BCBS Sightings - Chicago

That's the best one! A classic.

 

Yeah, that was definitely my favorite, too.

The advantage to the signs is that it makes it more obvious what some of the newer/rarer stuff is. The downside is that for whale hunters, it gives them a way to avoid looking at like 99% of what's on the shelves. Most of them don't care that it's bad, and won't feel bad either way.

 

Ah, I don't frequent LP Binny's but the last time I was there Velvet Merkin and Agrestic were behind the counter... I mostly frequent a couple of different suburb Binny's, and it seems like the One Per Customer signs have gotten less and less common, or used on goofy stuff like 3 Floyds six packs (not Zombie Dust). It's like they don't want to expend the energy removing it from the case if they know it will sell out by word of mouth anyways, although of course the trade off is having everyone bug you.

 

I still don't understand why a place like Binny's LP doesn't do what @Vav used to do with the 'Limit 1' on the shelf type of stuff (not behind the counter, as mentioned above) as well as from time to time putting out 'rare'/vintage bottles (to-go, not in the bar) on the shelf as a fun unannounced 'surprise' of sorts.

Yes, there is the possibility for the limits to be abused if cashiers/the system do not recognize the limit, so I suppose that's an issue, but constantly having the already very busy Customer Service desk out front have to deal with every other beer geek coming in and asking about <insert perceived rare beer here> when it can be solved with a sign that says 'IF IT'S NOT ON THE SHELF WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE THE ONE SPECIFIC BEER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OUT OF THE 2,800 AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT' seems a bit inefficient (and annoying to folks working there I am sure).

 

Binny's Buffalo Grove and Downers Grove have/had whiteboards listing stuff behind the counter. I think I remember them also listing sold out stuff (or crossing things out) to cut down on questions, but I could be wrong about that.

 

They do still do the "Limit 1" stuff on shelves. It would appear that they don't do that with everything, though. I can't tell if they put the stuff behind customer service that they expect to sell out instantly, or what.

The vintage stuff would be nice, although didn't they blow through a lot of that stuff after Vav left? I thought they cleared out a lot of their cellar to make room for...something else (can't remember).

 

I have heard of stores that do the "1 per customer" finding bottles stashed up the back of a shelf in the wine section - basically someone has grabbed a bunch and hidden them around the store so they can come back and get more in later visits... I can't imagine this idea hasn't occurred to a lot of the re-sellers / hoarder types. Never underestimate how much a douche will douche

This is probably one of the better reasons they keep stuff out the back or at customer service.

 

If anyone is willing to pay $25 for coffee, 1000 Liquors probably still has it

 

I remember @Vav talking about the cellar program at one point in relation to the pricing used in the 2012 raffle. From what I remember, cellared inventory incurred taxes on a regular basis. The markup was meant to cover that additional cost, plus the opportunity costs of not selling it immediately.

The big cellar blowout was likely to cash out on a bunch of inventory that was was otherwise costing them money.

 

I thought they had only Regular and BW left the last time I went in there, which was before Christmas (around the time of the 2nd wave of shipments). I had figured they'd be empty by now...or maybe you're just making a general comment on the prices of 1000 Liquors.

 

They had it yesterday. Regal too for about $40

 

I didn't even think someone would go to such lengths. Temporarily forgot that we live in Chicago, my apologies.

 

I used to do this with GI Joes at Walmart when I was 7...

 

I think the problem is we just aren't arseholes... (well, I mean I know you aren't one. Me, the jury is still out )

It is probably actually easier to hide beers than chase a truck all day, and people do that...

 

The obvious inference being that the average beer hoarder has the mental age of a 7 year old? Yup, seems about right.

 

As crazy as it sounds, since those are about double the suggested retail price, those prices aren't that ridiculous. Considering some places charge $20 for regular, $25 for Coffee is a much better bargain (assuming it's not infected ).

 

That's a very loose definition of "bargain"

 

While I somewhat agree (in that those prices aren't crazy high for Chicago, sadly), I'm trying to pull myself out of that mindset. Having to pay double for a beer (not to mention when double is around $20, or even more) really sticks in mah craw!

 

Ditto. I could pick up 3 of the 12oz BA Jones Dog thats floating around for that price.

 

I don't like having to go in and bother an employee every time I go in to Binny's, asking for certain beers. Typically they are nice about it, but I am sure they get annoyed too. I wouldn't ask, but on several occasions I have noticed to do keep beers in the back unadvertised.