LCBO Price Alert

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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?

I think the store transfers go via courier.

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Originally posted by AML:
I think the store transfers go via courier.

+1

A PC once told me "This just came off the Fed-Ex truck." when handing me a transferred product.

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.

I have been told numerous times by PCs that they cannot transfer delisted/sale items. Who knows what to believe with these clowns.

"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."

Yeah, but this product was NOT a clearance sale item, or Bin Ends, or anything else. Just a low stock item.

I thought "delisted" items are usually discounted.

See, that's the thing. It wasn't discounted. And the PC was able to arrange the transfer. It was only the phone customer service rep who said it was "discontinued" and couldn't be transferred.

So like I said, way too much misinformation and confusion for a $54 bottle of wine.

Indeed! Thank goodness I can just order what I want south of the border.

[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.

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

Store markdowns at Dundas W and Bloor W (Roncesvalles) location:
2009 Elderton Command down to $58.50 - 7 bottles available
Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia down to $48ish (can't remember) - 1 bottle available

Dhont bdb champers is $10 off

Dhondt also marked down at Weston Rd/401.

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.

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!

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!

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.

So apparently there's a bin end sale happening online. I guess that means we get to pay list price for wine.

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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.

Agreed, previous Bin End sales have been much better...

Anyone tasted the 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Terre Ferme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if so is $53.75 a 'reasonable' price?

Walked into the Laird St store tonight to pick up my Spottswoode and found a lot of wines had been price-reduced. Some are from off-vintages, but the price makes it more palatable. e.g. 2011 Paul Jaboulet Domaine de Terre Ferme CdP @36, 2010 Guiraud Sauternes @$31.

A lot of those are likely in-store knockdowns. The Guiraud is still popping up at $40 online.

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Originally posted by futronic:
A lot of those are likely in-store knockdowns. The Guiraud is still popping up at $40 online.

Yes, it's the PCs in the store trying to get rid of inventory buildup.

Don't recall if I posted this earlier but the Burlington store at Appleby and New Streets almost always has decent juice marked down. Got several bottles of Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache for $49. Winesearcher shows the average price as USD$75.

And Celeste and Terry are two of the best PCs ever!

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.

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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!

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.

2011 Chateau Beaucastel CdP rouge was on for $72 a bottle in Niagara Falls (Ferry St). Grabbed one.

Also had Les Ormes de Pez 2010 for $34 (2 bottles)

quote:

Originally posted by Fowler52:
2011 Chateau Beaucastel CdP rouge was on for $72 a bottle in Niagara Falls (Ferry St). Grabbed one.

Also had Les Ormes de Pez 2010 for $34 (2 bottles)

Wow, a price cut on Beau?