I have been brewing now for four years, and have been coming to your store that whole time. I have noticed in that time that your business has really declined. I want to continue to give you my business, but you are making it difficult. Let me offer you a few of my observations.
In the four years I have been visiting your store I have only seen you there twice. The people you have working, while very polite and helpful, aren't necessarily experienced home brewers. Yet, they are the only people you have chosen to leave in charge.
In addition to the people you have chosen to leave in charge, your store is just plain wack. I don't expect the Taj Majal; but sagging, brown, wet drop ceiling tiles. Are you serious? And lets just agree that you need to be up on your tetanus shots just to reach into the hop cooler.
One more thing. Your prices are horrible. I don't expect internet pricing, I certainly expect to pay a little higher price for these things locally; but two to three times as much? It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and I feel like I'm being ripped off.
As a business owner myself I would like to make a few suggestions. Take some pride in the place and clean it up. I'm not talking a total remodel, just a mop and bucket and a few ceiling tiles. Then get some people in who have brewing interests -- better yet, be there yourself. It's disheartening when your employee is shocked to hear there is brewing software out there that prints an ingredient list.
Finally, do some promoting. Your parking lot is easily eight times the size of your store and fronts two major local streets. Why aren't you brewing out there every weekend? Let people see what the hobby is about, let them stir the kettle and get them hooked. Then tell them "come by in a few weeks and taste the beer you helped make". You'd kill 'em -- and you could use the increased volume to lower the prices a little bit.
Good luck to you in the future, I truly hope you succeed.
I would do just that. I would stop by after they're closed, tape it to the door, and come back a couple weeks later to see if there are any changes.
If the boss never show up, then more than likely the employee who opens up for him will just crush it into a ball and drop it at his feet on his way in.
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured.
Quote:
Originally Posted by YooperBrew
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac!
If the boss never show up, then more than likely the employee who opens up for him will just crush it into a ball and drop it at his feet on his way in.
Ok, maybe mail it then? But then again, if he's not the one who gets the mail, the same thing can happen. It's worth a shot either way.
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured.
Quote:
Originally Posted by YooperBrew
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac!
Tie it to a brick and chuck it through the window! He's bound to see it then!
I guess you'd have to add "The broken window in the front of the store brings in an unwelcome draft in the wintertime." to your list of complaints before you "send" it to him.
This just makes me glad my LHBS is family run, and everyone in the family brews. I'm glad you're being honest and want to support them, so hopefully they'll take it to heart. If not, well, BMW's been good to me...
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