13 TGI Fridays in New Jersey Accused of Faking Premium Liquor

[The Straight Story]

New Jersey authorities say nearly 30 bars and restaurants, including 13 TGI Fridays, have been duping customers by filling premium-brand liquor bottles with well-brand alcohol and charging the higher price.

The attorney general's Division of Alcohol Beverage Control said officials on Wednesday seized alcohol and served demands for records at the 29 bars and restaurants targeted during the year-long investigation dubbed "Operation Swill."

Authorities said the bars and restaurants were trying to "fool the customer and increase their profits."

"The customer paid for the premium brand, but was instead, unbeknownst to the customer, poured the non-premium brand," the beverage control office said in a statement.

Officials said more than 100 state investigators worked on the probe, which involved customer complaints and confidential informants. Investigators also secretly took drink samples from the establishments.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/TGI-Fridays-Premium-Liquor-Well-Brand-New-Jersey-Operation-Swill-208516231.html

[Jester Messiah]

1. "Premium" and "TGI Friday's"

Two terms one doesn't see together too often, and for good reason.

[NightWatcher]

2. How many people order top shelf booze with jalapeño poppers?

Yes, I'll have the 20 year old scotch and chili cheese fries...

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. crooks. jfiffy lube in ca caught defrauding customers also

[KansDem]

4. Yeah! Now we know where some of that brake fluid has been going!

[KansDem]

5. "TGI Fraudays"

[baldguy]

6. Premium liquor distributors ***REALLY*** don't like that.

Those places will be lucky to any for the next 3-4 months. Then afterward - after Labor Day - no quantity discounts, no promotional pricing or events, no marketing money, etc etc. And their competitors will get all the attention.

[Sherman A1]

9. They would have to be very careful if they would try to do such a thing.

Robinson-Patman Act

VIII. Promotional Allowances and Services
Sections 2(d) and 2(e) prohibit a seller from granting advertising and promotional allowances or services to particular customers in connection with the resale of a product unless the same allowances or services are available to all competing customers on proportionally equal terms. The seller is obligated to take steps reasonably designed to provide notice to competing distributors of the availability of promotional services and allowances.

Some substantial differences exist with respect to violations under these sections as opposed to section 2(a). Specifically, evidence of probable anticompetitive effect is not an element under sections 2(d) or (e), instead an affirmative case is established by proof of the discrimination itself.74 Further, the cost justification defense of section 2(a) is not applicable to cases arising under sections 2(d) or 2(e); the meeting competition defense on the other hand, is available. A wide range of services and facilities is covered by these sections including catalogs, in-store displays, advertising, prizes and special employee training. These provisions, though, are applicable only in connection with the resale by the favored purchaser and not in connection with the initial sale. For instance, in Haug Co. v. Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Inc.,75 the Second Circuit held special subsidies provided by a manufacturer to an allegedly favored dealer for free customer service stated a claim under section

http://www.pepperlaw.com/publications_article.aspx?ArticleKey=318#_ftn76

[Earth_First]

7. Oh, so they were pouring Svedka in place of Mr. Boston's?

Oh my!

[politicat]

11. As long as they were pouring Svedka rather than Popov.

As vodkas go, Svedka is nice, crisper and cleaner than many. I'd rather Svedka than Absolut or Skyy anytime, and for mixed drinks, I'm not going to waste true top shelf.

But if they were subbing Gordon's or Seagrams for Bombay gin, then there will be cross words. The vodka, meh. The gin... Do not lie.

[KansDem]

8. I wonder where the good stuff's been going?

[aristocles]

10. Having worked in the industry some years ago...

...i would guess more than 50% of all eateries, upscale or not, do this.

That's why it's better to order wine and have it uncorked at the table.

[Initech]

12. Never order premium drinks. Always order the well.

A good rule of thumb that I use when out drinking: if a bar does not visibly display stock bottles of alcohol, that's generally a good indication that they're hiding something. I always stick to beer though. You can't water that down!

[marmar]

13. To go along with their fake food.

[dembotoz]

14. tgi fermented?