Spec's key card.

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by LittleDog, Jan 27, 2015.

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  1. LittleDog

    LittleDog Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2014 Texas

    As many of you know, Spec's liquors has a key card. Their version of a frequent flyer card/discount card.

    There are two purposes for the consumer. 1. Some things are discounted if you have a card. Usually hard liquor, as far as I've seen. And 2. Priority for high demand things.

    So.

    I asked a manager of a location what priority I ever received? He said I could put in for Pappy Van Winkle, if they ever get it.

    I asked why this fabulous card cannot get me priority for any beer? Not even the 99 pack.

    His response:

    Those will sell out really fast anyway, so we don't give the key card holders any priority.

    Uh, was he saying Pappy Van Winkle woudln't sell out?

    I think he really didn't know and was poorly trying to BS me.

    Anyone know why Spec's doesn't use the key card/membership for any rare beers? Anyone know anybody at Specs who can and will answer? I emailed through the web page, but haven't hard anything.

    Any other thoughts?
     
    #1 LittleDog, Jan 27, 2015
  2. nathanmiller

    nathanmiller Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2009 New York

    If Specs used the key for rare beers, you'd never ever get them.

    I think this has been covered on this site a few times but in general, the people who are on the short list for specs key rare releases spend a LOT of money. Six figures or more a year.
     
    #2 nathanmiller, Jan 27, 2015
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  3. TTUJohn

    TTUJohn Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2012 Texas

    Lol I can't imagine the entitlement to limited releases and subsequent butthurt there would be if there were a wine or whiskey advocate
     
    #3 TTUJohn, Jan 27, 2015
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  4. LittleDog

    LittleDog Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2014 Texas

    Ah yes , $100k to be at the front of the line for pappy van winkle, but is the pappy fan really going to compete for a 99 pack of Austin Beerworks?

    If specs did give preferred treatment for rare beer releases, they might gain more loyalty from beer drinkers trying to up their key card value.
     
    #4 LittleDog, Jan 28, 2015
  5. cyde

    cyde Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2012 Texas

    Don't shop at Spec's.
     
    #5 cyde, Jan 28, 2015
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  6. jamescain

    jamescain Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Texas

    I think they sell enough to not need to cater to people looking for rare beers. They have no need to build loyalty because if someone decides not to buy from them someone else will step in their place.

    Their profit margin on exclusive wine and liquor is so much higher than limited beers, so there is a reason they cater to that crowd and not the beer crowd. Hell they have a higher profit margin on BMC then most craft beers.
     
    #6 jamescain, Jan 28, 2015
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  7. starkmarvelo

    starkmarvelo Initiate (0) Jan 20, 2010 Texas

    Specs doesn't offer any discount or privileges for beer with the key card. You know how you get it for beer? Good ol fashioned networking. I'm not sure why Specs gets such a crappy reputation, they have never done me wrong and it's my go to store.

    Side note: Get yourself on the short list for Pappy and then trade for whalez.
     
    #7 starkmarvelo, Jan 28, 2015
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  8. nolan_likes_wine

    nolan_likes_wine Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2015 California

    It's mainly for tracking customers' shopping habits.
     
    #8 nolan_likes_wine, Jan 28, 2015
  9. frinknasty

    frinknasty Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2014 Texas

    This has got to be true, the one on my way home from work I stop at on a normal basis has a decent beer selection, but I won't buy most of the shelf turd IPA's because, they're just that. Some of the "best by" and "brewed on" dates that are still sitting there are so ridiculous, I often wonder how they stay open. Then I remember, they also sell liquor and wine :/

    That's true with any store, but at least at Kroger I get a discount on my gas for them tracking my buying habits!
     
    #9 frinknasty, Jan 28, 2015
  10. Phil_S

    Phil_S Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2013 Texas

    FWIW, an employee told me that the handful of people who got the pick of the PVW this year spent $600,000+ in the previous 12 months...
     
    #10 Phil_S, Jan 28, 2015
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  11. frinknasty

    frinknasty Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2014 Texas

    Jesus H. Christ powdered toast man!!
     
    #11 frinknasty, Jan 28, 2015
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  12. mattchow

    mattchow Savant (1,009) Jun 24, 2012 Texas

    nope. trade beer for van winkle.
     
    #12 mattchow, Jan 28, 2015
    starkmarvelo, FUNKPhD, TexasStout and 1 other person like this.
  13. boogercrack

    boogercrack Initiate (0) May 24, 2012 Texas

    this thread right here personifies a lot of the things i do not care for about this "movement".
     
    #13 boogercrack, Jan 28, 2015
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  14. elWhite

    elWhite Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2006 Texas

    Matt Chow is SO TOTALLY OVER craft beer.
     
    #14 elWhite, Jan 28, 2015
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  15. TheJeezus

    TheJeezus Aspirant (213) Apr 30, 2014 Texas

    So, is this what Rosemary Lehmberg was up to at Twin Liquors? Trying to get on the Pappy list?
     
    #15 TheJeezus, Jan 28, 2015
    LittleDog, erushing, East1stgrocery and 1 other person like this.
  16. Bluestar

    Bluestar Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2012 Texas

    By your statement above - I assume that corporate accounts can have a spec's key then (or at least the amount they spend is tracked and puts them in the same queue)? Because the only places/people I've ever heard of getting PVW are bars/retailers that have multiple locations... I can't imagine that there are individual's out there that spend $600k a year on personal items.... right? If there are, can someone please inform me what I am doing wrong in life that I don't have this much money to spend on alcohol?
     
    #16 Bluestar, Jan 28, 2015
  17. Phil_S

    Phil_S Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2013 Texas

    You'd be surprised. Wine can get crazy pricey, and you wouldn't believe the cost of some of the bottles locked behind the solid steel vault doors at the downtown Houston Specs. I know of someone who witnessed someone spending $100k+ on a few cases of wine late last fall...

    I think the distribution of PVW for bars and restaurants is kept separate, and I know for a fact that it does get into the hands of regular people.
     
    #17 Phil_S, Jan 28, 2015
  18. mattchow

    mattchow Savant (1,009) Jun 24, 2012 Texas

    i love you kyle. :grinning:
     
    #18 mattchow, Jan 28, 2015
    elWhite, FUNKPhD and Phil_S like this.
  19. Pup21

    Pup21 Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2014 Texas

    I have been on the pappy list for 4 years. Came in last year when the buffalo trace rep was in and he tried to get me a stagg from the back. He was told that I wasn't close enough to the front of the list... Imagine if that happened for dr or FW releases?
     
    #19 Pup21, Jan 28, 2015
  20. Dicers

    Dicers Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Sep 2, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I believe that corps aren't supposed to use the specs card (not saying that they don't) Agree with @Phil_S though I've seen people drop multiple 10's of thousands a few times
     
    #20 Dicers, Jan 28, 2015
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