New bill could require Ohio liquor stores to open high-demand bottles when sold (1 Viewer)

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Bourbon buyers beware: New bill could require Ohio liquor stores to open high-demand bottles when sold

Senate Bill 320 aims to stop "flippers" from snapping up hard-to-get bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and other liquors to re-sell at higher prices. But not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

www.cleveland.com

DeMora, a Columbus Democrat, was in the line alongside other bourbon aficionados because the state liquor agency – as it regularly does with rare and sought-after bourbons, whiskies, and (to a lesser degree) other spirits like tequila – sent out a notice that a limited supply of Buffalo Trace’s Elmer T. Lee and two Blanton’s specialty releases would be made available for purchase at certain stores.

The problem, DeMora said, is that often these bottles are snapped up by “flippers” to illegally resell on the secondary market at drastically inflated prices, leaving little to no chance for ordinary Ohioans hoping to drink some themselves

While talking to people in line, DeMora said, he was told that a simple way to stop these “flippers” would be to require liquor store workers to open and immediately re-seal bottles when they’re sold.

This bill would hopefully stop the illegal sale of liquor, and it would maybe give people who want to enjoy bourbon, and drink it, the ability to get some of this stuff.”

She asked how someone giving a high-end bottle of bourbon to someone like their boss would be able to explain why the bottle was already open.

“If you’re giving it as a gift, or if you’re hanging on to it for a special occasion -- I mean, people aren’t going to understand it,” Pirnat said.

Yeah, I don't think so. If I were one to really be a bourbon snob, you're not opening the bottle I just paided up for.

Maybe work on infiltrating the black market, and prosecute accordingly.

 

[zincwarrior]

Wait? What?

 

[dmpi]

A better idea would be raise the price through a tax surcharge to match the black market price and the rebate the tax revenue through lower overall sales tax.

 

[zincwarrior]

A better idea would be raise the price through a tax surcharge to match the black market price and the rebate the tax revenue through lower overall sales tax.

Er...how is there a secondary market? Are there adjoining states that don't permit these sales or what?

The idea is just stupid.

 

[Napoleon]

Er...how is there a secondary market? Are there adjoining states that don't permit these sales or what?

The idea is just stupid.

This is mostly about limited edition/limited supply bottles that are very difficult to find anywhere. In Ohio, you have to participate in a lottery to buy them. If your name is drawn then hooray. Otherwise you’re never going to see that bottle unless you’re prepared to lay down a lot of money on the secondary market.

 

[Lisa]

Bourbon buyers beware: New bill could require Ohio liquor stores to open high-demand bottles when sold

Senate Bill 320 aims to stop "flippers" from snapping up hard-to-get bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and other liquors to re-sell at higher prices. But not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

www.cleveland.com

Yeah, I don't think so. If I were one to really be a bourbon snob, you're not opening the bottle I just paided up for.

Maybe work on infiltrating the black market, and prosecute accordingly.

How much does Frank LaRose benefit from this? His family owns a large liquor distributorship. https://www.houseoflarose.com/catalog/featured/

 

[Slartibartfast]

I guess I should be happy that I am satisfied with stuff like Jameson.

I tried buffalo trace and didn’t like it.

 

[Napoleon]

How much does Frank LaRose benefit from this? His family owns a large liquor distributorship. https://www.houseoflarose.com/catalog/featured/

Not at all. These are sold exclusively through the State Liquor Agency.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

I guess I should be happy that I am satisfied with stuff like Jameson.

I tried buffalo trace and didn’t like it.

Yeah, I've been sipping on some Knob Creek lately. Tastes fine to me.

Then again I'm not a snob. Brother and I work around a guy that is. One of those sniffers and swishers. We bust his balls to no end.

 

[Rexedgar]

Virginia has a similar”lottery” policy regarding sought after spirits. There was a scandal a while back which involved state employees alerting “friends” ahead of time what bottles were coming to the stores. Virginia sells all liquor in the state.

Virginia ABC Adopts More Randomized System for Rare Liquor Sales | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

wydaily.com

How it works, you put your email contact information with the store. They then alert everyone on the list and it’s a first come, first served policy after the notice goes out. Not really efficient. As to the secondary spirits market, t capitalism defined, if there’s a buck to be made…….

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Virginia has a similar”lottery” policy regarding sought after spirits. There was a scandal a while back which involved state employees alerting “friends” ahead of time what bottles were coming to the stores. Virginia sells all liquor in the state.

Virginia ABC Adopts More Randomized System for Rare Liquor Sales | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

wydaily.com

How it works, you put your email contact information with the store. They then alert everyone on the list and it’s a first come, first served policy after the notice goes out. Not really efficient. As to the secondary spirits market, t capitalism defined, if there’s a buck to be made…….

Yes, but illegal capitalism. Looked up to see just what Ohio law states. Can't even exchange(or not supposed to ) one for another, even if no money changes hands.

Ohio cracks down on secondary market for booze

It is illegal in Ohio to sell liquor outside of the state's system.

www.dispatch.com

Any sale, or even swap, of liquor or beer — yes, even exchanges of bottles or cans of beer where no money changes hands — are illegal in Ohio, though the state is focused on the folks producing their own liquor or trying to make a profit off of rare bottles or brands not sold in Ohio, Wolf said.

Penalties for the offenses range from up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. Osborne could also face a maximum of 210 days in jail and a $1,250 fine.

Stiffen the penalties and make them stick.

 

[Rexedgar]

Yes, but illegal capitalism. Looked up to see just what Ohio law states. Can't even exchange(or not supposed to ) one for another, even if no money changes hands.

All capitalism is about supply and demand. If I buy a product from you, it’s none of your concern how I dispose of it.

Ohio cracks down on secondary market for booze

It is illegal in Ohio to sell liquor outside of the state's system.

www.dispatch.com

Stiffen the penalties and make them stick.

How do you enforce this? 6 months in jail for selling a bottle of liquor on the black market seems out of proportion, Who is the aggrieved party?

A retailer (the state) has no business in the liquor business to start wit, imo.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

All capitalism is about supply and demand. If I buy a product from you, it’s none of your concern how I dispose of it.

Well, the laws on the books say you cant be a reseller without a license.
And besides the state needing a hand in to get their cut, there are reasons. And they only give out so many.

How do you enforce this? 6 months in jail for selling a bottle of liquor on the black market seems out of proportion,

Well you want to curb it, a no ifs ands or buts fine/sentence may make make.a few think twice.

Who is the aggrieved party?

In this case, probably this guy who is proposing the bill who may have been butthurt because he was too late in line and didn't get his bottle.

A retailer (the state) has no business in the liquor business to start wit, imo.

Who does then to over see controls?
Back to bathtub gin? Maybe some blindness?

 

[Rexedgar]

Well, the laws on the books say you cant be a reseller without a license.
And besides the state needing a hand in to get their cut, there are reasons. And they only give out so many.

Well you want to curb it, a no ifs ands or buts fine/sentence may make make.a few think twice.

In this case, probably this guy who is proposing the bill who may have been butthurt because he was too late in line and didn't get his bottle.

Who does then to over see controls?
Back to bathtub gin? Maybe some blindness?

DC and California come to mind from personal experience, where retail spirit sales are not government operations.

This agency “oversees” the alcohol trade. The states that are the sole provider of retail spirits have monopoly on a problem causing substance.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) | USAGov

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) collects taxes and enforces regulations on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition.

www.usa.gov

 

[Helix]

Sounds stupid. I tend to doubt that rich people will let it happen, because they loooooooooove exclusive booze, they don't want it opened in advance, and they control everything now.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

DC and California come to mind from personal experience, where retail spirit sales are not government operations.

This agency “oversees” the alcohol trade. The states that are the sole provider of retail spirits have monopoly on a problem causing substance.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) | USAGov

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) collects taxes and enforces regulations on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition.

www.usa.gov

Looks to me like a government agency. Just like Ohio has the OHLQ.

 

[Sven Karma]

Sounds like a job for Elon Musk to sort out.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, I've been sipping on some Knob Creek lately. Tastes fine to me.

Then again I'm not a snob. Brother and I work around a guy that is. One of those sniffers and swishers. We bust his balls to no end.

I like Knob Creek pretty well.

Generally, my go to ones are Bulleit, Jameson, Glenmorangie, Four Roses, and Von Payne.

I have a shelf full of stuff I tried but didn’t like and those eventually get taken to parties or whatever.

Typically I go through a 750 bottle every 5-6 weeks or so. I am a bit of a slow drinker, especially since I don’t really drink any other forms of alcohol.

 

[zincwarrior]

Not at all. These are sold exclusively through the State Liquor Agency.

Wait what the hell is that?

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Wait what the hell is that?

This would be the Ohio agency.

https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/liquor-control/liquor-agency-operations

 

[Minerva]

Man, I like my booze....but I ain't entering no lottery to win a "special" bottle.

Evan Williams "Bottled in Bond" is my go to hard drink.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Man, I like my booze....but I ain't entering no lottery to win a "special" bottle.

Same. I'm not standing in line like Black Friday either. I wouldn't be buying it anyhow.
It's ridiculous, you know when the store up the road from me has something 'limited' hitting the shelf that day.
Line out front waiting on them to open. Dedicated drunks!

Evan Williams "Bottled in Bond" is my go to hard drink.

 

[ModerationNow!]

A better idea would be raise the price through a tax surcharge to match the black market price and the rebate the tax revenue through lower overall sales tax.

That may work.

 

[Safiel]

The solution is to get rid of the moronic State controls and let the free market rule. The person who can put down the most money gets the rare bottle.

Simple.

 

[Lord of Planar]

Bourbon buyers beware: New bill could require Ohio liquor stores to open high-demand bottles when sold

Senate Bill 320 aims to stop "flippers" from snapping up hard-to-get bottles of whiskey, bourbon, and other liquors to re-sell at higher prices. But not everyone thinks it's a good idea.

www.cleveland.com

Yeah, I don't think so. If I were one to really be a bourbon snob, you're not opening the bottle I just paided up for.

Maybe work on infiltrating the black market, and prosecute accordingly.

That is more stupid authoritarian shit. Instead, they should do a Raffle like some stores in Oregon do. Anyone wanting to buy a rare one gets a ticket. The winning ticket gets to buy it.