KBS sightings in CT!!!

No one is arguing the bottle limits, just their pricing method for this instance. Ancona's also isn't a small store. It's not large, but it's one of the better known for it's area for craft beer, and i'm sure it pumps out a fair anount of regular Founders product.

 

Essentially using the rarity as an excuse for gouging and departing from standard or slightly higher margins. "I've got it, and I will charge right up to what the market will bear". Screw you customer. Good thing Mitch wasn't selling gas or generators during the storms. Off the list. I won't support him on regular purchases if he doesn't support fair pricing on rare stuff.

 

take this into account when you think of other things in life that are "rare" or collectors editions. Cars, cards, autographed memorabilia, any collectible item really. People are willing to pay more therefore stores are more than willing to charge more. If you were on the list to purchase the new mclaren and they only made 100 of them you're damn straight that they are gonna charge a pretty penny for them no? Why is it any different when it comes to beer? Not saying price gouging is right but saying that KBS should be priced at the same margin as other beers is a little outrageous if you ask me.

Besides, the stores that did actually get some KBS have to sell a shitload of founders products so the store is putting in work up front to try and sell more of those products to even get a chance to receive some KBS. We carry everything that we can get from founders and sell it like hot cakes and we still only got 3 4pks. Its nuts.

~Z

 

I'm sort of conflicted. On one hand, beer stores are capitalist in nature and if they can get away with selling KBS bottles for $9, more power to them. It's their store and people are buying it, so they can do whatever they want.

On the other hand, it definitely shows a fair amount of disrespect for their customers. Back when the Loading Dock was selling $25 packs of Heady Topper / $10 per can, I was pretty insulted by such pricing, so I haven't gone back there since.

I guess the bottom line is you need to vote with your wallet and that's really all you can do.

 

Why is it "outrageous" that KBS should be handled just as any other beer is? Pricing it otherwise (i.e. beyond your typical mark-up) just smacks of opportunism and only perpetuates the practice in the end. It's really not that special of a beer. This just happens to be the first time that it's been available in CT which clearly resulted in a large portion of the local beer community clamoring for it, thus creating a demand that most shops have not seen before. To take advantage of this interest where it has otherwise not existed seems particularly questionable (especially in a store where this type of precedence has not yet been set). It's a slippery slope to even more dubious practices (see Loading Dock).

Also, comparing it to collectible non-consumables such as cars/cards/memorabilia is a little misguided.

Care to share which store it is that you work at?

 

While maybe not the same margin, it shouldn't be so out of whack to offend people, or THAT much off in general.

Then again, you can charge what you want. It'll probably still sell, but at what cost in the long run...

What county are you in? Sounds like your county got the short end of the stick.

 

I guarantee that if you are an avid beer drinker that you have paid much more than standard mark up for a beer before. Without even knowing it.

Also, I am not allowed to share the store I work at per the BA's request. They consider it soliciting. Sorry.

~Z

 

New haven county. Smallest ditributor and smallest allocation of product as usual ha. It sucks.

~Z

 

1) It appears that you've sidestepped my point entirely.

2) I pride myself in putting in the proper research so that I'm appropriately armed with enough knowledge to not allow myself to be taken advantage of in such a manner. Much like Ancona's, I can/will also call a variety of stores to inquire about their pricing. Once I've done so, I can then make an informed choice about where to make my purchases. So no, you can't guarantee that at all. Choosing to accept a significant up-charge on a consumable such as beer is far from being taken advantage of....trust me, I've been to Spuyten Duyvil enough times to know the difference.

3) You're allowed to say where you work. Advertising is one thing, but disclosure is another. Fortunately, I don't do that much beer shopping in New Haven County....so I think I'm safe.

 

Respectfully disagree with you on the analogy. The margins on items like you mention are abnormally high because those sales support that particular style of business which is high margin and ultra low volume. The prices need to support the business far longer than someone selling commodities like Bud Light along side a price gouged KBS. I never said it didn't warrant higher margins, just not out of this world margins. I hope Mitch enjoys the extra C note in light of people that he turned off.

 

Not sure why you are arguing as we are both making the same point. I am not in favor of the higher mark up that people are putting on their bottle of KBS but I also don't think that a slightly higher margin than normal is out of line.

In response to your "think I'm safe comment" I would like to reiterate this point AGAIN that I do not participate in price gouging at my store. Never have, never will.

Also, since you seem to be a price hunter without regard for shop loyalty and/or service in general it does not matter what the name of my store is. To each their own. Also, your method of calling all the bottle shops in the area does not mean that you have not been overcharged for a limited release beer. It simply means that you found the cheapest in your area which is the smartest thing you can do in that situation.

 

As I read it, I believe he meant it is special, but not over the top like many beers that are out there, hence the italics on "that".

 

I completely agree with the point of a reasonable margin. That's what I have been saying the whole time. Also, not sure who "mitch" is but I don't know what you're talking about here. Feel free to clarify.

~Z

 

Mitch Ancona, owner of Ancona's Wines and Spirits. He made an extar $100 for selling KBS for $10 a bottle (the thing we've been talking about for the last page).

 

the artist formerly known as total wines in Milford. 10.99 per bottle, 1 bottle limit. they just lost ALL of my business for the future. unbelievable

 

There ya go! And Mitch tooooooooootaly redeemed himself!!!!

 

Not sure if sweeping generalizations are just your thing or what, but I would absolutely consider the conscious over-inflation of prices to be a disservice in and of itself. So I actually do have quite a bit of regard for such.

However, with respect to loyalty, due the varying nature of stock on a store-by-store basis, it's difficult to purchase everything in just one place. Regardless of whichever store you happen to work at, I can guarantee that you do not stock all products that are available in our market. Is it disloyal of your "regulars" to go down the street to another retail location to buy something that you never stocked to begin with or is simply priced competitively? Choosing the lowest price has absolutely nothing to do with loyalty or service and my local stores will not hold it against me if I do so.