The BCGEU is braindead because the union doesn't encourage cold beer sales. Then, in liquor stores, guys like me could buy the cheapest, coldest beer in the province from a govt liquor store. Right now, only privately owned liquor stores sell cold beer-which costs more, not the BC govt liquor stores who sell the more expensive warm beer. They could undercut the private liquor stores by selling cod beer at the cheapest price and make privatisation a non-issue in the province.
It won't happen because unions, especially dumb working class unions like the BCGEU, live with their head up their backside and can't see the big picture. They win the Darwin Awards.
Private Victoria liquor stores charge up to 35% more | National Union of Public and General Employees
Private Victoria liquor stores charge up to 35% more
BCGEU survey finds 93% of all private store prices higher than government-run stores. None were lower.
Victoria (6 May 2009) - Evidence continues to mount across Canada that private liquor retailers are gouging consumers and providing inferior service compared to government-run stores.
A survey of 17 private liquor stores in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, shows that prices at private outlets are up to 35% higher than those charged at government stores.
Conducted by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), the survey compared prices for six of the most common popular products.
Overall, 93% of all prices surveyed in private outlets were higher than Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) retail prices. None were lower.
BCGEU president Darryl Walker says the results are surprising given the taxpayer-financed advantages that the province's Liberal government gives to private retailers.
"The Campbell government gives private operators a generous 16% discount when they purchase their stock from the government's Liquor Distribution Branch," says Walker.
"Yet, private store prices remain excessively high. Clearly, in challenging economic times, public liquor stores offer the lowest prices by far and the best value for consumers."
No private bargains
A total of 102 price comparisons were made in the survey (six products at 17 separate private stores):
On average, private stores charged 16% more for a 750 ml bottle of Smirnoff vodka, almost 13% more for a bottle of Bacardi rum, and nearly 14% more for Crown Royal rye.
Even higher average prices were levied by private stores on surveyed wines and beer.
Prices were close to 20% higher for Yellow Tail Shiraz, almost 19% higher for Yellow Tail Chardonnay, and nearly 15% more for a 12-pack of Budweiser cans.
The survey took place April 27-28, 2009 and reviewed regular retail prices only. The findings do not reflect any limited time/quantity sale pricing. Results can be downloaded at
It won't happen because unions, especially dumb working class unions like the BCGEU, live with their head up their backside and can't see the big picture. They win the Darwin Awards.
Private Victoria liquor stores charge up to 35% more | National Union of Public and General Employees
Private Victoria liquor stores charge up to 35% more
BCGEU survey finds 93% of all private store prices higher than government-run stores. None were lower.
Victoria (6 May 2009) - Evidence continues to mount across Canada that private liquor retailers are gouging consumers and providing inferior service compared to government-run stores.
A survey of 17 private liquor stores in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, shows that prices at private outlets are up to 35% higher than those charged at government stores.
Conducted by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), the survey compared prices for six of the most common popular products.
Overall, 93% of all prices surveyed in private outlets were higher than Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) retail prices. None were lower.
BCGEU president Darryl Walker says the results are surprising given the taxpayer-financed advantages that the province's Liberal government gives to private retailers.
"The Campbell government gives private operators a generous 16% discount when they purchase their stock from the government's Liquor Distribution Branch," says Walker.
"Yet, private store prices remain excessively high. Clearly, in challenging economic times, public liquor stores offer the lowest prices by far and the best value for consumers."
No private bargains
A total of 102 price comparisons were made in the survey (six products at 17 separate private stores):
- 95 prices (93% of all surveyed) were higher than the LDB price.
- 19 prices were greater than 25% above the LDB price.
- 40 prices were 15-25% higher.
- 5 prices were comparable to the LDB retail price.
- 0 were less than the LDB price.
On average, private stores charged 16% more for a 750 ml bottle of Smirnoff vodka, almost 13% more for a bottle of Bacardi rum, and nearly 14% more for Crown Royal rye.
Even higher average prices were levied by private stores on surveyed wines and beer.
Prices were close to 20% higher for Yellow Tail Shiraz, almost 19% higher for Yellow Tail Chardonnay, and nearly 15% more for a 12-pack of Budweiser cans.
The survey took place April 27-28, 2009 and reviewed regular retail prices only. The findings do not reflect any limited time/quantity sale pricing. Results can be downloaded at