Posted by Joan Bergstrom on 11/23/06 12:47am
Msg #161766

CA stuff: definitely OT

I was at Trader Joes today and the couple in front of me had 6 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon wine in their cart and I thought I heard the cashier say $129.30.

Wrong, it was "$2 Buck Chuck" and their cost was $12.93. This wine is famous in Calif because you can actually get a "corked" bottle of wine for $2.00 and its called "Charles Shaw." Only available at Trader Joes!!

The wine is actually pretty good.

What surprised me is when I went out to the parking lot I saw this couple drive out in a 2006 Lexus.
Typical CA millionaires with $3 in their pockets and a leased car!!

Happy Holidays!!

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/23/06 8:03am
Msg #161782

whew...rather judgmental on this day of Thanks n/m

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/23/06 8:21am
Msg #161784

I'm not a wine guy myself, but this is avialable at TJs in.

IL also. Heard that it is pretty good.
I know of a lot of people who give " two buck chuck" as holiday
gifts for , hopefully, unknowledgeable recipients.
Happy t-day to all

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/23/06 9:08am
Msg #161788

Re: But Bob if the wine is good, should it matter to the

receiver of the gift if it was 2 bucks or 200 bucks....if the product is good.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/23/06 10:59pm
Msg #161835

I disagree

If all you can afford is 2 bucks then you should just give a card. If you have the means to spend more, giving a gift that you only spent $2 on is an insult. There is a big difference between a modest gift and a cheap gift.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/24/06 9:14am
Msg #161865

Re: I disagree

With age comes humility. When I was supervising I made big money, each Christmas I gave my employees a gift and it made my heart smile to see the joy on their faces because I really cared about them. I took time to select gifts that were in the same price range and wrapped them in beautiful paper with great bows. One Christmas one of my ladies gave me a gift, wrapped with love and care. She didn't have much other than a very large family that depended on her for everything. The pride in her eyes and the smile on her face was worth a million dollars to me even though her gift was undoubtedly all she could afford. That she took the time to show that she cared far outweighed the cost of the gift, that little gift is probably my most valued. 20 years from now it will still remain in the place of honor in my home and you will have learned the value of humility.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/24/06 12:56pm
Msg #161888

Re: I disagree

Well yes, somebody taking the time to make you a gift is quite different than somebody stopping by the grocery store and picking up a $2 bottle of wine and giving it as a gift. I'm not saying people should have to spend a minimum amount for the gift to be meaningful, I'm just saying that $2 is too cheap.

Reply by dickb/wi on 11/24/06 12:08pm
Msg #161880

me thinks you might have an.........

ego problem........the cost of a gift should not offend any one.....it's the thought behind the gift that should matter.......geez.....JMHO...............

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/24/06 12:42pm
Msg #161885

Re: me thinks you might have an.........Do what???

"...ego problem......."

Am I the only one who gets what Cali is trying to say?

What takes more thought...finding the best card for $2 you can buy, or picking up a truck load of bottles of wine at $2 a pop?

What is more sincere? "Trying" to "impress" with a $2 bottle of wine or giving a nice $2 card?

It's all perception...I don't really care for myself because I am short on some of the niceties most of my better friends would know instinctively...give me whatever...but my etiquette-minded sister would say Cali is correct...so would my soon to be (very proper and ladylike) DIL. It's NOT ego. It is about quality.

One answer does not fit all people/situations/questions. Ego has nothing to do with it --consideration of the finest quality within one's means (authenticity) is the core of this answer Cali gave IMHO.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/24/06 12:52pm
Msg #161887

Much as I love ya Bren, we're gonna disagree here

Cali's post stated " If you have the means to spend more, giving a gift that you only spent $2 on is an insult. " This was the one that grabbed my eye. Without looking at your checkbook I have no idea what you can/cannot afford but that's not the point...the point is "thinking of someone" when there's no ulterior motive other than the fact you're thinking of them. Now I'm taking a nap....

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/24/06 1:03pm
Msg #161890

Re: Much as I love ya Bren, we're gonna disagree here

**Much as I love ya Bren, we're gonna disagree here.**

Well...harumph...I'm watching the Aggies and the Longhorns. Only game I watch during the year.

C'mon Aggies! 6 to 0. Keep it up.

Reply by CaliNotary on 11/24/06 12:57pm
Msg #161889

Thanks Brenda

And FWIW, I don't even like wine. A $50 dollar bottle would taste as nasty to me as a $2 bottle.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/24/06 12:18pm
Msg #161882

Re: I disagree

It is not the cost of the gift that counts! The best gifts come from the heart. If all someone can afford is 2 bucks, and they chose to spend that 2 bucks on a gift for me, I would treasure that gift as if it cost a million bucks!
People today tend to be too materialistic.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/23/06 9:06am
Msg #161787

Re:Joan how would you know if their car was leased?

He or she could own a leasing business.

Some folks are just frugal and love getting a good deal......I did a signing yesterday, the person in question was taking a line of credit that he may or may not use. I meet him at the business location, he owns a successful business, he is not from here but clearly a man who remembers his humble beginnings. He also spoke another language and while he was on the phone with his broker (they speaking in their native tongue) he insisted his assistant bring me a cup of coffee, I didn't know she as bringing me a cup of coffee until it arrived. I generally only drink one cup a day and had already had my cup that morning, I sincerely thanked her. He continued on the phone all the while translating to me and sharing his concern about his loan, he wanted to be certain the fee for a draw against the money was only $50.00 annually and not $50.00 a month. He reviewed his paperwork very carefully, smart man.

When I drove up to the business it was just he and I, his car I assume, no I'm certain was parked in front of the business, an extremely nice vehicle, the make, size and year are not important, trust me a lovely car.

The docs revealed he owes no one and I mean no one money, he has a very large savings account and the way he was handling this loan certainly showed how he reached his success, on top of everything.
The money was a cushion for a new home he was building, his monthly income was more then I will ever be seeing. We completed his transaction, he scurried away to continue his work, I thanked his assistant once again for the coffee as I left, and he turned to me and said "Thank you for coming to me instead of me having to come to you"

Oh he offered me a job while there, kidding or not kidding, he was very kind.

They way he drank his coffee, a hint from his culture......his dress- impeccable, extremely organized.......a small man but extremely handsome and what made him most handsome his approach, his humble behavior, his savvy business manner, the signing made my day.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 11/23/06 9:17am
Msg #161791

Good post Susan, one must never "assume"

I once had a vehicle I wanted to sell and I put it on a consignment lot. A huge man in overalls came to look at it, walked around it, brought his mechanic up to drive it. I figured this was just a waste of my time and he was going to haggle the price, I was somewhat frustrated. His mechanic returned, they went and put their heads together, he came back and reached into his overalls, pulled out a wad of money and paid me $29,800 in cash. I later learned he was a major player in the transportation industry, lesson learned.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 11/23/06 9:33am
Msg #161794

Re: I remember years ago hearing a story about a doctor and

his purchase of his next vehicle, he of course wanted the best deal, he didn't want to be overcharged because he made plenty of money, he knew the car he wanted, he knew the price he wanted to pay and he also what was a fair price for this car. He went to the dealership dressed like a bum, wheeled and dealed and when they reached an offer that was acceptable to him, he also like your buyer Sue went into his pocket and pulled out over 50,000 in cash and bought that puppy. The salesman was stunned.....so yes you absolutely never know who you are dealing with....

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/24/06 8:19am
Msg #161855

Absolutely wonderful story, beautifully told. Simply grand. n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/24/06 8:21am
Msg #161856

Oops, this should have gone under "how do you know"...:( n/m

Reply by Gary_CA on 11/23/06 10:22am
Msg #161797

Enough about the car... as for the wine...

Two buck Chuck is available in TJ's everywhere... I thought I'd run into mine after my last signing last night but got there 15 minutes late... they were unloading pallets of the stuff.

It is tasty. The Merlot was the first and classic, but the Cab is good too... the White's okay.

I've given it for gifts, but never unknowingly... alway with a chuckle and well received. For a while I was giving it as incentives to get brokers to my brokers open house... I'd make a label with a picture of the house and the details and stick it on opposite the Charles Shaw label. Then I called it my "Private Label Reserve" when I gave it to them. Always had a good laugh, and no nobody ever said "no thanks I don't drink that cheap crap"

But seeing how today is Thanksgiving, and poultry's on the table no $2 Chuck... we're drinking good stuff... a new Chardonay that TJ's was featuring... for $6.99 woo hoo.

Reply by aatatusko on 11/23/06 10:23am
Msg #161798

I drive a beautiful fully loaded GX470 and borrowers think I'm making big bucks
in the signing business. My husband bought it for me because he wanted me
and our children to be safe ~ the GPS was a huge bonus in this business. He
just got himself a new Lexus with GPS and a backup camera, our son took over
the old RX...Lexus are very economical vehicles when you take in to account
how they retain their value.
As far as Trader Joes wine goes, they have it here in VA too, but we will start
with champagne this morning before moving on to a nice red.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/23/06 6:20pm
Msg #161819

Re: CA stuff: definitely OT ~ Tsk Tsk, actually

I like 2 buck Chuck as Sangria. It is great cut 50/50 with orange juice, a couple of table spoons of sugar and float some orange slices in a punch bowl. It makes far superior Sangria to any of the Gallo brothers stuff. Most people don't know but coming form California wine country and being a member of the Mendocino County Vintners Association I know where Charles Shaw gets his wines. He buys them at 10 cents on the dollar from the same wineries who sell the $20 and $30 cabs (Cabernet Sauvignon). Charles Shaw buys them by the truck load (10,000 gals at a time) blends for taste and re-bottles the wines. The wine compares very favorably with the more expensive branded names. Most people don't realize but wine costs very little to make. I don't condone misrepresenting brands but if you enjoy wine there is absolutely nothing wrong with Charles Shaw wines, they rank right up there with Kendall-Jackson, Beaulieu and many others. Its not how much the bottle costs but how the wine tastes to me and Charles Shaw makes the best Sangria I know of: on a hot Summer day with a bit of ice it is very refreshing and a smart buy. I buy several cases at a time and I cedrtainly wouldn't be ashamed to put them into my Silver Shadow.

Reply by GF_CA on 11/23/06 7:46pm
Msg #161826

Re: CA stuff: ... I drive a Benz S500...and I buy my

grocery at food 4 less :-) I need save money to buy gas lol

Reply by kathy/ca on 11/23/06 11:28pm
Msg #161840

I agree with Charles altho I dont drink wine, hubby does &

about every month or so, I go in my 2005 BMW to TJ's and pick up a case. I like to get a good deal on things and since he likes this stuff, why not? For special occasions though, he likes Markham & Wild Coyote. BTW, The car I drive gets great gas mileage and is a very safe vehicle for me and the grandkids.

Reply by John_NorCal on 11/24/06 6:19pm
Msg #161914

Well I drive my 2002 Ford Escape and buy whatever suits my

fancy. I do draw the line at Thunderbird and Ripple though. Oh oh, my high school days are coming back to me!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/24/06 6:40pm
Msg #161915

FWIW I don't drive a Silver Shadow and I would never

consider spending that much money on a car, I'd much prefer to purchase another piece of property. I actually drive a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country as my primary car, I just put a new transmission in it and I never buy a new car. My persnoal philosophy is why buy something that depreciates 20% the moment you sign on the line. I usually buy lease returns, they have lots of life left and the price is usually right. What I was saying is that I would not be ashamed of Charles Shaw even if I drove a Silver Shadow, its really a god everyday wine and make a fine Sangria. I hope everyone had an absolutely terrific Thanksgiving, I know I had plenty to be thankful for this past year. Best regards,
Charles

Reply by Gary_CA on 11/24/06 7:17pm
Msg #161921

Smart Realtors buy houses, not cars...

and lenders, notaries and everyone else in the industry... D'oh

Good thinking Charles.

Hmmm... your last name isn't Shaw is it ????

By the way with a true wine enthusiast not long ago... he had a Merlot he brought from Paris... it was special this and special that and I know not what... $50... he opened it for us.

It was good.

I'm even tempted to say it was a little better than $2 Chuck

Reply by Charles_Ca on 11/24/06 8:20pm
Msg #161933

Nope, not Shaw, but I do know him through my associations

Charles Shaw took an underutilized product (excess production usually slated for vinegar) produced by some of California's premier winemakers and mad a serious product of it. I like entrepreneurial people, especially those who do well. I have a home in Mendocino, a major wine producing county in California and do a lot of business with the local Farm Bureau and the Vintners Assoc. (both of which I am a member of) so I get all the inside scoop on wines and vines. $2 Buck Chuck is a blended wined and what really p%sses of the major wineries is that Chuck can claim an appellation since he has a pedigree for all his wines. The did good in my opinion and you can believe that he is laughing all the way to the bank. I'm sure that a true wine enthusiast would probably 1, buy a good wine, and 2, probably get a good deal even at $50 however I have seen some very expensive wines pour from the bottle as vinegar much to the chagrin of the owner. !