Weird Comments at the LHBS

[JVD_X]

Seriously? Do you do it for Free? Like every retailer they make a profit or they would not do it... period. If the guy feels slighted and has a choice, and it sounds like he does, go elsewhere.

The path to success is caring for your customers as much as you care about yourself. If you care about your customers and take the time needed to discover their concerns and needs the money will come. In fact, it's the wierdo's that hide behind the "wall of productivity" that are a burden to business.

If are finding yourself working 60 hours a week IN AN ONGOING SITUATION and the vast majorioty of that time is NOT spent in contact with your custoimers it's because of two reasons:

1) You are not managing your time well or prioritizing your activities

2) You are not effective.

Period...

I would much rather work with someone who works 40 hours a week an accomplishes 90% of his/her stated goals on a regular basis with high quality and is HAPPY rather than someone that finishes 95% of the goal in 60 hours with equal quality and is UNHAPPY. I mean... is that 5% worth the extra 20 hours of work? The vast majority of time it is not.

I have seen employees that accomplish more in 8 hours with better results on a continual basis than that wacho employee that works 60 hours to accomplish the same thing and doesn't actually bring in any more business. That is no joke or exaggeration.

 

[IrregularPulse]

my "LHBS" is an hour away and very unfriendly as I've stated here before. I thought, after talking with the guy on the phone 2 times, I was in luck in finding another one also an hour away but in a different direction in Athens OH. But after visiting it last weekend I found the shop to be very disorganized and filthy and just outright gross. I would not purchase anything from this place in fear of it instantly infecting my home brewery. I was very disappointed because the guy on the phone was very exciting to talk to, and in person, also is very nice and seems thoroughly excited about homebrewing, but he and his shop simply disgusted me on a cleanliness level. Back to NB for me. which I have nothing but praise for, it would just be nice to have something local.

 

[HenryHill]

I frequent about 3 different LHBS in the Chicago area (I know I'm lucky to be out and about for work a lot and it's nice we have a lot of options in Chicago).
I grabbed some misc stuff totaling about $35. While he was ringing me up i tried to strike up a conversation with the guy by asking if he had any plans for the AHA big brew day (I've gotten at least one email from another LHBS describing their plans for an instore group brew, with free food and homebrew swap), but his reply was "I have know idea what you're talking about." I went on to explain it but he cut me off midstride and explained that:
"he works the store for up to 60hrs a week 6 days a week and doesn't have time for all the clubs and competitions and stuff. Additionally he already brews twice a week and that's more than enough. He also went on to explain that he doesn't like sharing his brew or giving out samples because he doesn;t think its real good and sometimes even after 5 years at it it still doesn't always turn out. I mentioned dropping a plug for him on HBT he mentioned that he stays away from all the "online crap, the boards and such***"

WOW - I wished him luck and left, probably to never return.

In the case of the AHA Big Brew I would think it's a great opportunity to get more people into your place of business and increase your sales.
He's a newer owner and younger guy, but I'd think a LHBS is definately one of the types of businesses that if you're going to get into it you need to eat, sleep and breathe, brewing and all it's related events.

He did also mention that by head count he gets about 2-3X as many brewers as wine guys, but the wine guys spend about 10X as mich as the brewers, maybe that's the source of his lax attitude regarding brew related events.

***Disclaimer, not a direct, verbatim quote, but the general gist of a 10minute discussion.

The first bold quote is enough to make get my suspicions up, the second bold quote affirms it.

I would have laughed in the guy's face and walked out, never to return.

 

[GreenwoodRover]

Yeah, based on his comments I have half a mind to go back in there ask some more questions and tell him to call me if he ever wants to sell it.

 

[bsruther]

I like my LHBS just fine. They aren't overly friendly but, they answer any questions I have. I don't have to stand there and wait while some jabberjaw consumes all of their time yacking. They have great turnaround on their inventory. I stopped in monday for a kit and their shelves were almost bare. They had to make one up for me. It's a no nonsense store that doesn't seem to cater to anyone in particular and I like that a lot.
Listermann.Com - Home Page

 

[farmbrewernw]

It sounds like this guy has it all wrong. The only way you'll be successful as a HBS owner is to be involved in your customers and the community. My LHBS owner is very friendly, keeps a stocked and clean shop, brews some special seasonal beers for a local brew pub, and even goes as far as giving classes at the local food co-op. Sure this is a lot of work but then again he keeps his shop open 35hrs a week to give him time to do the other stuff that keeps people coming in to his shop. If I was to have a shop this would be the model I would want to follow.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I like my LHBS just fine. They aren't overly friendly but, they answer any questions I have. I don't have to stand there and wait while some jabberjaw consumes all of their time yacking. They have great turnaround on their inventory. I stopped in monday for a kit and their shelves were almost bare. They had to make one up for me. It's a no nonsense store that doesn't seem to cater to anyone in particular and I like that a lot.
Listermann.Com - Home Page

I've heard good things of this store from my friends father who live in Cincy. It's where he gets everything. i plan on giving it a stop in sometime when we're down visiting. Do they have Brew on premise by chance?

I see they just got a license to brew and sell! Very cool.

 

[the_merlin]

Being friendly goes a long way and it has nothing to do with the industry. If you are in a customer-facing position, you are held to a higher standard of service than someone in the back office. In Charlotte, there's a Grower's Outlet that I refuse to go to anymore because the old man running the place acts like my patronage is an inconvenience. I'm also sure to mention to friends and family to not bother with visiting. Heaven forbid your credit card magnetic strip doesn't register the first time and must be swiped again!

 

[RC0032]

The dudes at Brew and Grow (in the city) are all about growing pot. I'm convinced of it. They always look and act stoned! And that dog wtf is that dogs deal?

GreenwoodRover - Details on the brewday? I must have missed that one. I would love to swing by

 

[ClutchDude]

If a business wants to run the way that guy said, then let him. Before I moved to Tallahassee and was visiting here, I could only drop by the local HBS on monday's, when they are closed. I called and told them I could make it worth the 20 minutes to open up for me on that day. They were more than happy to do so and all I had to do is buy stuff!

From now on, I'll buy from them unless I need something exotic(usually draft/brew system parts) they cannot get.

 

[johntangus]

I would love to have a LHBS anywhere nearby. The closest one is 3 and a half hours away and the next closer one is 4 and a half hours away. It's also pretty hard to get decent beers here at the beach. Although i did find a grocery store about 30 mins. away that has some Rogues, a nice selection of Unibroue's, Languita's (sp?) and Hobgoblin. So, anyway, I'd love to be able to get any type of supplies without having to wait a week and pay shipping. I'd even be ok with some local stoned salesman berating me while i was in the store.

 

[bgough]

I got the same lax attitude at my LHBS. I go in there all pumped up about brewing and buying this stuff and try asking questions that are brewing related and I just get this feeling like he doesn't even care and just wants me to get out of the store. This attitude combined with their outrageous prices is why I don't go there anymore and the fact that they are only open until 4:30 mon - fri and a few hours on Saturday.

Where in central Cali are you from?

 

[Talloak]

There are four places around me to purchase home brewing supplies. Two of them are extremely basic and are run out of other businesses so I don't take them too seriously. One is out of an orchard (go figure) and the other is out of a microbrewery (only the basics).

The other two are nice shops. One is run by a guy who is really more into making vine, but he does his best to answer questions about beer. He has a good selection, not wonderful, but good and he attends the local homebrew club meetings when he can - he brings wine to sample instead of beer. Nice to try something different.

The second shop I take seriously is run by a guy who loves brewing, as well as the other hobbies in his hobby shop. He is throwing a Big Brew Day party. I think he is giving ingredients away to our club members. He sells a lot of stuff at cost, no markup, and will deliver to monthly meetings if you let him know ahead of time.

 

[Sigafoos]

I thank my lucky stars everytime I walk into Niagara Tradition, my LHBS.

Niagara Traditions Homebrew Supply : Welcome to Niagara Traditions Homebrew Supply

It's literally 5 minutes away from me. I could forget hops, yeast and a freakin fermenter if I wanted too, drive there and be back at home before the mash is halfway done. Great people who know brewing and are involved with their customers. Great holiday parties, instructive classes, zero attitude.

I agree: Becky &co are awesome. Are you in a club? I just emailed the NAH list about Big Brew Day today and she responded quickly, saying she had forgotten to register but had just done it.

It's a great opportunity for store owners to get awareness and business (I always see tons of people walking out with starter kits), for new people to learn how the hobby goes and for those of us already knee-deep in the obsession to have fun with like-minded people. If an LHBS owner isn't interested in it then they're a damn fool.

 

[chumprock]

+1 to Niagara Traditions. I just wish they were a little closer.

I have to plan my batches well ahead when I make a trip there or I go too far overboard.

 

[smizak]

I agree: Becky &co are awesome. Are you in a club? I just emailed the NAH list about Big Brew Day today and she responded quickly, saying she had forgotten to register but had just done it.

It's a great opportunity for store owners to get awareness and business (I always see tons of people walking out with starter kits), for new people to learn how the hobby goes and for those of us already knee-deep in the obsession to have fun with like-minded people. If an LHBS owner isn't interested in it then they're a damn fool.

I'm not currently in a club, I should get more involved. I can't believe how many brewers are around Buffalo, it's been quite an eye-opener.

I just read your sig. Congrats on your medal. My pale ale took a silver as well at AWOG.

 

[IanIanBoBian]

I'm one of the lucky ones with 2 good homebrew shops close by. The grape and grainary is like 15 minutes away, and they have a huge selection of grain. Plus you give them your grainbill and they get it all, mill it for you, and bring it out to you.

Then leener's is like 25 minutes away, and on the way home from work. Used cornies for $35, and a pretty good selection on equipment. I'll go to either one, depending on whether I'm on my way home from work, or already at home. Both are very friendly.

 

[Pappers_]

Hey Chicago-brewers, my lhbs is Bev-Art in the southwest portion of the city (101st and Western) and I really like it, fwiw.

Jim

 

[humann_brewing]

Where in central Cali are you from?

Fresno 890

 

[Rhoobarb]

Hey Chicago-brewers, my lhbs is Bev-Art in the southwest portion of the city (101st and Western) and I really like it, fwiw.

Jim

Yeah, I lke them well enough and have been there a couple of times. It's still quicker for me to go to B&G near work. I hate fighting the traffic to get from OFO to Beverly.

 

[bsruther]

I've heard good things of this store from my friends father who live in Cincy. It's where he gets everything. i plan on giving it a stop in sometime when we're down visiting. Do they have Brew on premise by chance?

I see they just got a license to brew and sell! Very cool.

I haven't seen signs or anything saying that they have Brew on premise so I'm not sure about that. It's not a real tidy shop. It's kind of like a general store inside and I like that too. Seems like I always smell grains cooking when I'm there. I haven't tried any of their beers yet, it's not in the brew budget.
We went to another HBS on the east side of town a couple weeks ago called Paradise. There were three people working the floor and they were gathered around some guy that was blabbering on about his brew. They didn't seem to notice us and we felt invisible so we left and won't be back. That's the part I don't like about specialty type stores that have a social environment. They make you feel like you don't belong there because you're not one of "them".

 

[GuitarBob]

You know opening a small business isn't easy (ask anyone who has tried) and it's possible that the guy was just having a bad day. No matter how much you like what you do for a living there are going to be days that just suck, and times where you have second thoughts about what you are doing for a living.

I opened a small business a year and half ago giving music lessons. I love teaching music, I love talking about music, especially with the more advanced students, but there are some days that I just can't stand. Some students just arn't that into it, and that ends up being a miserable half hour.

I can also tell you from experiance that you can go out of the way for your customers, and a lot of them don't return the favor. I had one old lady run off with two of my books, and never bothered paying a lesson.

I guess my point is that running a small business is hard, business owners deal with jerky customers all the time, and maybe you should cut the guy a break.

 

[Stef1966]

You know opening a small business isn't easy (ask anyone who has tried) and it's possible that the guy was just having a bad day. No matter how much you like what you do for a living there are going to be days that just suck, and times where you have second thoughts about what you are doing for a living.

I opened a small business a year and half ago giving music lessons. I love teaching music, I love talking about music, especially with the more advanced students, but there are some days that I just can't stand. Some students just arn't that into it, and that ends up being a miserable half hour.

I can also tell you from experiance that you can go out of the way for your customers, and a lot of them don't return the favor. I had one old lady run off with two of my books, and never bothered paying a lesson.

I guess my point is that running a small business is hard, business owners deal with jerky customers all the time, and maybe you should cut the guy a break.

So true...
I owned and operated a small electronics repair shop back in the 90's with another tech as partner, and as much as i used to love repairing amps and radios and such, i will only tell you that im glad im not doing that for a living anymore.

 

[mat_890]

You know opening a small business isn't easy (ask anyone who has tried) and it's possible that the guy was just having a bad day. No matter how much you like what you do for a living there are going to be days that just suck, and times where you have second thoughts about what you are doing for a living.

I guess my point is that running a small business is hard, business owners deal with jerky customers all the time, and maybe you should cut the guy a break.

I think everyone admits that bad days happen. However bitching about a 60 hour work week to your customers is not having a bad day but rather an attitude problem. I would get fired so fast if i ever spoke like that so he wont get sympathy from me.

If you don't like brewing/winemaking don't work at a LHBS. I would die for the opportunity to work part time there on weekends where i would get paid for doing pretty much what we all do here online for free... talk with people who are interested with our hobby.

I worked retail from the age of 15 to now and can expect to work retail until I'm out of collage. I have ridiculous stories of dumb ass costumers that i had to smile to and try and help.

Lady: Hello do you work here.
Me: {Dressed in a dorky uniform that clearly says Lobe in 5 or 6 places} Yes.
Lady: Oh great where are your hacksaws.
Me: Sorry we don't carry hacksaws.
Lady: Well why not your a grocery store aren't you.

Just be polite and laugh about it later. That's all anybody asks. I'm not expecting a store owner to bow down and kiss my feet but a little respect would be nice.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I haven't seen signs or anything saying that they have Brew on premise so I'm not sure about that.

It mentions on their website how they just started it.

 

[lowlife]

Yeah they sell beer in store.

 

[GreenwoodRover]

Well either he saw the light or he read this post. Here's a portion of an email from them I just recieved this morning:

We are pleased to announce that we will be celebrating National Homebrew Day by participating in the American Homebrewers Associations "Big Brew". National Homebrew Day is Saturday, May 2nd.

The best way to participate in Big Brew, the AHA's annual celebration of National Homebrew Day, is by doing what you love: brewing beer with your friends! Best of all, you'll be joining thousands of other homebrewers celebrating all over the world!

On National Homebrew Day in 2008, 4,000 people across 6 continents participated in Big Brew, and approximately 10,500 gallons were brewed. Let's help break that record!

We invite you to come celebrate with us as we will be participating by brewing an all-grain AHA recipe for "SS Minnow Mild Ale" on Saturday, May 2nd between noon and 5 pm. If you have been thinking about making the jump to all-grain brewing, it will be a great opportunity to see it done first hand. You are also welcome to just come in and try a sample of beer we've brewed in-store.