Poor business practices

Holiday1072 · Aug 23, 2014

Ckoz said: ↑

IMHO I don't own a store and I sympathize with those that do because many beer nerds can be whiny. But for me it's a simple solution. First come first serve. If people don't make it in time-sorry but better luck next time. I don't have a problem with a store owner keeping some aside for top customers-I would do the same. But for the remainder-just let it be a free for all and move on. I don't even care if you charge $1 or 2 more than the guy down the street. If it's first come first serve then i'll pay for that convenience.

I have made a switch to only shopping at stores that do it this way...or I just drive to the brewery to get it myself (case in point KBS and Black Note) and there isn't much I have missed out on in the last 8 months. Also, many grocery/specialty type markets are a great place to get what you need. This is why I shop so much at Holiday market because @Holiday1072 is consistent on posting announcements and allocations. Everyone who shops there knows this is how they do it and so no one better complain if they miss out (though I am sure Ash has his fair share of stories of people whining anyways lol).

It's a 5 hour drive round trip but I was able to buy a case of BN (my fav beer by the way) and not hassle with 1pp allocations, jacked up pricing, having to buy $x worth of whatever beer they ordered too much of or not being sold the beer because "im not a regular" etc etc etc. I plan on driving to Chicago for the BCBS release. Considering how bad allocations were last year here in this market and the expected limited bottle counts of those who will have it....it is worth it to me.
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I got worried when I saw that I was tagged in this thread.

Cheers

FoamInnovation · Aug 23, 2014

creepinjeeper said: ↑

@FoamInnovation sounds like he cares about his customers AS WELL as his business, which is a plus for all involved. I know that if I lived there, it seems like a shop I would make a favorite as well as a shop that will be there for years to come.

I, too, do not have a problem buying older beers at a discount as long as they are advertised as such. The exception of course would be IPA's, depending how old they are. I have bought several Belgian dark ales and stouts with a little time on them. Very drinkable. Thanks for the thread!

I thought I would ask this: do you get to know some of your regulars? Their likes, things they might be interested in? It's a big reason why I frequent my locals over a "big box" liquor store.
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My regulars know me and my beer staff by full name. I know their families, if they just bought a car, etc. Nothing special about that, you will find these sort of relationships in most successful businesses. I keep some beers just because they ask me to always have some handy, regardless of quality or hype (Richard, I'm looking at you and your Dixie, here).

As far as the old beer subject, I should clarify that the I am referring to old IPAs, adjuncts, sessionables, etc. Anything that does not improve with age, I get rid of. You folks are exactly correct when you point out that Belgian strongs, some porters, etc. age well and are preferred. Those babies I hold on to until sold, generally.

boilermakerbrew · Aug 23, 2014

OP makes some great points, although I don't think discounting overage beer hurts your relationship with customers too badly. As long as the beer is obviously marked down due to age, then I think it is a great way to move product while still making a little money on it, as well as offering the customer a cheap way to sample something they might have been on the fence about.

I also have a general question for retailers. What is your philosophy on imports clogging the shelves? It seems as if every time I go into a beer-centric store, there are rows and rows of German, Belgian, British, and other imports wasting away on the shelf in big bottle formats. I know their shelf life is potentially much longer than most styles, but I would have to think the store's profitability suffers due to relatively low turnover. Even with higher margins on the big bottles, I would think a fresh assortment of regional (or even more popular import) 6 packs would be a better bang for your shelf set.

Just my random thought of the day.

Poor business practices

Holiday1072 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2008 Michigan

FoamInnovation Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2013 Washington

boilermakerbrew Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2010 Indiana

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