Everyone at work and friends keep talking about it. Multiple have said Specs better watch out. What makes it so great?

Their beer selection is at least on par with Spec's

The prices are much better.

The stores themselves also seem a lot more orderly and nicely laid out. Some people couldn't care less but just seems like a nicer shopping experience while having a great selection and price.

Cleaner, brighter, more open, huge selection, cheap good wines, not sure about liquor but beer prices & selection are probably about the same as Specs.

My wife is kind of a snob about most things and the only direction she gives me when getting her wine is that it be around $20. TWM has a section of discount wines from $3-$20 or so and I'll always get her a ~$5 bottle and a $20 bottle and I never hear complaints. Same with CostCo (non-Kirkland) wines.

10% cheaper liquor prices on average for what I buy.

Cheaper than specs cash prices and you can use your CC. Selection feels better

Total Wine is nice but they always try and pimp their house brands out so keep that in mind if you're ever asking for suggestions.

I've noticed their prices are a bit better than Spec's, and you don't get a price penalty for using a credit card.

If you know what you want, Total Wine is likely the best option for buying.

But I will say that Spec's has a superior selection on Rum compared to Total Wine, and you'll find help picking out what you want easier at Spec's.

I wanted to try a good quality tequila, and Total Wine didn't have anybody around the isles to help like Spec's does.

The Humble location has a beer selection for single can/bottles like no other.

NICU Dad said:

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I've noticed their prices are a bit better than Spec's, and you don't get a price penalty for using a credit card.

If you know what you want, Total Wine is likely the best option for buying.

But I will say that Spec's has a superior selection on Rum compared to Total Wine, and you'll find help picking out what you want easier at Spec's.

I wanted to try a good quality tequila, and Total Wine didn't have anybody around the isles to help like Spec's does.

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Copperfield location had 2 on every aisle last weekend.

The Total Wine by me is in Webster.

They've got a ton of staff working registers and stocking stuff but doesn't seem to be as many prowling isles like at Spec's.

Must be store specific, I guess.

Either way, I like their store.

Diggity said:

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Total Wine is nice but they always try and pimp their house brands out so keep that in mind if you're ever asking for suggestions.

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This. We have these all over in MN. Anything labeled Winery Direct or Spirits Direct is there house brands and they make ridiculous margins on that stuff. They hook you with dirt cheap prices on select name brands and then will try to switch you to try their house brand which might be a buck more to you but it's way more in their pockets.

Whats the deal with Airline Food?

12f Mane said:

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Their beer selection is at least on par with Spec's

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their beer selection is better than most Specs. I was looking for a certain beer and Specs didn't have it, but Total Wine did. Their prices are also pretty reasonable; I'll definitely go back to that place before going to Specs.

Diggity said:

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Total Wine is nice but they always try and pimp their house brands out so keep that in mind if you're ever asking for suggestions.

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This is why I shop at Specs. I don't need someone trying to give me the hard sell on their house brand liquors. Had more than one sales person in different aisles notice I was browsing decent liquor and tried to convince me that their store brand was better.

Clean, organized, cheaper, credit card friendly. Also don't feel like I'm going to knock over a shelf of booze everytime I turn around.

to be fair, Specs does the same thing, but to a lesser extent.

I don't know what their arrangement is with Glen Moray, but they push that stuff like nobodies business.

If either of those places really wanted to make money on a house brand scotch, they'd be selling it as GlenGoolie Blue.

Short answer for me: specs is more conveniently located and has better knowledge re wine. Total wine is cleaner and seems to come in a little cheaper.

Total wine is Ok but not as convenient as specs, prices seem about the same as specs. Wouldn't drive past a specs to get to TW.

All I buy is beer.

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All I buy is beer.

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I think Spec's has a better selection of Miller Lite, but Total Wine should be your go to for Coor's and Bud Light.

Specs had this town on lock down for too long and they got complacent. Total wine is what Specs was fifteen years ago.

Total Wine is awesome.

Big selection
clean
Lighting
not cramped
and cheaper than Specs or any other grocery store including Walmart (compare wines you find elsewhere).

Specs just has a dirty storage closet feel to it.

Bigger/nicer store with a better selection and lower prices. What's not to like?

Who has the cheaper Kentucky Deluxe?

The one near me on 99/Grand Parkway in Richmond just south of Westpark Tollroad used to be a Sports Authority so it is huge. I've only gone there on Saturdays and it had a lot of folks on the floor asking for help. The beer selection is worlds better then the Spec's by my house.

AgCPA95 said:

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The one near me on 99/Grand Parkway in Richmond just south of Westpark Tollroad used to be a Sports Authority so it is huge. I've only gone there on Saturdays and it had a lot of folks on the floor asking for help. The beer selection is worlds better then the Spec's by my house.

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It's huge! Better experience all around. Better prices, better selection, more check outs. Haven't been to specs since it opened.

Let me give you a brief anecdote:

I'm fond of drinking an Old Fashioned and make quite a few at home. I like 'em spicy and prefer to make them with Bulleit Rye. At Total Wine, I can purchase a 1.75 L of that spirit for about $36.99. At any other liquor store, $36.99 will get a 750 mL of the same whiskey.

Moral: Total Wine is the tits.

Total Wine wants to be open on Sunday.

Specs lobbies against changing the law so liquor can be sold on Sunday.

Guess which one I give my money to most of the time.

aggiebq03+ said:

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Total Wine wants to be open on Sunday.

Specs lobbies against changing the law so liquor can be sold on Sunday.

Guess which one I give my money to most of the time.

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Total Wine?

Great selection. Good customer service. Reasonable price. Samples throughout store. Location.

While at the Total Wine in Willowbrook i was browsing the small batch bourbon. One of the employees asked if I'd like some recommendations. I said sure. He walked me to the wine bar and let me try 6 different bottles ranging in price from 35 to 60 bucks. I bought a couple of them. Specs has never done anything past the oh this one is great you should buy it other than their normal random samples i don't have an interest in. Total Wine will get my business based off letting me sample and also their prices are much better. A handle of Makers recently was almost 10 bucks cheaper than specs.

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A handle of Makers recently was almost 10 bucks cheaper than specs.

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You have my attention now.

Their selection of single bottles/cans of beer is outstanding. I've done the "make your own 6-pack" several times and found a bunch of new beers that I liked and ended up going back for 6-packs of them. I also found a few that I hated, but wasn't stuck with a 6-pack I felt obligated to choke down. The Spec's by my house doesn't even have that option, and the HEB and Randalls near by just have your standard beers available as singles, nothing I haven't already had before.