Rare beers at Bottles and Cans on Lincoln

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by beernightscout, Jan 24, 2013.

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  1. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    It's a nice new store; very good, beer-focused liquor store, moderate prices, and super nice owners -- which is somewhat rare in the business.

    The owners flatly refuse to hold a rare beer for you when it comes in. First-come, first-served is the only policy. My problem with this is, I have a job. I can't chase rare beers around Chicago, going to each store within 20 minutes of when it's on the shelf. I depend on shop owners and employees who know I'm a "regular", and will put aside for me ONE bottle, ONE four-pack -- never a case, I'm not greedy -- when something hard to get rolls in. Again, the owners of Bottles and Cans won't do that. They will post on social media, and if you can make it in, you win.

    I would buy most of my beer here and spend more money than I would spend at Mariano's or Jewel, to support them -- if they would look out for me. But they won't.

    So, my question: Is there any reason to bother with this store, when others at the same price point will look out for me with the rare releases because they know my name?
     
  2. mpwdoyle

    mpwdoyle Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2011 Illinois

    To be fair to the owners, it's less stress and work for them. I really like Bottles and Cans, and I support them with the first come, first served decision. It's really hard to please everyone.
     
    thousandfoldthought likes this.
  3. mdomask

    mdomask Initiate (0) May 27, 2012 Illinois

    So, wait. You're complaining that a store won't play favorites when it comes to limited releases?

    We are officially through the looking glass.
     
  4. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    I'm happy they have less stress, but they would make money from me if they helped me get the good stuff. They are about to make none from me ever again.
     
  5. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    Playing favorites or taking care of the people who take care of you? I can spend $3 less a sixer at the grocery store, or spend more at the small guy store and get a share of what I want. What's fair?

    I suppose I should note...I drink a lot. $2-3 per six pack adds up quick.
     
  6. mpwdoyle

    mpwdoyle Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2011 Illinois

    Everyone is in the same boat as you. Eliminating them from any of your purchases is not going to help you acquire whalez. It also makes you look like a jagoff.
     
  7. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    Again, what difference does it make if I don't buy beer here? I don't get anything in return for spending more money than I have to. Is that being a jagoff? What am I missing?
     
  8. cadaugherty

    cadaugherty Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2010 Illinois

    I had made a resolution to not be a dick on these forums and you are now making me break it.

    "WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! Life isn't perfect!!! A shop has made a clear policy and actually follows it but it doesn't favor me!!!! WAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"

    Are you fucking kidding me? When people come on and bitch about getting lied to by stores; I get that. When people complain about limited releases selling out crazy fast and people chasing trucks to hoard; I get that. But when a store has a clearly stated policy and they actually honestly follow it and then people whine; I find myself at a loss. There are plenty of stores that "take care of regulars" and plenty who practice FCFS. This thread is what people are talking about when they use the word entitlement. Grow up.
     
    TMoney2591, Vav, readbaron and 17 others like this.
  9. crossovert

    crossovert Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2009 Illinois

    so you can get the rare releases at other stores. If you are only asking for 1 and you aren't greedy then why do you want more from this other store?
     
    mdomask likes this.
  10. mdomask

    mdomask Initiate (0) May 27, 2012 Illinois

    So go spend your money at the grocery store then. I know that quid pro quo is integrated into Chicago history, but don't be ridiculous.

    People bitch on here all the time about secret releases for friends and "good customers" or whatever.

    You know, I can see a rewards program thing where good customers get rewarded with a shot at in-demand bottles. Something that's well publicized, with clear levels and dollar amounts and whatnot. Just something to eliminate the whole entitled attitude and make the whole process nice and open.

    But complaining about a shop not secretly holding bottles? Let me call the whaaaaaaambulence.
     
    ChicagoBeersFan and cadaugherty like this.
  11. jbck109

    jbck109 Initiate (0) May 30, 2010 Michigan

    I dont think that it is fair either way, whether they save the beer for you or they put it out first come-first serve, someone gets shut out. I think the most fair way would be to sporadically put out limited bottles. For example, if a store gets only a case of bombers, they put out 3 at a time for four days at different times with a one bottle limit. This gives more people a crack at it and makes it harder for people to use mules and hoard. This being said, it is still nice when a store looks out for you, but unfortunately, they can't "help" everyone.
     
  12. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    I would switch stores...this place is more convenient for me to get to, and I REALLY like them.
     
  13. 0zzzie19

    0zzzie19 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2008 Illinois

    There are tons of decent little stores that get whales. Find one that treats big customers preferentially and spend a lot of money there. Problem solved. There's nothing wrong with that policy just as there's nothing wrong with fcfs.
     
  14. 0zzzie19

    0zzzie19 Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2008 Illinois

    I'm guessing the feeling isn't mutual.
     
  15. crossovert

    crossovert Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2009 Illinois

    then shop there...
     
    jdhende likes this.
  16. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    I guess I'm just not their customer. They want to be hip, edgy, egalitarian, whatever, that's their choice. I can't get the beer I want from their business model. If all business is built on relationship, and small business even more so...well, I just don't get this place, but I don't have to, do I? I guess I'll be thankful for the good business relationships I have, and the rest of Lincoln Square and North Center that doesn't have to leave home to go to work can duke it out at Bottles and Cans. I don't have that kind of flexibility to run over there whenever the delivery truck pulls out. Too bad, they're so nice, and I spend $2000/year on beer. I would have given them most of my business, and sent all my friends.
     
  17. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    No, I think we get along fine. It's just their policy.
     
  18. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    I would switch in a heartbeat, but for the fact I would miss all the hard to get releases, and the loss of my business at the other store or two would make me lose out there as well. I switch to shopping at Bottles and Cans, I just seem to lose money and opportunity.
     
  19. beernightscout

    beernightscout Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2005 Illinois

    Well, that's what I've been doing, but these people are so cool they deserve the extra stress (for me) working this out. Now, I would miss ALL the Spiteful special releases if I had to depend on Bottles and Cans. Is that good for Spiteful? Or does it matter to Spiteful at all, as long as the beer is sold? From where I stand, I can't support the new local brewery if I can't get the beer.
     
  20. jebsinger

    jebsinger Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2012 Minnesota

    all i see here is one guy bitching that he cant get exactly what he wants on his own scheduled. so be it. chase the beer like the rest of us. Bottles and Cans is a new store they cant just bend over backwards for anyone who wants. much as you may show up there work on the relationship and you may be surprised sometime down the line.
     
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