THIS made me stoked. Store managers take note.

Oh, another important factor, don't act entitled. It makes you an asshole, straight up. [/quote]

This... my lord.

 

It's 80/20
Standard business practice.
I don't like it but more and more businesses are doing it.
20% of the customers account for 80% of the business.

Think of it like a frequent flyer program.

Oh well - who cares

 

It''s the real world, imagine an owner doing a favor for his regular customers who buy every week. On this limited availability stuff it's the smart thing to do IMO. I wouldn't change bottle shops if it was put on the shelf for 1st come 1st serve either, I don't expect special treatment money is money, but I also appreciate the process of holding back for regulars.

 

See, I agree with this. It's the owner actually having the nerve to tell someone that stock is available, just not for him, that kind of sets me off. If the owner is saving for regulars... whatever. Ignorance is bliss. But when someone asks about availability... the answer should be "none." No need to say the shop has stock, just not for you...

 

So your the slouch?! J/k

Good work, well done, cheers!

 

Why is nobody calling the OP out on his bullshit story?

 

agreed. but the point is the guy sets himself up for DICKHOOD by verbalizing his thoughts/position.

just say: "NO, we don't have what you are asking for". NOT : "We have it,,, but you're not special enough to get it". the practice of taking care of regulars is not so much the problem, it was the really cool story that was overheard & how it was told that makes this a 5 page discussion.

 

Let's not interject the facts here, it will ruin all the fun and games that have followed !

 

I see your point, but if he has a parade of guys coming thru his doors I'm guessing he was just tired of it and spoke the truth, Giving him the benefit of the doubt here. Beer geeks are relentless, hell the guy who got shut out could have been the 50th phone call of the day or the 20th guy thru the door of guys the owner has never seen before. I agree with you I would just say it was all sold, and tell the guy to come back and see me, and invite me to look around while your here.

 

It's not even that I am against the practice of rewarding good customers, but in a way, I would rather be lied to and told they didn't have whatever limited release at all then to be told I wasn't a good enough customer to get a bottle. But if you do tell someone they didn't make the cut....how do you quantify that? Must spend $100 a month in the store? $200? Must come in twice a week at least?

 

that doesn't change the fact that it's bad business. hindsight is 20/20 of course. a thousand annoying people per day does not justify losing your cool & telling someone your business is not necessary.

my first post on this thread reflected a completely different angle. while it's about 99.5962% likely the person who inquired was just the random geek chasing trucks & dreams - there is that 0.4% (sorry it's early if my math is way off?) chance this store rep has been practicing this for awhile, perhaps someone complained about it & this last guy Mr Quest overheard was someone who has leverage & purposely came in to test the theory. as unlikely as it may be, say the store found itself suffering consequences as a result, the Verizon dude & that commercial "Can you hear me now!!" comes to mind. no matter how you slice it, there are multiple reasons it was stQQpid to say what he said out loud.

 

Man, I really love beer, but if I ever heard that crap I'd ditch that place. One of the regular places that I go has a guy that does store some specials in the back, but if someone comes in and actually asks about it, he sells some to him. If they don't ask, they don't know. Thankfully, there are tons of places here in Atlanta that I can get a really good beer that I haven't had yet.

As far as people chasing trucks to get limited releases, damn, you've got to get a life people. There's too much good beer to get bent out of shape over.

 

My local will post on his facebook page when new beer gets in and then it's first come, first serve. Everybody has a chance at all beers and no favoritism is shown. The way it oughtta be. I would think a business also have to be aware of social media these days as well. A customer that has felt mistreated can go to facebook or twitter and let the masses know about their bad experience.

 

how about the unwritten policy of a supermarket with an incredible craft beer selection that I frequent on my way home when I'm working in the city - they put all the limited/special release stuff out on the sales floor, and keep a few cases or bottles in the back, or in a special stash place - when they see me or a customer picking out some good brews they offer up "have you tried ....?"

 

I hate turning away fellow beer geeks, but unfortunately we have to keep the special stuff for customers that shop at my store regularly. There just isn't enough to give to every single person. Basically - If I don't know someone's name, they probably won't be getting one.

 

Seriously? GTFO...

 

obviously not serious lol

 

BA is apparently having trouble understanding how small businesses protect their regulars...

 

What store did you go to in Alabama looking for the KBS?

 

I know of 3 shops in little ol' Davis, CA that keep hard to get stuff back and you have to know or ask about it. Bottle limits are also enforced, so everyone can get 1-2. When something is imited, and sells out (operative word being SELLS) I don't think it's entitlement. I drop by the Davis Beer Shoppe about twice a week. If I don't stop by and something gets sold out, it's fine by me.

Related: Want to spread good beer karma? Travel with good beer and drop them as tips or trade on the fly. We fly with a cooler full of Pliny (always fresh)(checked as baggage) and have been very well treated in NYC and VT. It's been inspected by TSA, nothing broken, nothing stolen. On the return trip, we buy local beer and bring it home to share with friends (including shop owners).