Randall's Wines & Spirits

AleWatcher

Illinois

1.41/5  rDev -65.2%
vibe: 1 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 2.5 | $$$$

This review is regarding the Internet orders via te website listed in the store's info above;

So the long and short of it is this; I missed out on Tilquin gueuze when it came to the Chicago area and was hoping to be able to order it online from somewhere.
In searching for it I found this store's website (internetwines.com) and they had it available.

The bottles were priced at $10.99 per 375 ml which is a little more expensive than stores had it for sale, but I bit the bullet and placed an order anyway... Now I am in the same state, and was pretty irritated to see shipping costs listed as $33. (and no, they cannot try to claim that it was going to be shipped from a different state because my receipt shows I was charged $13 in IL sales tax, which means it was an in-state transaction!)

The site days to allow 2 days for processing of orders.

I waited 5 days before I tried to email them-- all attempts to email them came back as "failed: undeliverable." That includes trying the 'contact us' link on their website.

So 7 days after placing the order I tried calling... I was told I'd be transferred to the internet sales department.... On hold for 8 minutes-- no one came to the phone.
Tried again the next day, on hold for 5 minutes waiting for the Internet sales department before I hung up.

I called one last time, NINE days after placing the order- finally got to speak with some one in the Internet sales department... Here's how the conversation went;

Me- hi, I placed an order 9 days ago and I haven't heard anything about it. I'm just wondering about the status.

Him- what's your order number? (with a tone in his voice that makes it feel like I'm wasting his precious time)

Me- order number is.... Hang on... Here we go, 333317. (my pause was literally 2 seconds while I glanced down at my printout)

Him- ok. And here we... Oh. Let me place you on hold for a minute. (He returns about 25 seconds later)
Him- well it seems we are out of stock on this item.

Me- so the website was just not updated when I ordered..
(he interrupts me)
Him- that's ridiculous to claim that. We keep our website updated. (sounding most annoyed that I would dare to make such a comment, and adding a little tone of smug self-righteousness)

Me- well obviously not, but whatever. So I guess my question becomes, if it was out of stock, why wasn't I notified at all? No email to let me know of any delay...
(again he interrupts me)
Him- we were going to wait a few more days to get it in stock before contacting you.

Me- ok... So now what can we do? I must admit I'm a little annoyed that...
(he interrupts me for the 3rd time)
Him- I can just cancel your order.

Me- fine, do that.

--end story--

So that was my experience trying to place an order from this place. I didn't realize that Randall was actually the Randall fr the movie Clerks-- a total pompous asshole that loathed customers.

Their website looks like something I could have set up in 1994 to boot.

Oh, and despite knowing for almost 2 weeks now that Tilquin is out of stock, it is STILL listed on their website and is able to be added to a cart.

Bottom line- fuck this place. I'll never shop anywhere affiliated with these people.

*as of 01.29.12; I'm still waiting for any confirmation of order cancellation. I'll update accordingly with a resolution.

01-29-2012 16:29:34 | More by AleWatcher

Soybomb

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -11.1%
quality: 4.5 | service: 2 | selection: 4

Overall a pretty good selection of beers from around the world. The staff is my major complaint. When I go to, call, or email randall's I feel like I'm trouble to them. I'm usually asking about getting a particular beer that they don't carry or isn't in stock, or even checking to see if they have one that I want before I drive an hour to get there and its like I'm a pain to deal with. Might be worth a trip if you're there, but I feel like wine and liquor are what they really care about. Take a few more minutes and drive to Corral Liquor in Granite City and you'll find a better selection, better prices, and much better staff.

10-10-2004 02:56:19 | More by Soybomb

FRivard

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -8.6%
quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $$$

I just visited randle's yesterday Dec. 12 2009 after locating it here on ba. I'm here in the metro east area of southern Illinois for work and have had a hard time locating a decent beer store. Randle's has been a godsend, their selection is plentiful and organized. The store is clean and inviting not to mention rather large. It seems as if their main focus in on wine and spirits though although they also offer a small selection of cigars, which is always nice. My only concern is their cold beer selection is rather small. Overall an accessible and inviting haven here in beer poor southern Illinois.

12-13-2009 22:01:16 | More by FRivard

TheSarge

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -4.9%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I accidentally stumbled upon this store while taking my daughter to Chuck E Cheese. I'd been to the Randall's in St Louis, so when I saw this one I had to visit.

The place is spacious and well organized. The beers are nicely segregated from the rest of the alcoholic beverages, and are split up even further by country and region.

I didn't really talk to any of the workers there, but the dudes at the counter seemed all right.

The assortment of brewers and beer styles was decently represented. This is a good standby for craft beer variety, but not as great as the Randall's in St. Louis (The Mother Ship).

08-05-2010 01:11:36 | More by TheSarge

Vonerichs

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

I've been here a lot before, just never reviewed. I'm not from this area, but do come down once every couple months for work and I always make it a point to stop by.

As far as the craft beer selection goes, it is a small sample size but they do have some quality products. Aside from the local St. Louis favorite, Schlafly, most of the other breweries they carry are easily available at my local Chicago market. However, on occassion, I do find a gem from one of those breweries that I don't see by me. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that they have a small, but quality selection of crafts. There are some chilled, but it's a very small and non-interesting sample.

The rest of the liquor selection is about average for a liquor store.

Staff is friendly and the beer guy is knowledgeable.

Prices are about right.

03-11-2010 01:49:36 | More by Vonerichs

seedsofchaos

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%
quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

A buddy of mine who worked nearby this store told me of it when I was first getting into craft beer. Didn't really expect too much but was pleasantly surprised upon entering. Almost an entire room at Randall's is dedicated to beer.

On the left side of the room you have all of the American craft beers and almost from floor to ceiling you have 20+ feet of various regional offerings. I'll have to review again later to include some major names but there is always something to choose from. The center of the "beer room" has cases of beer for purchase and the right side has all imports. Great imports from everywhere from Singapore to Germany and Belgium to, a little more local places, Canada and the Americas.

The staff is very friendly but typically keeps to the front of the store by the register. If you need anything just give a holler and they're always more than wiling to help out as much as possible. If going through Fairview Heights, do yourself a favor and make a quick stop by Randall's. Guarantee you'll leave with a purchase.

01-28-2011 12:38:36 | More by seedsofchaos

1fastz28

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

this is really where i first started to get into beers. I originally would go to randalls to get cheap whiskey and beer but i took a walk through their beer isle one day and was amazed by all the different beers from all over. I would go on the weekends and get 2 6 packs of something new or a bomber of something i couldn't pronounce, then i discovered ayinger celebrator dopplebock..the staff isn't as knowledgable as i would like, they seem to be more into wine or other liqours, but a few of them do know their beer stuff. pricing is average on most of their stuff, surprisingly they dont have duvel which i thought was strange. if it weren't for randalls i still might be drinking bud light

02-20-2007 20:26:31 | More by 1fastz28

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Randall's is located on Lincoln Trail in Fairview a couple blocks off the exit for I-64. Parking is plentiful around the building.

The inside of the store is spacious and well-organized. The space is divided into two rooms and the beer is in the one on the right. There are coolers full around the side and rear, and high metal shelves of brews pretty much everywhere else. The beers are segregated by region with goodies from Dogfish Head, Boulevard, Left Hand, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, O'Fallon, Schlafly etc. As for imports, there is a good selection of beers from Belgium, Germany, the UK and others. Some beers are available in singles, and there is a small selection of glassware too.

Service here is good. The employees clearly care about beer and are friendly and helpful.

Overall this place is definitely worth hitting outside the St. Louis metro area.

11-03-2008 21:43:38 | More by Dogbrick

meatmallet

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

The staff at Randalls is always great and are all very knowledgeable and friendly.

I live an hour away and make trips to the area JUST to go there because Southern Illinois is a beer poor area.

They have the best selection (other than going to St Louis) anywhere in the 618 area code I have found. I would however like to see them add more midwestern beers (Three Floyds) that you cant find at the local liquor store.

They have been adding quite a few new beers lately so if you have not been by in awhile check it out.

03-25-2009 06:38:44 | More by meatmallet

campbellj21

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +6.2%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

Found this little gem about a month ago and have found it harder and harder to stay away. I'm a homebrewer and generally don't buy beer very often. This place has certainly changed that. Excellent selection of not only beer, but also wine and spirits. They have the store well organized and the staff is very helpful in finding items for you and if they are out of a specific brand, they are good at recommending another selection of that style. Also, they are very quick to look something up and give you a SOLID date that the product will be in again.

06-19-2009 16:43:59 | More by campbellj21