Comments on Rants from the Burgh: Liquor Control Bites

Hey David, you seem like a pretty smart cookie, so...

2008-08-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hey David, you seem like a pretty smart cookie, so why do you supposedly waste your time hanging around PLCB liquor stores waiting for answers regarding how a wine tastes?

Not all of us have the training or the disposable income to sample the many vintages available, but if you come to a large store like the one I work at, and ask a manager or wine specialist working the floor, you will get an answer within minutes. Every one I have worked with has always responded to the customer more quickly than I could believe.

And trust me, as far as other states go, you simply cannot get the choice or assistance that you can here. I have been there and seen it. They are not trained and not paid to do the level of customer service you are talking about. They are folks that just need a job, any retail job. Don S. Village Square Wines and Spirits

The PlCB is one big monopolistic pain.In the major...

2007-12-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

The PlCB is one big monopolistic pain.In the majority of states a person can do one stop shopping for their beer,wine and booze. In Pa you have 3 different stops, o the algore carbon footprint of it all.
Has anybody thought about free market competition?? Where the market sets the price? Back in the day the blue laws were the excuse for a state controlled entity.Obviously that is no longer the case,somebody or somebodies seem to be getting their pockets greased to be able to control such a large market as beer,wine and booze in Pa.
What would be the economic impact of privatizing the state stores,getting rid of all those employees with their health,retirement etc and letting the market determine how many stores and how much would be charged for items as competition determines.More stores selling means more state revenue for licenses..maybe some of the taxes can be reduced so Pa residents don't go across the border to spend their money.
I'm thinking of running for Gov. next time on a " free the Booze " platform Let me now what you think.
Thanks for the vent outlet.

Any thoughts on expanding your survey? Seems like...

2007-08-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

Any thoughts on expanding your survey? Seems like a noble thing to do, and would be illuminating. I'd especially enjoy some sort of user-enable survey of PLCB employees. E.g., can _anyone_ in the store tell you whether "fruit forward" is good or bad in Sonoma? Or some sort of question that would reveal whether they know _anything_ about wine. Great post.

I'm a bit disappointed at the rampant anonymous us...

2007-03-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit disappointed at the rampant anonymous use of vulgarities, and sadly blogger doesn't have a way to censor, so I had to repost your comment.

I also edited the article to hopefully less offend talented and well-versed PLCB employees, of which I am certain that there must be many. Sadly, I have not yet encountered one that has been able to answer any of my questions.

I don't expect that every PLCB employee will have tasted everything. I just expect some rudimentary knowledge of the products sold, maybe some general comparisons --- American Rieslings are less dry than foreign, or whatever. Going to huge wine stores in CA, OH, NJ, and NY I've
always found at least one clerk that has tasted much of what is sold, and can guide newbies through the process of selection. The difference is unmistakable, because in those states, the competition demands that level of product knowledge.

Product knowledge isn't even the only problem...I have a number of other great stories, such as the time I waited for 40 minutes in an otherwise empty store just to find out that a particular wine was not in stock.

Thanks for the comment.

I think your a to be honest with you. Ho...

2007-03-16T13:06:00.001-07:00