Calling bottle shops to ask for whales

I guess I'm not being clear.

The store unexpectedly received a case of KBS in October. Over the course of the day they've given 23 regulars the chance to buy it as they've come into the store. Both of these regulars arrive at the same time, there's one bottle left, and neither has any clue to even ask for KBS as they wouldn't expect to see any in October. The only possible way for them to purchase the KBS is for the store manager/owner/employee to offer it to them. Which one should be offered the KBS? Which one is "more" regular?

 

I think it depends on Who they like. Some folks are easy to like and some are not. Human nature.

 

Unless the rules of supply and demand state that a retailer shall not supply a product when I have a demand for it, I don't think I'm the one that needs a refresher on that particular concept.

 

Shop owner goes to the back and enjoys him/herself a nice KBS...

Ha, yeah there is no winning in that situation.

 

The one that is the least amount of an asshole.

 

Neither. The owner/manager/employee is sexist and will sell it to an attractive woman

 

I understand that point and honestly agree, but saying a random pair of pants at target is the same as limited beer these days isn't on par. I personally agree with first come first serve, but am merely saying it puts shops in a losing situation with some of their customers.

 

My only call ever was also for Gandhi-Bot, the shop was very nice about it and I did pick up few other things while I was there.

 

I'd like to discuss the idea of regulars real quick. If you go into a store and buy one six pack a week, you can be a regular. We remember faces. You do not need to be a big spender to be a regular. Coming in and treating the staff like fellow human beings is what makes you a regular, and that's because most people don't treat the staff like equals. Most people treat the staff like a piece of dirt, and we then don't care how much you spend on however high of quality of liquor. We would be nice enough to you to keep you coming back in and that's it. The word regular in this respect is more than just the dictionary definition, friendliness is also a part of what we're talking about. Just be nice, and in time there will be a conversation that ensues. We have the same interest in craft beer and other various alcoholic beverages as you do, so a conversation is soon to follow. That's how I ended up getting in the back room to pick out whatever whales I wanted at both liquor stores I've worked at, as well as the job at both.

 

Easy. Who has more Beer Karma on BA? That person gets it.

 

Bravo. As a customer, it's amazing how often being genuinely nice to someone without expecting something in return for it works out in your favor in the long run.

 

Trust me, with all the folks on this site who know how to run bottle shops better than the employees and owners, some folks would have a problem with that too.

 

Exactly! Manners are more important than our society deems them to be.

 

So you can be there all the time and remember every one that is a regular by that definition? Could not some regulars not be known? unless your really small place. serious question.

 

Having manners should hold much more weight than it does unfortunately in today's society money talks for the most part.

 

While having manners and generally being a nice person are important, it doesn't exactly make anyone a regular. You aren't a regular just because you refrain from being a complete dick. In fact, if you aren't in some way memorable, how would the myriad different employees working in the store when you happen to shop remember you enough to do you a favor?

 

Yeah, it's tough, and I agree with you. One of the places in Chicago was hoarding their BCBS for "neighbors and friends," and while I get it, and I'm not against it, it makes it tough on the people who don't always shop there. One of the reasons I'm a big fan of the Beer Temple (even though I don't get to go there as much as I'd like), is that the owner, Chris, does his best to create a fair buying environment for everyone. On Black Friday weekend, he divided his cases of BCBS in 3, so that he could offer beer all 3 days to customers who may not make it in for the initial sale. I thought it was a really cool gesture, and made me like Chris and the Beer Temple even more.

I get the idea of holding back your stock for your "regulars," but at a certain point, you're making a conscious effort to NOT sell beer to people you don't "know" or "like," which is definitely something that won't make you a lot of friends (outside of the ones you're giving the Bourbon County to!).

 

If you go into a liquor store and you don't recognize anyone that is working, then you are not a regular.

 

I've worked service jobs. Believe me when I tell you that the general public is an asshole. Not a bunch of assholes, mind you. They are all part of one giant, rude, entitled asshole. This is well known to anyone that has worked with the public and some BAs are probably worse in that they're more zealous in their pursuit of whales.

That said, if I call a store that has product, I ask politely and am turned down because someone else wants the product eventually, I get confused. Do you not want to stay in business? Unless you've got cash in hand for every bottle in that case of whale, there's no reason not to sell me one. I don't even get angry over bottle limits. Spread the wealth a little bit. There's no reason to tell someone they can't buy 1 so you can give your regulars 2. If you have THAT many regulars that each is only getting 1 of your limited case, then you're not a store, you're a beer club and should advertise yourself as such.

A little honesty is all I ask. If you're a beer club and not a bottle shop, just say so. I won't bother you with phone calls because I know you don't want my business. The price tag says (hypothetically) $13.99. If you want it to cost more, be honest. Have the cojones to mark it up to "$13.99 + at least 1 purchase of $10 or more for at least 35 weeks out of the year". If that's the price tag, I won't even look at your special beers and you won't have to worry about what I buy or don't buy from your store. What irks me is the business owner attitude of "Hey! Come on in to my store and spend your money (just not on the stuff you actually want to buy)!" In that situation, either the business owner is a complete dumbass, or he thinks I'M a complete dumbass. In either case, I have no desire to do business with such a person.

 

oh really? I know the faces of every manager that works during the day at TW, but I bet they do not know me. or any other regular.
I think the place would have to be small for that to be true. IMHO.

also I think the folks in my local ABC are so stoned they do not care and I have a ABC card ,lol.

i think only mom and pop stores would care....