Twin Cities Bottle Hunt - 2016 Edition

I'm not sure you understand the point being made, so let me put it simply: if there are stores around that are regularly $1-2 more for bombers, four packs, six packs, etc. why would I shop there? It's simple. I won't. I'll go the store (& I shop almost exclusively at mom-and-pop shops) with the better price. That just seems logical to me.

And I get tired of the 'hating' talk. Nobody is being uncivil or nasty or tossing around names, we're trying to have a conversation. If there is discomfort from a store being put 'on blast' for being more expensive than the bulk of the stores in the Twin Cities, perhaps the store should examine why they are more expensive (location, lease, CAM, labor, sales mix, hours, what?) rather than hitting potential customers with "hater" talk.

 

It has come and gone at a few stores but there's still some out there

 

There are plenty of reasons to shop at a store besides price. The problem with Four Firkins is they provided few of them and compounded that by trying to build their business exclusively on craft beer.

Not all of that is even close to true.

TW does not make its money on craft beer. They make much of their profit on house wines. MN is the only state I know of that requires them to make their house wines (and other house products) available to their competitors at the same price they pay. Of course, this all relies on above-board accounting, and a desire by their competitors to compete on price.

Like TW, most liquor stores make a higher margin on wine and liquor than they do on craft beer. Four Firkins tried to compete without that safety net. They had to raise prices and went out of business. But, if you look into the detail, you will find they really went under as much due to poor business decisions as due to prices.

I do most of my beer shopping at a small neighborhood store that is generally price competitive, but not necessarily the lowest price around. On the other hand they have the vast, vast majority of their beer in coolers, and they are convenient.

 

So TW makes their money on wine and spirits and uses beer money to keep the lights on basically? You mean like every other liquor store in MN?

I don't shop much at all on price, I shop at my local muni almost exclusively because they are super convenient and the service is good. I know they are priced OK, not the lowest, but not the highest, and the gas I save on the drive makes up for it. But I won't shop at a muni that is equally close but in another town because I see them pricing sought after stuff higher. So while I won't go tripping over myself to save a buck, I also will refuse to shop at places that I think are overcharging for beer.

The pricing issue isn't on a just one thing, like I paid $16.99 for apricot vista so I know I could have found it a buck cheaper, but the other stuff I bought was a bit cheaper I think so I am fine with it. Prices that are a bit different both ways and I don't take much notice. Prices that are consistently a bit higher? I notice and I don't shop there anymore.

 

this thread has become the Twin Cities Bottle Shop Price Witch Hunt 2016.

 

Every store has it's good point and bad points. I was just saying that instead of bashing one for it's "high prices", why don't you just praise the other ones for their low prices. No need to trash talk a business. It's about the beer.

 

I think I said that. Right?

 

If you don't like the price. Don't buy it.

 

But what if I really really really really want the beer?

 

In defense of 'Craigerss02', smaller stores have a higher purchasing mark up on product than chain stores like Liquor Barrel, MGM, TW, thus the average 30 % mark. But also, there will always be stores like Shorewood and G-will out there. They are known for higher mark-ups. Definitely call them out on it but also understand the different perspectives. You know you might only find that limited bottle at these stores. so any Itasca Loonidragon out there still? I would like to find a bottle

 

then buck up and spend the $$

 

Hahahahahahaha. You folks crack me up. Driving around because of $1. The gas used and your time is worth way more than that. Are you buying cases of 750s at a time? No? Then it's not worth sweating. You aren't getting price gouged.

 

Yes, I do buy cases of 750s sometimes

So a $12 difference is noticeable. But driving around for $1 isn't worth my time.

 

That's only 10.. But more importantly.. why?

 

I had already traded 2 of them. I had a case originally. As for why I got a full case, I have several trading partners who want a few bottles. Plus I enjoy the beer and so does my girlfriend.

 

Nothing more needs to be said!

 

Nothing in this sentence is even close, my friend. MGM pricing is all over the place based on who owns the store, the Liquor Barrrel in Golden Valley is often more expensive than other stores, while a few small stores near my home are cheaper or equivalent to most chain stores. Smaller stores are certainly not more expensive across the board. And a 30% mark up?

 

I'm getting really tired of reading everybody's goddamned opinions here.