I recently bid at a reputable local online wine auction.
I bid on a mid 1990's wine only described as weeping.
There was no other description so I assumed excellent fill level.
I was the only bidder and won the wine.
When I got home with the wine I found the ullage to be about VHS.
The T&C states they will describe ullage, which in this instance they did not.
I generally do not bid on VHS wines which are weeping as too much risk of getting an undrinkable wine.
I emailed the auction house (within hours of picking up the wine) and asked to return the wine for refund.
The auction house responded saying they would not refund the wine.
I was not happy with their response so I emailed them again however they have so far failed to response to my further emails.
I would like the wine refunded as I did not bid on a weeping VHS bottle.
Any thoughts/comments?
THX in advance.
question Re auction purchase
Re: question Re auction purchase
Not as described = full refund in my book.
It would also help if we knew the identity and year of the wine and how much you paid for it?
It would also help if we knew the identity and year of the wine and how much you paid for it?
Cheers,
David
David
Re: question Re auction purchase
Also why did you not challenge the level wih the auction house before paying and taking possession of it?
Cheers,
David
David
Re: question Re auction purchase
Hi David,
I've always had to pay before going out the back to pickup & so they could still refuse a refund.
Maybe I need to check the wines before paying next time.
I won about 1 dozen wines at the auction.
When I picked up I only checked off the wines against the purchase list.
Unfortunately I did not carefully inspect the ullage of each & every bottle at pickup.
I often email the auction house and query certain descriptions, however when the ullage is not described it is assumed to have excellent fill level especillay when the auction T&C says ullage will be described.
I have not previously enquired about the ullage on each and every bottle I want to bid on (prior to bidding)... I'm sure they would love me asking them to check the ullage on say, 20 to 30 bottles at each and every auction!
I'm actually a regular at this auction house so I find it amazing that they refuse a refund (on something which is less then $50) when I have done nothing wrong and they have made a critical description error.
The wine is a mid 1990's shiraz blend from a excellent SA winery although some say the winery is over rated.
I paid about 30% less then the current release price of the same wine.
However, the price is irrelevant if the wine is undrinkable & I've had some undrinkable VHS & VVHS wines previously so thats why I generally no longer purchase VHS or VVHS wines.
I wonder if this SA auction house is struggling financially and cannot afford to refund the wine?
I've always had to pay before going out the back to pickup & so they could still refuse a refund.
Maybe I need to check the wines before paying next time.
I won about 1 dozen wines at the auction.
When I picked up I only checked off the wines against the purchase list.
Unfortunately I did not carefully inspect the ullage of each & every bottle at pickup.
I often email the auction house and query certain descriptions, however when the ullage is not described it is assumed to have excellent fill level especillay when the auction T&C says ullage will be described.
I have not previously enquired about the ullage on each and every bottle I want to bid on (prior to bidding)... I'm sure they would love me asking them to check the ullage on say, 20 to 30 bottles at each and every auction!
I'm actually a regular at this auction house so I find it amazing that they refuse a refund (on something which is less then $50) when I have done nothing wrong and they have made a critical description error.
The wine is a mid 1990's shiraz blend from a excellent SA winery although some say the winery is over rated.
I paid about 30% less then the current release price of the same wine.
However, the price is irrelevant if the wine is undrinkable & I've had some undrinkable VHS & VVHS wines previously so thats why I generally no longer purchase VHS or VVHS wines.
I wonder if this SA auction house is struggling financially and cannot afford to refund the wine?
Re: question Re auction purchase
Described as "weeping"? No wonder you were the only bidder!
Re: question Re auction purchase
What's wrong with VHS on a bottle that has been described as 'weeping' and is from the mid-90's?
Thanks Mark for the pic
Thanks Mark for the pic
Re: question Re auction purchase
Probably not a problem I agree. However if it isn't as described then I think the OP has a legitimate case.
Bartenders are supposed to have people skills. Or was it people are supposed to have bartending skills?
Re: question Re auction purchase
Hi Dave Vino,
I have generally not found a problem with weeping wines with excellent fill levels & thus prepared to take a small risk if discount is reasonable enough, as was this case.
However, a VHS weeping wine is another story, as I've had some undrinkable VHS weeping wines thus I no longer bid on VHS weeping wines regardless of the age.
I did not bid on a VHS weeping wine in this instance.
I have generally not found a problem with weeping wines with excellent fill levels & thus prepared to take a small risk if discount is reasonable enough, as was this case.
However, a VHS weeping wine is another story, as I've had some undrinkable VHS weeping wines thus I no longer bid on VHS weeping wines regardless of the age.
I did not bid on a VHS weeping wine in this instance.
Re: question Re auction purchase
Hi Paul
I buy from auctions, and one of the golden rules is the bidder should always assume the level is into the neck unless specifically stated otherwise. I definitely support your case, however I am useless in the scheme of things except to sympathise.
I'm also assuming you are referring to langtons.
Buy from Wickmans, I know he posts here so sounds a bit weird, but i have to say, I've only ever been delighted with everything I've bought from there. Easily the best auction house in town.
I buy from auctions, and one of the golden rules is the bidder should always assume the level is into the neck unless specifically stated otherwise. I definitely support your case, however I am useless in the scheme of things except to sympathise.
I'm also assuming you are referring to langtons.
Buy from Wickmans, I know he posts here so sounds a bit weird, but i have to say, I've only ever been delighted with everything I've bought from there. Easily the best auction house in town.
Re: question Re auction purchase
Michael R wrote:Hi Paul
I buy from auctions, and one of the golden rules is the bidder should always assume the level is into the neck unless specifically stated otherwise. I definitely support your case, however I am useless in the scheme of things except to sympathise.
I'm also assuming you are referring to langtons.
Buy from Wickmans, I know he posts here so sounds a bit weird, but i have to say, I've only ever been delighted with everything I've bought from there. Easily the best auction house in town.
Langtons do not have an office in Adelaide, Michael.
Cheers,
David
David
Re: question Re auction purchase
Paul, I have added some thoughts in bold type to your second post.
I've always had to pay before going out the back to pickup & so they could still refuse a refund - not a good scenario
Maybe I need to check the wines before paying next time - yes
I won about 1 dozen wines at the auction.
When I picked up I only checked off the wines against the purchase list.
Unfortunately I did not carefully inspect the ullage of each & every bottle at pickup.
I often email the auction house and query certain descriptions, however when the ullage is not described it is assumed to have excellent fill level especillay when the auction T&C says ullage will be described.
I have not previously enquired about the ullage on each and every bottle I want to bid on (prior to bidding)... I'm sure they would love me asking them to check the ullage on say, 20 to 30 bottles at each and every auction! - nor you should - the catalogue should reflect this and that's why you should get a refund.
I'm actually a regular at this auction house so I find it amazing that they refuse a refund (on something which is less then $50) when I have done nothing wrong and they have made a critical description error. - Now knowing who they are, I'm sure they will see the error of their stance, probably today, methinks.
The wine is a mid 1990's shiraz blend from a excellent SA winery although some say the winery is over rated.
I paid about 30% less then the current release price of the same wine.
However, the price is irrelevant if the wine is undrinkable & I've had some undrinkable VHS & VVHS wines previously so thats why I generally no longer purchase VHS or VVHS wines. - I have opened plenty of undrinkable wines at base of neck and higher bought at auction
I wonder if this SA auction house is struggling financially and cannot afford to refund the wine? - I would hardly think so - afford a refund, that is, it is your money they are refunding
I've always had to pay before going out the back to pickup & so they could still refuse a refund - not a good scenario
Maybe I need to check the wines before paying next time - yes
I won about 1 dozen wines at the auction.
When I picked up I only checked off the wines against the purchase list.
Unfortunately I did not carefully inspect the ullage of each & every bottle at pickup.
I often email the auction house and query certain descriptions, however when the ullage is not described it is assumed to have excellent fill level especillay when the auction T&C says ullage will be described.
I have not previously enquired about the ullage on each and every bottle I want to bid on (prior to bidding)... I'm sure they would love me asking them to check the ullage on say, 20 to 30 bottles at each and every auction! - nor you should - the catalogue should reflect this and that's why you should get a refund.
I'm actually a regular at this auction house so I find it amazing that they refuse a refund (on something which is less then $50) when I have done nothing wrong and they have made a critical description error. - Now knowing who they are, I'm sure they will see the error of their stance, probably today, methinks.
The wine is a mid 1990's shiraz blend from a excellent SA winery although some say the winery is over rated.
I paid about 30% less then the current release price of the same wine.
However, the price is irrelevant if the wine is undrinkable & I've had some undrinkable VHS & VVHS wines previously so thats why I generally no longer purchase VHS or VVHS wines. - I have opened plenty of undrinkable wines at base of neck and higher bought at auction
I wonder if this SA auction house is struggling financially and cannot afford to refund the wine? - I would hardly think so - afford a refund, that is, it is your money they are refunding
Cheers,
David
David
Re: question Re auction purchase
Thanks David
yes, i missed that its in SA. Hope it wasn't Wickmans....
yes, i missed that its in SA. Hope it wasn't Wickmans....
Re: question Re auction purchase
No it wasnt Wickmans.
It's another SA wine auction house.
I've never had a problem with Langtons, if anything Langtons are quite helpful.
Just reading my emails & looks like they are now happy to refund so I think no point naming them.
Merry Christmas to all.
It's another SA wine auction house.
I've never had a problem with Langtons, if anything Langtons are quite helpful.
Just reading my emails & looks like they are now happy to refund so I think no point naming them.
Merry Christmas to all.