Sacre bleu! It's the SAQ topic!

[grill-it]

I don't think privatisation is the solution - the prices certainly won't drop significantly. The profits will merely switch pockets.

Better accountability, and a serious overhaul of the management will be welcome - the SAQ has become and autonomous republic, and no one seems serious about a coupe d'etat.

[Vinfidel]

WRONG

competition = lower prices, good for consumer

monopoly= higher prices, bad for consumer

what is the incentive of the saq to charge lower prices? zero

what is the incentive of the govt. for privatize and risk short-term revenues decreases? zero

vive la belle province

note to readers: today in the gazette there is an opinion to CLOSE THE SAQ and privatize

enough is enough

[Venusia]

The SAQ does seem wasteful. They recently built a SAQ building in the middle of the parking lot of the Beaconsfield mall, something they are so fond of doing in suburbia these days, and vacated their (very practical for consumers) location inside the mall. I expected that the new building would at least be larger than their previous location, but it's tiny and cramped, and hella inconvenient to treck though the parking lot to get there. And the point of this move was???

[wattacetti]

WRONG

competition = lower prices, good for consumer

monopoly= higher prices, bad for consumer

←

The Alberta experience has shown me that competition from privatization results in more choice, but not necessarily lower prices. National brands (e.g. Mission Hill, Blass etc) pretty much sell for the same thing in Alberta as it does here while labels which have sparing availability across the country (e.g. Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta) can have highly variable pricing in Alberta. The Clos Apalta was actually cheaper at the SAQ.

The LCBO - a monopoly - has lower prices on many things in both categories.

So, privatization may improve accountability, but it certainly won't do anything for consumer pricing.

One thing in favor of Alberta's privatization: you can get Roennfeldt Road in Alberta, which is something you can't do in the East.

Edited February 6, 2006 by wattacetti (log)

[Vinfidel]

liquor in alberta is not privatized only retailing is

the government is still the wholesaler controlling the prices

so it cannot be compared

[wattacetti]

liquor in alberta is not privatized only retailing is

the government is still the wholesaler controlling the prices

so it cannot be compared

←

The Alberta government takes a standard cut on all buttles as the governing body but it isn't the wholesaler or the distributor.

[J_Ozzy]

Wow, it's been a while since this thread has been used.

Just a note that a reasonable selection of rhum Agricole has arrived at the SAQ in the past 2 months.

2 new expressions of St-James, a Dillon blanc and an aged product from Guadaloupe.

edit: spelling

Edited June 30, 2006 by J_Ozzy (log)

[J_Ozzy]

And a year goes by...

Anything new that anyone is enjoying? I'll be back in the area around late December and might grab something of interest.

[sf&m]

Not exactly news.... but good...

In the last few years SAQ has improved their selection of Quebec wines.

Still tend to be hidden away compared to the latest promo, but most stores now seem to have some Quebec wines. AND...of course a fairly large selection of QC Ice Ciders.

The JTM "Marche des Saveurs" is still the best place for Quebec wines in Montreal.

[Thesorus]

Wow, it's been a while since this thread has been used.

Just a note that a reasonable selection of rhum Agricole has arrived at the SAQ in the past 2 months. 

2 new expressions of St-James, a Dillon blanc and an aged product from Guadaloupe.

edit: spelling

←

There will be two shipping of South-Africans and Australian wines ( 8th and 22nd); With a bit of luck you might be able to grab couple of interresting bottles.

have a look here :

http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servl...catalogId=10001

[ArtistSeries]

Unlike some, I don't find the SAQ overpriced compared with wine stores in the States.

I have to agree with you.

We have decent selection, good QC and prices.

I've been able to build good cellar that would have been more difficult elsewhere.