Anyway, privatize the LCBO completely - INCLUDING distribution, and move on. The only thing that's good about the LCBO is the return policy, and even then, it's been kind of sketchy lately with more of a fuss being given from some employees that don't know the rules.
At least let me buy in less than case lots from the agents since pigs will fly before the above happens.
Originally posted by futronic: Here's a link from Friday about the strike not affecting the ability to purchase stuff from the LCBO, just inconvenience people during it.
Is it possible for LCBO to provide worse service than they currently do?
Originally posted by futronic: Here's a link from Friday about the strike not affecting the ability to purchase stuff from the LCBO, just inconvenience people during it.
Anyway, privatize the LCBO completely - INCLUDING distribution, and move on. The only thing that's good about the LCBO is the return policy, and even then, it's been kind of sketchy lately with more of a fuss being given from some employees that don't know the rules.
At least let me buy in less than case lots from the agents since pigs will fly before the above happens.
Ditto Futronic.....what a damn joke. I returned a bottle of 2005 Louis Latour Corton Charlemange this past week and one of the salepeople gave me a bit of lip...I said "Is there a problem...I am happy to take this up with your manager...what was your name?" She shut up pretty quick.....unreal service and lack of understanding of the LCBO policies
Originally posted by futronic: I got lip from a manager one day. I was unimpressed with the intimidation attempt.
The store managers in particular can be very annoying...'did you buy these bottles at this store, why are you returning these bottles, why are you returning so many bottles, why did you buy these bottles if you were going to return them, these bottles are very expensive for you to be returning'. Funny that they never complain when I buy lots of expensive bottles from their store. I just ask them why they are asking me these questions, and ask if the are familiar with the LCBO's return policy.
"No TV and no beer make Homer...something, something"
Re the CityNews article posted by futronic, when the Union spokesperson says "their goal is to inconvenience management, not the public" it means the strikers will harass and try to prevent non-unionized management from crossing the picket line but the public "just a little."
The numbers speak for themselves. There are roughly 7,200 unionized employees who will strike to be replaced by about 1,000 non-unionized managers. That's hardly enough and it's likely many of the smaller stores will be closed in favour of covering the bigger or central stores. Even if you close half the stores, that's still a lot for the 1,000 managers to cover, assuming all of them are able to cross the picket line.
And what about the truckers supplying the stores? They could refuse to or be prevented from crossing the picket line and you could have a situation of stores with below skeleton staff, depleting inventory and huge line ups.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stevey,
Here's what we have going on right now in Toronto:
1. LCBO Strike 2. Garbage Strike 3. City Workers strike (different union than the garbage situation I think)
Anyone think that people just want a summer holiday? I don't think I've ever seen any of these strikes occur in, say, the middle of January when there are blizzards and it's -20C outside.
The Beer Store is already privatized, Slan. It's owned by Molson's, Labatt's, and Sleeman's (or whatever company owns Sleeman's now). Wine Rack will also be open because that's private too.
As a result, they will all be open.
Privatization already exists in the province, it's disturbing that more people don't realize that. Please, please, please let the LCBO be next - and once again, that means distribution also. Otherwise you end up with the Alberta situation.
The Beer Store has always been privately-owned, I believe. What I didn't know was whether the place is unionized and, if so, whether it's the same union as the LCBO.
I don't think I've ever seen any of these strikes occur in, say, the middle of January when there are blizzards and it's -20C outside.
At least for garbage collection, it's much more effective in the Summer heat, if you know what I mean. If not, you will. Just open your windows in a few days.
I don't think I've ever seen any of these strikes occur in, say, the middle of January when there are blizzards and it's -20C outside.
At least for garbage collection, it's much more effective in the Summer heat, if you know what I mean. If not, you will. Just open your windows in a few days.
Sweet, my wife is in Toronto this week, hope she is enjoying the smells of the city.
Remember to always aim high, that way you won't get any on your shoes.
Originally posted by futronic: The Beer Store is already privatized, Slan. It's owned by Molson's, Labatt's, and Sleeman's (or whatever company owns Sleeman's now). Wine Rack will also be open because that's private too.
As a result, they will all be open.
Privatization already exists in the province, it's disturbing that more people don't realize that. Please, please, please let the LCBO be next - and once again, that means distribution also. Otherwise you end up with the Alberta situation.
Can you explain what's Alberta situation? Thanks.
Posts: 18 | Location: Toronto | Registered: Apr 14, 2009
People can Alberta can correct me if I'm wrong, but here's basically what went down:
Initially on privatization, the AGLC retained the distribution and warehousing of all alcohol. Private vendors were resellers of said product.
Now, the Alberta government contracted out those services to a company called Connect Logistics - basically from one monopoly to another, since it is still the sole distributor and warehouser. They actually took over the old AGLC warehouse and are using that!
And from Wiki:
"Although liquor is retailed in Alberta by private interests on a competitive basis, like its predecessor the AGLC has maintained a monopoly over the wholesaling of wine, coolers, imported beer and spirits. The AGLC, technically speaking, continues to be the purchaser of these products and thus Albertan liquor taxes (which are still high compared to taxes in the U.S.) are technically termed the AGLC liquor markup. The wholesaling operation itself is mostly handled by Connect Logistics who continue to be based in St. Albert. Maintaining a monopoly over the wholesale business allows the AGLC to maintain tighter controls over liquor distribution than a more competitive system would allow, in particular it allows the AGLC to ensure that it does not miss out on any of its "markups" (the bulk of the liquor tax in any Canadian province, including Alberta is the provincial liquor markup)."
So basically ... there's no real "free market" there. There still a single source and the AGLC is still getting their taxes/markup (and significant ones at that) without having to manage or maintain retail shops. It also explains why prices in Alberta can be higher than elsewhere. Arguments from the LCBO/LCBO supporters that state, "See! We're cheaper than that privatized Alberta" is flawed as a result.
As a consumer, the biggest and most obvious difference that I notice between an LCBO outlet and a private wine store in Alberta is that the private wine store staff give a darn about whether I will buy something or not. Generally they care about whether I will be satisfied enough to return in the future. Not so at the LCBO who would probably not care if I hung around all day every day, they would still not bother to see if I needed assistance.
