LCB - New Return Policy

Had heard it was coming, but saw the note in a store today. Returns limited to 90 days. So much for loading up in the fall and taking cash back the next summer when they blow the Chairman's selections out....

Also was told it is now $2 per bottle freight to have something transferred from a different store.

Also was told it is now $2 per bottle freight to have something transferred from a different store.
That makes no sense: that would make transferring a bottle more expensive than ordering from the online store. Or have their shipping charges gone up as well?

There have traditionally been two not-well-publicized methods to have something transferred between stores: UPS, which has always involved a charge and takes a predictable amount of time, and is almost always available except in special circumstances (e.g. certain sales); and a second option whose official name I do not know but involves the bottle(s) in effect hitching a ride whenever employees travel between stores. This second option is free, not always available, and can take anywhere from a day to [open ended] depending on the particulars. For example to transfer a couple bottles between two stores in the same or neighboring counties probably wouldn't take long (a week?), while moving something from Erie to Scranton would take... well, don't hold your breath.

My Rep from Southern Wine informed me of the new "freight" charge. He has always picked up his products at different stores and brought them to my home store to be put on my license, now it is $2 per bottle even if he provides the transport!

Regarding returns - does anyone know if wines purchased prior to the implementation of the new policy are grandfathered? I've got some wines in the cellar that I would never have purchased from the PLCB (given concerns about storage and transport) if not for the return option. Yikes!

@Mark: I'm assuming Option 2 is what we're talking about, there's always been a charge for UPS. And I've always assumed at least over a week for transfers. I'd say 2-3 weeks are the norm, and over a month is not uncommon;

@Kevin: I would assume returns for flaws wouldn't be affected. At least I would hope not, since that would actually make the PLCB's policy less accommodating than most retailers'.

Just a follow up - I read the new policy in detail today and want to clarify my earlier post.

Returns within 90 days of purchase with receipt - full cash or credit card refund for price paid.

Returns after 90 days with receipt - LCB gift card in the amount paid.

Returns without receipts - LCB gift card for the lowest price the product has sold for.

If I got the above correct from memory (and I am sure of the first two items), then as long as you keep you receipts you should be covered for price drops although you would have to spend the refund at a LCB store if the return was over 90 days.

FYI: I returned some wine today that had recently been reduced in price. I purchased this over 2 years ago, so they put the return onto a gift card, and then I bought the same wine back at the new lower price. Now I have the price difference as a gift card to myself for future purchases!

Just wish the ink on the PLCB receipts was better. Mine seem to fade to nothing in 6-months, so I might have to start laminating major purchases :0)

The problem is, as I understand it, that no wines will be accepted for return now for any reason if they are not "still being sold" through the PA W&S system. That means that once they're off inventory, you may be out of luck.

I also would hope that purchases made prior to the new policy would be grandfathered, as I know people who still have, e.g., 1990 first growth Bordeaux in their cellars (with the receipts -- I guess they used better ink back then) that they purchased from PA W&S stores with express assurances they could be returned at any time if defective.

Price drops are not as much of a concern to me as expensive, age-worthy bottles that have been off inventory for years turning out to be corked. In the past (prior to the new policy), I have returned such disappointments with no problem.

"I know people who still have, e.g., 1990 first growth Bordeaux in their cellars"

Laura,
We have some fun wine gatherings here in Pittsburgh.........hint ;-)

It seems that developing a relationship with a store manager might be the best way to get a good answer to returning "off inventory" or "corked" wines.

My experience was that each stores management dealt differently with my request. I needed to call a few stores before I could even get a store to let me return and repurchase the wine. When I asked a store that refused the return and repurchase about returning "corked" wines, they said that if it was after 90-days, I was out of luck.