Liquor Boy was attempting to sell Bells Venus for $4 a bottle when I stopped in last week (and I passed on the stupid price), but I was able to pick up a sixer of Venus at Sid’s Discount off of Hwy 55 for $10.50 today. I’ll probably pass on stopping back into Liquor Boy again anytime in the near future due to inflated beer prices. What’s your breaking point on not visiting a store?
While some stores may goug, not all stores do. I have gotten to know the owners if a small store near me. Talked to them about pricing and they charge what they pay with a small mark. For example, they were charging $26 for Darkness. But since they are smaller and not able to get better pricing with the distributor, this what they have to charge. I also frequent a Cashwise and just had a talk with the manager there about Darkness and 8 pricing. They have more stores so they buy more and can get deeper discounts. They were charging $21 for Darkness this year. They also do enough volume to get Blacknote and KBS. For my local shops that have a great selection for being out in the sticks and they hook me up, I know they are not trying to screw me and will gladly pay more to support them. So that is also something that factors in when I am buying from a store and if their price is a little higher. I however can't explain why some MGMs charge more than others unless they are franchised or something along those lines.
Allocated beers do not apply in volume discounting. Darkness costs what Darness costs. The little guy has to run on a higher margin because thats just business. In our area, I've been told thet planet series went strictly to the bars.....and only one case of Mars hit this area. I'd pay $4 for one....
I've given up trying to understand it. I just buy the beer where I'm at if it's not unreasonable. For instance if I drive somehwere and find a Darkness bottle for $25 I might as well buy it because I'll spend $4 in gas driving around looking for a store that has it for $21 and come out the same anyway. I don't have all day to check out different stores so I like to just pop in to different stores as I'm driving by and if they have something I'd like and it fits my budget I buy it. Went to an MGM the other day looking for Eight and they didn't have any but they did have a few BA Clown Shoes stouts and Oak aged Yeti so I grabbed those instead. Maybe they were a couple bucks more than what somewhere else would charge but I wouldn't know because I'm not gonna drive all over looking for another bottle.
I buy 90% of my beer at one store now. He may be a little more expensive on some items, but appreciates my loyalty by hooking me up on all the special releases that I want and gives me occasional discount pricing to boot. I can't complain about that.
Not visiting a store ever again? That's pretty drastic! In recent years I've patronized a handful of stores which are neither "destination retailers" and which I wouldn't recommend to others, but which have been convenient to me at the moment. That sort of convenience is always a factor, but the following factors (in addition to higher prices) are also considered, and a couple of the places are on the short list for "never again.": 1. Old -as in one to three years past-code, and not "cellar-able" brands, either- Craft bottles placed directly underneath fluorescent bank lighting. Other old bottles at floor level and past-code, also with loads of dust on 'em -- all at full price. 2. Past-code BMC. Seriously, a simple stack of Budweiser flats ("suitcases") that is past code can send me into a tailspin if I let it, and wholesalers that give some of these place so little regard as to not switchout old for new is a red flag. 3. General clutter in the store. A little isn't a problem, but a lot will keep me focused on it and the other negative factors. 4. Grumpy staff and owners. I hardly expect cute college gals with searchlight smiles, but overt jerky behavior can sour the visit for a long time afterward. Likewise, while I seldom need assistance, no offer at all is a big mark in the negative. That being said, the retail trade is full of single unit and franchise stores that trip my alarm bells often enough, and they are the rule rather than the exception. But I tend to be a glutton for punishment and will visit and re-visit some places -- I just might not actually buy very much, is all.
Never visiting a store again? There's only one that I can think of. Sometime in the 90s I stopped at my local MGM. In their small section of non-Bud-type beers were three six-packs of Blackhook Porter. The date on them was eight years past! I pointed it out to the clerk, and he said "Well, it says BEST if used by xxx. That doesn't mean it's not still good." I kept complaining, and told him more than he wanted to know about the life cycle of beer, so he turned me over to the manager. The manager listened to me, and pulled the six-packs. A week later I stopped back in to check, and the three six-packs were back on the shelf. I haven't been to an MGM since.
I don't have anywhere on my "never again" list. If I have a bad experience I just won't go there for a year or two. Maybe new ownership or new management comes in the meantime. You never know.
i like to try out new stores and will travel a bit if the stores look promising. normally, done while hunting down various limited releases. something about stores that do a reserve list throws me off. i understand the principle, but frankly you have a willing-to-pay, cash-in-hand customer in front of you wanting something you have but you deny them because they arent on the list. price gouging is another one. cant say that i wont necessarily not go back to their stores, but definitely make note and remember their practices
The first half of the bottle I thought was very interesting...then the second half I was glad I had tried it, but 1/2 was enough.
'Shocking Blue' left a heck of a legacy to pop music. As to the Larry Bell confection, I thought that it was okay, and worth the $2.99 single. My boss's significant other was much less impressed, but is not Craft Beer co-religionist in the same vein as myself.
I have absolutely no issue with stores doing this. Keep in mind, this practice is usually in place to keep the "truck-chasers" from getting the bottles. These stores do not usually make a ton of money on special releases and like to take care of the people who frequent the store.
