Should a Bottle Shop Post All New Arrivals?

I am usually in favor of it. However, after something I saw last night I'm not sure I agree that ALL releases should be posted online. My local shop got one case each of a few BCBS variants and posted it on their Instagram. It sold out in <30 minutes, with Prop selling out in just a few minutes.

I stopped by and there was a steady stream of people coming in asking for specific variants. When they were told the rarest variants were sold out, they immediately left. it just... kinda grossed me out (the "customers" not the shop).

So, not sure how to feel, but I'm leaning towards maybe they shouldn't announce ALL releases.

 

Stores shouldn't bother posting any limited new arrivals. The truck chasers are tracking the delivery trucks with GPS. They know where all the beer is gonna be before it gets there.

 

I am surprised your local shop would actually post that. They are going to sell out no matter what so why not reward the regular customers who frequently visit? It is not like the people who rushed over to pick up a variant are now going to be regular customers.

 

I think you have to post it because if you don’t then the Shop runs into the issue of who (my regular customers) do I hold these for. Then it becomes an issue of who is my regular customer? My local shop did this (created a list) and stiffed me one year. I have not been back since. I was buying beer there every week (I guess that wasn’t enough $$$ spent?). It does suck when a random hoarder sees it on social media and picks up a bottle but honestly it’s the most fair way IMHO.

 

I'm conflicted on this. Yes, you'll get a lot of "unloyal" bottle-chasers, but there are people like me who don't like to bug their bottle shops with questions, and sometimes it's just nice to know they had a beer, even if it's gone. Yeah, it also helps me show up when the beers are around, but even if I miss them, it eliminates doubt.

It's probably not realistic for every place to do what Bottles and Cans does (local place that posts basically EVERY new beer/liquor they get in on their Instagram), but for those of us that are hesitant to bug employees, it's kinda nice.

 

Why buy something you don’t want? Someone shouldn’t be expected to “settle” bc a shop is sold out of what they are ISO.

“You’re sold out of prop? No problem, I’ll just grab this dragons milk Instead!”

 

Another thing I wrestle with.

 

The discussion is not about what consumers should be required to buy, it's whether a store should advertise their rarest offerings.

Ideally, in my opinion, stores should not advertise their rarest beers because it leads to exactly the behavior you are describing.

 

Not disagreeing with this point however if even a percentage of those people end up buying something else, that's a sale made that would not have happened without the posting. For most retail businesses regardless of industry, the first step is just getting a customer in the door. We may be connisours in what we shop for but that case of Natty Lite sold pays the bills just the same for the store as much as the latest whale release... and probably more reliably too.

For example, I give you every Black Friday doorbuster deal (and I'm not talking about BCBS). Every one may be lining up outside Wally World for that TV and sell out quickly but hey, as long as I'm here I should grab another pack of tube socks since I should replace the one back home.

 

I tend to avoid shops with a heavy social media presence for limited releases, so I lean towards no. That said, some people prefer it this way. If I had the ability to browse social media all day and leave the office whenever to go pick up some rare bottles at the closest shops, I'd be all for it.

I've been sitting at the bar with the staff of the store on Hopslam release day. It's one of their least favorite days. A steady stream of 'customer's come in, ask for it, get told no, and immediately leave. It's disappointing that there isn't even an act of interest in anything else. Posting your limited inventory just encourages this, which some may enjoy, but as a customer, I try to steer clear of these seekers.

Every shop is different though. I don't see why social media inventory posts should be done away with, I just tend to avoid these stores that partake in this.

 

I mean, it's a fair point. From what I saw the other day though, essentially everyone who came in the store asked the owner if they had the rarest beers, when they were told no, they just left. It could drive some additional traffic for sure though.

My counter would be, it may kind of annoy the normal patrons. It may also increase the overall number of visitors over time if you can walk into a store thinking, "hey there's a chance they could have something pretty rare in here!"

 

Ha yeah I was joking with the guy at my shop the other day watching all these people come in, get told no, and then immediately leave, "it's too bad you guys don't stock any other good beers."

 

I like stores that post when new beer arrives. It encourages me to go to the store and buy beer.

 

If you don't go on Instagram to look, then it's like it was never posted.

 

Depends on lots of variables (location, type of store, etc) - but I think it all boils down to a business decision that covers:

1. What is best for my business
2. What is best for my (repeat) customers

 

In theory, imo the customers who spend the most money at a store to keep the lights on should have first crack at limited releases. When I see mention of letting 'regulars' have first access to limited releases, particularly in terms of larger stores like a Binny's, it essentially means those people who have befriended the beer manager/gatekeeper. A 'regular', in the context of a Binny's type store at least, means beer guy/gal friend. It has no correlation to store purchases.

 

The bottle shop is in the business of selling, so if posting online helps them sell more of course they should. If you can post the new items and sell out that day isn't that the goal of their business?

Regarding caring for your core customers, they will already know what is coming in so I doubt they will be impacted anyway.

 

I agree that posting the rarest stuff online will bring out the truck chasers. Fast aging styles like ipas should surely be advertised to sell them quickly. Rare BBA stouts should be left for people to find, even a few held for good customers. If your shop is already known for selling good beer, truck chasers will find you anyway.

Of course, some shops would love to post about this great beer they have. It brings customers in, even after the beer is sold. But will those customers buy something else if it's not there? Will they be pissed that their target beer is gone and not come back? Hard for me to say, I'm not a shop owner. I do know that BCBS, prarie variants and similar beers sell themselves though, no advertising needed.