Busa Wine & Spirits

Most horrible service ever. I wish I could give it a 0 Star. Rude. Drunk assholes (literally)

This review was filtered prior to this re-​post — but it was an honest experience and I believe that it’s something important for people to know about. Having a courteous staff is an important part of being a small business, and the people at Busa certainly do not display those qualities — thus the point of this negative review.
Had been going to this store weekly — for a while, at least a year. They implemented a policy that they only take MA ID’s — no out of state ID’s accepted. I didn’t think it would be an issue, since I had been going there for at least a year before that. Started getting carded and told that my ID wouldn’t be accepted «next time» — also was told that I should convert to a MA license (my current NH license doesn’t expire until next year) — which is none of their business. I started bringing my 35 yr old fiancée in with me because I was getting told each time I went that «next time» I wasn’t going to be allowed to buy anything because of my NH ID. They still carded me, and still made me feel as though I was trying to illegally purchase it or something — ridiculous, not like it was a California ID or anything — a legit NH ID! Recently, we went in together, and a few minutes after we entered, I went back out to the car to avoid getting chastised for my ID. They wouldn’t sell the beer to my fiancée — even though we go in all the time — because I went out to the car. He offered to get me, to have me show my ID and explained the situation, and they said they still would not sell it to us because my ID wasn’t accepted there. Won’t go back again! We were regulars there and they drove us out.

So this is the «new» Busa, huh? Remember the old one? It was grungy and gross but I went there a lot anyhow. I finally made it to the new location — a new buildingset back in the parking lot attached to an auto parts store.
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It’s nice! It’s big and new and clean and well-​lit. Wine is there when you walk in, beer in the coolers along the back wall, fine liquors on the back left wall. I couldn’t find any Blue Label, but I did pick up an EXCELLENT bourbon. Prices are the usual — no surprises here.
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I’m impressed. Much improved over the old store.

I have shopped at the Salem, MA. location many times. The staff totally ignores you and seems disturbed if you ask a question. One of the least customer friendly stores I have ever shopped in. Today was the last straw, not even a thank you after making a $ 100 purchase. This store is very convenient for me but I will never go back!

This place isn’t actually gone, they are just further back in the same lot. Nice, new building. (great place btw)

Well my review of this store might be a bit bias, but it’s 100% accurate! the staff here is very knowledgeable about the product they sell. They have a good selection of beer, wine and liquor. There is a wine tasting on friday nights between 4pm and 7pm, and is run by one of the employees, who is also a bartender. So if you need help picking a wine to go with your dinner, or you had a drink at a bar and want to know what was in it… she knows! Often there are beer and liquor tastings run by different companies like Miller, Bushmills and Jose Cuervo. And who doesn’t want a free taste of alcohol? The manager is also very knowledgeable with the wine, liquor and beer that’s in stock. If your looking for something and they do not carry it, and you can’t find it anywhere… he can order it for you, if it’s something that’s available to him. A lot of times, people have a glass of wine in a restaurant and want to buy a bottle, not realizing that certain wines are only available at restaurants. But if it’s a product that they can order for you, they will. Cigarettes are a bit expensive, but overall their prices are fare. There are other Busa stores: Burlington MA, Reading MA, Salem MA and two locations in Lexington MA. There are stores in Rhode Island as well but I’m not sure of their locations. I recommend shopping here because the staff is down to earth and know what they’re talking about, their prices are reasonable and who doesn’t like a wine tasting on a Friday nite?