Interesting article on "Outlet" stores

Here's an interesting article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette regarding the Outlet stores.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06278/727413-34.stm

Mark

Dear Mark,

I just read the article on outlet stores and was surprised to learn that the state-run monopoly on wine has a dual-pricing structure -- people close to PA borders get better prices than the rest of us.

In the state's defense the article said anyone can order from these outlet stores via the PLCB's website. But for the life of me I can't figure out how to do it. Can you help?

Thanks in Advance,
Michael

Finally got an answer on this. Unfortunately the article has some incorrect info.

First, nothing purchased on the pawineandspirits.com web can be shipped to your home, it must be shipped to a store of your choice where you then have to pick it up...there is nothing different in this regard with the outlet stores.

Second, according to the manager of the Washington, PA outlet store, the outlet store items cannot be transferred to another store, and further, they are not available on the pawineandspirits.com web site. In short, you have to go to the outlet store to get the specials available there. You can call ahead however and they will hold items for you.

The store manager was happy to e-mail me a list of all 155 of the outlet items available which I have posted here. This list is mostly spirits with a few of the "lower end" wines that are available throughout the state.

The Washington, PA store is classified as a regular Wine & Spirits Shop and I'm curious as to whether the "Premium Collection" outlet stores in other parts of the state have any "Premium" wines available at a discount.

Mark

One more update... The product search page on the lcb web site has been updated to allow searching for just outlet store items. To see a current list of all outlet store items, go here. Under "Search for:" de-select everything except "Outlet," leave all other fields blank/unchanged and click on Search.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has been running a weeklong series of articles on the LCB, and in this article it was mentioned that the lone outlet store in southwestern PA is the most profitable in the state.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08028/852746-85.stm