becoming a regular at new stores

If you want to have your faith in craft beer shopperdom redeemed, go to Puerto Rico Liquor next time you are in the city: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24123/?view=beerfly&ba=jrallen34. I stopped by during my FoBAB visit and, despite never having been there before, was treated like a regular by Junior, the owner and just generally the man!

Sorry, not completely on topic, but my experience there was so phenomenal I like to give PRL a shoutout every chance I get.

 

I suppose throwing a fit to me is different to others - I should have clarified. I don't mean kicking and screaming like a child and then whining to my mommy - I meant more of calling the cashier out on selling something to a previous customer, yet denying it to me. I'd also probably ask to speak to a manager.

We all handle things differently, call me out as you please.

 

Good point about Total Wine--I'm all for buying local and what not, but I have never had an unpleasant experience there when requesting something rare or hard to find. May not be most knowledgeable staff but they want to please the customer, which ultimately what it is all about IMO.

 

One of the disturbing trends of the craft beer scene. No other business works this way. If you go to a restaurant for the first time you aren't given a limited menu to order from and shitty customer service. They want to take care of you and make you happy whether its your first visit or your 40th. How do you get repeat customers? By not being a fucking dick and having a good selection...it's pretty simple.

OP, I would go back to buy some stuff and again ask about some upcoming releases. See if there's an email list or something you can get on. Tell them you just moved to the area and would like to be a "regular" and you're going out of your way to shop there. If they're still assholes leave your stuff on the counter and tell them you won't be back. If the person at the counter isn't the owner, call and speak to the owner and let him now your repeat business was lost.

 

I agree, but you get repeat customers by providing good service and not being a fucking asshole.

 

I totally agree, and there is a tactful way of dealing with situations like this without being rude like the person was in the original post....you should never ever make any customer feel unwelcomed. Like if the guy sees you sell a "regular" a six pack of ZD, then the cat is out of the bag and you need to sell the new guy the same thing. But if they just tell random new people they don't have any because it happens to be in the back for regulars, I don't see a problem with that.

 

Agreed. Unfortunately we (not me, but others in the craft community) have essentially forced owners into holding more limited stuff for their local customers by chasing trucks out of our local market to pick up a bunch of limited release items. We don't really give them a choice in the matter and it puts them in a tough spot.

That said, if you sell something to the guy in front of me you better be prepared to sell it to me.

 

I do, and here's why.

Maybe I'm a regular, but I just never happen to come in during this guy's shift.
Maybe I've been a regular for years before this guy started working there, but just haven't been in in a while.
Maybe I had facial reconstructive surgery after a gruesome armadillo attack.
Maybe there are a million reasons why I'm not considered a "regular" at a store when I probably should be based on my buying habits.

The whole "saving the good stuff in the back for regulars" is prone to arbitrary preferential treatment and potential alienation of at least a few of a store's true regulars—who then will (or should) just shop elsewhere.

The bottom line is, if I ask about a beer you have in stock, even in the back, then I expect you to go find it and sell it to me. That's not entitlement, that's just good business.

 

This store sounds rubbish! In last 13 years, I have lived in 4 states
and have shopped in many craft beer bottle stores in various states.
It usually takes me 2-3 visits per to find out the level of quality in my area.
Just moved to JERSEY (Sept 2011), came on BA and found all the local bottle
shops and advice from Jersey BA posters (THEY WERE A HUGE HELP). Now,
i have my various stores I hit. Some are close, but not great. Some have better
selection, but not friendly/loyal and keep beers over a year past bottling date.

good luck!

 

Yes. This is the answer. A business that treats new customers like shit won't be in business long, so you may as well start looking for a new store anyways.

 

Completely agree. Who is more of a "regular?" The guy who comes in once or twice a month and chats up the staff or the guy who comes in once or twice a week and just spends money without chatting?

 

I would never do this with someone I just met.

 

It's a BIG Binny's

 

Why not? It's a great way to transition from some guy that buys beer to a guy that get's considered for limited releases. I'm not saying walk in and introduce yourself with a beer in your hand, but after becoming familiar with each other, it might push you over the edge and into the 'in' crowd.

 

We've got a winner right here! This is how you do it. Employees aren't stupid. They recognize who is coming in regularly and who isn't. You have to realize that these people are getting hit up 1000s of times a day by folks that just drive around to stores looking for limited beer.

 

Not just driving by.....dem phone calls.