Buying Wine on The Internet in Every State

[IVYCHEF]

Jason -

I've been pushing Forest Glen and Hogue for years. If anyone should be getting multiple case price breaks.... but apparently I'm not. (What did you write about sticking your neck out for new products, product loyalty, etc.?) I have a hard time believing the loss leader theory (especially since I've worked in a grocery store). The daily, not the sale, bottle price is $1.50 less than I pay for it. Plus another 10% if you buy a case. Are you telling me that the store is losing up to a $1.65 a bottle on every FG product they sell or that the distributor is cutting them about a 20% off deal so they can at least break even? One seems hard to believe and the other a bit unfair. Of course, the customer sees the bottle of FG for $6.50 in the store and wonders why I charge $17.00.

I understand the allocation thing...supply and demand. But all of "wonderful wine X" being allocated to "super restaurant corporation Y" is a crock. Guess my "Ben Franklins" aren't as good as the next guys. Its like me saying to a customer: I'm sorry ma'am, the veal special that is listed is allocated to our "special customers", which you are not".

By the way, and in my humble opinion, your food problem is Sysco. (I'm surprised I'm not bald after dealing with them and Kraft over the years and I no longer do.) None of my suppliers (even big corporate Gordon) carry Sevruga caviar, but my Gordon rep came strolling in the other day with these four little jars in a brown paper bag and made the comment "need more, let me know". I also have a "standing special order" with another large foodservice company. Those wing bone in chicken supremes show up every week. I also have a special beef product stocked for me. Sometimes the little guys' prices are higher, but their service is much better.

Kevin