Westbury Liquors — Local services in Town of Hempstead

I’d give zero stars if I could. For context, I’m a 23-year-old who isn’t from New York, but I’ve been here multiple times. Half the time, I have issues with my ID because it’s an out-of-state vertical license. In many states, you only get a horizontal license when you turn 25 (when it expires), or you can pay over $100 for an early replacement.

I’ve never had REAL problems at this store before, but the other day, the guy behind the counter claimed my ID was 'expired.' I explained that it clearly shows a 2026 expiration date, but he treated me like a criminal, refusing to sell me alcohol because it was a vertical license. It’s clear he doesn’t know how to do his job. I left feeling pretty frustrated and upset.

Later, I went to Total Wine and, out of curiosity, I showed my ID to the guy at the front and asked if there was any issue with it. He looked confused and said, 'Not at all, why would there be?' After explaining what had happened, he laughed and said, 'That doesn’t even make sense, they’re ridiculous.'

Like, in what world do you not accept a government-issued ID? Can you not fathom that out-of-state IDs look different? I don’t understand the logic. The store either doesn’t get this, or the employee genuinely doesn’t know what he’s doing. Either way, they lost a customer today. The whole situation...

Obviously, selection-wise, this place cannot compare to the Total Wine store that is practically next door, but it wins on prices for pretty much everything they have. For example, for the first time ever, you can buy Hennessey White cognac, which was always sold exclusively in the Caribbean, here in the USA. As of this post date right before Thanksgiving 2023, I got a bottle of it for $79.99. Total Wine and others sell it for $10 more. New Year is coming, and you want some champagne. Veuve Clicquot Brut in a gift box is $45.99 here, while Total Wine's price is $58.97 for a bottle in an ice jacket. Moet and Chandon is $45.97 at Total Wine, and $41.99 here. Mind you, I'm not dissing Total Wine, that's a 5 star place with huge, amazing selection by itself, but if you want something that is sold here, get it here, I doubt you can find it cheaper...

Horrible customer service along with outdated practices! Placed an order online using my debit card for pick up. No email was received- I called the store to ask when order will be picked up and my husband name is listed to pick up order. They then called me back to let me know I need to bring physical card, I explained it’s a digital card and I don’t have a physical card and they said no I can’t pick up my order. Who in 2021 uses their physical card as proof of an online order. My driver license- sure- it also matches billing address on my card. I normally use PayPal but website didn’t accept that. Store manager also didn’t want to come to the phone after rudely telling me no I can’t have my order then gave phone to Anthony who sounded...