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1,353 replies

LCBO Price Alert

V vijayMember
quote:
Return wine purchased greater than 30 days ago for gift card

I don't see this happening at every LCBO, you must have some contacts that allow you to do this. My approach:
- rebuy VSO product at marked down rate
- exchange old VSO product while waiting for new product to arrive for something new you want to buy (requires receipt to get original purchase value back and needs to be greater than what you paid in total from the initial purchase)
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
Here's the challenge: I ordered via Vintages Direct at full price. They've since dropped the price and have sold out. It's still listed on the website, though. at the sale price.

Once my order arrives at my local store, could I go the store and pick it up, immediately return it for a refund, and then buy back the same bottles at the reduced price? I think I'd need to find a sympathetic manager, but logistically I don't see why this wouldn't work.

EDIT: Just after I posted this, I got the call that my Gatinois Grand Cru has arrived. I'll pick it up after work and see if I can swing the discounted price.
S steveyMember
quote:
Originally posted by AML:
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
I would love to see where the policy states that. Can you please provide a link? The only one I see here is for Returns within the 30 day mark:
http://www.lcbo.com/products/returningproducts.shtml


You can return product after the 30 day window for credit. Per customer service, this includes placing the credit on a gift card to be used at a later date.


LCBO Customer Service is about as reliable as their website. I too have encountered situations where the store didn't allow gift cards for over 30-day exchanges. Logically, it shouldn't make a difference and may even be to their benefit if the gift card is lost, but logic and LCBO are not always on agreeable terms.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
Both Champagnes and Brunellos that were discounted on the VSO website are now gone. Not gone as in sold out, but gone as in no longer listed on the Vintages or LCBO websites. A search for the product codes returns nothing.

I know the Gatinois sold out a few days ago and there was only 1 bottle of the Fleury remaining as of last night, but there was plenty of the Canalicchio di Sopra and the Fossacolle Brunello.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Canuck:
I've noticed that when product sells out on VSO it usually gets pulled rather than still showing up with an inventory of zero.


That makes sense, except that it showed over 100 bottles of the Fossacolle as of 7 AM this morning (I happened to look at it), and two hours later it was removed from the system.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
Here's the challenge: I ordered via Vintages Direct at full price. They've since dropped the price and have sold out. It's still listed on the website, though. at the sale price.

Once my order arrives at my local store, could I go the store and pick it up, immediately return it for a refund, and then buy back the same bottles at the reduced price? I think I'd need to find a sympathetic manager, but logistically I don't see why this wouldn't work.

EDIT: Just after I posted this, I got the call that my Gatinois Grand Cru has arrived. I'll pick it up after work and see if I can swing the discounted price.


UPDATE: No problem getting the lower price. When I picked it up on Tuesday, the manager wasn't in. I went back to the store today and the manager rang through the refund at full price, which put the 2 bottles back into their inventory. He was then able to sell them to me again at the discounted price. He did it all in a single transaction, which netted in a $30+ credit to my VISA. I didn't even have the bottles with me. Just my receipt.

So for future reference, if it's within the 30 day window, the process is very simple. Get the store to refund it at full price and then sell it to you again at the discounted price.
otwotwMember
The size of the discounts has been shrinking to the point where it doesn't seem worth leaving home for.

When they first discovered the joy of bin ends, the discounts were up to 50% and they have been shrinking ever since. Now you see some wines at their discount center that are shown at '$1 off'. They don't seem to have any rational philosophy about how to manage stock turnover.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
The discounts we have enjoyed over the past 6-8 months were driven by a realization in mid-2013 that LCBO warehouses contained 40,000+ cases of excess inventory. That inventory has now been depleted to the point where such generous discounting is no longer required.

Do you really think that Vintages cleared out all that inventory? I would predict that we (as taxpayers) are the proud new tenants of a new larger-than-ever warehouse with increased space that needs filling.
S shavezMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
According to a well-placed informant deep inside the KGBO, the excess inventory has indeed been cleared. It's back to gouging as usual.


I realized while reading these posts that it's actually been quite a while since I've bought anything more than a daily drinker from the KGBO. With all the frustrations stemming from poor selection, ridiculously high prices, impossible-to-win lotteries and the new first-come, first-serve approach for extremely low-inventory wines, I'd now estimate that about 75% of my wine budget goes to US or German wine retailers. My cellar is now housed in about 4 different places...which is another problem altogether (but a MUCH cheaper one for now)!
otwotwMember
More of my money has also been going to US wine auctions, foreign purchases (Italy for me), and to direct purchases from agents. There is absolutely no way that I am going back to the days when I'd set my alarm to go line up to buy a bottle of wine on release day.

The first-come, first served approach they have taken to Classics is basically a reversion back to the old communist method of distribution, and I'm not doing that. I used to buy something from every Classics release, and now I have missed every one since the switch to the new first-come, first served format. I also skipped the Dominus silliness. Having broken the habit, it feels rather refreshing.

Fortunately, I travel enough that I'm not dependent on the LCBO, but I feel for the folks that have no choice but be jerked around by the swings in LCBO policy.
J jhcwineMember
quote:
Originally posted by shavez:
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
According to a well-placed informant deep inside the KGBO, the excess inventory has indeed been cleared. It's back to gouging as usual.


I realized while reading these posts that it's actually been quite a while since I've bought anything more than a daily drinker from the KGBO. With all the frustrations stemming from poor selection, ridiculously high prices, impossible-to-win lotteries and the new first-come, first-serve approach for extremely low-inventory wines, I'd now estimate that about 75% of my wine budget goes to US or German wine retailers. My cellar is now housed in about 4 different places...which is another problem altogether (but a MUCH cheaper one for now)!


Shavez: Retailers in Germany or retailers of German wine? If German retailers, I have been toying with the option of buying wines on-line from European retailers, for shipment here or just across the border, but have not taken the plunge yet. Would enjoy chatting about that, if you have time. jhcolman at rogers dot com.
D doktapMember
quote:
The first-come, first served approach they have taken to Classics is basically a reversion back to the old communist method of distribution, and I'm not doing that. I used to buy something from every Classics release, and now I have missed every one since the switch to the new first-come, first served format. I also skipped the Dominus silliness. Having broken the habit, it feels rather refreshing.

Agree 100%

Fortunately, I travel enough that I'm not dependent on the LCBO, but I feel for the folks that have no choice but be jerked around by the swings in LCBO policy.
F funkyseefunkydooMember
quote:
Originally posted by shavez:

With all the frustrations stemming from ... impossible-to-win lotteries and the new first-come, first-serve approach for extremely low-inventory wines...


This may be a dumb question, and I don't want to appear to be defending the LCBO, but for the "extremely low inventory wines" ... what model of allocation would people like to see?

We've swung from the lotteries to the first-come-first-serve model, and based on posts on this board people seem to hate both.

By definition, the demand is exceeding the supply for these wines, so someone is going to miss out and be disappointed. Not sure I can envision a system where everyone is happy.

Is it simply that they should be purchasing greater quantities of those wines?
F futronicMember
I prefer the first-come, first-served model. That way, if I miss out because it's 8:32 or 8:35 or 8:45am on the online ordering day, it's my fault for not getting in sooner. The allocation system was always terrible and there were many, many times that I got two bottles or something at most when I wanted 4, 6, or more.

I'm sure it will happen at some point, but I've yet to miss out on anything in the new Classics format that I really wanted.

Early bird gets the worm and all that. And if it doesn't, there's always another worm.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
Both the lottery and first-come, first-served approaches have their faults, but I really don't care any more which method they choose. It's not very often that I'm after one of the extremely low inventory products. Even the Produttori in the last release wasn't particularly difficult to get a hold of, provided you were online right at 8:30. And if I had missed it, it wouldn't have bothered me. I'm getting a bit zen-like in my approach to wine buying. It took a friend to point out the obvious to me when he said, "There will always be more wine. Perhaps not that bottle. But one that's equally good, if not better."

While I wish that Ontario had a competitive open market system for wine retailing, there are times when their strict pricing formula works to our advantage. Other times, not so much.

If I were living in California, some things would be considerably cheaper than here. Other things would be more expensive.

I'd love to live in the Cote d'Or or Provence (really I would), and I expect that the quality and variety of French wine that I buy would increase dramatically without having to spend more than I spend now on French wine. But I wonder what the cost of new world wines would be like in France. Or even the cost of wines from other European countries. (I have no idea about the relative cost of, say, Barolo in France vs. Canada or the USA. Can anyone enlighten me?)

Anyway, no matter where you are it's always a bit of a trade-off. The flaws of Ontario's wine retailing are legend, but between the KGBO, the various distributors, the SAQ, and shipping from US retailers/auction houses to Lewiston, I think we have great choice, if not the best price.
V vincentricMember
Hey Web,

You nailed it with 'extremely low inventory wines'. Even though people complain about both, I find the lottery situation at least more fair. The first come first serve basis is heavily biased against anyone who cannot schedule their week and day around the 8:30 AM Thursday release. Since most of the popular 'low volume' wines seem to be gone by 8:32.

At least with the lottery system it seemed to place people on a somewhat even footing. There is no perfect way to allocate wine that is in such high demand and low quantity.

Just my 2 Cents

Like OTW, I'm now less inclined to participate in the Classics , and will not go back to standing in line at Stores on a Saturday morning. Mind you, I gave up standing at stores waiting for the allocation in about 1999. I actually only did that once, and was cured of any desire of repeating the exercise.
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by futronic:
I prefer the first-come, first-served model. That way, if I miss out because it's 8:32 or 8:35 or 8:45am on the online ordering day, it's my fault for not getting in sooner. The allocation system was always terrible and there were many, many times that I got two bottles or something at most when I wanted 4, 6, or more.

I'm sure it will happen at some point, but I've yet to miss out on anything in the new Classics format that I really wanted.

Early bird gets the worm and all that. And if it doesn't, there's always another worm.


Isn't the question of bottle limits a separate question from first come or lottery? On the latest release there was a notice that bottle limits would be removed after 12:00, indicating that there were bottle limits in place.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinCentric:
quote:
Originally posted by futronic:
I prefer the first-come, first-served model. That way, if I miss out because it's 8:32 or 8:35 or 8:45am on the online ordering day, it's my fault for not getting in sooner. The allocation system was always terrible and there were many, many times that I got two bottles or something at most when I wanted 4, 6, or more.

I'm sure it will happen at some point, but I've yet to miss out on anything in the new Classics format that I really wanted.

Early bird gets the worm and all that. And if it doesn't, there's always another worm.


Isn't the question of bottle limits a separate question from first come or lottery? On the latest release there was a notice that bottle limits would be removed after 12:00, indicating that there were bottle limits in place.

Indeed you are correct... they are separate questions. I doubt very many of us out there would argue in favour of allowing one person to corner the market on a particular wine (even allowing for sunnylea's comment about there always being more grape juice out there!). And there may have been some suspicion that this did happen in the case of the Noval port where 11 bottles disappeared in an instant. So surely, fairness dictates that some kind of sharing mechanism is required for bottles with extremely limited quantities.

The first come, first served method of release is just the virtual equivalent of lining up outside the door at your local LCBO on release day... except you can't actually queue up, so it turns into the electronic version of a door-crasher with everyone sitting there watching their clock and making the charge at the same moment. Reminds me of shopping for turkeys at Honest Ed's at Christmas. Seems a bit silly, no?
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
Reminds me of shopping for turkeys at Honest Ed's at Christmas. Seems a bit silly, no?


Makes me think of the classic WKRP "turkey" episode. "Oh the humanity! People are running about. The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!"

Wait a sec, that's the solution! Instead of a first-come, first-served online sale, they can just gather everyone in the Summerhill LCBO parking lot and throw the bottles out of a helicopter.
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
Reminds me of shopping for turkeys at Honest Ed's at Christmas. Seems a bit silly, no?


Makes me think of the classic WKRP "turkey" episode. "Oh the humanity! People are running about. The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!"

Wait a sec, that's the solution! Instead of a first-come, first-served online sale, they can just gather everyone in the Summerhill LCBO parking lot and throw the bottles out of a helicopter.


"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Hayes:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
Reminds me of shopping for turkeys at Honest Ed's at Christmas. Seems a bit silly, no?


Makes me think of the classic WKRP "turkey" episode. "Oh the humanity! People are running about. The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!"

Wait a sec, that's the solution! Instead of a first-come, first-served online sale, they can just gather everyone in the Summerhill LCBO parking lot and throw the bottles out of a helicopter.


"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."



Best sitcom moment ever
S shavezMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
quote:
Originally posted by shavez:

With all the frustrations stemming from ... impossible-to-win lotteries and the new first-come, first-serve approach for extremely low-inventory wines...


This may be a dumb question, and I don't want to appear to be defending the LCBO, but for the "extremely low inventory wines" ... what model of allocation would people like to see?

We've swung from the lotteries to the first-come-first-serve model, and based on posts on this board people seem to hate both.

By definition, the demand is exceeding the supply for these wines, so someone is going to miss out and be disappointed. Not sure I can envision a system where everyone is happy.

Is it simply that they should be purchasing greater quantities of those wines?


I guess arguments could be made that either approach to the low inventory wines is preferable, given the archaic and monopolistic system we are forced to deal with. Either way though, we still have to deal with the LCBO - a monopoly that makes us dependent on someone else's choices on what to bring in to Ontario. I'm just fed up with this system that at best, doesn't p*ss me off, but has never made me satisfied.
S shavezMember
quote:
Originally posted by jhcwine:
quote:
Originally posted by shavez:
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
According to a well-placed informant deep inside the KGBO, the excess inventory has indeed been cleared. It's back to gouging as usual.


I realized while reading these posts that it's actually been quite a while since I've bought anything more than a daily drinker from the KGBO. With all the frustrations stemming from poor selection, ridiculously high prices, impossible-to-win lotteries and the new first-come, first-serve approach for extremely low-inventory wines, I'd now estimate that about 75% of my wine budget goes to US or German wine retailers. My cellar is now housed in about 4 different places...which is another problem altogether (but a MUCH cheaper one for now)!


Shavez: Retailers in Germany or retailers of German wine? If German retailers, I have been toying with the option of buying wines on-line from European retailers, for shipment here or just across the border, but have not taken the plunge yet. Would enjoy chatting about that, if you have time. jhcolman at rogers dot com.


Hi jhcolman - I mean retailers located in Germany. I never have the wines I buy there shipped to Canada or the US, but am in Munich for business on a regular basis so I can pick them up then. I also have 1-2 close friends in Munich who are kind enough to let me have wines shipped to their homes.
S steveyMember
Agree 100% with futronic. I managed to get a wine in the Apr Classics that I never would've gotten before. I made an effort to get online at 8:30am and my effort was rewarded this time. I'll likely strike out more often than not in the future, but at least it's better than <1% odds that I was batting under the "unfair" lottery system.
D doktapMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
I'm fine with the 8:30 am start but there should be bottle limits of 1 for wines with less than 24 in the system, 3 for less than 60 in the system and 6 for less than 120 bottles in the system.

If they bring in a case of something there should be 12 individuals that get it, not one who gets a case.

+1
S shavezMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
I like the tiered limit suggestion, Rob. Wish there was transparency about their current limits, instead of their current claim of a "per-person limit on high demand product until noon on the first day of sale" (or some similarly vague language). Which bottles? What's the per-person limit on those bottles?


Setting my LCBO frustrations aside, I agree with this. Transparency on this info would help.
S steveyMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
I'm fine with the 8:30 am start but there should be bottle limits of 1 for wines with less than 24 in the system, 3 for less than 60 in the system and 6 for less than 120 bottles in the system.

If they bring in a case of something there should be 12 individuals that get it, not one who gets a case.


According to the Classics ordering info: "... but regret that sometimes customer demand exceeds supply. Products in this offer are subject to per-customer limits on the first day or ordering. Limits will be removed at Noon on launch day."

If only 12 bottles, then I'm guessing the limit should be one. So it should already be happening.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by 7smcb:
If we think that system-wide delists are on the wane, does anyone have any tips for which stores are worth trolling for regular in-store markdowns?

I haven't been in a while - has Laird given up on markdowns since they moved to larger digs?

Since the rebuild, Laird St is under the steely gaze of the brain trust that manages the LCBO downtown. That means that there are 100 pairs of eyes, none of which are attached to a brain stem, running things and life is totally frustrating for the PCs who work at Laird. It also means that any initiative taken at the store level will be mercilessly crushed.

Things won't get better at Laird until they have another store opening.
R riddlerMember
quote:
Originally posted by 7smcb:
If we think that system-wide delists are on the wane, does anyone have any tips for which stores are worth trolling for regular in-store markdowns?

I haven't been in a while - has Laird given up on markdowns since they moved to larger digs?


The Stittsville store regularly has markdowns at that store only. Luckily for me, it tends to be the higher priced Burgundy and Rhone wines too!
BP Beta PMember
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
quote:
Originally posted by Riddler:
2010 Beaucastel, 375ml, for $32. 6 left as of yesterday.


In Stittsville or elsewhere?


There is stock at the Dorval and Cornwall stores, but I didn't notice it marked down earlier this week.

In my experience, in-store markdowns are becoming more infrequent, usually when stock has been on the shelves for a while, and even then only with management approval.

One employee made a remark to me that auditors note any store with higher than normal markdowns relative to sales. (It might have been in jest.)
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by Beta P:
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
quote:
Originally posted by Riddler:
2010 Beaucastel, 375ml, for $32. 6 left as of yesterday.


In Stittsville or elsewhere?


There is stock at the Dorval and Cornwall stores, but I didn't notice it marked down earlier this week.

In my experience, in-store markdowns are becoming more infrequent, usually when stock has been on the shelves for a while, and even then only with management approval.

One employee made a remark to me that auditors note any store with higher than normal markdowns relative to sales. (It might have been in jest.)


Thanks! I don't think I've ever seen a bottle marked down there, even though the PCs are amongst the best I've met both in terms of customer service and just being good eggs!
R riddlerMember
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
quote:
Originally posted by Riddler:
2010 Beaucastel, 375ml, for $32. 6 left as of yesterday.


In Stittsville or elsewhere?


In browsing other stores, it looks like it's only the Stittsville store that has it marked down.

They had Jadot Beaune Boucherottes marked down too, but they didn't last long.

Manager and Consultants at that store try to keep a high turnover on product, so there are always a couple dozen in-store markdowns. Also, Sherry White (consultant) is always giving me a heads up of things that are getting marked down "soon". Apparently 30% off is the max they're allowed to mark it down at the Manager's discretion.
R riddlerMember
Alright, who snapped up the last of the 2010 Beaucastels from Stittsville..... bahsterds!

Couldn't wait to try one, so I popped one on Saturday at noon, and after an 8hr exhale, drank it over the next few hours.

WOW.... powerhouse, a bit heavy on the prune, but that's right in my wheelhouse. Can't wait to try it in another few years!
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
Interesting experience at lunch today. Went to my local outlet to ask if they could arrange for some bottles at another store to be shipped down to them, since there were only a few left and I knew I wouldn't be able to drive across town to get them. I was asking for 4 bottles - an order that came to roughly $225 (although the value is irrelevant).

The store manager and the PC were off today, so I spoke to an assistant manager (I believe). I explained what I wanted and he immediately started to berate me: "What, you can't drive up there yourself? How do you think the wine gets from there to here? You think it just flies here? No, seriously - how do you think it gets here?? They've gotta put it on a truck that burns diesel fuel. You're going to burn a hole in the ozone layer just so you can get 4 bottles of wine."

This is verbatim. And he continued in that vein for another minute or so.

At first I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. Later he half-heartedly apologized saying, "Sorry if I was rude earlier."
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by Darcy:
What an asshole. Call customer service and file a formal complaint. I'm told they get investigated and that negligent employees get "coaching." The LCBO people in cust service are very decent. Not sure what else you can do. #monopoly


+1

I asked for 4 bottles to come from Cobourg to Oakville and got no backchat at all from the PC, much the opposite she could not have been nicer and in fact called me back twice after our initial conversation, once to say that she had left a message for the PC in Cobourg then again to say that the latter had confirmed the bottles were en route.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
I've done inter-store shipping numerous times without a hassle.

BTW, the PC (who has always been very helpful to me) came back from lunch and called to let me know that the LCBO has apparently changed their policy on inter-store shipping. It can still be done, but she said it now has to be vetted through head office. As well, it's not a hard and fast rule, but they're trying to cut down on low-volume (1-2 bottle) inter-store shipments.

Anyway, she won't be able to finalize the shipment until Wednesday... by which time the product I want could be gone at the other store.
M machineMember
quote:
Originally posted by AML:
So, they get decide which stores the bottles are initially sold at, and now they get to step in and veto where those bottles can be transferred to?

Pretty much anyone in the province who doesn't live in Toronto Ottawa gets the short end of the stick.


Fixed! Not sure how many times I've been looking for something with low inventory and the only bottles left are in Ottawa. Shame about the policy change, I've found that the consultants typically have no issue with inter-store shipping. As for diesel fuel costs I find it hard to believe that inter-store shipments aren't simply moved via trucks that are already going to and from the stores in question, so management of the shipment is merely administrative in terms of ensuring that it gets onto the truck from the sending store and makes its way onto a truck going to the receiving store, so no excess fuel used...but then again this is the LCBO so who knows.
C csmMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
BTW, the PC (who has always been very helpful to me) came back from lunch and called to let me know that the LCBO has apparently changed their policy on inter-store shipping. It can still be done, but she said it now has to be vetted through head office. As well, it's not a hard and fast rule, but they're trying to cut down on low-volume (1-2 bottle) inter-store shipments.


And I'm sure the change in policy is clearly addressed on the KGBO's website and has been communicated clearly to all PCs as well Roll Eyes
Last edited by csm
M machineMember
quote:
Originally posted by Darcy:
What an asshole. Call customer service and file a formal complaint. I'm told they get investigated and that negligent employees get "coaching." The LCBO people in cust service are very decent. Not sure what else you can do. #monopoly


Haven't called for years, but I will say that if I ever ran into anything like this, or a store refusing to take a bottle back because I didn't buy it there or it was too expensive for their store (telling me to drive to a bigger store to return it...even if I picked up the order in question at the store refusing to take it back), 100% of the time customer service said the employee was wrong.
D darcyMember
Yes, my experience, too, and I do think people like Peter in customer service are very decent and earnest. Cornwall Road in Oakville used to be very arrogant - I'd call and they'd say for sure the tasting bar was open, and low and behold I'd transit out there and be told to come back another day because they were "too busy" to staff it. Totally unacceptable. But they've improved - somewhat. Still worth escalating. And, the store-to-store policy, typical of LCBO, is applied inconsistently. They need to formalize it, and no screwing around. 2+ bottles or $100+ in total price would seem fair to me. Shouldn't be a surcharge, either, as there isn't when Canadian Tire or Home Depot does the same, without cost.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
I called customer service. She wrote down the conversation as I recounted it as well as the description of the employee in question, and she said she will follow up with me.

She also said that there is no new inter-store policy that she is aware of.

However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by AML:
Not the first time that a Product Consultant has tried to misrepresent LCBO policies for their own convenience.

It sounds like sunnylea57's interaction was not with an actual PC, but with what a friend of mine calls the "red hat manager". That's the guy who likes to think he's in charge but in reality is just another overpaid clerk.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.

I don't understand the logic behind that... does being discontinued mean that they do not wish it to be sold? Must be some new inventory management concept that I am not aware of.
J jhcwineMember
I've worked to develop friendships with the PC's and some staff in my neighbourhood store and some of the flagship stores. They then always try to help me out, in finding stock, transferring items from other stores and giving me a heads up on arrivals of interest to me. One nice fellow used to set aside bottles for me, but was transferred to another store. On one occasion, I had to have a chat with the Manager about a interpersonal relationship challenged staff member manning the service desk; that individual was moved to general cash and eventually moved out.

The LCBO will always be the LCBO, but most people are or can be good people, if you give them a chance. Most are just doing the best they can, to do their jobs as they know best. Being respectful and asking for their help generally works.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
The ozone layer guy was just a clerk. He's the one who first told me that the interstore transfer would have to go through head office, and that they had to prove to head office that they had exhausted every other option to procure the wine before head office would allow the transfer. Which sounded like BS to me, since all they had to do was look at online inventory to see there was only one store that still had product.

But it was definitely the PC who called me back later. I've dealt with her numerous times. She said it would take until Wednesday to arrange the transfer, and she did say that head office was trying to reduce the number of transfers of small orders. Perhaps she was just protecting the clerk who labelled me as a lazy carbon-emission spewing arse for wanting to transfer four bottles.

EDIT: then again, she's also the one who told me that the LCBO was going to do a soft launch of the new online ordering system, and that the February Classics would be available about a week prior to the official launch.... Which proved to be BS.

So perhaps she isn't the most reliable PC.
Last edited by sunnylea57
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by jhcwine:
I've worked to develop friendships with the PC's and some staff in my neighbourhood store and some of the flagship stores. They then always try to help me out, in finding stock, transferring items from other stores and giving me a heads up on arrivals of interest to me. One nice fellow used to set aside bottles for me, but was transferred to another store. On one occasion, I had to have a chat with the Manager about a interpersonal relationship challenged staff member manning the service desk; that individual was moved to general cash and eventually moved out.

The LCBO will always be the LCBO, but most people are or can be good people, if you give them a chance. Most are just doing the best they can, to do their jobs as they know best. Being respectful and asking for their help generally works.


Jhcw, being "respectful and asking for help" isn't helpful advice given the situation I described. I was polite enough when I asked about the possibility of doing the transfer. His attack was without provocation and out of the blue. When he finished I was so stunned I didn't know what to say. I just said "wow". Oh, and then I reminded him that if I were to go and pick up the wine myself, I'd be driving there and back and killing the ozone with my own car, so what difference did it make. Smile
J jhcwineMember
Fair point, Sunnylea57. Seems like you had a run in with abit of a character. We should (as customers) not have to be subject to behavior like that.

I'd suggest chatting with the store manager, if you wish. He can either offer the offending individual some coaching or discipline or both. And sometimes, folks are just in the wrong job, relative to their skills sets. I once had a similar run in with an LCBO clerk. When I mentioned it to Store Manager, he was not surprised and thanked me for coming to him, as it gave him the information he needed to deal with this employee, in a union environment.
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.

I don't understand the logic behind that... does being discontinued mean that they do not wish it to be sold? Must be some new inventory management concept that I am not aware of.


Not sure if "discontinued" means the item is on sale but I have learned that the LCBO will not, or is very reluctant to, ship sale wines to other stores. The reasoning is that the wine has already been reduced so there is no profit margin to be made, wen you factor in the cost of shipping.

So, when they put slow moving wines on sale, I guess they just want them to be sold from that particular store.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.

I don't understand the logic behind that... does being discontinued mean that they do not wish it to be sold? Must be some new inventory management concept that I am not aware of.


LCBO's new jingle:

http://youtu.be/9tOnbeNAxdU
A amlMember
I can count on one hand the number of product consultants around here that know their head from their ass. The notion that I should kiss the latter or develop "friendships" just to get the service I'm already entitled to is laughable.

Any time I walk in to an LCBO I treat everyone I interact with respectfully, however, if someone starts twisting policies to suit their own agenda, the gloves come off. I have no issues calling up customer service, reporting the situation and have them force the store to abide by the policies.
J jhcwineMember
Well, yes, we are the customer and we don't need to "kiss ass", as you say. But I have come to know some of the PC's and clerks in afew stores (to the extent that they recognize me and vica versa), by simply being friendly. It's nice to receive a "Hi, how are you" from them, and have LCBO rep that's prepared to dig for a bottle that's hiding.
vintvintMember
I frequent a number of different stores, as I'm sure most of us do. Without fail, every time I cultivated the kind of relationship with a PC jhcwine describes, they got transferred to another store. I was starting to develop a complex around this but was told "that's just what happens." So I don't bother trying anymore.

It would be interesting to get some perspective on this thread from nicos.
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.

I don't understand the logic behind that... does being discontinued mean that they do not wish it to be sold? Must be some new inventory management concept that I am not aware of.


LCBO's new jingle:

http://youtu.be/9tOnbeNAxdU



Should be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i0DMbCKnAg


Notwithstanding the above, I have been told that they don't do ISTs on discounted products because it is already 'costing them on the discount, and it doesn't make sense to spend $15 (cost) to transfer to another store when they are already discounting it. The other policy on ISTs is that it is at the discretion of the consultant at the store with the inventory. Some hoard it like it's their own private stock. Others are happy to help out. Ah, the machinations of our government monopoly... and so it goes...
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
I frequent a number of different stores, as I'm sure most of us do. Without fail, every time I cultivated the kind of relationship with a PC jhcwine describes, they got transferred to another store. I was starting to develop a complex around this but was told "that's just what happens." So I don't bother trying anymore.

It would be interesting to get some perspective on this thread from nicos.


I hear you VinT. On the most recent transfer, the PC I've known the longest got transferred to a closer store - go figure. I'm enjoying it while it lasts, touch wood.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by VinCentric:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
However, she looked up the product I wanted and it's a discontinued item - and therefore cannot be shipped inter-store.

I don't understand the logic behind that... does being discontinued mean that they do not wish it to be sold? Must be some new inventory management concept that I am not aware of.


LCBO's new jingle:

http://youtu.be/9tOnbeNAxdU



Should be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i0DMbCKnAg


Notwithstanding the above, I have been told that they don't do ISTs on discounted products because it is already 'costing them on the discount, and it doesn't make sense to spend $15 (cost) to transfer to another store when they are already discounting it. The other policy on ISTs is that it is at the discretion of the consultant at the store with the inventory. Some hoard it like it's their own private stock. Others are happy to help out. Ah, the machinations of our government monopoly... and so it goes...


Good to know. The customer service rep at LCBO definitely said this was a discontinued product, though. Not discounted. Perhaps she just misspoke.
J jhcwineMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinCentric:
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
I frequent a number of different stores, as I'm sure most of us do. Without fail, every time I cultivated the kind of relationship with a PC jhcwine describes, they got transferred to another store. I was starting to develop a complex around this but was told "that's just what happens." So I don't bother trying anymore.

It would be interesting to get some perspective on this thread from nicos.


I hear you VinT. On the most recent transfer, the PC I've known the longest got transferred to a closer store - go figure. I'm enjoying it while it lasts, touch wood.


Quite true on that, VinC and VinT. I developed a good relationship with "James" at Bayview Village and then he was transferred. This happened a couple of times. Conversely, several of the PC's at Queens Quay seem to have been there quite a while.
otwotwMember
quote:
Notwithstanding the above, I have been told that they don't do ISTs on discounted products because it is already 'costing them on the discount, and it doesn't make sense to spend $15 (cost) to transfer to another store when they are already discounting it.

OK, let's follow through with the logic here. A bottle doesn't sell because nobody wants to spend x dollars on this crappy wine. So the LCBO discounts it which generates a willing buyer at another outlet, but the LCBO won't let him buy it because it is on discount. So the LCBO gets to hang onto its crappy bottle longer.

I think I'm getting the hang of it now...
F funkyseefunkydooMember
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Notwithstanding the above, I have been told that they don't do ISTs on discounted products because it is already 'costing them on the discount, and it doesn't make sense to spend $15 (cost) to transfer to another store when they are already discounting it.

OK, let's follow through with the logic here. A bottle doesn't sell because nobody wants to spend x dollars on this crappy wine. So the LCBO discounts it which generates a willing buyer at another outlet, but the LCBO won't let him buy it because it is on discount. So the LCBO gets to hang onto its crappy bottle longer.

I think I'm getting the hang of it now...


Yeah, it really doesn't make much sense. Maybe a policy that says it won't be shipped for two weeks after the discount -- so that time is given to clear out the inventory at the new price -- but after that surely a buyer is a buyer and anybody who is willing to pay money should be accommodated?

As for the original post and the issue related to additional trips for their trucks: I've always assumed that they have regular trucks driving back and forth between their central warehouse and the branch offices -- just for the purpose of distributing the new releases.

And, assuming that you aren't pressing for some kind of quick timelines on the transfer, then the bottles would just piggyback on to those trucks. No extra driving or fuel costs, just a little administrative work for somebody to get the transferred bottles on and off.

Am I over simplifying?
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
For those who prefer stories with an ending, here's how things ended up (although it's a bit like the end of the last episode of the Sopranos).

1. I haven't heard back from LCBO customer service - even though they said I would.

2. I happened to speak to the store manager and the PC today and I filled them in on what the clerk had said to me. This was the first that either of them had heard about it. The store manager was appalled and said he would give the clerk some customer service training.

3. The store manager said that ISTs are actually easier to do now than they were in the past, but when you're requesting a transfer from a larger store it can take longer, because they wait to consolidate all their transfer requests every couple of days.

4. The PC said that she has no idea why the LCBO phone rep told me that the product couldn't be transferred because it was "discontinued". LCBO doesn't even use that term. According to the PC, products are "delisted"... and in fact, ALL Vintages products are, technically speaking, delisted products. (This makes no sense to me, and I'm guessing it's more misinformation. I'm just reporting what I was told.) However, there is nothing to prevent an IST of a delisted product.

5. The PC called the other store this morning and put in a request for my 4 bottles. She received word a few hours later that the 4 bottles I wanted will be shipped tomorrow.

The amount of misinformation and confusion around something so bloody simple is headache-inducing. I'm still not clear on the facts, or what the truth is... or if there IS a singular, definitive truth.
A amlMember
"All VINTAGES customers may ask for regular release product to be transferred between stores if stock is still available two weeks after the release date. In-Store Discoveries products may be transferred one month after initial release. Please contact your local LCBO store to make arrangements. If you are looking for specific products or store locations, use our search options found in the top navigation."

"The LCBO & VINTAGES Clearance Sale offers price reductions on a selection of Wines, Spirits & Beers — on some familiar brands! Clearance product supplies are limited. Product selection may vary by store. No transfers between stores. In-store shopping only. Prices & savings subject to change."
V vincentricMember
[QUOTE]Originally posted by AML:
"All VINTAGES customers may ask

No guarantee they will do the transfer. Notwithstanding the above, my understanding is that it is still at the whim of the PC at the store with the stock. Crazy

Any other, NON government monopoly, retailer, and they make it a policy of shipping from other stores even if there is only 1 in stock
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by swinter:
Screaming eagle 2011 cab is only $2050 - but for 5 days only for this "special" offer.
Only about a 25% mark-up compared to the US with taxes in at this price.
Please note, tongue firmly in cheek.


According to winesearcher.com, this is the average price, and only a very few retailers offer it for much less! But I'm still not buying unless one of my weekend lottery tickets is a big winner! Winner
BP Beta PMember
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
quote:
Originally posted by swinter:
Screaming eagle 2011 cab is only $2050 - but for 5 days only for this "special" offer.
Only about a 25% mark-up compared to the US with taxes in at this price.
Please note, tongue firmly in cheek.


According to winesearcher.com, this is the average price, and only a very few retailers offer it for much less! But I'm still not buying unless one of my weekend lottery tickets is a big winner! Winner


Funny how the LCBO tends to mainly get the poorer vintages of these "cults". I guess the wineries need to dump the wine somewhere, and the Board seems willing (for us) to pay the price. Devilish
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
So apparently there's a bin end sale happening online. I guess that means we get to pay list price for wine.

It's even better than that...

Last Thursday, Vintages announced another bin end sale. If you checked online at Vintages Shop-on-Line web site, you found the pickings were pretty slim. There were a very small number of decent wines, but their prices had gone up in the bin end sale (e.g. Moss Wood Cab was on sale for $139 vs the regular LCBO price of $119). That’s a mighty strange way of conducting a sale, but who am I to question the ways of the KGBO? ... perhaps it's just their way of implementing price innovation.

I went back a day or two later out of curiosity and found that someone with some basic arithmetic skills must have woken up at head office because the prices had now been reduced on those sale wines. I’m still not questioning the ways of the KGBO, but I did order a couple of wines.

As I said, the pickings were slim indeed and the prices only good in an Ontario context.
S sm74Member
quote:
Originally posted by Machine:
Anyone tasted the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Terre Ferme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if so is $53.75 a 'reasonable' price?


I saw this one as an online special as well. Was highly considering it. Seems like its on quite a discount. Close to or less than American prices at this point.
M machineMember
quote:
Originally posted by SM74:
quote:
Originally posted by Machine:
Anyone tasted the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Terre Ferme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if so is $53.75 a 'reasonable' price?


I saw this one as an online special as well. Was highly considering it. Seems like its on quite a discount. Close to or less than American prices at this point.


Looks interesting...but my experience with grenache is I either love it or hate it depending on the vintage and blend, and don't have enough experience to know either way. Might be nice to test one out though!
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by Machine:
quote:
Originally posted by SM74:
quote:
Originally posted by Machine:
Anyone tasted the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Terre Ferme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if so is $53.75 a 'reasonable' price?


I saw this one as an online special as well. Was highly considering it. Seems like its on quite a discount. Close to or less than American prices at this point.


Looks interesting...but my experience with grenache is I either love it or hate it depending on the vintage and blend, and don't have enough experience to know either way. Might be nice to test one out though!

I haven't tried the Domaine de Terre Ferme, but I have enjoyed other wines from Jaboulet, so I bought one on that basis.
T thewebMember
sigh....unless I happen to stumble across a sale at a London LCBO, the Sarnia store is PATHETIC and rarely has anything worth taking a second look at. They have a nice looking Vintages section stockpiled with 'Vintages Essentials', but their 'New Release' area is normally a wasteland, and the cabinet has a 2003 Leoville Las Cases for $359 give or take that's been standing there since 2005.

It's tough to be a wino in Sarnia!
S sm74Member
I find the online inventory isn't accurate in terms of what product is available. You can go into an LCBO and find things, especially in the cold case, that aren't listed online. I've made it a habit of mine to go into LCBOs anytime I'm in a different area just to see what unaccounted for inventory they have.

I was in north Toronto at a small LCBO a few weeks back and I got three bottles of 2008 Pichon Baron (good vintage for an off-year). They were not listed in inventory, and didn't even scan at the register.

Last week I was at Summerhill and I came across a single bottle of 2009 Vieux Telegraphe. Again, not listed in online inventory.
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Beagle:
These could be customer returns. E.g. got them as a gift ages ago, didn't know what to do with it and decided to return.


I thought they only accepted a return if it was active in their system.


And with a receipt and within 30 days of purchase?
J jdwestMember
A few months ago, I stumbled upon a couple of 1998 Banfi Poggio Alla Mura's and a 2004 Alla Mura at Summerhill. They were not able to scan the price, and had to look it up from a binder in the back. The PC said that they had come from the warehouse that day, so who knows what the KGBO has tucked away.

I tried one of the 98's and it showed very well.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Beagle:
These could be customer returns. E.g. got them as a gift ages ago, didn't know what to do with it and decided to return.


I thought they only accepted a return if it was active in their system.


And with a receipt and within 30 days of purchase?


If it's outside 30 days and/or if you don't have a receipt, they'll give you a credit (gift card) - provided the product is still in the system. It doesn't have to be the same vintage. Just the same SKU number.

If the product is no longer in the system, or if they give you a hard time, just open the bottle and return it as "spoiled". Tell them it doesn't taste right. They have to take it back. (Although you're best doing this at one of the larger stores where they know the drill. At a smaller location, you'll likely get a clerk who has never handled something like this before, which can be, shall we say, problematic.)
W winebeagleMember
Actually, Sunny, I had a very recent negative experience.
I returned a bottle of 2003 Balgownie Estate Shirez because it had a fault in there. The bottle was no longer active in their system.
I managed to find it on lcbosearch.com, and used the product ID for them to search in the vintages system. Lo and behold, the found the bottle, but the name spelt "Bagownie" - that's right, it was missing an "L".
Did I ever look like a criminal? I had the staff and the supervisor on duty telling me that it was "definitely" a different wine even though I proved to them that there's no "Bagownie Estate", and the picture on the BaLgownie website looks identical to the one I brought to them. Of course, they disregard the record that was correct on lcbosearch.com.
They insisted there's nothing they could do, because the spelling was incorrect. They sent me to a different store with a product consultant that could make the connection.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Beagle:
Actually, Sunny, I had a very recent negative experience.
I returned a bottle of 2003 Balgownie Estate Shirez because it had a fault in there. The bottle was no longer active in their system.
I managed to find it on lcbosearch.com, and used the product ID for them to search in the vintages system. Lo and behold, the found the bottle, but the name spelt "Bagownie" - that's right, it was missing an "L".
Did I ever look like a criminal? I had the staff and the supervisor on duty telling me that it was "definitely" a different wine even though I proved to them that there's no "Bagownie Estate", and the picture on the BaLgownie website looks identical to the one I brought to them. Of course, they disregard the record that was correct on lcbosearch.com.
They insisted there's nothing they could do, because the spelling was incorrect. They sent me to a different store with a product consultant that could make the connection.

This is priceless... a bottle called Bag-O-Winey? Winner It should have doubled the price of admission!
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by mangiare:
$110 off of 2008 Guigal La Mouline, La Turque and La Landonne at Weston rd and 401
$405 down to $295

winebid has them for $200 + %15 + shipping + exchange + duty


Interesting. One winesearcher.com, the average global prices for all of them is CAD$280 or less. But anything under CAD$300 is of course a steal in Ontario!!
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by AML:
Has anyone here had them? Not a huge fan of these wines in "off" vintages.


I tasted the lineup at FWR at the agent tasting. The consensus was that these wines defied the concept of off year. Which was best was a matter of personal style preference. However, take this with a grain of salt. I have not had these wines otherwise, so my benchmark is other Northern Rhone, which is limited. 1989 La Chapelle is a benchmark in that regard for me. I don't know how the 08 La La's compared to good vintages. Nobody was disappointed at the tasting of the 08s. Rather, we were all surprised at how good they were, how much depth, complexity, structure they had.
C csmMember
quote:
Originally posted by mangiare:
$110 off of 2008 Guigal La Mouline, La Turque and La Landonne at Weston rd and 401
$405 down to $295

winebid has them for $200 + %15 + shipping + exchange + duty


I think this is the original price, before the KGBO recycled the SKU and increased the price to that of the '09. A bold strategy for sure.
M machineMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinCentric:
quote:
Originally posted by AML:
Has anyone here had them? Not a huge fan of these wines in "off" vintages.


I tasted the lineup at FWR at the agent tasting. The consensus was that these wines defied the concept of off year. Which was best was a matter of personal style preference. However, take this with a grain of salt. I have not had these wines otherwise, so my benchmark is other Northern Rhone, which is limited. 1989 La Chapelle is a benchmark in that regard for me. I don't know how the 08 La La's compared to good vintages. Nobody was disappointed at the tasting of the 08s. Rather, we were all surprised at how good they were, how much depth, complexity, structure they had.


I tasted at FWR, I haven't tried the La La's before, I can't really afford $295 and yet I was tempted to pick up a few, though given the vintage I'd rather have another taste before pulling the trigger. 2006 D'ampuis was also yum but I think at the time of our tasting the 2007 was already on the shelf at the LCBO. 2006 La Doriane was ok at first but was great after 2 hours. Didn't take notes, but liked all, and iirc I like La Landonne the most (but I'm not always a fan of any red blend with Viognier, despite really liking the D'ampuis).
otwotwMember
The LCBO has decided to increase the number of products in the upcoming pre-Christmas releases, so I found a bunch of price reductions at the Laird St store as they try to clear some shelf space. Today I bought:

2004 Veuve A. Devaux Champagne D de Devaux Millesime $43 (was $65)
2009 Wind Gap Syrah Griffin's Lair Sonoma Coast $53 (was $69)
2009 Lemos & Van Zeller Casa de Casal de Loivos Tinto Douro $47 (was $61)
2008 Marziano Abbona Barolo Terlo Ravera $39 (was $50)

Lots of these still on the shelf. Two others that I did not buy were:

2009 Alion $66 (was $85)
2008 JC Cellars Eagle Point Ranch Petite Sirah $43 (was $55)
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Beagle:
All,
I'll be returning 5 bottles of Faustino I at the Heartland store (Mississauga) tomorrow evening.
If you want them and are near the airport email me: madaroza at yahoo dot com.

Regards.


I thought it was decent value and has potential to improve. But it's really straight forward right now. If anyone is expecting a 100 point wine (or 98 or 96 or 94 or ...), they'll be disappointed.
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
If we'd elected Tim Whodat?© it would have been privatized by now. Razz


Like Mike Harris did? Or the new mayor of Toronto has promised? 2 Cents Wink

Tough for any of them to turn their backs on $1.3 billion of profits. Then again, if they did it right, they'd probably make even higher profits.....
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
sigh....unless I happen to stumble across a sale at a London LCBO, the Sarnia store is PATHETIC and rarely has anything worth taking a second look at. They have a nice looking Vintages section stockpiled with 'Vintages Essentials', but their 'New Release' area is normally a wasteland, and the cabinet has a 2003 Leoville Las Cases for $359 give or take that's been standing there since 2005.

It's tough to be a wino in Sarnia!


Well put. You'll have to come out for a dinner in T.O. soon.

On the up side, you're not far from our neighbours to the south.
C csmMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by winederlust:
Precisely. Which is why the government's approach to this issue has nothing whatsoever to do with maximizing tax revenue.

If not the desire to maximize 'tax' revenue, what in your opinion is driving the government's approach?


The desire not to upset/alienate a huge number of unionized employees....
F funkyseefunkydooMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by winederlust:
Precisely. Which is why the government's approach to this issue has nothing whatsoever to do with maximizing tax revenue.

If not the desire to maximize 'tax' revenue, what in your opinion is driving the government's approach?


Social engineering is the only other reason I can think of. The ability to control the location of the stores.
bmanbmanMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
....
Tough for any of them to turn their backs on $1.3 billion of profits. Then again, if they did it right, they'd probably make even higher profits.....


Does the LCBO publish their margins? And how would they compare to a similar sized retailer in the US?


They publish their financial statements and their margins are off the scale. I am no financial analyst but I did take a short course at Rotman Business School which studied the LCBO's financial statements compared to mostly major for-profit corporations and also Manitoba Lottery. No surprise that the latter and LCBO were the most profitable by far.
W winederlustMember
I think their approach is governed by the following considerations:

1 They are not prepared to alienate the very public sector unions which actively supported them in election.

2 They do not want to give up control over an activity. I think that it is very hard to convince government to get out of anything.

3 It gives them lots of influence in the marketplace - eg store locations, terms of trade.

4 Making the type of changes that are needed will not help them get re-elected.

5 The only real change that is even feasible is to provide greater access and better service - prices will not go down - so is this the type of benefit that is even worth the effort/bother.
F funkyseefunkydooMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
Social engineering is the only other reason I can think of. The ability to control the location of the stores.

Confused Social engineering? Can you expand on that please?


If there are communities or neighborhoods that are maybe a little "rougher" or prone to alcohol related problems, the LCBO might choose to open a smaller number of stores there than a private model would.

It's a stretch, to say the least, and I only came up with it because I believe they could make just as much money if they allowed private sales and taxed the crap out of it -- therefore, I don't believe money is a factor.

But - reading winederlust's post, many of his points are much more rational and valid than my social engineering idea.

Back on topic - I picked up a couple bottles of 2007 Adelaida Viking Estate Vineyard Cab Sauv at one of the Ottawa stores for about $42 -- list price was $59. I'm completely unfamiliar with the producer, so I just took a flyer on it based on price.
W winederlustMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
Ahh, got it. It does make sense, but it's interesting they do nothing to limit proliferation of other businesses that thrive in those neighborhoods like payday loan companies and pawn shops.


or running casinos, other forms of gaming (for those that can probably least afford it) or even selling cigarettes for that matter.

Why did I get myself started??
S steveyMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:

If there are communities or neighborhoods that are maybe a little "rougher" or prone to alcohol related problems, the LCBO might choose to open a smaller number of stores there than a private model would.

It's a stretch, to say the least, and I only came up with it because I believe they could make just as much money if they allowed private sales and taxed the crap out of it -- therefore, I don't believe money is a factor.
...


Well, there's an LCBO store at the seedy strip mall right at the corner of Jane/Finch, which is arguably the "roughest" area of Toronto. To me this "social responsibility" mandate is a bunch of malarkey, an excuse to justify LCBO's existence.
otwotwMember
It looks like they may be dumping some consignment wines at the Crossroads clearance center. I dropped in yesterday after driving my son up to Guelph U and bought:

6 x 2010 Justin Isosceles at $59
12 x 2012 Negro Roero Arneis Serra Lupini at $15

They also had:

2010 Orin Swift Papillon at $75
2007 Andrew Will Two Blondes at $57
2012 Macphail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $33
R riddlerMember
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
It looks like they may be dumping some consignment wines at the Crossroads clearance center. I dropped in yesterday after driving my son up to Guelph U and bought:

6 x 2010 Justin Isosceles at $59
12 x 2012 Negro Roero Arneis Serra Lupini at $15

They also had:

2010 Orin Swift Papillon at $75
2007 Andrew Will Two Blondes at $57
2012 Macphail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $33


What store is this?
V vijayMember
Thanks as always OTW, your contributions to this thread are fantastic.

I got some Negro Roero Arneis Serra Lupini at the Dundas W and Jane store (cleaned them out actually) - it's a system wide markdown. While I was there they had Tawse riesling icewine 204990 on sale from $35 to $28. This is a store level markdown. They have 2 bottles of 2009 and 4 bottles of 2013 on hand.
M machineMember
quote:
Originally posted by Riddler:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
It looks like they may be dumping some consignment wines at the Crossroads clearance center. I dropped in yesterday after driving my son up to Guelph U and bought:

6 x 2010 Justin Isosceles at $59
12 x 2012 Negro Roero Arneis Serra Lupini at $15

They also had:

2010 Orin Swift Papillon at $75
2007 Andrew Will Two Blondes at $57
2012 Macphail Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $33


What store is this?


Just make sure you have your gun when you go there. And don't go after dark.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by vinoevelo:
quote:
Originally posted by Machine:


Just make sure you have your gun when you go there. And don't go after dark.


whoa... i just bought a house up near there.... it's not that bad... wait a sec.

you're warning them about me again aren't you?

Most nights they have 2 cops stationed in the store. And once I saw a group of 6 cops standing around inside he store. They must have had an important scotch delivery that day.

So if your house is real close to the store... or maybe it should be inside the store...

That said, they do have one of the larger Vintages sections in the KGBO system which speaks directly to the kind of consumer base they must be serving.
F funkyseefunkydooMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:

Back on topic - I picked up a couple bottles of 2007 Adelaida Viking Estate Vineyard Cab Sauv at one of the Ottawa stores for about $42 -- list price was $59. I'm completely unfamiliar with the producer, so I just took a flyer on it based on price.


I cracked this open last night and quite enjoyed. Fairly big wine without being too extracty. Nice tannins. Don't think I'd pay $59 for it, but at $42 it was a good buy.

Question for those in the know on the LCBO -- is there likely to be a big sale in Jan or Feb? Seem to remember in other years that's what they've done.
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:
quote:
Originally posted by The Web:

Back on topic - I picked up a couple bottles of 2007 Adelaida Viking Estate Vineyard Cab Sauv at one of the Ottawa stores for about $42 -- list price was $59. I'm completely unfamiliar with the producer, so I just took a flyer on it based on price.


I cracked this open last night and quite enjoyed. Fairly big wine without being too extracty. Nice tannins. Don't think I'd pay $59 for it, but at $42 it was a good buy.

Question for those in the know on the LCBO -- is there likely to be a big sale in Jan or Feb? Seem to remember in other years that's what they've done.


I believe there is one on now. I saw something about it in the latest LCBO e-mail.