Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts:13626
 | | 01/09/2008 11:38 AM |
| One of the things I have firmly set my targets on this year is buying more Italians (been saying that for over two years now and I've let myself be a slave to mailers instead) and even some French stuff (Burgundies mainly). I think one way to get what I'd like (Brunellos that are closer to being ready to drink than current releases) might be via auction, but I am frankly clueless as to how I can start tiptoeing in to the waters here without breaking the law and without getting burned.
So, any tips? I need help on everything.
What auction sites to try
How to get stuff shipped to me (hoping T-Rep won't kill me for accepting deliveries for me!)
Stuff I need to know (taxes, buyers premiums/commissions, etc)
Tips on bidding (strategies)
Tips on lots to go for
Tips on lots to avoid
You get the idea. I need help.
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www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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mountainman
Mammoth Mountain
Wine Bottler
Posts:3072
| | 01/09/2008 1:01 PM |
| | I buy from winebid and winecommune. No buying commissions on WC unless it is one of their consigned lots then it is $3.50 for the lot (whether 1 or 12 bottles). WB is 15% buyers commission. Avoid highly sought after bottles (cults, cult wannabe's, point chasing, etc.). Older Italians are typically a good buy - not much buyer interest in relation to the "flavor of the month". I've picked up some ridiculous priced lots (read a couple dollars) on Germans, Alsace, etc. because they don't get much interest. | | | |
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Randy Sloan
St. Helena
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2025
| | 01/10/2008 1:18 AM |
| A couple of quick tips...
if it's a wine you really want, bid early. The minimum raise quickly brings most wines beyond what folks will bid so unless it's a highly contested bottle, often the first bid will get it.
But if you have patience and are looking for good wine but not necessarily something specific, wait until auctions are close to closing and bid on wines without bids.
I bid on Brentwood Wines, Magnum Wines, and Winex. | |
Randy Sloan
Match Vineyards | |
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davidandrose
Aurora, CO
Grape Puncher
Posts:924
| | 01/14/2008 1:56 AM |
| | I have also used both winebid and winecommune with some frequency over the years. With winebid, sellers still set lot prices and at times you'll see the same wine wiht multiple opening prices. I'll always avoid the higher-priced lots even if the lower-priced lots are bid up to the same price, as you'll generally see them offered the following week at $5-10 less once/if they don't sell.  With winecommune you can also send emails to the sellers if there are no bids or bids are > reserve price. | | | |
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travelrep
Northern Virginia
Barrel Filler
Posts:1074
| | 01/14/2008 7:58 AM |
| | Pool Boy...
Not to worry about more shipments arriving on my doorstep for you...I'll gladly receive them. Plus, you're too big for me to whack so feel free to buy to your heart's content...
T-Rep | | | |
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jeffkahn
Happy Valley, PA
Grape Sorter
Posts:393
| | 01/15/2008 4:28 PM |
| | On the flip side, have people used these places to sell wine? Any thoughts? | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9053
| | 01/15/2008 4:31 PM |
| | I have sold through both Winebid & Winecommune - both are recommended. Winecommune is the best bet for highly sought after wines, as the commission is lower and your hammer price will likely be very similar to Winebid. Winebid has the edge on on everything other than highly sought after wines, as your reserve and hammer price will be significantly higher there - though it may take significantly longer to move. | | | |
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jeffkahn
Happy Valley, PA
Grape Sorter
Posts:393
| | 01/15/2008 4:56 PM |
| Thanks for the advice, Eric. The next issue is whether I can even legally sell wine since I live in PA.
I should have stayed in California.... | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:542
| | 01/15/2008 6:23 PM |
| | If you are going to sell a fair amount of wine then I would consider using Vinfolio if I were you. | | | |
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maphen
Grape Picker
Posts:12
| | 01/15/2008 6:31 PM |
| | Why Vinfolio? | | | |
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tanglenet
Oakland, California
Wine Thief
Posts:2874
| | 01/15/2008 7:00 PM |
| | Regrarding selling via Winebid, my memory is that they require a minimum consignment of $2000 - $2500 of wine. With Winecommune, there is no minimum. I don't know the requirements of Vinfolio, perhaps Dan can update. | |
TN posted on Cellartracker
"I drink no more than a sponge." François Rabelais
www.tanglenet.com | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:542
| | 01/16/2008 7:05 AM |
| | Vinfolio is 5k but if you have some particularly desirable bottles to sell then I suspect this requirement could be waived. Unlike on line auctions (which I don't patronize either as a seller or a buyer for a variety of reasons) you sell the wines direct to Vinfolio after determining the retail value of the bottle. That means you always know a) how much you are going to get and b) you know the bottles are sold once you strike the deal with Vinfolio. | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10361
| | 01/16/2008 9:05 AM |
| Re: Vinfolio - what Dan said. Selling to Vinfolio was very professional and quite high-tech. I was impressed with most aspects of their operation and will do business with them again in the future
One thing I thought was interesting is that that I was able to divide the proceeds into cash and Vinfolio credit (in the event I need more wine, haha..). Their retail operation might be a bit overpriced on some items but they do have a very nice selection on some bottles that are harder to find. | | | |
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Daniel Bailey
Grape Fermenter
Posts:542
| | 01/16/2008 10:52 AM |
| | Glad you had a good experience with Vinfolio WT. Re their prices you have to check them (course I almost always check a price regardless) but surprisingly they can be pretty close to the lowest price provider on many wines. | | | |
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Elkiholic
New Hampshire
Grape Fermenter
Posts:456
| | 02/22/2008 8:43 AM |
| Doing a little dumpster diving, but I wanted to comment on my recent experience with Vinfolio.
My 3 case list of Cali cabs and pinot was turned down by vinfolio despite being over their $5k min. I was told they had plenty of Cali stock and to try back in a couple of months. The funny thing is that out of the 36 bottles I listed, at least 15 of them are not listed on their website as in stock.
Certainly not a favorable experience on my end. | |
Mike Coutu
Addicted to Wine | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 02/23/2008 4:59 PM |
| I've had very good results with WineBid. The only thing I don't like is that it takes a long time to get your check. I recommend talking to Powell Yang. He is a trustworthy and very knowledgeable young man. Powell Yang
I have heard very good reports about Edward at finewinecollector.com. I've done several wine dinners with him and he is very knowledgeable also. He pays within two weeks of when the wine is sold. I haven't sold anything here but have bought wines from Jason Alexander at VinTrust.com. They are the same kind of business as VinFolio. Jason_Alexander_at_Vintrust@mail.vresp.com
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gus fleener
gilroy
Barrel Filler
Posts:1319
| | 02/23/2008 9:35 PM |
| i can't really help you with auctions since i don't have the time or the patience to use them. the former is a wineshop in italy (montalcino) that will ship anywhere. they don't seem to worry about whether it is legal or not. the latter is a retailer located in sonoma with whom i have done a lot of business in the past year or 2. i have had no complaints with either of them. | | | |
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MikeW
Fremont, CA
Grape Sorter
Posts:352
| | 04/24/2008 5:26 PM |
| | Based on the postive reviews below, I thought I would give Vinfolio a try and sell a few cases. I was impressed with their operation and thought the prices offered were fair. They are very upfront about their sales model - they will buy your wine at 23% less what they will resell the wine. I submitted a small list of wines, and within 24 hours, they were back with an itemized quote. The quote listed what they would pay for each bottle (as well as how much they plan to sell it for), and I could then decide which wines I wanted to sell. They were very responsive to the questions I had, and when I decided to sell to them, they picked up my wine (the guy picking up was very punctual) and I received a check in about a week. I probably could have netted a little more money through an auction, but I don't have the patience to deal with the uncertainty, wait, and mailing hassle. I'll definitely do business with Vinfolio again. | | | |
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