Phil Gasbarro Liquors — Local services in East Providence

In forty years of the United States, I have never been insulted as I was today by the store manager. I have been a customer for ages, since the time of Mr. Gasbarro. His son continued the tradition and always gave me a discount because I always bought cases of Portuguese wine - Cabris red and Monte Velho white. Two days ago (November 29), I went to buy my usual two cases of 12 bottles, and the young man who brought the cases from downstairs was even kind enough to carry the cases to my car, but he mistakenly brought a case of red Monte Velho instead of while. I did not notice it. Also, I did not keep the receipt. I did not think I needed it. I have been a customer for ages. But of course, I have my bank record, if needed. When I arrived home, my wife noticed that I had brought two cases of red wine. The Monte Velho was red instead of white. I should have noticed the box because I bought it so many times, but I didn't. Today I went by and asked for an exchange. I was talking to the cashier and a woman, who later informed me to be the manager (I have seen her before many times, but I did not know she was the manager) intervened to claim that she saw me taking out a white case of Monte Velho. Well, the woman WAS NOT at the store when I bought the wine. There was only a cashier (unfortunately, not the one who recognizes me when I go there and knows exactly what I am there for; she even orders it herself from the basement without my asking). She claimed that she had seen me taking out a WHITE case of Monte Velho Wine. There was no way I could convince this lady that I was a decades-old customer and that I was honestly telling her what happened. I told her that she was accusing me of lying, but she started yelling, telling me that she was not accusing me of that at all. She only insisted that she had seen me buying a WHITE case of Monte Velho. Well... I came out of the store very sad. I wanted to leave the case of wine there. I did not care about it anymore, and in my mind, my only thought was: I will never come back to this store again. I came out sad because when I came to the US in 1970, one of the things I admired in this country was the classy business atitude on the part of managers: The customer is always right.This manager never once doubted that this customer could be telling the truth. That America is vanishing. And that is much sadder than a particularly stubborn manager who cannot read a customer and understand when they are telling the truth. I am still sad about it. Going into my 75th birthday, this is not a good feeling. I need a glass of wine, but I will not buy it from Gasbarro's at Warren Ave, East Providence. At least as long as that manager is there. O. Almeida

Thank you for your reply to my comment online. I am sorry, but it was not a matter of not following your standard procedure. I was not even asked for a receipt. I was asking for an even exchange of red for white Monte Velho when the manager, having overheard my explanation to the cashier, intervened, claiming that she had seen me taking out a case of white Monte Velho. That was the issue. I was not returning it; I was asking for an even exchange. She claimed she did not accuse me of lying, but she never accepted that I could be telling the truth. That is why I wanted to leave the case there. The whole store heard her yelling at me. I must admit that I also raised my voice to her tone, but I am not sure I succeeded (we were never close because I was at the counter, and she was far from me). I do appreciate your attempt and making up. Still, I can never forget the fact that this was my worst business experience in 49 and 1/2 years of life in the United States. No, thank you very much. I am not interested in going back to a place that is stuck in my mind associated with such a rude, ugly experience. A good manager does not behave like that. I admit, however, that I am too old to get accustomed to modern methods of dealing with clients. I prefer good manners. Have a happy New...

Can we give more than 5 stars. Throw in the sun, moon, and some shooting stars to. Came into the store and was totally at a loss. I had a family party and was tasked with getting the booze. Mind you I needed certain scotch, some wine, ipas, vodka you name it someone wanted it of course. Had no direction in which I was goin to go. I asked for some help and immediately multiple staff workers were willing to help. The manager or owner, not sure, was one of them and she could sense my dazed and confused look as I had no idea what to get. She immediately helped and directed me to a few of each and let me decide. But the cool part was she wasnt just selling me on the top shelf try to make a extra buck but also local brands and stuff her family and friends also like. End of the day. I was the life of the party!, even though I kept the credit for myself there at the party I knew all the credit was actually due to the staff at Phil Gasbarro Lq. You’ve made a life long customer of me....

I come in here all the time spend a lot of money this day I just so happen to forget my ID she did not ask the 2 customers before me or after me but asked me for ID I’m not sure if it was because I’m black or what but very upsetting …if you ask for ID cool but make sure you ask EVERYBODY . I’ve never seen this woman before in here I normally see the other two and it’s a guy who is in there as well but very upsetting . *update my wife came in right after me whos in fact younger than me but they did not ask her for ID she does not look black tho lol so I’m guessing that’s what it is …if your gonna card everyone card EVERYONE not pic and choose based on race I spend WAY TOO MUCH MOMEY HERE if I didn’t work for the top utility company in New England I would’ve got real ugly in there but I am just gonna take my money else where and let everyone I know about this place and when I went back in there to bring it to their attention they...