VIP membership & other deplorable practices...

I brough him a rare bottle 'gift' in lieu of the fee...
That's why I get first grab before you peasant VIP'ers get the email

 

Funny you should say this as I'd rather a bottle shop be straight up about a VIP program then do the hush hush wink wink system many do with their regulars. What you describe does indeed happen.

 

I expect to be able to walk into a store and buy anything that they're selling. That's hardly entitlement, it's how they teach the concept of consumerism to 6-year olds.

I have no interest in brewery memberships either. As someone that doesn't chase limited releases around like a crackhead I'm just not getting this.

 

I see. So you don't believe that any business should be membership based. Interesting.

 

FTFY

It is a "reward for your best customers" system. I can think of about twenty industries off the top of my head that have incentives and rewards for customers. Perhaps these things aren't legal in Alabama?

I get free coffee, free cigars, discount insurance, discount homebrew supplies, preferential treatment at local events, etc., all by this same thing. Tell me, are you against these also? And why?

 

Um, go to the stores you want to go to...? Or sign up, or whatever. Life is cool.

 

Yeah but c'mon. OP's BOL was told he'll have to shell out $35 to sit down and have a draft? That's the deplorable part.

 

Do you have any idea how many bars have Mug Clubs across America? Why single this place out?

 

I work in a shop. In VA too!

It's a WF though so less shady. We don't put everything out but if someone asks and it's back there we'll always bring 1 or 2 out. Unstated bottle limit. There's a few customers I'll shoot a text to if we're allocated something they'd want.

 

My problem with this bottle shop is that they deny access to merchandise to people that won't pay the extra $35 for a membership. Barnes and Noble has a membership program, they don't hoard the new releases for the members.

 

What you call a problem is the best part about it. The people who are willing to pay probably know more and care more about beer. I would be pissed if I missed out on Devil Dancer because it was just put on the shelves with Busch. Some Busch drinking asshole might decide to give it a try and then drain pour it. This puts the good beer in the hands of people who really want it.


PS. No offense if you like Busch

 

The store owner can run the store any way he pleases, just as you are free to take your business anywhere you please. Let him know that's why you're no longer spending money at his place and then move on.

 

Sure it does. The price goes up for the VIP or there is a SUPER VIP level.

 

Consider yourself lucky that you have a bottle shop that even gets those kind of releases in at all. I'm lucky if I can find a 4-pack of regular BCBS for $25, and maybe if I'm really lucky I can fight all the other local beer lovers for a chance at some of the one case of KBS my local beer store might get in.

 

Stinks of elitism to me. I prefer the bottle shops that openly advertise a lottery system for limited release. I'm not a big fan of hiding rare beers in the back room for employees and their friends to horde. Putting rares on a shelf and letting the cards fall where they may is only slightly better, but more fair. At least with a lottery people have enough time to find out about a rare release, put time aside to get a chance to buy it, and everyone has a fair shot.

 

When I think about it, $35 may just cover the costs of the extra bookeeping time, issuing identification cards, etc. with a little profit, so I don't have a major problem. It's just like everything else, if you want something bad enough, you'll pay for it. It's not like it's the only store around and you are forced to pay a premium; it's the customer's choice in that store.

 

We don't charge to be a VIP. I've kept limited cases like Founders Backstage Series, Stone Anny's, Logsdon's, off the shelf. When someone I don't know comes to the counter with a nice haul, I make it nicer. That way some BMC'er won't waste it and some beer geek won't just come in for that one bottle. The VIP is the guy with the nice haul. I've been treated the same way at a couple out of state stores. Any problems?

 

Simple. The $35 becomes $_____. [Dumb idea] Or membership is limited. [better idea].

 

I like the idea of a limited membership. Say X amount of members at any time. A waiting list to get in. You get in when someone else decides to leave, stops paying, dies, etc.