[69franx]

So I walk into an LHBS today looking for 5-10  pounds of continental Pilsner Malt, saw they mainly carried Weyermann, so I asked for that. The employee reached into a bag of Swaen Pilsner(?) and tells me she only has about 1# left. "Let me go get another bag of Pilsner" and disappears for a minute, and then comes back saying she is out of Pilsner, but does have Marris Otter and Briess 2Row. I almost never shop at this shop, as it is the farthest from my home, but I was out that way today for work so I gave them a shot. They also operate with a brewer's license and are out of Pilsner malt. I think I remember why I rarely shop there

[Stevie]

At least she didn't offer carapils as a substitute.

[brewinhard]

Hey, depending on the size of the shop that can sometimes happen.  My buddy owns a small local shop that he always has well stocked, but on the unlucky day you may be looking for something that someone just came in before you and cleaned them out of.  Sorry.

[69franx]

At least she didn't offer carapils as a substitute.

Well there is that

[JT]

When I hear of homebrew shop sales declining, I'm immediately reminded how many shops should probably be in a different business.

[69franx]

Hey, depending on the size of the shop that can sometimes happen.  My buddy owns a small local shop that he always has well stocked, but on the unlucky day you may be looking for something that someone just came in before you and cleaned them out of.  Sorry.

I can understand that, but when I ask for Weyermann Pilsner, telling me you're out is fine, but don't start to weigh out Swaen Pilsner or suggest Maris Otter or Briess 2 row. I can see those if I ask for 10# of base malt, but not when I ask for Weyermann Pilsner. I think that part was more shocking to me than the outage, as I know they are small and way out on the outskirts of town and could understand being out of things on occasionally 

[brewinhard]

Agreed.  How about some Pilsner DME for your troubles?

[69franx]

When I hear of homebrew shop sales declining, I'm immediately reminded how many shops should probably be in a different business.

Or at least some employees should be in another business
edited because sometimes I am technologically challenged

[JT]

It happens, but seems to happen more regularly at some places...
I pretty much only shop one store these days.

[69franx]

Yes, I PMd you back and edited my post above

[JT]

Lol.  New game: how many posts can we edit on this thread?

[69franx]

Lol.  New game: how many posts can we edit on this thread?

I like it
 

[reverseapachemaster]

I helped out a new brewer in my area who really wanted to brew a zombie dust clone. I told him he can't leave the homebrew shop without citra because citra is the core flavor of ZD. He comes back with a pile of cascades. Shop was out of citra and told him this was a good substitute. WTF.

[69franx]

That's another horror story. I have learned to take whatever hops I can get if I don't stock up in anticipation of brewing but have had a couple brews with subs that were spur of the moment, but if I know what I have to have to get the beer I want, I will shop around. I had the same issue as your newbie  when I was even more of a newbie than I feel I am now. Hey, at least the store made the sale, right?

[Phil_M]

Hey, at least the store made the sale, right?

I feel that's the reason why many are going belly-up. If someone is told that cascade is a good swap for citra by a shop, then is disappointed that his beer tastes nowhere close to his aim then he or she might not be as enthusiastic about brewing. Making a sale will help the bottom line in the short term, growing a loyal customer into the hobby will provide a long term profit.