Recently an agent found an item (i.e., a BBQ grill) in the basement of a retail premises. The distributor followed the rule and made sure to 1) have a raffle box available; 2) clearly indicated the raffle date on signage; and 3) contacted the winner of the raffle and advised them they had won. The item was removed the next day by the retailer. Subsequently, an Illinois Liquor Control Agent found the item in the basement area not accessible by the distributor. The distributor was cited. How can a distributor avoid these types of situations?
The distributor must give the item directly to the consumer. If the consumer is not present at the time of the giveaway, the distributor may not leave the item with the retailer. The distributor must take the item back to the distributorship where the consumer can pick it up there. It is recommended that the distributor draw more than one name in the event the consumer does not pick up the item.
