Today, July 17, 2016 I received an email from Dima Galkin, who gave me more information about a block I wrote about Von’s Liquor Return Policy in May of 2012.
It’s great to see with over 400 blogs now, people are actually going back in time to read and still get some value from what I wrote in my second year of blogging!
Here’s the email:
Hi Chef Marian,
I’m responding to your following post: https://chefmarian.com/watchout-for-vons-and-their-return-policy-on-liquor/.
I live in California, have tried to return alcohol, and had a similar experience as yours. I found the following file on the California ABC’s website: https://www.abc.ca.gov/FORMS/ABC608.pdf. See #36 on page 9. It states that there is a state law prohibiting the return of alcohol to a retailer.
I wish it weren’t the case, but it seems like it is. Please let me know if you have found something suggesting otherwise (other than the e-mail from Ralphs).
-Dima
Well I will say I always appreciate feedback. And I now see proof of a law (how they got that passed I will never know) that Von’s can actually hang their hat on. Here’s the email I returned to Dima (and if you write me, I will always return an email)!
Here’s what I wrote:
I have years of first hand knowledge purchasing and returning at other stores. This was the first time I ever had a problem. It was knee jerk shocking to me.
Ordinarily (and this goes for Restaurant Reviews too), if I have nothing nice to say, I SAY nothing.
However, this is one of a handful of experiences I had to share. The management at that location is condescending. They have zero people skills. I think often times it’s not what you say but how you say it. I certainly felt challenged.
Plus while I was there, there were two other customers with issues, that were poorly being addressed.
My issue is not with taking back alcohol, after all is said and done. My issue is to be treated with disrespect as a customer.
And by the way, if they are following the law and do GOOD customer service, they would put a sign up in the alcohol section that says: “All sales for alcohol are final by law”.
So thanks Dima for making me think twice about my issue with the law and come up with a solution for Von’s. It was the Encinitas location (Santa Fe Exit on the 5 fway) I had an issue with, by the way. And between 2012 and today, there is a chance they have changed over their management.
Regarding buying alcohol and returning it, it’s probably at the discretion of the store.
But a word to the wise: a law exists allowing a store to deny alcohol returns! That’s good information to share!
Keep reading the Chef Marian blog!
Happy Healthy Eating,
