V-Flyer

Hi everyone

I can't believe what I am just about to post, however, I feel that you all need to know what I witnessed on yesterday’s VS19.

I was flying upper class. When the first drinks order was taken shortly after take-off, I ordered a vodka and coke. When it arrived I recognised immediately that this was not Grey Goose. However, as I was sitting next to the bar, I could clearly see them pouring from a Grey Goose bottle.

I didn't think much more about this until later in the flight when I came out of the toilet to see the Flight Service Supervisor standing in the galley pouring from a bottle of Eristoff vodka into the Grey Goose bottle!!!!

I really don't know what to do about this. Notify CS? Notify Grey Goose?? Or the Office of Fair Trading???

As a Gold Card holder for the past 6 years, I am disgusted to think a company like Virgin would be operating such practices. There has been much talk on here about the downgrading of amenities on board, however, I think this is a step too far.

I would hate to count up the tens of thousands of pounds I have paid Virgin over the last number of years. The least I would expect is honesty and professionalism from them.

jcc001 wrote:Hi everyone

I can't believe what I am just about to post, however, I feel that you all need to know what I witnessed on yesterday’s VS19.

I was flying upper class. When the first drinks order was taken shortly after take-off, I ordered a vodka and coke. When it arrived I recognised immediately that this was not Grey Goose. However, as I was sitting next to the bar, I could clearly see them pouring from a Grey Goose bottle.

I didn't think much more about this until later in the flight when I came out of the toilet to see the Flight Service Supervisor standing in the galley pouring from a bottle of Eristoff vodka into the Grey Goose bottle!!!!

I really don't know what to do about this. Notify CS? Notify Grey Goose?? Or the Office of Fair Trading???

As a Gold Card holder for the past 6 years, I am disgusted to think a company like Virgin would be operating such practices. There has been much talk on here about the downgrading of amenities on board, however, I think this is a step too far.

I would hate to count up the tens of thousands of pounds I have paid Virgin over the last number of years. The least I would expect is honesty and professionalism from them.

This is most definitely not procedure and certainly not something we have ever been asked to do by the company. VAA would never condone such a thing regardless of how much money they are trying to save.

Seems a bit bizarre. Why not just say 'sorry run out of Grey Goose'?

In any such situation, unless you have unequivocal proof that it is a company mandated policy, you should first raise it with the company to give them the chance to handle it. The likelihood is they'll be just as upset about it as you.

I would definately put in a complaint as this is NOT something VS staff should be doing and it has certainly not come from the company.

When it's Eristoff, it would seem

Makes you think about the CH drinks....
Ouch major VS investigation would be expected on this one!
Can't see Grey Goose being too pleased.

For the benefit of VS and passengers you should write to VS and relate what happened. I cannot think the business is screwing pax in this way, I can conceive other scenarios that two scribing ex-air hostesses might concur with!

DocRo wrote:When it's Eristoff, it would seem

Although it's always possible that someone originally poured Asda own brand into the Eristoff bottle!

Sounds extremely fishy, and no way any big company would mandate any such action - any marginal save is quickly overtaken by the massive reputational risk of getting caught. Definitely worth reporting.

As a side note, it's hard not to spot that while there are (theoretically at least) some reasonably premium level spirits on offer from VS in UC, the wine generally remains in the 'mediocre' camp. I'm quite happy to knock back a 7 quid bottle of Picpoul de Pinet as a summer party wine, but I don't really expect to see that exact same one adorning a VS wine list...

Agree with Slinky - VS DEFINITELY need to know about this at the top.

Given the tie-up have (had) VS with Grey Goose in the Clubhouse - they last thing any party would want is cheap cr*p being passed of as a premium vodka.

I suspect (and hope) that what you saw was a local 'entrepreneur' rather than a company endorsed fiddle of the customers.

Nick

Nottingham Nick wrote:Agree with Slinky - VS DEFINITELY need to know about this at the top.

Given the tie-up have (had) VS with Grey Goose in the Clubhouse - they last thing any party would want is cheap cr*p being passed of as a premium vodka.

I suspect (and hope) that what you saw was a local 'entrepreneur' rather than a company endorsed fiddle of the customers.

Nick

Plus if it was VS practice (which I'm certainly not saying it is) then I would have though that they would be doing this a little more covertly i.e. at a warehouse somewhere rather than in public view !

Friend of mine saw something fishy like this in his local and challenged what was going on but was met with "what you going to do about it?"

Well he did plenty - contacted the brewery and trading standards who then paid a little visit to the premises. Turned out is was a dodgy staff member (who thought they couldn't be seen rather than something more institutional

Not sure what the laws relating to this happening on an arcraft are though.

You probably got the rubbish Vodka because you were diluting it with Coke. Grey Goose should only be drunk with Tonic! Sorry just my honest opinion

This is extremely serious and obviously not VS sanctioned.
VS need to know at the highest level ASAP.
Did you mention it to any fellow passengers, it is a serious accusation and would be good if more than one pas raised the complaint.

Please keep us all updated to eventual outcome

catcat24 wrote:You probably got the rubbish Vodka because you were diluting it with Coke. Grey Goose should only be drunk with Tonic! Sorry just my honest opinion

I totally disagree, the waft by of a vermouth bottle perhaps ):

Both Vodka's are owned by Bacardi...

It doesn't surprise me - its happens alot and where you wouldn't expect it. Its very difficult to control and prevent.

This practice is referred to as "Tipping" in the licensed trade. It is completely illegal and unethical & Tading Standards take a VERY dim view of it.
They actually have little testing sticks which are supplied by the major spirit manufacturers, which they dip into branded spirit bottles on visits to licenced premises. if these sticks change colour, its the real McCoy and if they don't....then your licence is in jeopardy. I really think you need to approach VS about this as you were intentionally deceived.

but its not fake alcohol, just a different brand. Still vodka.

Did the OP ask for Grey Goose & coke, or vodka & coke

Given that there is always 2 bottles of grey goose loaded in the upper class bars it seems ridiculous!

Its very difficult to pick if substituted for a similar product. Eristoff is not a bad Vodka - its still grain alcohol. Vodka is so neutral once mixed you have little idea. When you conduct a blind tasting the results are always interesting on the so called premium products.

In Asia its far easier to tell when a local spirit is used.

Back to the point - why would cabin crew do it on their own accord. They don't buy it - unless they had run out of Grey Goose.

It's vodka, a drink based on its purity rather than its taste, the difference is in your mind.

Sure, if it was Brandy, Gin, Whisky/(e), Tequilla, Port, Wine or any other drinks, but its vodka, the fact that its not distilled by "french vodka experts" means that it's not quite as pretentious and pricey as the other vodka but its still a pure premium spirit of which you probably likely won't identify on a taste test (but love its fancy label, or skull shaped bottle, no that's another novelty vodka, grey goose is not a novelty vodka, no, no, DEFINITELY NO).

I can see the horror if it was any other spirit, but no, I can't with vodka.

Smid wrote:I can see the horror if it was any other spirit, but no, I can't with vodka.

I don't disagree with your point but I don't think that will work as a defence. If a cheaper product is being poured into a more expensive one's bottle, and the latter is the one being advertised (as is indeed the case), then there is clearly a deception occurring.

Smid wrote:It's vodka, a drink based on its purity rather than its taste, the difference is in your mind.

Are purity and taste incompatible?

First reading of the title I thought this was going to be a joke about the Grey Goose Lounge at the LHR CH.... sadly not

Putting it plainly this is just peculiar. ?| ?|

As a staffer has already said, it def isn't company policy ( ) assuming that can be trusted .... ): ):

First port of call would be to tell VS and wait for their response, if it was just some lone staffer who had missunderstood something it would not take too long to clear up.

To be honest for this kind of thing I would also think Grey Goose would want to know that their product bottle is being used to peddle other drinks.. deliberately or not this is still technically fraud by deception.

Really not sure on any kind of serious motive from the part of the CSS, what benefit is it to them????

slinky09 wrote: I can conceive other scenarios that two scribing ex-air hostesses might concur with!

Got to ask slinky... being??

Less bottles to pack away?
Did the CSS take a liking to that particular Eristoff bottle and it is curerntly sitting in some collection somewhere?
Part of some psych plot to test peoples' reactions at being given the wrong brand of vodka? - hence it being done in the rather public galley.. ii) ii)

joeyc wrote:As a staffer has already said, it def isn't company policy ( ) assuming that can be trusted .... ): ):

I'm very trustworthy. Honest!

catcat24 wrote:You probably got the rubbish Vodka because you were diluting it with Coke. Grey Goose should only be drunk with Tonic! Sorry just my honest opinion

To each his own.

Surprised...?

No.