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Liquor Store "Huh?" Moments


fenderbender4

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Just went to Binny's and asked about ECBP which I know was delivered to the various locations last week.  I was there for something else and was curious to see if they had any left.  The explanation was a little bit too honest for me.  After getting the standard, "we got 2 cases and they're gone," line from the manager, I waited a few more minutes and asked the guy ringing me up how fast they went.  He said they never hit the shelves, which isn't surprising, but he said three employees bought one each, two managers bought one each and the manager's buddy bought the sixth & last bottle.  I find that to be a complete BS way of running a store.  I can't say with any certainty that all Binny's locations allow their personnel to buy up all the allocated bourbons, but this one surely did.  The reality is that Binny's seems to have wildly inconsistent rules when it comes to allocated releases, some have a 1 bottle per customer policy and sell to the public, some hold allocated releases for preferred customers of that particular store, whereas some locations allow employees to clear out the allocation before the public even gets a chance.  In this particular case, to not let even a single bottle make it out to customers is just wrong IMO.  We here in northern Illinois are blessed and cursed with Binnys.  They are a massive resource for most things, but some of their practices with allocated items is just absurd and minimally worthy of a "huh" or WTF every now and again.    

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I know a few larger chains that set aside some bottles of limited releases for employees or set some back for special events. However,  those that I am aware generally sell the majority to customers. 

 

I guess it is better to know how that particular store is managed so you can factor that into where you shop.  

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9 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

I guess it is better to know how that particular store is managed so you can factor that into where you shop.  

I totally agree!    A place that reserves these allocated releases for their own benefit is probably understandable; but not worthy of my patronage.   Just MHO, of course.

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11 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

I guess it is better to know how that particular store is managed so you can factor that into where you shop.  

 

That's probably the best way of looking at the situation. 

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16 hours ago, jvd99 said:

The reality is that Binny's seems to have wildly inconsistent rules when it comes to allocated releases, some have a 1 bottle per customer policy and sell to the public, some hold allocated releases for preferred customers of that particular store, whereas some locations allow employees to clear out the allocation before the public even gets a chance.  In this particular case, to not let even a single bottle make it out to customers is just wrong IMO.  We here in northern Illinois are blessed and cursed with Binnys.  They are a massive resource for most things, but some of their practices with allocated items is just absurd and minimally worthy of a "huh" or WTF every now and again.    

 

you are right on point with this.  I've actually never seen ECBP at Binny's, and the few stores that I frequent seem to have no knowledge of it.  with BTAC and Pappy, it varies from store to store on how they distribute as well, so I usually don't depend on them to get any rares since I probably either don't spend enough or work there.

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Went into a store today and regular 1792 was $70 but 1792 Single Barrel was $44..... everything else was out of range but they clearly missed this one

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15 minutes ago, flahute said:

This one requires no explanation.

 

IMG_1250.JPG

 

Out of curiosity, does that include the much talked about Washington Tax, or do they add that at the register?

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6 minutes ago, petrel800 said:

 

Out of curiosity, does that include the much talked about Washington Tax, or do they add that at the register?

That price does not include tax, which adds insult to injury when you get to the register.

This store usually has fine print below the price showing you the final price after tax. Not sure why this tag didn't have that. Still, they suck you in the bold print price.

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For the size and market of Binny's they seem to get (or say they get) a pretty low allocation of limited releases like BTAC, Pappy, 4R. Some stores do lotteries. I'd almost consider letting their whisky hotline guys know what that suburban store did; they might not approve, or they may not care.

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I don't go to Binny's anymore for any allocated releases, I've been lied to too many times.  Two years ago on the day OFBB hit, I went to Binny's the same night and was told I missed it by a few hours.  Two days later, I went back to the same location and I see some guy asking for permission to go into "the room" (where they keep expensive bottles).  I was curious to see what he was getting and wouldn't you know it, he grabs a bottle of OFBB!  When he and the manager come out I asked the manager where that bottle came from bc I was told two days prior they were gone.  He told me that they "found one last bottle in the box" that they must have missed two days prior.

 

I won't even go into details about the 2014 Pappy Debacle.  Long story short, after waiting in line for four hours for Pappy, the same manager from above told us that they (Lincoln Park) didn't get any Pappy.  The next day, they had a bottle of it in their tasting room... Needless to say, I no longer buy anything from that Binny's.

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2 hours ago, flahute said:

This one requires no explanation.

 

IMG_1250.JPG

 

BMH Oregon is distilled by Stein, right?

 

I was at Wallowa Lake for the holiday weekend, and at the north end of the lake, is the town of Joseph, Oregon, where Stein is located. I stopped in and did some tasting. Hopefully some time this weekend, I'll get a chance to write something up in the new Craft Distillery forum.

 

Short answer is: This is almost certainly not worth the price.

 

FYI to everyone not familiar with WA's tax scheme, this one would be $135.37 out the door.

 

 

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One of the major chains around here did a lottery for some famous LE bottles.  A guy got the call he had won one.  He goes to the store and they start to ring him up at the cash register.  Confused, he questions, "you mean I have to pay for it?".  Then he said no, and left. :lol:

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Had a minor "huh" moment at my local store today. I stopped in looking for Booker's. The checkout counter is right by the entrance, so I always check there first to see what special goodies are on the shelf behind the counter. Imagine my surprise when I spotted Booker's behind the counter. :o Usually, it's on the shelf with all the other bourbons. I went back to check out the bourbon aisle anyway, and there was Booker's in it's normal spot on the shelf. :mellow:  Turns out it was regular Booker's on the shelf, and "Dot's Batch" behind the counter. Yes, they were both the same price. :huh:

 

Cheers! Joe

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1 hour ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Had a minor "huh" moment at my local store today. I stopped in looking for Booker's. The checkout counter is right by the entrance, so I always check there first to see what special goodies are on the shelf behind the counter. Imagine my surprise when I spotted Booker's behind the counter. :o Usually, it's on the shelf with all the other bourbons. I went back to check out the bourbon aisle anyway, and there was Booker's in it's normal spot on the shelf. :mellow:  Turns out it was regular Booker's on the shelf, and "Dot's Batch" behind the counter. Yes, they were both the same price. :huh:

 

Cheers! Joe

Isn't Dot's Batch regular Booker's?

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56 minutes ago, JoeTerp said:

Isn't Dot's Batch regular Booker's?

Yes. It's all regular Booker's. They just give the batches unique names now instead of alpha-numeric codes. It's achieved the desired result as now people get excited about particular batches and some liquor stores treat them like LE's with special placement and higher prices.

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1 hour ago, JoeTerp said:

Isn't Dot's Batch regular Booker's?

 

7 minutes ago, flahute said:

Yes. It's all regular Booker's. They just give the batches unique names now instead of alpha-numeric codes. It's achieved the desired result as now people get excited about particular batches and some liquor stores treat them like LE's with special placement and higher prices.

 

I knew that. Evidently the store wasn't quite sure. At least the lady at the checkout understood when I explained things to her. She said, "Sounds like some kind of marketing thing to me."  XACTLY!  ;)  

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The funny thing about Bookers, I had held off getting any because I was afraid I wasn't going to get the right batch.

I have a little advice for people frustrated with big chain liquor stores.  It's tantalizing because you know they will get some of the alocated stuff that goes around (because they do a lot of business).  Here's the other side of the coin.  At least a few people there know what is the hot item.  It either won't touch the shelf, or it will be put in some special area and marked way up.  The big stores are good for: beer, sale items, and stuff that hasn't gotten too hyped up.  

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9 hours ago, PaulO said:

The funny thing about Bookers, I had held off getting any because I was afraid I wasn't going to get the right batch.

I have a little advice for people frustrated with big chain liquor stores.  It's tantalizing because you know they will get some of the alocated stuff that goes around (because they do a lot of business).  Here's the other side of the coin.  At least a few people there know what is the hot item.  It either won't touch the shelf, or it will be put in some special area and marked way up.  The big stores are good for: beer, sale items, and stuff that hasn't gotten too hyped up.  

 

I've found it to be the kind of opposite in my case.  Total Wine seems to be pretty reliable when they get anything in.  Sometimes smaller stores have good deals (sales) but with the availability of information now, most places know there is a "bourbon craze" and price accordingly (if a bit on the WTF? side of things).

 

Although that Total Wine BMH Rye is just ridiculous.  I've seen it priced around $80 around here.  Definitely not touching it at that price.

Edited by fenderbender4
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Heh....I just checked, and the OLCC doesn't even seem to carry BMH Oregon. And they seem to carry absolutely every other Oregon distiller and NDP. Weird...

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2 hours ago, fenderbender4 said:

 

I've found it to be the kind of opposite in my case.  Total Wine seems to be pretty reliable when they get anything in.  Sometimes smaller stores have good deals (sales) but with the availability of information now, most places know there is a "bourbon craze" and price accordingly (if a bit on the WTF? side of things).

 

Although that Total Wine BMH Rye is just ridiculous.  I've seen it priced around $80 around here.  Definitely not touching it at that price.

The Total Wines here in Washington State have been doing some strange things the past 6 months or so. Some bourbons are deals compared to other stores, some are at true "Huh?" prices. They sell OF Sig for $35. BevMo has it for something like $22. TW here has Ezra Brooks 12yr for $60. Other stores typically have it for $35-$40. It's really arbitrary (at face value).

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28 minutes ago, flahute said:

The Total Wines here in Washington State have been doing some strange things the past 6 months or so. Some bourbons are deals compared to other stores, some are at true "Huh?" prices. They sell OF Sig for $35. BevMo has it for something like $22. TW here has Ezra Brooks 12yr for $60. Other stores typically have it for $35-$40. It's really arbitrary (at face value).

 

Wow, that is strange.  I guess I didn't realize how regional the TW stores are.  Makes sense given the state-by-state rules in regards to alcohol.  OF Sig for $35?  Geez...

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8 hours ago, fenderbender4 said:

 

Wow, that is strange.  I guess I didn't realize how regional the TW stores are.  Makes sense given the state-by-state rules in regards to alcohol.  OF Sig for $35?  Geez...

That must mean they actually have it. In my experience, when TW advertises bourbon at a great price it means they don't have any of it.

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I've seen TW sell BT for $18.75, 4RSB for $32.99, and Lock Stock& Barrel right next to it for $90. Prices are all over.

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For stores that still put actual price tags on the bottles, I seem to almost always find price discrepancies. Just today I found a few bottles of BT out in the middle for one price and then the same bottle on the shelf was $5 more.

 

A few weeks back I stumbled upon two bottles of my favorite tequila at a local spot. One was marked at the usual price and the other was $18 less. Not sure if it was bad karma to snag the bottle - guess I'll find out soon enough. 

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