Astor Wines & Spirits — Restaurant in New York

I ordered two bottles of Macallan 15 as a corporate gift to a company we do business with. We have shipped gifts with Wine and Hard liquor to business associates many times. NY/NJ and across the country. Mostly we used local shops or big stores like Total Wine. Astor Wines came up with an option for delivery to Astoria. I placed my order and paid via credit card on WED morning, to be delivered today (FRI). Around 1:30pm on the day of delivery the email in attached picture came... Kidding me? Maybe you are missing my SSN to make a complete package ??? I called and spoke with salesman and then he put me on the phone with his manager. The manager who spoke with me said that Macallan was know for fraud. Really? not Tequila or Vodka? How is that Scorch is so special that my order to be light needed to scan my card and license into black hole of internet.. I tried to explain that it was a business card, name of business and email match.. but it was useless. Small business to Small business plea for help didn't work... The big Manager canceled my order for being non-compliant and suspect of fraud.. We had to apologies to a recipient (who knew Macallan was coming today). If you are a new customer considering this shop - be aware - you may be asked to share your whole life to proof you are legit... I wish I read similar review from others, but I was fooled by shop' high rating. They did have good product. but only if you walk in the door, I suppose or willing to share your personal data.... Not for us. We are retail business and take credit card compliance assessment every 3 months. I am not even sure scanning cards and license was a legit request, but it's on Astor Wines and their Merchant service team. All this just little fishy, especially since card did get charged when I placed an order. there should have been a warning... but it was not. Back to Macallan shopping (and thankfully, there are other legit businesses that don't treat you like...

I love this store for its great prices and fantastic selection. I've always found the staff to be knowledgeable and attentive—until today. I spoke with one of the owners about a potential error in yesterday's sale, as no bottles were marked at 50% off. Instead of addressing my concern, the employee-owner dismissively asked, “Did you even buy a bottle yesterday?” I confirmed that I did place an order, which was 40% off. He responded, “Well, you got a good discount—what else are you asking for? Do you want this one at 50% off?” He said this in a distasteful manner.

I clarified that I wasn’t demanding anything; I was simply pointing out what could be perceived as false advertising. He insisted that I wasn't making any sense and that I should have come to the store in person, if I was so upset. To this, I pointed out that the prices would be the same for online sales since I had received an email about the flash sale.

Then, I requested to speak with the manager, Josh, and explained the situation, showing him the email I had received. I also mentioned that I had not received a response regarding this issue. I expressed my concern about how the employee had treated me and asked if he speaks to all customers in the same dismissive manner (which I doubt). The manager did apologize on the owner's behalf, noting that it had been a busy day. However, this was the first time I’ve been treated so condescendingly in this store, as all my previous interactions have...

Now, this place will continue to be busy and will continue to do a lot of business. My review isn’t going to change any of that. I will leave it anyway. I went in less than a week before Christmas - I fully acknowledge that this is a very busy time. I also don’t ascribe to that being an excuse to be rude or dismissive of a customer. I went in to purchase gifts and a pretty hefty list of wines and spirits for holiday entertaining, etc. What’s disappointing is after the way I was treated after getting assistance for the first bottle I came for - I had to stop myself from purchasing all the other items on my list because why would I purchase more from a business where two people were just downright passive aggressive and rude. A gentleman in the scotch section with a plaid shirt whom other employees deferred to as knowledgeable, was dismissive and curt and the next person, a young lady with a long braid was condescending. I bought the one thing I needed for that day and left. I was fully prepared to spend a decent sum and instead gave my business to Union Square Wine & Spirits. Being busy is not an excuse to be rude. The women at the checkout counter were lovely and helpful, as was a person with a black apron who...