As you read this I want to remind you that A. Democrats
have been in power 21 of the past 40 years and B. Shapp
was a Democrat.
This story from 1973 illustrates that after 40 years the Union and PLCB have done almost nothing for the consumer. Let’s take the points one by one.
1.
The union proposed more stores,
particularly self-service ones. Self-service stores like we have now were introduced
in January of 1969 and 34 years later, or 30 years after this article was
written, the last counter store finally closed. There were 750 stores in 1973 -
we have 600 now. I would call that a double failure. (For
those of you not old enough to remember, Pennsylvania had “Counter Stores”
exclusively for the first 35 years after Repeal. You walked up to a front
counter, marked a printed list of what you wanted or wrote down the code
number, and gave it to the clerk, who then went into the back to get it for
you. The last one closed in FY 2003-04.)
2.
Permit credit cards. While the union may have
proposed this it was customers, particularly licensees that brought about this
change in 1987 - 14 years later and at least 15 if not 20 years after other
business of this size did. Certainly a failure at the time.
3.
Provide home delivery for large orders. I would think that businesses would like
delivery too since they place larger orders than most residents but notice how
they weren’t mentioned. A continuation
of the PLCB “don’t rock the boat or we’ll screw you” policy still in effect
today. In any case there is still no delivery. Another failure.
4.
Adjust markup on items. You thought this was thought up recently
didn’t you? 40 years later still nothing.
I’d call that a failure too.
5.
The union report claims that prices are no
higher than in New Jersey. Sound
familiar? After 40 years the citizens still think New Jersey prices are better
– mainly because it is true and the over $300 million in border bleed and the
building of the outlet stores prove it.*
The fear-mongering hasn’t changed at all. Prices will go up
if we raise taxes they say in the last paragraph. Well DUH.
Don’t raise taxes, increase convenience and sales will go up and revenue
will go up, border bleed will go down and everybody, especially the citizens,
will be much happier that they don’t have to deal with the state store system.
At least the union didn’t come up with “Privatization killed my daddy” in 1973
like they did this year although it was Wendell Young’s father in charge of the
union back then. Some things never
change.
(*) For more information on outlet
stores read this article
This quote is from the PLCB about the history of the PLCB. "June 3, 2003 - The PLCB opens its first PA Wine & Spirits outlet stores in Gettysburg (now closed), Hermitage and Franklin Mills. The stores, aimed at preventing customers from going out of state to buy alcohol, offer a large selection of products at discounted prices."
This quote is from the PLCB about the history of the PLCB. "June 3, 2003 - The PLCB opens its first PA Wine & Spirits outlet stores in Gettysburg (now closed), Hermitage and Franklin Mills. The stores, aimed at preventing customers from going out of state to buy alcohol, offer a large selection of products at discounted prices."
Of course, this begs the
question that if PA prices, selection, and service are better than surrounding
states as the PLCB and Union claim…….why do we have to prevent people from
going out of state? The parenthetical
information is mine.
Do you really want them in charge of "modernization" with a record like this?
Privatization IS modernization. Accept nothing less.
