dsi1 wrote:
>Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>dsi1
>>dsi1 wrote:
>>
>>> Charging for samples is a mickey mouse way of doing business. It implies
>>> that your customers are scumbags and are not to be trusted.
>>
>> The reason most charge now is many on the tasters are not customers,
>> just scumbags looking for a freebie.
>>
>> Most places had some sort of a deal that when you buy, you get a
>> discount, rebate, or other compensation against what you paid. One
>> winery in particular that I've been to a couple of times charges a
>> modest fee for five different tastings. I've seen many people do the
>> tasting and walk out not spending a penny otherwise.
>>
>> There is one vineyard I frequent that has a "Cellar Club" you can sign
>> up for once you buy something. You get tasting for two people on every
>> visit and you get a 15% discount every time you buy a case
>>
>All things being equal, I'm partial to businesses that don't consider me
>to be a scumbag. Is this the wrong attitude?

dsi1, you're altering the terminology - your terminology is incorrect,
they are not wine samplings, they are wine tastings... check the
Subject line... I've never seen wine "samplings" advertised. I
believe samples should be free with no strings otherwise they're not
samples. When the bakery places a tray of broken cookies on the
counter labeled "Samples" they hope people buy but if not business
goes on as broken cookies otherwise go into the trash, or made into
crumbs for decorating a cake. Wine "Tastings" do not imply free, wine
tastings are held with the explicit intent of introducing and selling
wines, they are not samples. If you attend wine tastings, pay a fee
or not, and don't buy then you are indeed a scumbag. Winerys learned
that charging a fee keeps the riff raff/scumbags away making for a
more enjoyable less crowded experience for those who buy... and those
who buy typically recoup the modest entry fee with the first case they
buy at discount... the fee is meant to encourage purchasing. I can't
imagine normal people who actually have a life wasting a day sipping
dribs of wine just because it's free when they don't intend to buy...
the scumbags would do themselves and everyone else a favor staying
home guzzling their favorite $3/liter box wine.