Leve Opens Mouth...Confuses World On Costco's Wine Program

WINE TALK
21

Jeb

As I wrote to Bill, that was only my surmise. I do not think Costco will be able to receive the same favorable terms and conditions to purchase Bordeaux they were able to obtain in the past. That even assumes they want to carry a large selection of Bordeaux on a going forward basis. That information and a continued depletion of wine at various locations around Los Angeles ed me to that conclusion.

I have a question for you in return. As you agree I did not make any mention of Costco, do you think this thread is even fair?

Bill

I see you responded to Jeb. My post was addressed directly to you. Do you have a response and are you up for the friendly wager, where everyone on your board can read it?

22

Jeff, check my OP…I agree that it is very likely that Costco will no longer be selling wines via an online store based on their recent blow-out prices.

23

My board?

I would love love to respond on YOUR board, but alas…that ain’t gonna happen is it?

24

Jeff - I very much like to read your follows on the other board as it gives me insight into some of the happenings in Bordeaux-land.

That said, got any additional information to provide regarding this: “…I do not think Costco will be able to receive the same favorable terms and conditions to purchase Bordeaux they were able to obtain in the past…”?

From my feet firmly planted here in the US, I would think they would have MORE of an advantage to seek favorable terms and conditions moving forward. With the withdraw of Southern and others, it would appear to me that Costco might be in a more advantageous situation now wrt to Bordeaux.

Curious as to your thoughts.

  • Lance
25

Jeff,

Your direct quote from eBob:

“Sadly, it looks like the opportunity to purchase Bordeaux at great prices on release from Costco might be over. I fondly remember scoring 04 Ausone for $165 and other great scores. Consumers wanting to avoid buying Bordeaux Futures, hoping they will be able to buy them on release from local Costco outlets might not have those opportunities on a going forward basis.”

Please explain how this is not implying that COSTCO and not COSTCO.COM will be out of the BDX business.

Thank you in advance for your response.

26

Jeff,
I was just at the Van Nuys Costco location and their wine stocks seemed normal, actually they had more than normal, as there are more sparklers stocked for the holidays.

27

Anyone know why Costco.com ships wine only to CA, OR, WA and NM?

I found info on a piece of pending WA legislation that would permit out-of-state retailers to ship direct to WA consumers (apparently prohibited). Not sure why that would bother Costco though.

Also… none of the South OC Costco’s appear to diminishing their higher end wine presentations, though they have increased the space for volume juice (makes sense).

28

I’d just like to suggest some terms for the wager, if it happens.

If Mr. Leve wins, he gets a Wine Berserkers t-shirt. If Mr. Leve loses, he gets a Wine Berserkers t-shirt and agrees to wear it to his next offline.


Whaddaya think, Jeff? [tease.gif]

29

Jeff,

I think the thread is fair in the sense that I clearly wasn’t the only person who was led to believe you were infering that Bordeaux would be leaving the stores in addition to the certain demise off the dot com. Personally, I have no vested interest in Costco; my selection is shit here in VA.



30

Can I get a t-shirt with Jeff’s avatar from the other site? I actually like it. Now Squires’ on the otherhand…

31

I hear that Jeff’s a totally different and cool guy in person. [rofl.gif]

32

Jim,

I hope my friends speak as highly of me as some of Jeff’s friends do of him.

As I think about it, a vain hope I am sure.

33

Jeff is a big boy. He not only seems resistant to criticism, but impervious to it.

Through his eBob platform, Jeff is an industry spokesperson, of sorts. In my view, that comes with a bit of a responsibilty to communicate in a clear, informed and unbiased manner.

That said, if he’s in my neck of the woods, I’d enjoy lifting a glass with him.

34

Jeff, you drew the parallel to Costco (stores)… you realzied that was a foolish and poorly informed inference to make based on the follow up comments and now you are backpedaling and re-writing your false premise with phony “let’s wager” bravado… You tried to come off as important, the resuilt, impotent… you should leave it well enough alone.

35

I think that if any of this is meaningful to Costco’s bottom line - as a public company - they would need to announce this to shareholders and the investment community before they send an email to folks on a wine forum.

36

[welldone.gif]

37

Funny, for a year now, when I have suggested (along with Max) that Costco was taking bath on BDX, we were referred to as jealous competitors.

I will accept any and all apologies. pepsi

38

You should be jealous - you’d be a rich man if you sold as much wine as they do.

Instead, you get to hang with us on a wine forum…

Hey Dan - what did you think of the game last night?

39

Ouch [popcorn.gif]

40

A few years ago it was quite impressive and they shipped all over.

I AGREE with Leve in my OP about the online business going the way of the dodo.