Howdy, I stopped to get some beer today in NJ and was paying for my purchase. I saw some beer from the register I wanted to buy and grabbed a six pack. The sign said $8.99 six pack/$33.?? case. The six pack rung up at $13.49. The check out person got their boss who did a few things on the register and then told me " $10.49 is the best I can do for you". I made my case showing her the sign. The sign was removed and I was told they cant sell me beer for less than they pay and the sign was from an old sale. I left without that beer. Is this state minimum true or was I just told a bunch of shit to shut me up? I made a small issue but walked away w/o making a big stink as it was not worth it. In my mind they could have discounted the case of beer I had the $1.50 and kept a customer happy. I have not been to this store in a while and probably will not go back after today. If you are calling me cheap there is no need to post. I am sure you would not pay more than the stated price for beer or anything else. Enjoy
NJ ABC rules prohibit retailers from selling alcoholic beverage below their cost. NJ ABC Handbook - see page 23 "COST - HOW IS “COST” DETERMINED WITH REFERENCE TO THE REGULATION WHICH PROHIBITS A SALE BELOW COST?"
Thanks for the info Seems like I was told true info but lied to about the actual cost. If they can sell it on sale for $8.99 does this not mean that their cost is $8.99 or less? More reason to not go back. Shady business practice. Enjoy I have my answer so the post can be deleted or locked. Thanx
Without knowing more (and I suppose the question should have been asked of the retailer at the time), my guess is that the sign was wrong to begin with. Naming the beer would help, since retailers who read this forum would know the published CPL wholesale cost of the product.
The beer in question was Stoudts Smooth Hopperator. I was told the sign was from a prior sale and was not supposed to be up anymore. I have had this beer in the past and at $9 I wanted to see if it was as good as I remembered. Enjoy
Did the sign say Smooth Hopperator on it? Sounds like the sign was left there from a previous beer being in that space.
Ill chime in as someone who works in beer retail in NJ. It is VERY illegal to sell below cost in NJ. I have ran into the same problems- we and other stores messed up once in a while and the tag was in the wrong spot etc, up to the register, and had to explain the law and give the item away at cost to make the customer happy. When I mean very illegal as in fines through the roof. NJ is one of those states with muinimum posted prices with the state and in distributor price books and deal sheets. Prices change monthly and or yearly. Lets say that store bought top deal on Stoudts, put it on sale. Next month/week $ went up or they did not buy top deal, took product of sale and forgot to change price tag.
