribution markups competitive while sharing the cost of maintaining market access across the brands using the network.
It also better aligns our pricing with the services we provide: distribution access has value even before the first order is placed.
Our Mission Hasn't Changed
LibDib was created because too many great brands couldn't get distribution—or couldn't get the attention of a traditional distributor unless they already had significant volume.
That hasn't changed.
We still believe Makers should be able to enter markets, build their own customer relationships and grow at their own pace. We're simply evolving our model so we can continue providing that access for the long term.
LibDib isn't charging you to put a bottle on a website. We're providing the licensed distribution infrastructure that makes it possible for that bottle to be legally sold to Buyers across our markets.
That's what your membership supports.