Shopping but not buying?

This is what I am talking about, if us hardcore beer geeks can't find what we are looking for I would guess our local shops would be willing to work towards that...

 

Usually if someone leaves without purchasing something I will ask if we had what they are looking for. Customers are always welcome to shop and not buy anything. One thing that does pop into my head when someone leaves without buying is 'did they steal something'. This isn't just with craft beer customers but just in general. Theft is a big problem, especially in this economy. I would never refuse entry to a customer that shops more than buys, that's just ridiculous. This store must be having issues with local competition stalking their store and underpricing them or theft....or the owner could be a D bag I guess.

 

I feel like this is common in any type of retail store....if they don't have what you want you're not just going to buy something just for the hell of it. I mean hell, people come into restaurants and if they don't really see anything that tickles their fancy then they say sorry and leave....it happens. This owner seems like a stuck up asshole who will not be an owner too much longer. If he really cared maybe he should have asked what you are looking for and work on getting that in stock...customer service is key.

 

Didn't you know? Business owners DESERVE for you to buy something, and they DESERVE to make a profit. His behavior was therefore eminently reasonable.

 

Yeah we business owners are scum and everything should be for cost or the lowest price you can find on the internet. We don't deserve anything for the long hours and money invested in our businesses. Which is it Bluecane? Government employee or state employee?

 

I usually don't run into this problem much. I don't often visit liquor stores when looking for craft beer. Usually, I'll go to a liquor store for the rare pack of smokes or lotto ticket, and while there I may peruse the craft section just to see if they have anything special that I can't find at my local bottle shops.

Now for my usual bottle shop, it's a reasonably good selection, but I don't always walk away with anything. The great advantage though is that the bottle shop I frequent also has a tasting room with 40 different crafts on tap and extensive bottle list. So if I'm not gonna buy something to take home, I'll walk into the tasting room, have a pint or order a bottle to enjoy on site, chat with the beer guys there, and then head home having had a good brew, good conversation, and feeling like I'm still showing my support. The only other place I really do any significant bottle hunting is one of the big box Total Wine stores, and I don't feel strange at all leaving without a purchase because it's a big box store and there is no struggling owner to assault me for my purchasing discretion.

 

He's not saying that. But this is America. He can spend his money on whatever he wants. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, but you don't deserve sales simply for owning a business or working hard.

 

I browse at least once a week. I work directly across the street from a dec craft store. I did get the occasional look at first, but at this point in time everybody knows me by now (and know I make purchases often)

This guy sucks at life .

 

I usually buy at least something I like such as a bottle of Korninian or something, but Ive browsed&left without buying before, no big deal. If he asked you not to come back, then let him kick rocks, theres other establishments that will warmly welcome you once youre ready to spend $.

 

That's my method too... I used to feel bad walking w/o buying anything, so now I just ask for PtY. Get my jackass on.

 

There's nothing wrong with telling the truth. That's the whole point of reviews. You're sharing your experience with others so that they have an idea of what to expect.

 

Definitely out him. It's your chance for justice when he thinks he can act like that and you're without recourse. You're not spreading disinformation. Just reporting an incident to the BA community.

 

That's true, but it's also plausible that I walk into a store without anything in mind, and still don't find anything that interests me, in which case I wouldn't have an "X" to ask for.

 

I have never been called out like that but I have received stink eye plenty of times.

 

OMG me too! It's almost as if I don't have an addiction to alcohol, but rather to buying this stuff! Oh yeah, but it does taste SPECTACULAR!

On topic, I haven't had anyone get pissy with me, but I have been asked before if I found what I was looking for. Sometimes I am asked while shopping if I'm finding everything OK. I do enjoy that.

 

I do that sometimes, just to check and see whats in. If the store or brewery isnt on twitter, then ill go check. Alot of times I just go to Sams Quik Shop just to see what sparks my interest. Usually its nothing.

 

I have formed a good enough friendship with my bottle shop owner that around every other day I will stop in just to talk about beer AND liquor. And he usually will talk me into buying something that I haven't tried yet (but I guess that is his job). Or I will walk out with some of the shelf beers that I love, like Founders Breakfast Stout or Double Crooked Tree

 

Yeah, basically this. My mother just started a small business, and I told her the same thing: she wanted to make a certain mark-up based on how hard she works/her skill, that she "has to" make a profit. I told her the price you charge is the profit-maximizing price as borne by the market. There is no "deserve" in business; rather, what imbrue said is accurate.