Why O why do people have to proceed to act like tossers in winery cellar doors???
Right so here's the story.
Customers come in....one person says "I only want to try the one that is "not for tasting" ".....my response being "I can show you others but it is "not for tasting", "but some times you have those things open", "well that is sometimes true but at the moment we do not, how about something else", "no".
Right so behind the eight ball to start with.....I show the group a bundle of other wines in our range and venture towards the higher end...me being nice decide to wip out the "not for tasting" just for good measure...and well not much gratitude, more like "yep I told you so" sort of look on the customers face.
In the mean time they wip out their digital camera proceeding to show me photos of their newly acquired cellar.....whoopdy doo my head rings....but being nice I show interest......why should I care??? Do I get to drink the wine in that cellar...no....so who cares!!
So they do this again with the reds and then decided to leave the bar....proceed to the middle of the room and decide to make themselves at home including taking coffee and tea left over from a large bus group that has just left.
Just to top it off...they leave without buying anything at all.....now I don't know about you but I would never do such a thing.
Where do people get off thinking this is right??? Am I crazy??? Or do I just have too many morals???
Sorry if this sounds a little sarcastic but I had to vent myself to a group of people that may understand....
Why O Why
Re: Why O Why
woodwardbrett wrote:Why O why do people have to proceed to act like tossers in winery cellar doors???
Right so here's the story.
Customers come in....one person says "I only want to try the one that is "not for tasting" ".....my response being "I can show you others but it is "not for tasting", "but some times you have those things open", "well that is sometimes true but at the moment we do not, how about something else", "no".
Right so behind the eight ball to start with.....I show the group a bundle of other wines in our range and venture towards the higher end...me being nice decide to wip out the "not for tasting" just for good measure...and well not much gratitude, more like "yep I told you so" sort of look on the customers face.
In the mean time they wip out their digital camera proceeding to show me photos of their newly acquired cellar.....whoopdy doo my head rings....but being nice I show interest......why should I care??? Do I get to drink the wine in that cellar...no....so who cares!!
So they do this again with the reds and then decided to leave the bar....proceed to the middle of the room and decide to make themselves at home including taking coffee and tea left over from a large bus group that has just left.
Just to top it off...they leave without buying anything at all.....now I don't know about you but I would never do such a thing.
Where do people get off thinking this is right??? Am I crazy??? Or do I just have too many morals???
Sorry if this sounds a little sarcastic but I had to vent myself to a group of people that may understand....
Mate, I think this is all kinds of wrong!
I believe that though we are the customer, you are still providing us a generous service/priviledge. You invite us into your winery, share your wines, and ask for no obligation to purchase. I believe we should be indebted.
I know I always buy at least a bottle from every winery I visit, most of the times more. (EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW WE CAN GET IT CHEAPER AT OUR USUAL WINE MERCHANT- yeah, this is a gripe of mine, admittedly...)
However, I also believe that offering the flag-ship stuff is crucial in the winery tasting experience. But how do you separate the sincere taster, from the one who just wants to take advantage of a freebie? I believe a compromise is the tasting fee for a flagship that is redeemable on a purchase over a certain amount...
What do you think?
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pokolbinguy
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Re: Why O Why
monghead wrote:EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW WE CAN GET IT CHEAPER AT OUR USUAL WINE MERCHANT-
The never ending battle. In general the wine producers have no control over the pricing of wines in the general market place (especially the common big boy lead chain stores...you know who I mean). They buy large volumes and use their weight and power to price things the way they want to.....if you don't agree....your label is quickly replaced with another who is willing to let their product be underpriced.
Its a catch 22....
monghead wrote:But how do you separate the sincere taster, from the one who just wants to take advantage of a freebie?
Unfortunatley this can be harder to work out than first thought. And you always have to be careful. Never judge a book by its cover.
The other day a fellow turned up in a bonds style singlet, thongs and pair of shorts....ended up spending $600+ without a hesitation....while joe blow who acts like a complete tosser spends nothing....most proably retiring to buy his wine from Mr Murpheys only when its on special.
You can't always pick them.
monghead wrote:
What do you think?
Can't wait for our chance to charge for the premium wines...the sooner the better.
Charging for all tastings would be good. Redeemable on purchase.
Will rat out those who are really just out for a free drink.
How many other industries give out their product for free??? bugger all...you can be hard pressed to find car dealers who let you test drive a car without the dealer coming with you.
Re: Why O Why
woodwardbrett wrote:monghead wrote:EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW WE CAN GET IT CHEAPER AT OUR USUAL WINE MERCHANT-
The never ending battle. In general the wine producers have no control over the pricing of wines in the general market place (especially the common big boy lead chain stores...you know who I mean). They buy large volumes and use their weight and power to price things the way they want to.....if you don't agree....your label is quickly replaced with another who is willing to let their product be underpriced.
Its a catch 22....monghead wrote:But how do you separate the sincere taster, from the one who just wants to take advantage of a freebie?
Unfortunatley this can be harder to work out than first thought. And you always have to be careful. Never judge a book by its cover.
The other day a fellow turned up in a bonds style singlet, thongs and pair of shorts....ended up spending $600+ without a hesitation....while joe blow who acts like a complete tosser spends nothing....most proably retiring to buy his wine from Mr Murpheys only when its on special.
You can't always pick them.monghead wrote:
What do you think?
Can't wait for our chance to charge for the premium wines...the sooner the better.
Charging for all tastings would be good. Redeemable on purchase.
Will rat out those who are really just out for a free drink.
Do people actually drive all the way to the Hunter just for a few free drinks? I don't reckon they'd be 'that' many would there?
Is the Cellar Door a showcase of the winery or a profit making concern? I've often wondered that.
I usually buy a 6pack or mixed dozen wherever I go but if I don't think it warrants it, I'm not buying it - there are too many mediocre wineries around to spend my good money on them just for the sake of it. FWIW I probably spent about $400 last time at Mt Pleasant. But what a lot of wineries don't understand is that I've got a wine budget of say $7000 a year and I've got around 100 wineries I can spend it at so don't expect everyone to spend hundreds at every winery. That's why I still don't understand why wineries keep pushing the 12 single type cases. There is just so much out there to limit yourself to buying it in 12 bottle lots. I'd much rather buy 3 bottles from 4 different wineries.
I'm more than happy to pay a tasting fee providing I get to try all the good stuff and it's redeemable. (as I've ranted about before with Brokenwood and their Graveyard where they want you to pay $125 a bottle untasted why should I go there when I can get it from DM's for $85 they won't let me taste it either but it's $40 in my pocket for something else.). I think by the questions you ask and the way you conduct yourself the cellar door people can quickly suss out the wine enthusiasts to the piss heads.
Go and have an O'Shea or two and forget all about today
Have to agree with monghead completely on this. I think it would be a great shame and a very sad day if wineries themselves started acting like the “snob†and charged for all tastings. It is a wonderful experience to meet and chat to some awesome cellar door people (some not so good), get to taste something you haven’t tasted before, new vintages or unfortunately for some wineries just a group of people having a good time winery hopping/getting pissed in the country.
I work with hundreds of Uni students, some are awesome people who you are happy to treat like your own family and some act like the sun is up each day only for them to see. But it is the good people who get you through the spoilt brats.
Really hope you can get through that thought, it’s the humble country spirit that makes people actually pay the extra amount for wine purchases when traveling to wineries, not the joy of lining pockets of others.
Sam
I work with hundreds of Uni students, some are awesome people who you are happy to treat like your own family and some act like the sun is up each day only for them to see. But it is the good people who get you through the spoilt brats.
Really hope you can get through that thought, it’s the humble country spirit that makes people actually pay the extra amount for wine purchases when traveling to wineries, not the joy of lining pockets of others.
Sam
Business is business ... the customer is always right ... even the assholes.
Seriously ... charge ... fair is fair.
Seriously ... charge ... fair is fair.
“There are no standards of taste in wine. Each mans own taste is the standard, and a majority vote cannot decide for him or in any slightest degree affect the supremacy of his own standard". Mark Twain.
I believe a compromise is the tasting fee for a flagship that is redeemable on a purchase over a certain amount...
What do you think?
yes agree
Cellar doors are seldom money spinners, they are brand builders, marketing tools, advertising.
However i believe the fee refundable on purchase for high end wines prevents the feeling of obligation. Nothing like trying a set of wines and not really liking them then feeling obligated. This is why now i really avoid cellar doors from wineries where ive had a poor hit rate re liking the things previously.
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Unfortunately the Hunter is just that little bit close to Sydney so there are plenty of rude leftovers who just consider it a place to go and "drink free piss".
It sounds like a typical wanker that you got though - some arrogant dickhead who is looking to stir up the people behind the counter for self gratification.
It sounds like a typical wanker that you got though - some arrogant dickhead who is looking to stir up the people behind the counter for self gratification.
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winetastic
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In general I do not agree with the concept of tasting fees at the cellar door. I also will not fork out $50+ for a super premium wine that I am unable to try first. I suppose if these two points cannot be totally supported at every cellar door, then a small tasting fee for the super premium gear is a decent compromise.
Re: Why O Why
Dave Vino said:
"But what a lot of wineries don't understand is that I've got a wine budget of say $7000 a year and I've got around 100 wineries I can spend it at so don't expect everyone to spend hundreds at every winery. That's why I still don't understand why wineries keep pushing the 12 single type cases. There is just so much out there to limit yourself to buying it in 12 bottle lots. I'd much rather buy 3 bottles from 4 different wineries."
Here, here...
"But what a lot of wineries don't understand is that I've got a wine budget of say $7000 a year and I've got around 100 wineries I can spend it at so don't expect everyone to spend hundreds at every winery. That's why I still don't understand why wineries keep pushing the 12 single type cases. There is just so much out there to limit yourself to buying it in 12 bottle lots. I'd much rather buy 3 bottles from 4 different wineries."
Here, here...
Re: Why O Why
woodwardbrett wrote:Why O why do people have to proceed to act like tossers in winery cellar doors???
Right so here's the story.
Customers come in....one person says "I only want to try the one that is "not for tasting" ".....my response being "I can show you others but it is "not for tasting", "but some times you have those things open", "well that is sometimes true but at the moment we do not, how about something else", "no".
Right so behind the eight ball to start with.....I show the group a bundle of other wines in our range and venture towards the higher end...me being nice decide to wip out the "not for tasting" just for good measure...and well not much gratitude, more like "yep I told you so" sort of look on the customers face.
Sorry if this sounds a little sarcastic but I had to vent myself to a group of people that may understand....
So was the wine "not for tasting" already open, or did you open one up specifically for this person who was acting like such a twat?
I agree from your description the guy sounds like a tosser, but I can't understand why you would open a bottle for him if you already told him it wasn't available for tasting - aren't you proving his point, and even encouraging this behaviour by submitting to this demand?
Cheers,
Ian
Forget about goodness and mercy, they're gone.
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Daniel Jess
- Posts: 214
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You got yourself a Tooter! I started calling certain personality types "Tooters" in 1999 in my first Michelin star job.. they're people that come in and toot their own horns about how much they know about wine and make everyone around them feel uncomfortable and uneasy.
It makes you feel better to joke about them and not get angry, as hard as it seems to do at the time!
Yours didn't toot much, though.. normally they keep telling you over and over about how much they know about wine and how imperative it is that they have the best! I learnt to ignore these people early in the game and always concentrate on others, where more sales can be produced. Might be harder to do at the cellar door if no other customers are present, but you should definitely try to catch them out! Guaranteed you will know more than they will and don't back down from your no tasting policy.. if you don't open it for the public, they'll want it so bad they might just buy it! (and if they don't, then they're just wasting your time)
It makes you feel better to joke about them and not get angry, as hard as it seems to do at the time!
Yours didn't toot much, though.. normally they keep telling you over and over about how much they know about wine and how imperative it is that they have the best! I learnt to ignore these people early in the game and always concentrate on others, where more sales can be produced. Might be harder to do at the cellar door if no other customers are present, but you should definitely try to catch them out! Guaranteed you will know more than they will and don't back down from your no tasting policy.. if you don't open it for the public, they'll want it so bad they might just buy it! (and if they don't, then they're just wasting your time)
WineBox Co. - - conquer the world, one grape at a time - -
The world is full of them. It is one of the joys of working with people.
Your job at CD, apart from shoing your company's wine in the best possible light, is to put up with them because no-one else at the winery wants to, and as they employ you, they don't have to.
Let it flow past you and make the experience with the nice folk all the more enjoyable because of it.
Your job at CD, apart from shoing your company's wine in the best possible light, is to put up with them because no-one else at the winery wants to, and as they employ you, they don't have to.
Let it flow past you and make the experience with the nice folk all the more enjoyable because of it.
Partagas wrote:Have to agree with monghead completely on this. I think it would be a great shame and a very sad day if wineries themselves started acting like the “snob†and charged for all tastings. It is a wonderful experience to meet and chat to some awesome cellar door people (some not so good), get to taste something you haven’t tasted before, new vintages or unfortunately for some wineries just a group of people having a good time winery hopping/getting pissed in the country.
I work with hundreds of Uni students, some are awesome people who you are happy to treat like your own family and some act like the sun is up each day only for them to see. But it is the good people who get you through the spoilt brats.
Really hope you can get through that thought, it’s the humble country spirit that makes people actually pay the extra amount for wine purchases when traveling to wineries, not the joy of lining pockets of others.
Sam
I went through Paso Robles in Cal, US, a couple of years ago. Up there they charge you for tasting but give you these amazing Riedel glassware in return, normally with their label etched on. We scored a cupboard of Riedel "O" and pinot glasses. I would be happy to see that coming in here.
"Tooter".
I like that.
They are quite prevalent, at a bottle shop I once worked at we had a guy come in who was referred to as "Dr Chardonnay".
New staff were introduced to Dr Chardonnay only after they had been locked in a one way conversation where he talked about how one should taste chalk when one tastes Chablis, or the merits of the D'Yquem, or the Krug, or the Lafite etc he once had, and how he was looking to buy some of the said wines down the track.
In a parallel to woodwardbrett's customers, Dr Chardonnay would then purchase his block of Emu Draft can's and two litre Yalumba cask, and leave.
Surprisingly he never felt the need to praise the taste of the Emu Draft, but I guess "cat's piss, with a metallic tang", didn't quite fit.
About a year after I started, one of our female customers intimated to me that his wife was waiting for the kids to grow up so she could leave, and hadn't had sex with him for five years.
Which goes to show there is some justice.
I like that.
They are quite prevalent, at a bottle shop I once worked at we had a guy come in who was referred to as "Dr Chardonnay".
New staff were introduced to Dr Chardonnay only after they had been locked in a one way conversation where he talked about how one should taste chalk when one tastes Chablis, or the merits of the D'Yquem, or the Krug, or the Lafite etc he once had, and how he was looking to buy some of the said wines down the track.
In a parallel to woodwardbrett's customers, Dr Chardonnay would then purchase his block of Emu Draft can's and two litre Yalumba cask, and leave.
Surprisingly he never felt the need to praise the taste of the Emu Draft, but I guess "cat's piss, with a metallic tang", didn't quite fit.
About a year after I started, one of our female customers intimated to me that his wife was waiting for the kids to grow up so she could leave, and hadn't had sex with him for five years.
Which goes to show there is some justice.
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Ratcatcher
- Posts: 374
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- Location: Hobart
First of all, I have to agree with Ian, why did you open it for him when you said you couldn't / wouldn't? It's not like after the initial interaction he had redeemed himself in any way.
It really just encourages more people to act like w*nkers to get what they want, it obviously works.
People keep complaining about people like this but then keep giving them what they want. I had an uncle who kept returning perfectly good items he had purchased because he changed his mind 2 weeks later. If he made enough noise he would get his money back. I could never understand why people just didn't say no to him. He never took one case to a lawyer or ACCC as far as I know.
Secondly, I reckon tastings should be charged for. A couple of bucks for the base range and $10 for premiums. Redeemable upon purchase. I can't see how any genuine winelover would have a problem with that.
Finally, how do you know this guy didn't go to his local the next week and buy a dozen of your flagship based on his tasting? He may have wanted to save $4 a bottle which works out to $48 a case. I don't blame him for that. You've still made a sale. Better than him not buying anything or buying someone else's wine. How do you know 5 people in the group didn't do the same thing? He may have been a w*nker but he may still have ended up as a customer.
I'm afraid you would have retained more cred if you hadn't opened your premium for him after all.
It really just encourages more people to act like w*nkers to get what they want, it obviously works.
People keep complaining about people like this but then keep giving them what they want. I had an uncle who kept returning perfectly good items he had purchased because he changed his mind 2 weeks later. If he made enough noise he would get his money back. I could never understand why people just didn't say no to him. He never took one case to a lawyer or ACCC as far as I know.
Secondly, I reckon tastings should be charged for. A couple of bucks for the base range and $10 for premiums. Redeemable upon purchase. I can't see how any genuine winelover would have a problem with that.
Finally, how do you know this guy didn't go to his local the next week and buy a dozen of your flagship based on his tasting? He may have wanted to save $4 a bottle which works out to $48 a case. I don't blame him for that. You've still made a sale. Better than him not buying anything or buying someone else's wine. How do you know 5 people in the group didn't do the same thing? He may have been a w*nker but he may still have ended up as a customer.
I'm afraid you would have retained more cred if you hadn't opened your premium for him after all.
Well,
It is so easy to spot the drinkers and tasters at the cellar doors. Drinkers are usually a group people, they get there wine, establish a circle around the counter, sometimes away from the counter and start to chat amongst each other and drink the wine as if they are in a bar. If they are at the counter, they might ask silly questions about the wine to the workers behind the counter. Sometimes because of these people a real taster may not even be able to approach the counter (no space) The taster might even get the look of "how rude - how dare you" from these drinkers if they politely try to make way to approach the counter. Tasters are usually not a big crowd, sometimes alone, they don't drink, they go thru the known tasting routine and they spit the wine, ask reasonable questions and take very little time at the cellar door. I don't think an experienced cellar door worker would have any trouble recognizing the taster or drinker. In my experience, I have seen some workers not even charging the required tasting fee for premium wines once they realize the person is true taster even though they don't buy any wine.
It is so easy to spot the drinkers and tasters at the cellar doors. Drinkers are usually a group people, they get there wine, establish a circle around the counter, sometimes away from the counter and start to chat amongst each other and drink the wine as if they are in a bar. If they are at the counter, they might ask silly questions about the wine to the workers behind the counter. Sometimes because of these people a real taster may not even be able to approach the counter (no space) The taster might even get the look of "how rude - how dare you" from these drinkers if they politely try to make way to approach the counter. Tasters are usually not a big crowd, sometimes alone, they don't drink, they go thru the known tasting routine and they spit the wine, ask reasonable questions and take very little time at the cellar door. I don't think an experienced cellar door worker would have any trouble recognizing the taster or drinker. In my experience, I have seen some workers not even charging the required tasting fee for premium wines once they realize the person is true taster even though they don't buy any wine.
I think all of this talk of tasters, drinkers and tooters is a bit precious. As a collective they go by another name...customers.
Unfortunately in any form of retail you need to grin and bare it sometimes, there will always be customers that get under your skin. The most important thing is that customers leave you better for the experience.
It's always nice to have customers spending big bucks with you, but just as important that they leave as brand advocates and spread the good word to others.
Unfortunately in any form of retail you need to grin and bare it sometimes, there will always be customers that get under your skin. The most important thing is that customers leave you better for the experience.
It's always nice to have customers spending big bucks with you, but just as important that they leave as brand advocates and spread the good word to others.
Jules wrote:
About a year after I started, one of our female customers intimated to me that his wife was waiting for the kids to grow up so she could leave, and hadn't had sex with him for five years.
Which goes to show there is some justice.
Yeah...nothing funnier than regular customer with marital problems
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pokolbinguy
- Posts: 165
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Re: Why O Why
n4sir wrote:So was the wine "not for tasting" already open, or did you open one up specifically for this person who was acting like such a twat?
Sorry I should have clarified this...yes the wine was open....and was successfully in eye shot of the "tosser" (the wife was the worst actually).
Anyway good day at work today. Plenty of nice customers and plenty wanting to learn...I guess there falls the difference between weekend and weekdays.
Some time ago I visited Bests cellar door at Lake Boga, which is a little out of the way to say the least. Anyone reaching it had gone to a lot of trouble and must be seriously interested.
I asked to try the Great Western Shiraz, but it wasn't available to taste, even at a premium. So what exactly was the point of that cellar door ?
I have no problem paying for tasting, in fact I'd prefer it, as otherwise I always buy a bottle if I don't feel like buying more.
I asked to try the Great Western Shiraz, but it wasn't available to taste, even at a premium. So what exactly was the point of that cellar door ?
I have no problem paying for tasting, in fact I'd prefer it, as otherwise I always buy a bottle if I don't feel like buying more.
Hide the rum Captain Jack Sparrow
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Daniel Jess
- Posts: 214
- Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:45 pm
- Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- Contact:
roughred wrote:I think all of this talk of tasters, drinkers and tooters is a bit precious. As a collective they go by another name...customers.
True, but one does not sever the appropriateness of customer service by approaching the differentials amongst the customer base from various angles. All staff, retail, hospitality etc should be trained to focus certain aspects of service on certain customers over others, and so on. That's exactly what businesses do around the world, every day - target markets.
However, any customer that enters the door should be treated with respect - provided they don't overstep the line, at which point you politely 'educate' them. At the end of the day, after you've said your two cents, the customer is still always right, even if they're not.
WineBox Co. - - conquer the world, one grape at a time - -
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Waiters Friend
- Posts: 2786
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I agree with a couple of posters who have also said that you can tell between a serious taster and a drinker, and the better days on CD for me were when I came across serious tasters, who were interested in discussing the winemaking, the vineyard, the comparisons with other countries / regions / styles and even just what appealed to them. You CAN spot (most of the time) the drinkers who are trying to extract the most out of a zero investment, although we all get done over occasionally.
A few posters have got it right IMHO, when they say that you never know what that taste may lead to. Let me give you "A Tale of Two Americans" - two of the more unusual cellar door experiences I've had.
American #1: Quiet bloke, middle-aged, had a small party of miscellaneous guests out to lunch. Knew the subject, but wasn't pushing his knowledge, although he did discuss some of the finer points. Bought a few of the wines to go with lunch, across low to higher price points. Bugger me when he came back and made a casual enquiry about what would be involved in getting 100 CASES sent back to the USA
. The CD manager took over from there, and it resulted in a substantial export order.
American #2: Quiet bloke, 40-ish, on his own, and turned up with his bicycle helmet. Went thoroughly and deliberately through the first couple of wines, with an appropriately serious level of discourse - then returned to his bicycle to get his own tasting glass (that he carried with him in a packing tube, and only extracted if he thought the wines were good enough). He took notes along the way, and, after investing nearly an hour of my time, asked for his tasting glass to be washed at the end of the process. Declined to buy anything, as he a) couldn't carry it on the bike, and b) was returning to USA the following day. I can only hope that the investment we made in the form of time, wine, discussion and courtesy might pay off in some way.
Yes, there were days where I felt like woodwardbrett, and I sympathise, and can only suggest that the good days might outweight the frustrating ones.
Cheers
Allan
A few posters have got it right IMHO, when they say that you never know what that taste may lead to. Let me give you "A Tale of Two Americans" - two of the more unusual cellar door experiences I've had.
American #1: Quiet bloke, middle-aged, had a small party of miscellaneous guests out to lunch. Knew the subject, but wasn't pushing his knowledge, although he did discuss some of the finer points. Bought a few of the wines to go with lunch, across low to higher price points. Bugger me when he came back and made a casual enquiry about what would be involved in getting 100 CASES sent back to the USA
. The CD manager took over from there, and it resulted in a substantial export order.
American #2: Quiet bloke, 40-ish, on his own, and turned up with his bicycle helmet. Went thoroughly and deliberately through the first couple of wines, with an appropriately serious level of discourse - then returned to his bicycle to get his own tasting glass (that he carried with him in a packing tube, and only extracted if he thought the wines were good enough). He took notes along the way, and, after investing nearly an hour of my time, asked for his tasting glass to be washed at the end of the process. Declined to buy anything, as he a) couldn't carry it on the bike, and b) was returning to USA the following day. I can only hope that the investment we made in the form of time, wine, discussion and courtesy might pay off in some way.
Yes, there were days where I felt like woodwardbrett, and I sympathise, and can only suggest that the good days might outweight the frustrating ones.
Cheers
Allan
Wine, women and song. Ideally, you can experience all three at once.
The second example provided by Waiters Friend is important, at least for me. As a Canadian who loves to travel to wine regions, I am allowed to bring a grand total of 2 bottle back to Canada duty free. After that, there's a 113% tax - no, that's not a typo - on any other bottles. If the weather is hot, then there's the chance of damaging the bottles while you are living out of a car and hotels for a month or more.
I often feel guilty, especially when having a great tasting, that I can't really afford to buy too many bottles. But I definitely become a steady customer once I'm back home. Of course, I have to really like the wine, but if I also have a great memory of a CD tasting, then I'm much more likely to buy that wine than one where I haven't had a good experience.
So just because somebody, especially somebody from overseas, doesn't buy anything at CD, it doesn't mean that you haven't created a good customer!
I often feel guilty, especially when having a great tasting, that I can't really afford to buy too many bottles. But I definitely become a steady customer once I'm back home. Of course, I have to really like the wine, but if I also have a great memory of a CD tasting, then I'm much more likely to buy that wine than one where I haven't had a good experience.
So just because somebody, especially somebody from overseas, doesn't buy anything at CD, it doesn't mean that you haven't created a good customer!
I often get treated as a person solely intent on getting free wine, and not purchasing anything, I assume because of my age. That being said, when I go to a cellar door, I would estimate 3/5 times I will buy a bottle. I don't believe in the theory that just because you have tasted wines you should be obliged to buy them - I will always buy something if I enjoy the wine, but if I don't like anything that I've tasted, I don't feel that I should be required to buy something.
I've often experienced the situation though where I will be at a CD with my partner trying wines, when a group of older, better dressed people will enter, and suddenly I will need to wait a good 30 minutes between tastes because the attention of the CD staff goes immediately to the group who they think are going to be the big purchasers.
On one memorable occasion, this happened. I ended up buying 5 bottles (despite waiting approx 15 minutes between tastes to get the staff's attention), and the group of 7 middle-aged people who ended up leaving without a purchase.
I guess the point of all this is that you should never judge a taster by their age, or appearance, but rather by how they act and what they say.
I've often experienced the situation though where I will be at a CD with my partner trying wines, when a group of older, better dressed people will enter, and suddenly I will need to wait a good 30 minutes between tastes because the attention of the CD staff goes immediately to the group who they think are going to be the big purchasers.
On one memorable occasion, this happened. I ended up buying 5 bottles (despite waiting approx 15 minutes between tastes to get the staff's attention), and the group of 7 middle-aged people who ended up leaving without a purchase.
I guess the point of all this is that you should never judge a taster by their age, or appearance, but rather by how they act and what they say.
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Michael McNally
- Posts: 2084
- Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:06 pm
- Location: Brisbane
My 2c
There are tossers and know-it-alls in any line, but the complexity of wine seems to attract a certain breed
. I love cellar doors and would hate to see them charge a fee. I would prefer not to taste the "premiums" if that means there has to be a fee. One definite deterrent and way to sort the wheat from the chaff is the modest (not tiny) pour. Keep it modest and you will be rid of the "drinkers" more quickly.
As with our overseas friends I don't think it is realistic to be expected to buy a bottle or a couple of bottles for each visit. You have to get them back to home base and most vineyards are air travel for me. I also can't afford to buy every time, and sometimes you taste a range and there isn't actually a wine you really like.
Don't forget that you are building brand loyalty. Even the tossers will use that - they will see one of your wines in a bottle shop later on and think to themself "I can really prattle on about this if I take it to dinner". For me (and let's face it I'm a tosser ) I still have a soft spot for places where I have been treated with kindness or really learnt something about wine/the wines.
Dealing with the unwashed masses that are the public is an ordeal sometimes. I sympathise.
Cheers
Michael
There are tossers and know-it-alls in any line, but the complexity of wine seems to attract a certain breed
. I love cellar doors and would hate to see them charge a fee. I would prefer not to taste the "premiums" if that means there has to be a fee. One definite deterrent and way to sort the wheat from the chaff is the modest (not tiny) pour. Keep it modest and you will be rid of the "drinkers" more quickly.
As with our overseas friends I don't think it is realistic to be expected to buy a bottle or a couple of bottles for each visit. You have to get them back to home base and most vineyards are air travel for me. I also can't afford to buy every time, and sometimes you taste a range and there isn't actually a wine you really like.
Don't forget that you are building brand loyalty. Even the tossers will use that - they will see one of your wines in a bottle shop later on and think to themself "I can really prattle on about this if I take it to dinner". For me (and let's face it I'm a tosser
) I still have a soft spot for places where I have been treated with kindness or really learnt something about wine/the wines.
Dealing with the unwashed masses that are the public is an ordeal sometimes. I sympathise.
Cheers
Michael
Bonum Vinum Laetificat Cor Hominis