Store falsely advertising the state min. What to do?

[sgtgto]

I picked up a bottle of Handy and ORVW 107 at a store in Grand Rapids, MI. They have signs up saying they charge the state min. I went onto the states website, and this store is charged 15$ more for the Handy, and 10$ more for the ORVW. What should I do? I have not called back yet, they are not open until a bit later.

[spun_cookie]

Go the passive aggressive rout.

Call and ask if they are honoring state min and then ask if the price they charged you is the state min and why it is different that what's on the web.

They might have a good reason... State min plus local tariffs, etc ... I would hesitate being to aggressive to start with... You may want to buy there again if they get the stuff you want.

[sgtgto]

Well I called, and the first thing that I asked was if they honor the state minimum for their liquor sales. And the man replied yes. Then I asked why the bottles I had purchased were considerably more than the state min.

He replied, while stammering a bit, that for the rare or limited release items, that there is a mark-up. And then proceeds to say that theirs are the lowest mark-ups around. Yet this place has signs that say they charge the state min.

What are my options here? I feel like someone kicked my puppy :hot:

[Special Reserve]

Well I called, and the first thing that I asked was if they honor the state minimum for their liquor sales. And the man replied yes. Then I asked why the bottles I had purchased were considerably more than the state min.

He replied, while stammering a bit, that for the rare or limited release items, that there is a mark-up. And then proceeds to say that theirs are the lowest mark-ups around. Yet this place has signs that say they charge the state min.

What are my options here? I feel like someone kicked my puppy :hot:

[Hondo]

I'd speak to the owner... he would refund me the difference.

I don't allow anyone to scam me with false advertising.

[spun_cookie]

This is a problem I frequently run into in MI. Some stores that previously advertised that they charge the state minimum but don't on "premium" items either just go on doing that, or no longer advertise the stat minimum.

I personally know of several stores that had the BTAC marked up anywhere from $5 to $35 dollars. Additionally, I was in a store in Ann Arbor when there was a distributor in the store and he was telling the store owners that they should charge more for these items. I'm known to the store owner there and he gave me a bottle of Stagg and Weller for the state minimum when he was charging $5 more.

Chalk it up to experience, and say that the BTAC is worth it (as it will be).

Will

[ILLfarmboy]

What are my options here? I feel like someone kicked my puppy :hot:

[cas]

The MI system is pretty convoluted. The official state price changes periodically, both up and down, which makes it tricky for the distributors. There are many stores that have a sign declaring state minimum prices - but in fact they charge more. What is the point of such micromanagement - assigning every bottle of every size of every release a specific minimum price?

And why are most bottles displayed behind a shelf so that you can't pick them up and look at them? And why are there exceptions? I know state liquor laws are pretty idiosyncratic... but MI seems to represent an extreme.

Craig

[sgtgto]

Oh crap! That bottle of Handy that I got at this store... its a 2007 release!

I don't feel bad about the overcharge anymore!

[OscarV]

Oh crap! That bottle of Handy that I got at this store... its a 2007 release!

I don't feel bad about the overcharge anymore!

Why?

I don't get it.

[ACDetroit]

Yeah Jake, Why??? I have a store by me with 2006, 07, 08 and 09 Handy on the shelf and they are all state min. I'd still be pissed!

Tony

[sgtgto]

Well... because it is done. And I filed a complaint with the BBB

[Lost Pollito]

I believe the '07 should be $55 0r $60.

[darkluna]

Yeah Jake, Why??? I have a store by me with 2006, 07, 08 and 09 Handy on the shelf and they are all state min. I'd still be pissed!

Tony

[Josh]

Are "state minimum" prices still published for prior years of Handy?

Any stores still carrying previous vintages should be able to charge a premium IF they wanted to, considering their cost to run their business has been continuous since they purchased those bottles. IMHO! Of course, if they aren't moving off the shelf at the minimum...they should ship them to Oregon where they would be most appreciated :grin:

The issue is not whether they have a right to charge more. They clearly do. The problem is when stores advertise the state minimum and then charge more. That's deceptive and shows a contempt for the customer rather than a desire to cater to their needs.

I have more respect for a store that is up front about the fact that they charge more on some items than one that claims to sell at state minimum but sells top-shelfers and special releases at a premium.

I think the best way to deal with those sorts of stores is to

1) Call them on it, in person, hopefully with other customers around

2) Post the name and location of the store on SB.com

3) Tell your friends who might use this store about it

4) File a BBB complaint and write letters to the store and the state LCB and

4) Don't go back there again until they make an effort to rectify the situation and/or apologize

In other words, make yourself the biggest pita you can.