The Beer Store: Exposed as the crooks that they are!

MattB · Post by **MattB** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:19 pm

One thing hasn't come out in these stories ... the Beer Store is unionized, and the union will fight tooth and nail against any changes to their comfortable situation. Look at the comments in the on-line version of the Star's article today. Beer Store workers commenting, using the old canards of "social responsibility", "recycling", etc. It's as if they have a "monopoly" on doing things right, and no one else can do it but them. What a load of crap.

It's also a factor in keeping the LCBO, their union joined up with OPSEU soem years ago. OPSEU can, and would, paralyze the government if there is any move to privatize the LCBO.

sstackho · Post by **sstackho** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 3:10 pm

I just went to TBS now as I needed to pick up some lagers for guests and the closest LCBO with Brooklyn is too far away. But they were out of the King Pilsener, which is the only thing I was interested in.

Normally I'd just chalk it up to King not supplying enough product, but this weekend's articles made me think about what incentive TBS has to get the product restocked. Very little, I realized.

bujubanton · Post by **bujubanton** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:29 pm

just to be clear tuqueboy..not criticizing the Star...could be a coincidence..if so..that's fine with me.
the more stories...the more people learn how customer unfriendly our system is in Ontario.\
And the Star stories have been good.
I guess Bill Gates would have the best access of all at the TBS..since he could pay the listing fees. Maybe he should get them to develop a Microsoft Double IPA..he could take on the majors!

My local TBS has an ice cold express. it could not be more unfriendly to the customer.
Makes the LCBO seem like VIP service

Ale's What Cures Ya · Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:25 pm

bujubanton wrote: I guess Bill Gates would have the best access of all at the TBS..since he could pay the listing fees. Maybe he should get them to develop a Microsoft Double IPA..he could take on the majors!

Would he have to release monthly patches that you add to your beer in order to fix them?

tuqueboy · Post by **tuqueboy** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:44 am

bujubanton wrote:just to be clear tuqueboy..not criticizing the Star...could be a coincidence..if so..that's fine with me.
the more stories...the more people learn how customer unfriendly our system is in Ontario.\
And the Star stories have been good.
I guess Bill Gates would have the best access of all at the TBS..since he could pay the listing fees. Maybe he should get them to develop a Microsoft Double IPA..he could take on the majors!

My local TBS has an ice cold express. it could not be more unfriendly to the customer.
Makes the LCBO seem like VIP service

no worries. didn't take it as criticism. just wanted to clarify how things worked. there's another story in monday's paper too

sstackho · Post by **sstackho** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:04 am

And that would be here:

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/455326

Bytowner · Post by **Bytowner** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:42 am

It's really tough if you are under age in Ontario to buy wine or beer or liquor through the LCBO or Beer Store," the premier said. "It's a good system.

I call bull shit!

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:50 am

The articles are good, I enjoy reading these. Well written and certainly a topic that deserves attention.

After reading the articles, I see comments on the bottom that are written from random readers.

Most of them make their points, and they are dually noted, but readers must keep in mind that the LCBO employs a lot of people, including myself. I worked hard to get the job, and I work even harder to keep it.

I take pride in it, and some of these readers seem to forget that there are thousands of jobs that are created by the LCBO. Like the system or not, a vote for privatization is a vote for me to lose my job. That's my reality. This is why I do the best job I can do each and every day.

Some of these people might feel the same way if people were constantly trying to take their job away.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:03 am

SteelbackGuy wrote:The articles are good, I enjoy reading these. Well written and certainly a topic that deserves attention.

After reading the articles, I see comments on the bottom that are written from random readers.

Most of them make their points, and they are dually noted, but readers must keep in mind that the LCBO employs a lot of people, including myself. I worked hard to get the job, and I work even harder to keep it.

I take pride in it, and some of these readers seem to forget that there are thousands of jobs that are created by the LCBO. Like the system or not, a vote for privatization is a vote for me to lose my job. That's my reality. This is why I do the best job I can do each and every day.

Some of these people might feel the same way if people were constantly trying to take their job away.

I firmly believe that there is room in our marketplace for both the LCBO/TBS and specialty stores.

Wal-Mart employs many people in Ontario too, yet boutique stores on Queen Street exist which sell similar products. There are lots and lots of examples of large scale retail employers and small businesses with the same products.

I do not necessarily believe that the LCBO/TBS needs to be disassembled. But I do feel strongly that we should have an open marketplace for retail. You will still have your job even if I have a specialty beer store downtown.

Bobsy · Post by **Bobsy** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:29 am

MattB wrote:One thing hasn't come out in these stories ... the Beer Store is unionized, and the union will fight tooth and nail against any changes to their comfortable situation. Look at the comments in the on-line version of the Star's article today. Beer Store workers commenting, using the old canards of "social responsibility", "recycling", etc. It's as if they have a "monopoly" on doing things right, and no one else can do it but them. What a load of crap.

Agreed! If the Beer Store is socially responsible, why the hell does my local sell beer to the obviously homeless guy who rummages through all the recycling bins for empties to fund his special brew habit? I mean, for the love of God, do they really think that's his bottle of Veuve Cliquot he's returning?

If they are so into recycling why do I have to throw out of province bottles into the blue bin? I don't expect any cash for taking them in, but surely these standard size bottles are as reusable as the ones which I pay deposit on.

What country allows a retail monopoly in this day and age? The Bell monopoly was broken up in the 80s, the EU fined Microsoft $1.4 billion for stifling competition, and we entrust the retail of the majority of the province's beer to a couple of multi-nationals?

Adam Smith is turning in his grave.

Duct Tape · Post by **Duct Tape** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:50 am

Bobsy wrote:If they are so into recycling why do I have to throw out of province bottles into the blue bin? I don't expect any cash for taking them in, but surely these standard size bottles are as reusable as the ones which I pay deposit on.

That's your own mistake not theirs. I have never had an out or province our country bottle refused or not paid out at the Beer Store.

The only time i set foot in TBS is to return empties. I haven't bought anything from their in probably 2 years.

Ale's What Cures Ya · Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:55 am

SteelbackGuy wrote: Like the system or not, a vote for privatization is a vote for me to lose my job. That's my reality. This is why I do the best job I can do each and every day.

Welcome to the free market economy. Adapt or perish.

Oh wait, you'll never have to worry about competition or losing your job like the rest of us.

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:05 am

DragonOfBlood wrote:
SteelbackGuy wrote: Like the system or not, a vote for privatization is a vote for me to lose my job. That's my reality. This is why I do the best job I can do each and every day.
Welcome to the free market economy. Adapt or perish.

Oh wait, you'll never have to worry about competition or losing your job like the rest of us.

Why do you say that? Have you not seen my posts. It is clear I am worried now.

I really hate radio stations. I hope they close them all because I believe in free marlet radio broad casted from people's homes.

Ale's What Cures Ya · Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:13 am

SteelbackGuy wrote:
i really hate radio stations. I hope they close them all because I believe in free marlet radio broad casted from people's homes.

Not quite the same thing.

But thanks, I work in an industry with so little job security it's not even funny, so you'll forgive me if I don't really feel worried for you or your union insulated government owned monopoly. You have 99% job security and the LCBO is never going away. Your company has done a great job of brainwashing the people into believing that Big Brother knows best and that the LCBO is the best way to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors. And we all know underage drinking creates an unstoppable black hole of decadence that will tear the very existence of Ontario's society limb from limb.

detritus · Post by **detritus** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:14 am

SteelbackGuy wrote:The articles are good, I enjoy reading these. Well written and certainly a topic that deserves attention.

After reading the articles, I see comments on the bottom that are written from random readers.

Most of them make their points, and they are dually noted, but readers must keep in mind that the LCBO employs a lot of people, including myself. I worked hard to get the job, and I work even harder to keep it.

I take pride in it, and some of these readers seem to forget that there are thousands of jobs that are created by the LCBO. Like the system or not, a vote for privatization is a vote for me to lose my job. That's my reality. This is why I do the best job I can do each and every day.

Some of these people might feel the same way if people were constantly trying to take their job away.

Red herring.

Len, if you're really as good at your job as you say you are, you'd be highly employable in a private store. You might even command a higher wage. It'd be those LCBO/TBS employees that suck at their jobs that'd have something to worry about.

-Josh