LCBO Private Ordering

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Sat Jul 05, 2003 12:17 pm

This is incredibly interesting! Thanks for sharing the events thusfar. I say go for it, what have you got to lose?

I have had two prior experiences with the LCBO's private ordering service, and both ended miserably. A long, long time ago, I inquired about getting different products from Unibroue and Sam Adams. With Unibroue, they simply referred me to their agent in Ontario at the time, who then referred me back to the LCBO. That went nowhere. And with Sam Adams, I was told that a minimum order would be a pallet. Being broke and in university, I passed on that one as well.

Good luck and please let us know what happens next!

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 4:37 pm

I faxed in the order form today for 3 cases, one for me, one for a buddy, one for Publican. I guess now we sit tight and wait patiently..., I'll make a note to send her an email at the beginning of September (2 months) to see if there is any news... Of course I'll keep all of you posted!

(Try not to lose sleep - it's only 3 cases of the possibly the best Pale Ale in the World)

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 10:37 pm

You say you "faxed" an order...how did you pay the required deposit?

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 12:49 am

On 2003-07-07 22:37, esprit wrote:
You say you "faxed" an order...how did you pay the required deposit?

She called me back and I gave her my creditcard info.

I have subsequently rec'd a Specialty Services Department Private Ordering Deposit Receipt in the mail, confirming my order, giving me an order # and customer # and a customer service rep name & number to contact.

I'll post if I hear anything else and plan to call them end of August for an update.

A · Post by A » Wed Sep 03, 2003 3:49 pm

Was just thinking about this - any updated info?

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 6:22 pm

Glad this came up...I've placed numerous private and consignment orders since early July which have had to come from all over the world including California and my orders have arrived...where's yours?

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:12 am

I actually sent an email last Friday to check up on the status and rec'd the following reply... I originally placed the order at the beginning of July, so I guess it will be another 4 weeks. (Assuming all goes well...)


Hi John,

The order will take approximately three months to arrive. I have confirmed it has not yet arrived. Upon arrival, a pick up notice will be sent via mail and the product may be picked up at the following address:

Specialty Services-Private Ordering
33 Freeland Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1L7

If there is any further information you require, do not hesitate to contact me.

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 1:05 am

Update!

I followed up the LCBO on Friday, as it's been just over 3 months since I originally placed the order for 3 cases of Sierra Nevada.

I heard back from them today, apparently the order has just arrived, I should be getting a pick-up notice in the mail later this week! I'll post a final wrap-up once I get the beer and confirm the details for everyone...

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:12 pm

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle (sorry to my nephews)...I would have bet money against the stuff showing up...well my only hope of retaining any credibility is for ths stuff to cost a fortune so let's see what prices you end up paying.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Tue Oct 21, 2003 2:45 pm

On 2003-10-21 14:12, esprit wrote:
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle (sorry to my nephews)...I would have bet money against the stuff showing up...well my only hope of retaining any credibility is for ths stuff to cost a fortune so let's see what prices you end up paying.

Hey, I have chimps for relations! Perhaps we are distant cousins?!?

I am curious to know the expiry date on the cases as well.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:35 pm

I think this is great news. Unless the cost of the beer is more than what it would cost at Premier (+ border taxes), I'll think of this as a total success.

I suspect there will be quite a few inquiries to the LCBO after this....

borderline_alcoholic · Wed Oct 22, 2003 1:35 pm

Too bloody right.

[ This Message was edited by: borderline_alcoholic on 2003-10-22 13:47 ]

Publican · Post by **Publican** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 9:33 pm

Just got back from J Walter's place with my case of Sierra Nevada Pale ale. It cost me $55($40 now and a $15 deposit back in July). Considering that 24 Black Oak Pale Ale
costs $43.80 $55 dosen't seem too much to pay for one of North America's better Pale Ales. Jeremy there is not an expiry date but there is an bottling date of Aug. 11 2003 so it should be in good condition till Christmas, not that it will last that long.

Gunny · Post by **Gunny** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:07 pm

If I learned anything from this thread, it was to place my order for SNPA by April 1/04.

Slainte,
Jeff

JWalter · Post by **JWalter** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:38 pm

Hi Gang, As a final write up (well almost final, I suppose I should post a review of the actual beer! Hehehe...), here's how it all wrapped up.

Rec'd a 'pickup notice' in the MAIL yesterday, it stated that there were 2 full cases, + 22 bottles (2 bottles missing), to be picked up. Total cost $153.00.

I drove to the Specialty Services location this morning at about 8:30am (just East of Yonge & Queens Quay), went inside, paid the $120.00 remaining (after deposit), drove my car to the loading dock, waited about 30 minutes for a free forklift operator (they were servicing a number of other customers, who had ordered skids full of wine, etc), picked up my cases and left.

Summary:

1) Requested a quote via the Specialty Services web site for Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

2) Rec'd a response - was quoted $53.40/case, and told to expect to wait 3 months for delivery.

3) Placed the order July 7th.

4) Rec'd the order October 23rd. (3 Months + 2 weeks). Paid virtually exactly what I was quoted (Don't have exact figures in front of me, it may have been a buck or two higher, but nothing substantial).

In general I'd agree this is a success. Especially if this same process is possible with other brewers, I'd like to get some other rare brews in.

To be honest though, it certainly was a bit of a hassle (especially having to wait a half hour this morning to get the beer), and not something I would general recommend, it really takes a pretty special beer to go through all this work, when I could just drive over to the local beer store or LCBO, and walk out with something I like... (Looking forward to seeing Mill St. Tankhouse in the LCBO)

I'm glad we did it though, and hope the thread proves useful for others on the board! If anyone else is planning on ordering anything interesting, please let everyone know so we can all join in...

Cheers!!

John.