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

[sstackho]

On the subject, here's a small blurb from Thunder Bay today.

LCBO location helps sales of Port Arthur Pale
Tb News Source
Web Posted: 7/7/2008 7:44:21 PM


A local beer producer says his product is selling just fine despite not being available in the provincially-run Beer Stores.

Port Arthur Pale brewer Geoff Schmidt says his company has taken a different approach to retail sales and starting in May, began selling in local LCBO stores which has contributed to a big spike in business. The decision comes amid controversy from micro-breweries in southern Ontario regarding The Beer Store's alleged monopolization and hefty distribution fees to sell product. Schmidt says at this point, he can't justify paying the major one-time selling fee saying '' Nobody has denied access but l can't justify that cost at this point.''

One drawback of not being available in the Beer Store, Schmidt says, is having to sell his product in 6-packs only but if sales continue to grow he says Port Arthur Pale will eventually make it to Beer Store shelves.

[Bobbyok]

A local beer producer says his product is selling just fine despite not being available in the provincially-run Beer Stores.

Even the paper seems to be buying in to the myth that the province owns The Beer Store. Poor wording or poor journalism?

[Bytowner]

On the subject, here's a small blurb from Thunder Bay today.

LCBO location helps sales of Port Arthur Pale
Tb News Source
Web Posted: 7/7/2008 7:44:21 PM


A local beer producer says his product is selling just fine despite not being available in the provincially-run Beer Stores.

Port Arthur Pale brewer Geoff Schmidt says his company has taken a different approach to retail sales and starting in May, began selling in local LCBO stores which has contributed to a big spike in business. The decision comes amid controversy from micro-breweries in southern Ontario regarding The Beer Store's alleged monopolization and hefty distribution fees to sell product. Schmidt says at this point, he can't justify paying the major one-time selling fee saying '' Nobody has denied access but l can't justify that cost at this point.''

One drawback of not being available in the Beer Store, Schmidt says, is having to sell his product in 6-packs only but if sales continue to grow he says Port Arthur Pale will eventually make it to Beer Store shelves.

An experience that Beau's can testify to as well. From everything I've heard, they're doing quite well through Ottawa area LCBOs.

[GregClow]

Did you notice that they want a "donation" anywhere from $2 - $100 to sign the petition ... nice try, but forget it.

Huh? Where are you seeing this? I just went to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobeerstore/ and I don't see any mention of a "donation" anywhere.

[flip]

Did you notice that they want a "donation" anywhere from $2 - $100 to sign the petition ... nice try, but forget it.

Huh? Where are you seeing this? I just went to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobeerstore/ and I don't see any mention of a "donation" anywhere.

I saw the donation request when I signed the petition. I didn't donate but still received an email indicating that my signature had been added.

[Bytowner]

At the top of the donation request there is a statement saying that your signature was added.

[detritus]

We all have our different views. All arguments are silly to some.

The point that I am making is job secutiry.
Most people are concerned for their jobs. it just makes sense.

Revised LCBO motto: We are in the business of engaging, helpful service that goes the extra mile, unless you threaten our jobs.

-Josh

Epic fail.

That is not what I said.

Every time this topic comes up I am the bad guy because I like my job.

It is clear my opinion is not welcome here on the bartowel, and as a result I will refrain from posting any further. Yet another member lost to the rain storm.

That's too bad, I thought your input and perspective was really interesting, most of the time.

However, you can't expect not to get flamed when you start an argument about union job security.

-Josh

[esprit]

Use the "rabbit" front...I did so for years in order to disguise my identity...we all appreciate conscientious LCBO employees but you're in a minority...and let's not get into union isssues here...liquor store employees in Alberta earn what Safeway employees do...minimum wage! Frankly, 95% of LCBO employees barely deserve that. But don't abandon BT as your input is always respected by those of us in the industry as most of our relations with LCBO staff involve kneeling and puckering up. We all take our knocks here and I've been the subject of considerable ridicule but much of it was out of mischief as much as animosity...we're all here cause we love good beer and many of us love to rant about it...no one should leave BT in a hissy fit...calm down...think about it...and you know you're here because you love beer and love to talk about it...and we want you to stay.

[Cass]

Follow-up story in today's Star regarding the impact the series has had:

Petition protests beer monopoly

Petition? Bah!

Look at this:

http://freeourbeer.org/

[GregClow]

http://freeourbeer.org/

Hmmm... interesting!

Any idea who is behind it, Cass? Or would that be telling?

[detritus]

http://freeourbeer.org/

Hmmm... interesting!

Any idea who is behind it, Cass? Or would that be telling?

Silly Greg - it's public information:

Domain ID: D153252509-LROR
Domain Name: FREEOURBEER.ORG
Created On: 08-Jul-2008 19: 27: 46 UTC
Last Updated On: 08-Jul-2008 19: 31: 07 UTC
Expiration Date: 08-Jul-2009 19: 27: 46 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar: Tucows Inc. (R11-LROR)
Status: CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status: CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Status: TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status: ADDPERIOD
Registrant ID: tuVvpqsf5MxdqHVo
Registrant Name: Cass Enright
Registrant Organization: Cecktor Media
Registrant Street1: 666 Bedford Park Avenue
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City: Toronto
Registrant State/Province: ON
Registrant Postal Code: M5M1K3
Registrant Country: CA
Registrant Phone: +1.4164524049
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email: cass@cecktor.com

-Josh

[Cass]

Silly Greg - it's public information:

Domain ID: D153252509-LROR
Domain Name: FREEOURBEER.ORG
Created On: 08-Jul-2008 19: 27: 46 UTC
Last Updated On: 08-Jul-2008 19: 31: 07 UTC
Expiration Date: 08-Jul-2009 19: 27: 46 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar: Tucows Inc. (R11-LROR)
Status: CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status: CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Status: TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Status: ADDPERIOD
Registrant ID: tuVvpqsf5MxdqHVo
Registrant Name: Cass Enright
Registrant Organization: Cecktor Media
Registrant Street1: 666 Bedford Park Avenue
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City: Toronto
Registrant State/Province: ON
Registrant Postal Code: M5M1K3
Registrant Country: CA
Registrant Phone: +1.4164524049
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email: cass@cecktor.com

-Josh

Well that proves that I own the domain name...

Seriously though, I've had an idea to do a spin off activist blog for a little while now, seems like a good time to do it with the recent press.

[Bobsy]

Seriously though, I've had an idea to do a spin off activist blog for a little while now, seems like a good time to do it with the recent press.

Excellent stuff!

[Bytowner]

That's awesome Cass, thanks!

Viva la revolucion!

[Pub Style]

I picked up the Metro paper today and read McGuinty's comments, "I don't think consumers would tell us that (they don't like the status quo). Certainly, Ontarians are not delivering that kind of a message to me."

So what did I do? I wrote a long letter to the Premier, and I suggest all Bar Towellers do the same. He won't be able to make comments like that once his office gets flooded with letters from 'educated' beer drinkers.

And nice work Cass, I included the site in the letter, as well as the petition, as proof that change is wanted and needed.

Troy