B-21 Fine Wine & Spirits

Category:	Wine Store
Address:	43380 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, USA
Phone:	+1 727-937-5049
Site:	b-21.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 11AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

David Myers

Mixed bag, 5 stars on delivery and price and selection......But ZERO stars on customer service. Let me explain: I must have ordered (over the internet) at least a dozen times in the last couple years from B-21, typically on the 21st of the month when you get free shipping for full cases. On March 21st 2015 I attempted to order a mixed case of wine: 11 x 750m bottles and a 1.5 L bottle. The order was well over the $150 minimum purchase for free shipping, but the website kept adding $24 for shipping. I ordered anyways and sent an email to customer service requesting a refund of the shipping charges. What I got back was a very brusque reply from their "Director of Operations" telling me my order was cancelled because large format bottles were excluded, and a "please see the attached policy" (you dumb ding dong being implied). OK, so I have no problem if the policy states that clearly and unequivocally, but therein lies the problem: Other than the guys email where he tells me large format bottles are excluded, THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE that states it. Even the link (which he obviously didnt even read) does not state it. When I politely point this out to the guy (Justin Hammer is his name BTW) and ask him if he read his own policy link and was aware that the large format exclusion was not described therein, I got no reply. 2nd request, no reply. 3rd request, no reply. I mean, look, Im a big boy, if I missed something I missed it. Too bad so sad. But at least Ill admit when I make a mistake and apologize and try to make it right. A few years ago when Gary Vaynerchuk was running Wine Library and they messed up an order, you know what he did? Shipped all the rest of my orders for free for a full year, thats what he did. Earned my undying loyalty to that company until long after he left, too. Now I am not saying thats what I expected here, but with the myriad of choices for internet wine out there (I order regularly from Bottle King, Canals, Flemingtons, Wine Exchange, and Garys to name a few) I would think the proverbial cold shoulder treatment would not be the route Id choose if I were calling the shots.

Stephen Kline

Wine lovers – beware of B 21. I purchased a couple of Chardonnays for a dinner party, one Frei Bros. and one 2013 MacMurray Russian River. I poured four glasses of the MacMurray and our first sip made it clear it was over the hill (funky and dark yellow with a heavy raisin nose). We rinsed out our glasses and moved on to the Frei Bros., which was excellent. I just stopped by the store to return the rest of the bad wine and was told it was their store policy not to replace the wine because the bottle wasnt full. I explained I had poured four glasses for the guests and corked up the remaining wine, which I showed the clerk along with my receipt. "Thats the store policy and Im just an hourly worker" the employee said rudely, throwing up his hands and walking away. I went to the cashier and was told the same story (less rudely), with the additional comment that wine distributors would not take back wine unless it was mostly full (its my understanding this is not the policy of the vast majority of wine distributors). I have been buying wine from a number of wine stores in the area and have never had a problem returning the occasional off-bottle. I will be e-mailing this information to my expansive list of wine drinking friends. IN RESPONSE: First, there was the typical "5th" glass left in the bottle. Second, surely, in your surveillance, you noticed how incredibly rude your representative was...yet no apology from you. Third, instead of lecturing me, you might want to check out your remaining stock of the MacMurray. Finally, I AM/was your customer for the past 25 years.

akhieninson

My wife and I used to enjoy shopping at this store: the wine selection is quite extensive, and the prices are good. That was until last week, when I made the mistake of asking one of the employees for his opinion about a bottle of wine I had chosen. The little man, whose name was Ralph, proceeded to make a number of snide and presumptuous remarks about my taste, experience and budget regarding wine. My wife and I left the store feeling totally insulted by the little twit, so much so, that we decided to go back and speak to the store manager about his behavior. Bad idea: the manager, named Byron, offered nothing but a hollow "I an sorry" and made it clear to us that he had no intention of redressing our complaint, even though Ralph was present at the store. When I insisted that an apology was owed to us, Byron did bring Ralph over, but, predictably, the little weasel denied ever having said anything offensive to us. Seeing that the whole discussion disintegrated into the playground mode: "You did so!" "Did not!" "Did too!" (with Byron watching from the sidelines like a casual bystander), we decided to cut our losses and let Google Review take care of what clearly should have been the store managers job.

Jon Garon

OK, heres the facts. I ordered several cases of Lighthorse Cabernet which B-21 advertised ON THEIR WEBSITE as NAPA Valley Cabernet. It showed up and it is NOT from Napa Valley. I called them and they admitted they had an error on the site and fixed it (look now - it doesnt say Napa anymore). They said I could return it. But it was good, so I said thats OK, Ill just keep it. So the manager told me if I bought more wine they would deliver it free to me (we are about 100 miles from Tarpon Springs on the way to Orlando). So I called them to say OK, Ill buy some more and then they CHANGED THEIR STORY and said "Well, you have to order $500 worth of wine to get free delivery so you would have to buy 2 more bottles of wine for a total $45 to reach that goal." Smart business practice. Not to mention that I can buy one of my favorite wines, Coppola Claret Cabernet for $1.00 a bottle LESS locally! I would caution anyone to be very careful buying from B-21. They are not what they clain to be and they cheated me. And their prices arent even competitive.

A Private User

I visited B-21 this past Sunday and was surprised to see an entirely new layout in the store – so entirely new that it looks as though they may be going out of business. The aisles are wide and many shelves were bare - the selection had decreased dramatically. When I looked for some help on the sales floor, there was no one around (not the first time this has happened). When I checked out, I mentioned the new layout to the cashier who immediately responded with “if you want to make a complaint, call Bob.” When you compare this with another area wine superstore where you are practically greeted in every aisle if you need assistance, it is really disappointing. My preference is to always shop locally owned independent stores – clearly this one has stopped caring – and I’ll stop shopping there.

Frankie P

B-21 Wines is an institution in the Tampa Bay area and wine community generally. Anybody who knows wine knows B-21. A multi-generation, family-owned company, who regularly if not always beats the price of the national chains. Ive been purchasing wine at B-21 for 30 years. You could not find a more knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff. Who else will ship you a case of wine for free 2 day delivery in the state of Florida! Their newsletters are very informative, the website very easy to use. From rare sherry, difficult to find wine, rare spirits, B-21 almost always has it. I drink a bottle of wine every day of the week, and most of hit was purchased at B-21. And by the way, Im in Naples. Thats how good they are! Highly recommended!