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Subject: Retailer Report - Hi-Time Wine Company (Costa Mesa, CA)

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Winetex

Austin, Texas

Master of Wine
Posts:10770

12/21/2005 9:22 PM
Hi-Time Wine Company has a good collection of small producer champagnes. I've never been to the store so maybe someone else can comment but the wines seem to be in good shape. The prices are all over the board but choose carefully and there are some deals. The good - Good selection of the more rare bubbly and other wines, decent pricing. Their shipping was prompt and OK priced. No sales tax for out-of-staters. Their inventory shows up in Wine Searcher Pro. The not-so-good - Their website is pretty rudimentary with little information on the wines.

Blair Ridley User is Offline

Wine Labeler
Posts:3980

12/21/2005 9:51 PM
I've been to the store a couple of times and can vouch for their storage. Their entire wine selection (save some high volume quick sellers in boxes on a ramp into the cellar) is temperature controlled. The store also hosts a great variety of tastings during the week/weekends. Highly recommended.

Wine Nightly User is Offline

Grape Stomper
Posts:124

01/10/2006 5:40 PM
I have a great experience to report. I was knuckleheaded enough to request overnight shipping (by mistake) on a case of QPR wine I was ordering on their website (excellent price BTW). Their confirmatory email even showed overnight shipping, but I didn't read it. The box arrived very quickly and I noticed the big hit to my CC for shipping. At this point, I called Hi-time and asked what was up with the big shipping charge? They pointed out (very nicely) that they shipped overnight as I asked. I checked my email confirmation, and there it was plain as day. I apologized for my mistake and was lamenting my stupidity with the salesperson. She offered to talk to the owner about my situation. I replied that anything would be appreciated, even if it was a small credit towards a future order. They called me back to let me know they would be refunding the difference between the ground shipping (I meant to take) and the overnight shipping that I was charged. They just ate the difference themselves. I have since ordered again with zero problems. I'm a customer for life. I read their email solicitations with interest whenever they come in.

Winetex

Austin, Texas

Master of Wine
Posts:10770

11/16/2006 2:27 PM
Bumping up for additions.

Serge Dracula Slayer User is Offline

South Florida

Grape Fermenter
Posts:663

11/16/2006 3:40 PM
addeed, thanks!

http://NothingControversial.com

davidandrose User is Offline

Aurora, CO

Grape Puncher
Posts:939

11/18/2006 4:08 PM
During the time I lived in SoCal (left 4 yrs ago) I visited several times and found the storage to be excellent, fully walk-in cellar as noted earlier. They also carried numerous aged wines, though at considerable markup, however worth a premium knowing their storage. However, I also typically found that current releases were $3-6 more/bttl than at the other major area retailers, Wine Exchange and Wine Cellar.

Dave

Wine Thief
Posts:2890

11/18/2006 5:45 PM
I love visiting that store. It is one of the few store where you wish you had a coat when browsing. Prices are high, but provenance is excellent.

Winetex

Austin, Texas

Master of Wine
Posts:10770

01/19/2008 2:05 PM
Bumping up for additions for the new year. Same positive as above - they are a good source for small grower champagnes.

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Forums > 100% Wine Related Discussions - No Exceptions > Wine Commerce > Retailer Report - Hi-Time Wine Company (Costa Mesa, CA)

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