How often do you leave a store without buying anything?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by donno005, Dec 21, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. njhopspop

    njhopspop Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2010 New Jersey

    only if I forget my wallet.:slight_smile:
     
    creepinjeeper likes this.
  2. LMT

    LMT Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2009 Virginia

    If I'm at Wegmans grocery shopping I'll always browse (Wegmans in VA has a great beer selection). I often don't buy because my kids get annoyed...telling me I'm taking too long (probably true!).

    Total Wine...I like to browse there as well, but because it's a special trip, I usually (not always) leave with something.

    Mom & pop...if they have something I haven't seen before, then I'll buy. If I can get the same item cheaper at Wegmans or Total Wine I don't pay more $$$ at the mom & pop. Businesses are businesses--they are in it to make money. As a consumer, I want to pay the least amount possible. Any store needs to offer a product at a price that makes it worth my money. If someone offers the same product at a lower price, then I'm buying it there.

    Yes, I know there are many counter-arguements to this, but price and freshness are my main concerns.
     
    Hatzilla likes this.
  3. Dools9

    Dools9 Initiate (0) Jul 5, 2011 Massachusetts

    New England slang for a 'package store.'
     
  4. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,628) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Much more than I used to that's for sure. In my Rolling Rock days I was going into liquor stores with purpose. Now, I find myself just browsing the selection and bouncing.
     
    mtalley999 and Dools9 like this.
  5. Dools9

    Dools9 Initiate (0) Jul 5, 2011 Massachusetts

    Same here, although it feels kind of shady. I work at a liquor store and whenever someone walks in and walks out silent and empty handed, I'm naturally suspect myself. Sometimes I just feel like browsing and whatnot.
     
  6. valdieu2

    valdieu2 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 Maine

    From an owners perspective: Shoplifters very seldom buy anything, so its a good idea to ask a customer if you can help them. You might not see what you want but the shop might indeed have it. Always ask, it doesn't cost anything and you might discover a great source for the unusual.
    Just my .02.
     
    AnotherImperial and jlt6116 like this.
  7. Gregfalone

    Gregfalone Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2012 California

    I don't think I've ever left a store with nothing, unless it was a store I've never been to and they only had crap beer. Even then Ill usually buy a coke, or a candy bar or something
     
  8. NickMunford

    NickMunford Pooh-Bah (2,094) Oct 2, 2006 Wyoming
    Pooh-Bah Society

    If they don't have anything I want, then yeah, I'd just leave.
     
    Blueribbon666 likes this.
  9. Gregfalone

    Gregfalone Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2012 California

    Ah
    Ah, so you steal stuff, eh?
     
  10. Fish

    Fish Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2012 Oregon

    From the point of view of the store/clerk... I don't expect you to buy something, but if you come into my home (and we do view it as our home) I at least expect a pleasant attitude.

    Also, if you steal something it comes out of my pocket, so if you look like you are avoiding me I'm going to look at you, and I'm going to talk to you, and I am evaluating you. It's nothing personal.
     
    valdieu2 likes this.
  11. mrelizabeth

    mrelizabeth Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2012 California
    Deactivated

    I usually have a go-to bottle in mind, in case I don't find something more interesting. In SD, most places charge the same amount for some of my usual beers, and I can always use another bottle of Green Flash Imperial IPA or BP Sculpin. That being said, if your shop charges $1-3 more per bottle than other shops, don't expect me to buy anything, and don't expect me to come back.
     
  12. ubenumber2

    ubenumber2 Initiate (0) Sep 1, 2012 Arkansas

    Happens all the time to me , out of the 3 or 4 liqour stores in driving distance you never know what they are going to have , so sometimes I stop in by one just to see if there is anything new or something back on the shelf they quit selling , if nothing is there for me I leave empty handed
     
  13. MooseBoose

    MooseBoose Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2007 Wisconsin

    Whenever I don't feel like buying something they have on hand, I leave empty handed. It's not really any more complex than that. Sometimes I just want to see if there is anything new. If not, sometimes I don't feel like buying if my fridge is still stocked, but I could have found room for something new and/or interesting. If that's not good enough for the store owner I got other places I can shop.
     
  14. Blanco

    Blanco Savant (1,243) Oct 11, 2008 Pennsylvania

    I almost never leave without buying anything, but will do so at big grocery stores like Wegman's where I'm just looking for the off-chance they have something I want and don't see it.
     
  15. valdieu2

    valdieu2 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 Maine

    Just say hi and ask if there is anything new and exciting. Develop a relationship and maybe you'll have an in on the good stuff. Be nice and people will go out of their way for you.
     
    Fish likes this.
  16. Fish

    Fish Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2012 Oregon

    This ^

    I've gotten grocery stores to order specialty boxes of cookies, Linen shops to order odd (really odd) sized bed sheets, etc... mainly because I asked, was pleasant, and persistant.
     
  17. MooseBoose

    MooseBoose Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2007 Wisconsin

    You say this like I have not done it in the past. I've found in the small shops it works really good. In most of the larger stores, they "put your name on a list", and no one usually calls you back.

    Even at the stores I've got to know some of the retailers pretty well, they don't seem upset if I leave with nothing as they have seen other times I leave with lots of stuff.

    My only point is, I don't let it worry me if the store owner is going to be mad at me, or imply I am a snob as was mentioned above. If they take that tone, I am out for good.

    I am always pleasant regardless if they have what I am looking for and I expect the same or I won't be back.
     
  18. valdieu2

    valdieu2 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 Maine

    I guess I assumed you were talking about stores that you were not a regular at. I would never be mad at a regular customer that couldn't find what they wanted. Not trying to preach. If I sounded preachy, I apologize.
     
  19. JuniperJesus

    JuniperJesus Zealot (741) Feb 26, 2011 Illinois

    That was your immediate impression? Shame on you. I meant sometimes I leave with new knowledge based on the conversation I had with the beer guy, or maybe I hooked up with a divorced MILF in the wine section.
     
  20. valdieu2

    valdieu2 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 Maine

    This is the problem with the written word as opposed to face to face conversation.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.