393foureyedfox Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 I passed on a bottle of the WhistlePig Boss Hog Rye for $149 - I thought I wanted it but I just couldn't pull the trigger when the time came. It simply costs too damn much. Instead I bought 2 bottles of Elmer T Lee private selection (Julio's did a amazing job picking this barrel), 2 bottles of one OWA Private selection and 2 bottles of another OWA private selection. And still had a little left over to put towards a private barrel of Bernheim. A much better allocation of funds.I'd have to agree!hmmmm......6.5 of these, or 1 of those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oke&coke Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I'd have to agree!hmmmm......6.5 of these, or 1 of those?Better yet 6.5 of these and 1 of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVTsteve Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I got passed up on some pvw. Won a lottery but missed the call while at work, called back 15 min later and was told I'm SOL. I was fine with not getting any and with not looking too hard, but winning and then losing is a bit of a bummer.(Ommmm bourbon zennnnnn) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd2005 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I got passed up on some pvw. Won a lottery but missed the call while at work, called back 15 min later and was told I'm SOL. I was fine with not getting any and with not looking too hard, but winning and then losing is a bit of a bummer.(Ommmm bourbon zennnnnn)Not a very good lottery... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tylermke Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 A PVW23 @ $999.99. Tried to negotiate to a more reasonable price, but wasn't having it. No regrets there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Lamplighter Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Passed a THH at $99.99...got one yesterday for $85. Also: Bowman Millennium, $80 & ETL, $49. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiskyRI Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Passed up a chance to buy some ECBP - just decided I've bought too much stuff lately. It'll either be there, or it won't when I want it. (more likely won't), but that's okay. Besides I need to reorganize the stash to make more room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Lamplighter Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Late yesterday passed on PHC-POH @ $109.99. I couldn't pull the trigger at $99 so this was an easy walk away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkater1 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Just got a call from a place that I've got PVW in the past from. They decided to start selling their allocation. She said the price of the 15 year is $345.55, I laughed and hung up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd2005 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Just got a call from a place that I've got PVW in the past from. They decided to start selling their allocation. She said the price of the 15 year is $345.55, I laughed and hung up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkater1 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I wonder if they are calling folks because it's been sitting on the shelves unsold at those prices? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherCigarGuy Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Geee, thanks, way to reward us for giving you business the other 9 months out of the year. It wasn't the owner that called, if it was I would've said I'll never buy there again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smknjoe Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 The problem is that there are way too many a-holes that have no problem paying $400 for an $80 bottle of bourbon. I've passed on Stagg at one store for $150 for the past year and every time I mention it to the owner he says "someone will pay it." And he is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
393foureyedfox Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 The problem is that there are way too many a-holes that have no problem paying $400 for an $80 bottle of bourbon. I've passed on Stagg at one store for $150 for the past year and every time I mention it to the owner he says "someone will pay it." And he is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherCigarGuy Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 but the smart owner will realize that the extra $200+ he brings in from marking that bottle up will piss off enough loyal regular customers that he will lose far more in the long run than that $200 profit gave himvote with your wallets, guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smknjoe Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 That doesn't work either because any liquor store owner/manager will tell you that they make their money on Vodka. Despite all of the press bourbon has gotten in the last few years Vodka outsells everything else in most places.I've even seen the gouging move into the larger retailers this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd2005 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 That doesn't work either because any liquor store owner/manager will tell you that they make their money on Vodka. Despite all of the press bourbon has gotten in the last few years Vodka outsells everything else in most places.I've even seen the gouging move into the larger retailers this year.It's just sad when a small business owner doesn't respect or value his/her local customers. I have one store that I give 90% of my business to. The only times I don't buy stuff from him are when I pick up a six pack of beer at the grocery store, or when I stop by other shops out of curiosity looking for new/different bourbons. This owner is a decent guy, is more than willing to special order stuff like certain wines, and always charges the state minimum price. So it would be exceptionally disappointing if next year he tried to charge my $400 for an $80 bottle of bourbon just because "someone will pay it". I'm not a high-roller, but I certainly give him more business than what he would make off of gouging every bottle of van winkle he gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smknjoe Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I agree that it's unfortunate. And unfortunately for me I live in a city with many "high-rollers". So, even at stores where they at least know my face (if not my name) they tend to still have that attitude. I complained about this year's Stagg being overpriced at $109 and told the manager (that knows me by name) that it should be ~$80. His reply was that the "upper management said that people would pay it." This was at a pretty large store. I'm sure he sold the bottle later that week to someone who was falling all over themselves to overpay. Yes, we need to "vote with our wallets", but don't expect a positive or apologetic reaction if you tell them you won't shop there. Plus, you may be cutting yourself off to other good bourbons at a good price if you do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
393foureyedfox Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 i still say that if i were a store owner and has some PVW23 or something else in high demand, I would offer it for no more than $100 to people IF they cracked the seal before leaving with it. If I knew you were going to flip it, I'd have no mercy on you and would make sure that you wouldnt make enough on it to make it worth it to you.integrity is worth more than money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I wonder what percentage of bottles are already "flipped" before they reach the store, either by the owner or an employee. I understand the legalities of a store owner or employee selling outside of the store. However, what is to prevent him/her from selling it through the store to a relative or friend who then flips it and they split the profit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd2005 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I wonder what percentage of bottles are already "flipped" before they reach the store, either by the owner or an employee. I understand the legalities of a store owner or employee selling outside of the store. However, what is to prevent him/her from selling it through the store to a relative or friend who then flips it and they split the profit?There's very little to prevent a store owner from "selling" it to himself and then flipping it on the grey market. Technically sure it is illegal, but there is so little oversight no one would ever find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkater1 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 That doesn't work either because any liquor store owner/manager will tell you that they make their money on Vodka. Despite all of the press bourbon has gotten in the last few years Vodka outsells everything else in most places.Could be a valid point. I went to said store on my lunch and told them I really didn't care who he sold the bottle to, just don't act like your doing me a favor by selling me a bottle 5x it's retail and I wouldn't come back again. He said well that's your choice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherCigarGuy Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Could be a valid point. I went to said store on my lunch and told them I really didn't care who he sold the bottle to, just don't act like your doing me a favor by selling me a bottle 5x it's retail and I wouldn't come back again. He said well that's your choice. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLooking for the "like" button on this one! Good for you, JK! You gotta let 'em know you have some standards!I'm sure it won't make 'em change, but YOU sure should feel better for your principled stand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smknjoe Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 (edited) I found a stash of JPS17 at a small chain earlier this year. They had been sitting on these bottles since the initial release in 2009 and they were marked at a very respectable $89. I bought 1 or 2 at that price. Then, another member here asked if I could grab a few for him. I went back less than 24 hours later and the same guy (owner) said I should have bought them yesterday because he was now selling them for $129 each. I asked him if he was kidding and he said no. I asked if he would please sell the rest of them to me for the same price and he said no and he pointed out that they were going for that much on WineSearcher.com (Hugh!) (I'll also add that winesearcher shows grey market/BX prices for bourbon. They are never retail prices.) I then told him I would never be back and he said he didn't care. Edited December 11, 2013 by smknjoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 I'm sure he didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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