What does privatizing liquore stores actually mean? (Avalon, Penn: crime, buying)

[Ohiogirl81]

I agree. One battle at a time. Wholesale reform is just too much for Pennsylvania folks.

[Avalon08]

I suppose I will never see progress on this issue in my lifetime. PA is the most backward, restrictive, puritanical, inconvenient, consumer-unfriendly state in the country when it comes to sales of any type of alcoholic beverage.

If I want to get a few six-packs of a variety of beers, I have to find a place that sells six-packs -- a bar or pizza shop or wherever. As I sit here in my house, I cannot think of a place nearby that I'd be able to buy a six-pack.

If I want a case of beer, I have to go to a beer distributorship. They're not on every corner either. Plus, I have to go to yet ANOTHER place if I want wine or hard liquor.

Speaking of wine or hard liquor, I have to go to a State Store if I want those. There's only one in my town, and no other ones for miles around. If I'm on my way to a BYOB event and it's after 9 PM, forget it. If it's Sun. and I need a bottle of wine on my way to a dinner party, forget it. If I need help selecting a wine, forget it. If I want a bottle of wine before a major holiday, forget it -- it's out of stock, the shelves are wiped out. Nevermind that the holidays come at the same time every year....maybe someone should be anticipating a large demand?

When I lived in CA, I could go to any supermarket at any time of day and get anything I wanted. I suppose people will say, "But CA is broke and PA gets good revenue from the State Stores". Whatever. I just find it much easier to go to DE and so do many other Pennsylvanians.

There was got to be a way of bringing this antiquated system into the 20th (!) century.

[pman]

for what it's worth, prior to the 20th century the laws were much more open and consumer friendly

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

If I want to get a few six-packs of a variety of beers, I have to find a place that sells six-packs -- a bar or pizza shop or wherever. As I sit here in my house, I cannot think of a place nearby that I'd be able to buy a six-pack.

And good finding anything more exotic than Bud Light or Yuengling. Oh, maybe you'll find Molson Golden or Amstel Light on occasion ...

Originally Posted by pman

for what it's worth, prior to the 20th century the laws were much more open and consumer friendly

As my mom used to say: That and a dime will get you a cup of coffee.

[Avalon08]

Pennsylvania appears to be the only state in which you have to go to three different places to get a bottle of wine, a case of Bud, and a six-pack of Corona. It's the stupidest system -- I see no logic in it whatsoever.

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

Pennsylvania appears to be the only state in which you have to go to three different places to get a bottle of wine, a case of Bud, and a six-pack of Corona. It's the stupidest system -- I see no logic in it whatsoever.

You are preaching to the choir. I usually get my beer, liquor, etc. from Jersey since I am near the border

[RomaniGypsy]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

Pennsylvania appears to be the only state in which you have to go to three different places to get a bottle of wine, a case of Bud, and a six-pack of Corona. It's the stupidest system -- I see no logic in it whatsoever.

Maybe this is the way the system is set up, to discourage drinking. That would be a logical conclusion. After all, there is not one living soul that NEEDS alcoholic beverages. They are merely a "want" for many people... a "want" which often turns into overuse, which makes for a whole host of ills. After all, the state expends who knows how much money & who knows how many resources on alcohol-related offenses (drunk driving, criminal acts, etc)... so why shouldn't the state be the entity getting the income from alcoholic beverage sales? Fair's fair, in the end. I don't advocate big government but for those of you who want the state liquor sales system privatized, how would you feel about the privatization of the law enforcement that keeps alcohol overindulgers under some degree of control?

[pman]

Whod want a case of bud anyway? ; )
Making consumption difficult is the point of the system...the problem is that it doesnt work. Our states abuse rates arent dramatically different...and why would the state want people to consume less since its also a revenue source?? Nobody is talking about privatizing law enforcement

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

And good finding anything more exotic than Bud Light or Yuengling. Oh, maybe you'll find Molson Golden or Amstel Light on occasion ...

Wegmans. They have a great selection of microbrews. But before they started selling beer, it was tough to even find a 6 pack of Guinness. Now that Wegmans sells beer, I tend to stay away from places that also sell 40 ouncers.

[Avalon08]

Originally Posted by pman

Whod want a case of bud anyway? ; )
Making consumption difficult is the point of the system...the problem is that it doesnt work. Our states abuse rates arent dramatically different...and why would the state want people to consume less since its also a revenue source?? Nobody is talking about privatizing law enforcement

Right....the system (I believe) is a hold-over from the post-Prohibition era and the Quaker influence on Pennsylvania liquor laws. I've heard that same old tired argument from the anti-privatization lobby -- "do you want liquor stores on every corner?". Well, yes I do! It would certainly be a heck of a lot easier on me. And really, people will just go to NJ and DE to stores that are more convenient and user-friendly, so what's the point, PA?