7 replies to this topic

[passlaku]

I was in Indianapolis visiting family and I stopped at Great Fermentations. If you are ever near by you should go there, it is a very cool home brew shop. The owner is Anita Johnson. And yes, she has a sense of humor.I have been in the market for a analog temp controller and saw they had a Johnson temp controller for $65. I was going to buy this thing anyway but I told the guy working there that morebeer had it for $54 and was wondering if they'd match the price, since I was going to buy this product anyway (MB3 has it with free shipping). I told them I'd rather buy it from them, and they went ahead and matched the price. Every time I visit family (about once every 2 1/2 months I drop about $100) and this time I bought a sack of 2 row (great price-$40) and a bunch of packets of dry yeast.

[BrewerGeorge]

That's my home LHBS. I think I may have seen you in there, because I remember them taking mailing list info from somebody from AL and Anita saying, "You're a long way from home." Did you drive off and leave some stuff there a few weeks ago?That's a great store with great people.

[Deerslyr]

In this economy, I always ask if "that's the best price". You never know until you ask and clearly they were still making profit on it or they wouldn't have sold it to you. Plus, they know that you WILL come back.FWIW, I even haggle at Lowes to see if they can get me a better price!

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I was in Indianapolis visiting family and I stopped at Great Fermentations. If you are ever near by you should go there, it is a very cool home brew shop. The owner is Anita Johnson. And yes, she has a sense of humor.I have been in the market for a analog temp controller and saw they had a Johnson temp controller for $65. I was going to buy this thing anyway but I told the guy working there that morebeer had it for $54 and was wondering if they'd match the price, since I was going to buy this product anyway (MB3 has it with free shipping). I told them I'd rather buy it from them, and they went ahead and matched the price. Every time I visit family (about once every 2 1/2 months I drop about $100) and this time I bought a sack of 2 row (great price-$40) and a bunch of packets of dry yeast.

I don't think that's being jerky - they could have said no but they wanted to make sure they'd win your business. Good for them! (and you)

[Deerslyr]

There is nothing to be ashamed about looking, and asking, for the best price. In general, American consumers have forgotten what it's like to actually purchase items. We accept at face value that the price that is on the tag is what we have to pay, and that's just not true. I've been on the lookout for a mini-fridge at work and saw a "return" at Lowes for $65. I asked if that was their best price and they knocked it down to $50 without batting an eye. It was after that we plugged it in to find out that they got screwed on the return as it did not work. It's no wonder that when American's travel abroad, people selling things love us because we don't know how to "haggle" and their profit on an item sold to an American is through the roof (or blanket in some areas of the world) as compared to other foreigners. When I go to Mexico, I'd never buy anything for full price. In fact, I likely wouldn't buy unless I could get it close to 1/2 off.I have 2 LHBS stores that are very accessible to me. Pricewise, both of them are competitive with each other and each carries something that the other doesn't on occassion. But for the most part, I go to the one where he will not give me a hard time about inquiring about the price. The other one gave me a hard time for reusing my yeast because he felt it was cutting into his business. The one I prefer to go to actually recommends it and discusses how to do it with you.

[Recklessdeck]

I have 2 LHBS stores that are very accessible to me. Pricewise, both of them are competitive with each other and each carries something that the other doesn't on occassion. But for the most part, I go to the one where he will not give me a hard time about inquiring about the price. The other one gave me a hard time for reusing my yeast because he felt it was cutting into his business. The one I prefer to go to actually recommends it and discusses how to do it with you.

The lady at my LHBS, who is actually quite nice and helpful, always asks me what hops I'm buying, even though I haven't bought hops from her in 6-9 months. If I can get the same hops for half the price from freshops, I would be doing my poor self a huge disfavor buying from her. Yet I still get a little guilty look every time I say I will only be buying grain or yeast.

[Deerslyr]

The lady at my LHBS, who is actually quite nice and helpful, always asks me what hops I'm buying, even though I haven't bought hops from her in 6-9 months. If I can get the same hops for half the price from freshops, I would be doing my poor self a huge disfavor buying from her. Yet I still get a little guilty look every time I say I will only be buying grain or yeast.

Funny how they can make you feel guilty, huh?

[siouxbrewer]

The lady at my LHBS, who is actually quite nice and helpful, always asks me what hops I'm buying, even though I haven't bought hops from her in 6-9 months. If I can get the same hops for half the price from freshops, I would be doing my poor self a huge disfavor buying from her. Yet I still get a little guilty look every time I say I will only be buying grain or yeast.

Imagine the look she'll give you when you start buying bulk grain with the LBG