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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

County Seeks State Probe Of Liquor Wholesaler; Comptroller Asked To Investigate Unfair Trade Practices

SNOW HILL — In the latest chapter of the county’s ongoing and longtime liquor distribution history, Worcester County has requested a state investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by a major wholesaler.

According to a letter sent to Field Enforcement Division Director Jeffrey A. Kelly, county attorney Sonny Bloxom is requesting an investigation into what the county’s Department of Liquor Control (DLC) believes was an unfair trade practice and false advertising by wholesaler Reliable-Churchill in relation to a rather large purchase of Captain Morgan rum at a deeply discounted price in advance of the summer season. According to the letter, the DLC purchased 400 cases of Captain Morgan at an advertised sale price of $12.79 per bottle in April based on the representation by Reliable-Churchill that the sale price would be locked in until October.

However, in July, Reliable-Churchill issued another sale flier advertising Captain Morgan at a sale price of $9.99 per bottle, or nearly $3 less than what the county purchased its 400 cases in April under the assumption the price was fixed until October. As a result, the county alleges it overpaid for the 400 cases by over $8,300 and sought a rebate from Reliable-Churchill, which the company tacitly denied by failing to respond to the request.

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9 comments:

Question said...

Has ANDYS PLACE gotten there liquor license or are they still under Suspension? ?? for underage violations.

Anonymous said...

The County should have never been in a private business, and a monopoly at that. Payback time, let people like Leighton Moore kick their arse now. The liquor board will be closed, as it should be, in a matter of time. Let the free market, and good business practice prevail, both of which government has none of

Anonymous said...

So former councilman Sonny Bloxom is the County Attorney now? When did that happen?

Anonymous said...

Agree with the above, let the free enterprise system sort it out. Appears Management wasn't on top of the job.

Anonymous said...

ATTN: Worcester County
Happens all the time. Suppliers routinely attempt to slip higher prices by the consumer. One would think that someone was on the county dime to watch for such shenanigans.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure if the county gets the money back they will certainly return the difference to the end consumer. Just kidding.

Anonymous said...

mmmm the way i read it they got the sale price and if they wanted some more it would still be at that sale price. what would happen if they went into another contract to buy at the new lower price

ginn said...

If these 'officials' think there's something foul about this I'd like to see them do a little investigation into the wine business here in the US.

Anonymous said...

Sorry folks, the Comptroller’s Field Enforcement Division is run by and for agents that claim to work for the state when in reality, they are only putting in time to get a pay check. In other words – they don’t care.