New Total Wine in Sacramento, CA

AxisOfBeagles wrote in news:2008012616493416807- me@donotreplycom:

They have reputation for big selection but also agressive bait and switch to house brands by sales team. At least that is the 411 in FL.

AxisOfBeagles wrote in news:2008012616493416807- me@donotreplycom:

But, oh yes the opening specials made everyone go green.

I noticed quite a few large selections of big name negociant wines, and some extensive inventory of labels that I absolutely did not recognize

- possibly 'house brands'?

Amazing number of personnel - and most were ever-present, keen to try to help. As always, I politely decline help - I can browse quite ably all by myself. Sure was pleased with some of those prices tho. Good thought - they may be 'opening day' prices, and I might want to scour the inventory online and go pick up any that are particularly good bargains before those prices disappear.

I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie hanf and dart drug).

any store that big has a few mistakes. very few now a days.

most name brand wines(high end burgandy or boredeau) are the crummy vintage.

most staff is new and does not know a lot about wine.

prices are pure cost + 50%(std markup).

almost all sales are >

Here in NC I agree on the attempt at Bait and Switch...

However they have some P. Javilliar Meurseult from 2005 and it is a House Direct for them. Meaning buy direct and use local dist for drayage only.(costco method)

My Total Wine has a pretty good selection at OK pricing...not really cheaper than anyone else as the marketplace caused the non effiecient model to change the method of gouging.

Glad to have them...wish they were new again here when you could get GREAT wines as specials.

I'm not a collector of wines nor am I one that quibbles over this vintage or that. I do know that if I want a bottle or two of good drinkable wine for a party or a special meal Total Beverage is the place I go here in Northern Va. For me the next step up is COSTCO. If I want a real special bottle I go to one of the better wine shops in DC during my lunch hour.

What I really like Total Bev for is their selections of Stouts, Porters, and heavy Ales. Since they sell it by the bottle many a time I will walk out of there wit a box of 24 bottles, 2 bottles per brand.

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gerald wrote on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:03:39 -0500:

g>I live in DC area, which is the birthplace of Total Beverage(herbie g>hanf and dart drug).

Yes, I live there too! The Hafts killed a lot of smaller local bookstores by discount pricing and then went out of business themselves because of a massive family fight. Damn them!

James Silverton Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

thanks for post. In-laws live in Sacramento, hopefully this is closer to them than Corti Bros! Will keep in mind for next visit.

We have them here in Virginia Beach and I have been totally unimpressed with their stock or sales people.

Buy when they first open because the local store is selling at full price for the 2005 Bordeaux wines.

Joseph, I've not experienced this in their Claymont Delaware store. The staff there are knowledgeable and helpful. They have turned me on to many new wines and helped me locate wines I was looking for they didn't have in stock.

Jon

I visit my in-laws in Va. Beach several times a year. Are there shops you would recommend? I haven't had very good luck.

Thanks.

PJ Baggins on Laskin Road is the only high end wine store in Tidewater VA

Not here, They are neither knowledgeable or for that matter helpful. They don't do bait and switch but it is what it is. They generally will not help with getting wines they don't have in stock and that is true in all 3 Tidewater locations.

Thanks. I'll seek it out.