Is Dusty hunting only relevant in non-control areas?

[boneuphtoner]

I have spoken with a couple of managers in my county controlled liquor stores (not state, but county), and they both claim that they sell everything they have. That product that sits for more than a year or so has its price lowered so it is sold in short order. So it begs the question....is dusty hunting even possible under such conditions? The logical answer is no, but then I see what some of you have found and it makes me wonder.

[Josh]

Not every control state (or county) does things the same way. In Michigan, all the state does (aside from taxes and licensing) is act as the wholesaler and set minimum prices for spirits. So it's very possible to dusty hunt under our conditions.

[michaelturtle1]

I have seen tax stripped bottles in a back room of a PA liquor store.. When I inquired about them I was told they aren't in the system so they aren't for sale..

[MauiSon]

..but if ya put yer money on the counter, yer bottles will be in a paperbag next to the trash bin.

[michaelturtle1]

I wish... That offer was met with a finger pointing at a security camera..

[DBM]

I attempted similar efforts in Idaho and Montana recently (both control states with state owned or managed stores) and came to the same conclusion. Everyone I talked to said anything that sits on a shelf for much more than a year is tossed on the clearance table. Idaho is strict state run and operated, while Montana has weird state laws and limited private licenses that don't favor retail. Others states are likely different so it probably depends on the state, but it definitely doesn't help if the government is involved at all. Ironically, they are too organized and business focused.

[Special Reserve]

I'll echo what Josh said. SEMI has been hunted but there are always newly discovered dusties in back rooms. I never ceases to amaze me. It is really nice to locate a store that just changed hands even in control state.

[PaulO]

Indiana is not a control state. One thing that I have noticed though is that most retailers seem to have a relatively quick turn around time on their merchandise. The best I can usually do is get desirable stuff soon after the store gets it (and then it's gone). On the other hand, I have seen stuff like older OF B-day and paper label WSR appear like magic in newer stores. My best advice is don't get your hopes up too high, but keep your eyes open.

[Young Blacksmith]

Even in non-control states, the practice of hanging on to dusty bottles is anti-retail. Why would you hold onto something for 10 years at a certain price, when you can discount it and get it out the door to be filled with something that does sell. Most stores in my area do that, with only a handful of family owned places holding onto bottles for decades. One store has recently closed out their mini selections, with everything going into the clearance bin. Nothing good, but they want it out the door fast.

Makes me wonder sometimes how the "museum" stores stay open. Watching their regular customers, they sell lots of cheap beer and vodkas.

[theglobalguy]

Think it would depend on the mindset of the shop owner. My grandfather owned a retail store (not package liquors) and had a habit of moving items into the warehouse instead of blowing them out. He had enough capital not to worry about cost of money, and grew up during the depression....so ANYTHING he viewed as valuable was.

[Jackinbox]

Even in non-control states, the practice of hanging on to dusty bottles is anti-retail. Why would you hold onto something for 10 years at a certain price, when you can discount it and get it out the door to be filled with something that does sell. Most stores in my area do that, with only a handful of family owned places holding onto bottles for decades.

[HighInTheMtns]

Here in Utah, when a bottle is discontinued, they blow it out. "Newly dusties" stick around for a while - a recent example is WTR101 - but eventually sell through. No dusties in this control state.

Edited July 18, 2013 by HighInTheMtns