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I am sorry, but the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the selection committee just don't get it.
The wine-buying experience at the Metro wine store has gone from bad to worse for the consumer, and there are no remedies that are being proposed in your Dec. 2 article, "Review of liquor stores ... "
I will attempt to give you some feedback.
1) Buying wine is similar to buying art. The more one knows about the purchase, the more enjoyable the experience. Presently, there is not a single person at the Metro store who is remotely familiar with the products being sold.
2) I would like assistance in locating a particular product. If I am spending north of five figures annually at an establishment, it's not too unreasonable a request.
3) When Ron Harris and Gary Clark were at the Metro store, the shelves were orderly, well labeled and out-of-stock items were at a minimum. Now, just the opposite is the norm.
4) There is no incentive for the average cashier (which seems to turn over every other week) to be helpful or polite to the consumer. After all, we are imposing on their time! The checkout lines can be 15 deep and the cashiers are busy talking in the back room.
Harris and Clark went out of their way to help the consumer with their wine buying experience. Why were they not given the proper incentives to stay?
Max Sabour
Salt Lake City