Shopping but not buying?

Seems easier to just say "just browsing, thanks!" That's interesting about the accusations though.

I guess I'm just surprised this is such an issue for people. Places I frequent never bother me about it, and I regularly do this, generally on delivery days to see if anything cool or rare came in.

 

I feel worse when I go into a McDonald's to use their restroom and don't buy food.

 

Something smells fishy here....I'm only getting the OP's side of the story and I don't buy it.

 

I literally go to every liquor store I see, everyone. The vast majority of stores are not used to someone leaving without buying anything, let alone someone who browses for 10/15 minutes, handles multiple bottles, etc... then doesn't purchase anything. I always strike up some sort of small talk on the way in or out, but that usually leads to more questions. When I'm looking to be efficient, in and out quickly, subterfuge is the easiest way to go. Besides, the places that I've tried to explain what I'm doing, you can see their eyes gloss over as they point to Blue Moon or Shock Top.

 

I've never been run out of a store for not buying, but this reminds me of a time in Miami Beach when I asked a liquor store clerk where to find "craft beer". He pointed at the Shock Top display...I walked out.

 

There's really nothing to feel guilty about not buying something. Sometimes during the week I want to see what stores near me have recently gained in their inventory. I have no intention of buying, because if I went into the beer store and bought something each time, I'd be financially compromised. It's just fun to look around and have something to look forward to enjoying on the weekend, and it's great to strike up a conversation with other patrons.

 

The only time I feel any kind of remorse is when I destroy a bathroom in a hotel lobby that I'm not staying in.

Fast food chains are evil institutions, feel free to abuse their lax bathroom policies as you see fit.

 

I woulda asked him if he bought something from every store that he's ever walked into. What a fuckin' tool!

 

If this ever happens to me I'll tell the disgruntled liquor store owner, "Sorry, I just came in to go to the bathroom."

 

That's absolutely ridiculous. What a jackass.

 

i was thinking we should blow his store up or kill the guy...or we can just torture him...ba crazies assemble

 

This is the way to handle it. But never mind a couple of hundred dollars worth. I would get $1,000 + worth of stuff and go to the counter. Get a case of expensive wine, a couple bottles of good Bourbon. Raise his hopes of a monster sale and then crush those hopes.

 

I'm really sorry to hear this happened to you (getting kicked out of the bottle shop). I go into my favorite bottle shop at least twice a week and often I walk right out if nothing interesting came in. I have made a habit out of chatting up the owner and all the fellows that work there and I think that helps keep me from wearing out my welcome.

 

Yesssssssss. If you remember his name, you can call ahead to find out if he'll be in at that time.

 

It's not like hanging out in there increases his costs; it's negligible. And looking like he has more customers is probably good for business anyway.

I got some snark when I wandered into a small shop for the first time last week and asked about KBS, but I deserved it. Of course, despite telling myself not too, I felt guilted into buying something. Cleverly, I chose 2 bottles of wine that the wife will like, plus a single Sumpin Sumpin Ale for me ($2). But I doubt I'll return to that place, since their selection is limited and most of their prices are $1-$2 more per bomber/4-pack/sixer than Total Wine or Sam's Quick Shop.

 

Oh, and I would think that this activity is quite common. Most people have a (implicit or explicit) budget for beer. I'm one of those people, so I try to stick to mostly buying special/seasonal releases only, plus the occasional standard a la Two Hearted or Edmund Fitzgerald. But I'm not shy about walking out empty-handed; if the owner doesn't like it, too bad.

 

I browse far more than I buy. Always have, always will. And no one's gonna stop me.

 

I love browsing and looking at beer, seriously. Sometimes I just go in to scope out a new store or whatever, but most of the time I leave with a mix 6 or something because there is always easy to get beers I have never had. Always. (and not beers I know would be awful either)

 

I go to stores all the time JUST to browse and see if they have anything crazy or limited that I wasn't expecting or if they got in anything new. It does feel kinda weird but I don't care.

Most of the time I don't even have enough money to buy anything anyways. It's mainly just for future reference. A lot of the time I'll go to a store, write down a beer that looks good, put it in my phone and look it up on BA then come back and get it later if it looks good (I don't have a smart phone).