# Return to a liquor store because you can't stand the taste? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 23, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717 "2013-06-23T18:52:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/1 "2013-06-23T18:52:02Z")
My wife likes flavored vodka. Me…not so much. Am pretty much a beer type of guy. She is NOT a heavy drinker. Anyway she bought a 1.75 liter of coconut flavored vodka, because she read somewhere that coconut oil is good for you. And she thought she would like the taste of it. Turns out she CAN’T STAND the taste of it. The thought of drinking any more of it makes her gag. So we are stuck with a barely used bottle. (Maybe I could drink it. Haven’t tried it yet.) Her idea is to take it back to the liquor store and demand her money back. She has done this many times at grocery stores and it has always worked for her. The grocery stores just “ate it” I guess just to keep a customer happy. But we are talking about a lot less money than $15 for one item at a liquor store. I don’t think liquor stores act that way. I think she will just embarrass herself by even asking for a refund. Is there any chance that what she plans will succeed? I think we should just “eat” the bottle. She thinks she should try for a refund or exchange. On a side note…Anyone know what could mix with a coconut flavored vodka that would make it palatable? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/2 "2013-06-23T19:01:28Z")
I’ve always figured if I don’t like the taste, that’s my risk, my loss. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/3 "2013-06-23T19:04:12Z")
She had to break a federal tax seal to open it. I doubt the store will take it back. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/4 "2013-06-23T19:06:27Z")
I don’t know what’s funnier, thinking that a bottle of vodka will be a healthy choice if it has coconut flavor in it or the idea that you can return opened bottles to the liquor store. Most of the liquor stores around here won’t even let you returned unopened bottles (I think it may be a legal thing). It isn’t fair to ask the store to eat the loss just because she chose poorly. If I was the store manager, I would tell her to get bent on that proposal and possibly never come back again. Coconut flavored vodka isn’t all that versatile but you can use it to make tropical drinks like a modified pina colada or anything else that has coconut in it. It won’t ever go bad so just hang onto it in case you get invited to a beach party. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/5 "2013-06-23T19:06:43Z")
Since the OP is asking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/6 "2013-06-23T19:07:09Z")
True enough, but I once bought some high priced coffee at a supermarket which was undrinkable (for me). Took it back and easily got a refund. But I don’t think liquor stores would do that with their products. I think my wife is setting herself up to be laughed at by all the customers in back of her. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/7 "2013-06-23T19:11:26Z")
I don’t think your wife’s plan will work, but I want her to try and for you to post the results. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/8 "2013-06-23T19:12:39Z")
> [@ombre12](#): > > She has done this many times at grocery stores and it has always worked for her. The grocery stores just “ate it” I guess just to keep a customer happy. Did she give the reason that she was returning it as that it had gone bad, or there was something wrong with it, or just that she didn’t like the product? I would think most groceries would take products back if they were defective (in fact, I have sometimes returned spoiled milk or other products), but would find it a little surprising if they took it back just because the customer didn’t like it (unless they had a “the customer is always right” policy.) You probably spend a lot more on a trip to the grocery store than you do to a liquor store, and the cost of a returned item is much less proportionately. So a grocery store might be much more willing to take items back to promote customer loyalty. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/9 "2013-06-23T19:19:20Z")
If she’s been a good steady customer, they might take it back as a customer service gesture, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Chefguy - do they still use tax seals in your state? I haven’t seen one of those on a new bottle in probably 25 years. I do have one ancient bottle of anisette from Rhode Island that has one, but no idea if they’re still in current use. Suggestion for the OP’s wife - Coconut rum. Add a little ice and pineapple juice, and it’s off to the islands. There won’t be any coconut oil in either vodka or rum - just coconut flavor. eta: [QUOTE=Colibri] … would find it a little surprising if they took it back just because the customer didn’t like it (unless they had a “the customer is always right” policy.) [/QUOTE] A lot of grocery stores have a “Love it or return it” policy on their store brands. One of the stores I frequent actually amps that up to “Love it or get your money back and get the name brand for free.” ---
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/10 "2013-06-23T19:20:37Z")
My wife is Irish and does not get embarrassed in public, nicely … Towards me or anyone else around. Just trying to prevent a social catastrophe here. I don’t particularly care about a $15 loss. And when, in the proper mood, I can drink just about anything. So it won’t go to waste. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/11 "2013-06-23T19:27:13Z")
My guess is that they won’t take it back. For some reason I was under the impression that alcohol and tobacco can’t be returned. If it was me, and I didn’t like it, I’d find a friend to give it to. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/12 "2013-06-23T19:36:17Z")
Put the Lime in it and Drink it all up? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/13 "2013-06-23T19:37:48Z")
The only thing I would return would be something obviously wrong, like a “corked” bottle of wine. If I simply didn’t like it? No way. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/14 "2013-06-23T19:47:05Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You probably spend a lot more on a trip to the grocery store than you do to a liquor store, and the cost of a returned item is much less proportionately. So a grocery store might be much more willing to take items back to promote customer loyalty. True but the margins at a supermarket are razor thin and the profit for liquor is insane. That said, I think that unless you are one of their best customers, they won’t take it back unless the contents are somehow defective or their is a chip in the glass at the opening. BTW, Trader Joe’s has a policy that you can return one of their products just because you don’t like it. It’s their way of getting you to try something new because you have nothing to lose. ---
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/15 "2013-06-23T19:48:23Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > If she’s been a good steady customer, they might take it back as a customer service gesture, but I wouldn’t bet on it. > > Chefguy - do they still use tax seals in your state? I haven’t seen one of those on a new bottle in probably 25 years. I do have one ancient bottle of anisette from Rhode Island that has one, but no idea if they’re still in current use. > > Suggestion for the OP’s wife - Coconut rum. Add a little ice and pineapple juice, and it’s off to the islands. There won’t be any coconut oil in either vodka or rum - just coconut flavor. > > eta: > > A lot of grocery stores have a “Love it or return it” policy on their store brands. One of the stores I frequent actually amps that up to “Love it or get your money back and get the name brand for free.” Coconut rum and pineapple juice and ice. Going to buy that and see if she likes the mix. Hope so. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/16 "2013-06-23T19:56:00Z")
If you or your wife are trying something new, and don’t like it, suck it up and eat the cost yourself. Taking something back when there’s nothing wrong with it, just because you don’t like the taste, just reeks of entitlement to me, whether the store takes it back or not. Sorry to be so blunt. ---
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/17 "2013-06-23T20:00:02Z")
Not that blunt. Was my opinion also. Although it can work with expensive coffee in a supermarket. Didn’t think it would work in a liquor store. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/18 "2013-06-23T20:09:22Z")
> [@ombre12](#): > > Not that blunt. Was my opinion also. Although it can work with expensive coffee in a supermarket. Well, it reeks of entitlement in the supermarket as well. ---
**Author:** ![ombre12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d26b3c/32.png) [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/19 "2013-06-23T20:12:45Z")
Yep. But supermarkets can be very forgiving. And the coffee was undrinkable (to me and my wife). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717/20 "2013-06-23T20:23:30Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Chefguy - do they still use tax seals in your state? I haven’t seen one of those on a new bottle in probably 25 years. I do have one ancient bottle of anisette from Rhode Island that has one, but no idea if they’re still in current use. Just went and looked at the two bottles in the cupboard, and you’re right. Shows how much booze I’ve bought in the past 20 years. 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/return-to-a-liquor-store-because-you-cant-stand-the-taste/661717.md?page=2)