Improved search functionality

FYI the LCB has made a subtle but significant change to their search page functionality at
http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/webapp/Product_Manageme nt/psi_ProductDefault_Inter.asp.

Previously, this searched store inventory only and did not include the www.pawineandspirits.com eCommerce site; to search the eCommerce site you had to do use the search function on that site which isn't nearly as helpful and doesn't report how many units are available (just whether or not it is available).

That's all changed now and you can see everything from the search page above, both store and eCommerce inventory. Bookmark it!

Also added a search by sale, CS and Power Purchase only...

Does anyone know how close online inventory is to "real" inventory in a PA-spirits store? Can a store drop inventory updates if their bottle count is low enough?

The reason I'm asking, is that I have been keeping my eye on a few bottles hoping for prices to drop. These have not shown up in the online search for the past month or so. I checked the store today, and they still have 3-6 bottles of these wines that do not show up when searched.

Steved,

Let me preface my comments with the disclaimer that I don't have any "inside" information on this subject, but have just been making observations.

To answer your specific question "Can a store drop inventory updates if their bottle count is low enough?" I believe the answer is No. Rather, I think the opposite happens: the PLCB will drop the item # from their computers when inventory gets low and they don't intend to reorder, even though a small amount of inventory may still exist in stores.

A current example of that is Bodega Norton Malbec Barrel Select 2006, which was PLCB code 28895. If you search for this product either by name or code # on the main PLCB search page you will come up empty. This is/was a Premium Power Purchase that we are tracking here:
http://www.pawinetalk.com/detail/?code=28895&mkt_category=4
From this PAWineTalk detail page, click on the "In Wine and Spirits Stores" link and you will get the PLCB product catalog page which currently shows:
* Code: 28895
* Description: Item not available
* Size:
* Price: $0.00
However if you then click on "Submit" in the search box (leave all "Address Categories" set to their defaults) Presto you will see that there is stock of this item in several stores. Incidentally, if you get your hands on such a bottle and try to buy it you may have a tough time checking out since the store register may not bring up a price. This could be your chance to negotiate your price!

Good luck!

I think you're right and I had personal experience. I found 5 bottles of 2001 Clos Mogador at the Robinson store. Bought one bottle, loved it, then searched for it on PLCB and got "0" 2001 Clos Mogador results. It didn't even show an item number. I went back to Robinson and bought three more. I left one just because I'm a nice guy and wanted someone else to have an opportunity to taste this fantastic wine ;-). Anyway, if you search, the 2001 doesn't show. Only the 02, 03, and 04.

In my opinion, there is absolutely zero credibilty in the inventory category with the LCB right now. They are updating their computer system at a snails pace. Call all stores before driving if it is not your local store.

Example, the hottest product in PA right now is Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. Do a search and your store may show 30 units, call and they have zero. It is happening all over the state, so beware and be patient. It looks like it may take more than a few weeks to iron out some of the computer issues.

It looks like several wines are headed from specialty stores back to online site. Could be another sale brewing?

I just wish PLCB would run the sale prices at the specialty stores. I know some stores have kept these properly in cooling units while others have not. Now they all get shipped back to the online store to get mixed up and who knows how they are treated until we see them again.