West Cork shop offers 'plastic glass' credit note to bypass alcohol price hike

Sam's Gala in Dunmanway is offering customers 24 plastic glasses for €30 and in return they will receive a credit note to the value of €47.34

In just two hours on Tuesday night, the post was seen by 168,000 people and store owner Colm O'Sullivan has received a massive reaction from people reacting to the newly introduced minimum alcohol pricing which has sent beer and cider prices soaring.

A West Cork supermarket owner believes he has come up with a way to avoid imposing large price hikes on slabs of beer required under the new minimum pricing laws.

Sam's Gala in Dunmanway in Co. Cork is offering customers 24 plastic glasses for €30 and in return, they will receive a credit note to the value of €47.34 which can be then redeemed to buy cases of beer. 

The shop's social media post detailing the offer has been seen by over 378,000 people since last night and store owner Colm O'Sullivan has received a massive reaction from people, in the wake of the newly introduced minimum alcohol pricing which sent beer and cider slab prices soaring to €40 or more.

Mr O'Sullivan insists the credit note is not illegal, as it can be used to buy other items, including a hoover or a mop.

"I hadn't sold one single slab of beer all week since the minimum alcohol pricing came into effect and in two hours, I have sold nine slabs and even a mop," he laughed.

"I suppose it's one way to get rid of all these post-Christmas plastic glasses we have in stock.

"Ahead of the New Year, I sat down and studied the legislation and did the maths. And did the maths again because I couldn't believe the astronomical change in the price of a crate of beer from €26 to €47," said Colm O'Sullivan

"In the last few months, people were told the price of whiskey and other spirits would increase a lot and you wouldn't be able to buy a bottle of wine for less than €7, but the huge hike to cans of beer wasn't really mooted, in my mind.

"Ahead of the New Year, I sat down and studied the legislation and did the maths. And did the maths again, because I couldn't believe the astronomical change in the price of a crate of beer from €26 to €47.

"As far as I'm concerned, I reread the legislation and I am not breaking any law in offering a credit note with every sale of 24 plastic glasses. I have strict and lengthy terms and conditions in store which have to be adhered to when redeeming the offer. 

"The law states that vouchers can't be used to buy alcohol but there is no mention of credit notes and I'm not in any way associating this promotion with alcohol solely as other products are on offer too.

"This increase in prices in alcohol goes directly to the retailer and I'm not proud of that, so I see this as my way of giving it back by offering value in a range of products. 

"We're not sucking it up, the hoover does that and we always try to mop up prices here as much as we can," he laughed.

"It's all a bit of craic and that makes the day enjoyable. It's also keeping 31 staff in a job and I have to say, being likened to my absolute Irish hero of all times, Michael Collins, did bring a tear to my eye."

"The law states that vouchers can't be used to buy alcohol but there is no mention of credit notes and I'm not in any way associating this promotion with alcohol solely as other products are on offer too," Mr O'Sullivan added.

Reaction on Facebook was huge last night with comments such as: 'I think I might return the plastic glasses right after I'm done too in case someone else needs them. 

Another said, "brace yourselves, you're about to become the most famous shop in Ireland."

Others even commented on the great value of the mops for a bit of New Year spring cleaning.