becoming a regular at new stores

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by shredder83, Mar 22, 2013.

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  1. shredder83

    shredder83 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Illinois

    I'm not sure that more seasoned vets have this problem but recently having moved into a new area I have been exploring to discover shops that carry a good beer selection and regularly get hard to find/limited releases. So far I found one that is not close but has a great selection, the only problem is that I was met with a not so friendly reception.

    I Inquired about some rare stuff and limited release coming up (kbs) and was brushed off even while making a $40+ purchase. I was told that they take care of their regulars first, and on top of that I saw a guy check out in front of me with a sixer of zd and was flat out told they couldn't sell it to me because it was "not in the system yet". How did the guy in front of me just purchase it then?

    I understand that every place has regular good customers, and that they are given special privileges and consideration. I spend a good amount of money per month on beer and was not happy about being treated like that in a place I could call my new go-to bottle shop if I had been given half a chance. How am I expected to become a regular in good standing if shops like this refuse to sell me things or give me the time of day? I understand that I need to shop regularly there and make nice with the employees, but given the location and things I was buying I think it was pretty clear I'm not just dabbling in craft beer.
     
    #1 shredder83, Mar 22, 2013
    Premo88 likes this.
  2. xanok

    xanok Savant (1,085) Aug 13, 2009 Connecticut

    I'd find a new store.
     
    #2 xanok, Mar 22, 2013
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  3. Scalzo

    Scalzo Zealot (654) Feb 27, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    What store was this?
     
    #3 Scalzo, Mar 22, 2013
  4. jmckinney2323

    jmckinney2323 Initiate (0) Apr 4, 2012 Ohio

    I hear ya. I just moved too and the store I went to before was awesome. Everything you could ask for in a beer store. Now here in Columbus I haven't found a place even close to the previous one. So I still make trips back to my hometown to buy beer.
     
    #4 jmckinney2323, Mar 22, 2013
  5. Jake1605

    Jake1605 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 Missouri

    Talk to them and browse for a while before you buy something.
     
    #5 Jake1605, Mar 22, 2013
  6. bryanole27

    bryanole27 Initiate (0) Jun 24, 2011 North Carolina

    A couple of options:

    1. Shop there regularly and make it a point to talk to people and make it known
    2. Try bringing a bottle to the 'man in charge'...a peace offering if you will. Obviously something he can't get.
    3. If you get a bad vibe, might just want to find another store.
     
    #6 bryanole27, Mar 22, 2013
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  7. teamwiggum

    teamwiggum Pooh-Bah (2,012) Nov 30, 2008 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd go back and try once more, if you get the same shitty treatment I'd let them know you won't be back. And make sure to tell them which of their competitors you'll be taking your business to (even if you really aren't).
     
    #7 teamwiggum, Mar 22, 2013
  8. shredder83

    shredder83 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Illinois

    I live in the SE burbs of Chicago so I'm closer to NW Indiana, this shop was wise guys in merrillville, in
     
    #8 shredder83, Mar 22, 2013
  9. nineball

    nineball Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2013 New York

    Ain't no body got time for that!

    If it were me, that would have been my last visit to that store.
     
    #9 nineball, Mar 22, 2013
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  10. nogophers

    nogophers Initiate (0) Jun 28, 2011 Minnesota

    Find a different store. I would rather face a limited selection than give money to a bunch of dickheads.
     
    #10 nogophers, Mar 22, 2013
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  11. dsal89

    dsal89 Initiate (0) Jul 6, 2008 Indiana


    Hmm this is odd. I am not a reg customer there at all. I went in looking for BANE and it wasnt on the shelf. I asked the guy about it and he went and grabbed a bottle from the back for me. It was cool of him but I am not a regular customer.

    If it is the guy I am thinking then he doesnt seem very friendly. I try talking beer with him and he kind of just shrugs off my attempt and acts like I am beneath him when it comes to beer.

    I asked if he has a username on here..he does but said he doesnt post often.
     
    #11 dsal89, Mar 22, 2013
  12. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Wise Guys, indeed.

    Your money is green, just like everyone else's. That should be reason enough to afford you respect.
     
    #12 RblWthACoz, Mar 22, 2013
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  13. coachdicarlo

    coachdicarlo Aspirant (276) Apr 20, 2012 Missouri

    I would call the owner and let him know of your experience and demand that this rogue a-hole employee be fired if he wants your money otherwise you intend to slander his establishment all over beeradvocate.com
     
    #13 coachdicarlo, Mar 22, 2013
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  14. shredder83

    shredder83 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Illinois

    I think I'll give them another shot before writing this shop off, this place was by far the biggest I've found in the area and maybe I can make nice while making my next purchase there. I did find another place that was great the same week, friendly helpful employees that knew their stock well, pretty awesome selection for a smaller place and they put my name and # on the kbs list during my first purchase.

    If my old shops weren't an hour and a half away I'd get there more. I guess it's only one small incident, but I can say with confidence that if it happens again I will be taking my business elsewhere.
     
    #14 shredder83, Mar 22, 2013
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  15. coachdicarlo

    coachdicarlo Aspirant (276) Apr 20, 2012 Missouri

    Personally, I like the small shops. Selection may not be great, but most of them, once you develop a relationship, willl order anything they don't have if you promise to buy it. At that point, you are a large customer to them and any special release stuff you willl surely be at the top of the list for, even though they will get far less of it than the big stores.
     
    #15 coachdicarlo, Mar 22, 2013
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  16. GuzzLah

    GuzzLah Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 Illinois

    They have a Binny's in Orland Park, but you probably won't get KBS there either.
     
    #16 GuzzLah, Mar 22, 2013
  17. shredder83

    shredder83 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Illinois

    Interesting, I may have to give them another shot to redeem themselves. Like another poster said my money is as green as anyone else's, hopefully my next experience will be better. And the guy I talked to was kind of unfriendly as well.
     
    #17 shredder83, Mar 22, 2013
    dsal89 likes this.
  18. sukwonee

    sukwonee Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2011 Washington

    I love green money :slight_smile:
     
    #18 sukwonee, Mar 22, 2013
  19. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    Was the poor service reflected in the prices? When it is I can tolerate it. One big store by me usually only has 1 or 2 people working and they are constantly swamped, but everything is a buck or two cheaper than everywhere else so I buy all my regulars there. Sometimes you get what you pay for though, and if your looking for a good customer service experience you might have to try somewhere else.
     
    #19 Frankinstiener, Mar 22, 2013
  20. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    It's definitely better than this junk...
    [​IMG]
     
    #20 RblWthACoz, Mar 22, 2013
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