The Auswine Forum

Hi

It's been a while since I posted. A few years back I started accumulating wines that are currently in a wine storage locker. About 450 bottles of mostly Australian wines - some on the cheaper end of the scale, some more expensive - nothing too crazy expensive but there's some very good reviewed wines. I've since moved overseas and am unsure when I'm going to move back. About 50 of those bottles have a 'drink by' year in the next 3-4 years - although those bottles are at the cheaper end of the scale. I just don't think I'll be back to enjoy them.

I hate the idea of wasting good wine, but I'm also not interested in selling bits and pieces through the auction houses and worrying about the back and forth. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions about how to go about offloading the entire collection in one hit?

Thanks
Andrew

I recently sold 70 cases of mixed stuff thru Langtons in a ‘single vendor’ auction, and adjusted most reserves down by 5% or so and got rid of 70%. The other lots sold over the next month. This may or may not help, but it worked for me. Make sure you negotiate down their vendor commission.

Hacker wrote:I recently sold 70 cases of mixed stuff thru Langtons in a ‘single vendor’ auction, and adjusted most reserves down by 5% or so and got rid of 70%. The other lots sold over the next month. This may or may not help, but it worked for me. Make sure you negotiate down their vendor commission.

Hell I though I had a bottle or two...but 800+ in one hit...wow!

Cheers Craig

Hacker wrote:I recently sold 70 cases of mixed stuff thru Langtons in a ‘single vendor’ auction, and adjusted most reserves down by 5% or so and got rid of 70%. The other lots sold over the next month. This may or may not help, but it worked for me. Make sure you negotiate down their vendor commission.

Was this the ‘ultimate single vendor’ auction? I picked up a smattering of Louis Carillon Pulignys, some 03 Sociando Mallets and some assorted 90s red burgundies in that auction. Pretty impressive catalogue! I was disappointed to miss out on the 05 Domaine de Chevaliers but you can’t win them all. What made you decide to sell so much?

I cannot think of a simpler way to sell a bulk of mixed wine other than at auction, and probably none moreso than Langtons. If it’s more than 6 dozen they’ll pick-up for free, but you’ll need to have it boxed and labeled accurately. Other than that, you need to be prepared to set your reserves within the realms of what the auction house deems realistic. It’ll all sell, some faster than others. If it gets to the point where they’ve put a product through about eight different auctions and it still hasn’t sold, you need to drop your reserve to get a sale to avoid the auction house administering a “storage fee”. I’ve never been charged a storage fee by them, but the facility for them to apply one does exist. I still find all of this somewhat simpler than somehow finding someone to walk in off the street and offer you a realistic price for the lot. That to me would be more trouble than it’s worth, not to mention the legal ramification of selling without a license

I tried Langtons for the first time recently and found the service good. They even transferred the wines (only 6 bottles) from Adelaide free of charge. Sale prices were reasonable and money arrived quickly into the bank account. Commissions were lower than current auction house. No complaints at all and will use again although I've heard some minor adverse reports from the buying side

Carl

Thanks everyone for your responses - I had a feeling it would end up having to go to an auction house. Maybe I just need to give away some of the cheaper ones which need drinking in the next few years and then keep hold on to the good stuff

Thanks again - much appreciated.

bigglesworthy wrote:

Hacker wrote:I recently sold 70 cases of mixed stuff thru Langtons in a ‘single vendor’ auction, and adjusted most reserves down by 5% or so and got rid of 70%. The other lots sold over the next month. This may or may not help, but it worked for me. Make sure you negotiate down their vendor commission.

Was this the ‘ultimate single vendor’ auction? I picked up a smattering of Louis Carillon Pulignys, some 03 Sociando Mallets and some assorted 90s red burgundies in that auction. Pretty impressive catalogue! I was disappointed to miss out on the 05 Domaine de Chevaliers but you can’t win them all. What made you decide to sell so much?

No, it was either just after my auction or concurrent. I was the ‘Passionate’ vendor. Highlight for me was $900 plus buyer commission for a 1996 Salon

I have been collecting for 20+ years and the amount just got out of hand. I wasn’t wanting to take profits, but rather rationalise. So if I had a doz of something I would sell half. But I am still buying....

Of course you are still buying Hacker. We all suffer from the same dreaded acquisition disease.

-- George Krashos

George Krashos wrote:Of course you are still buying Hacker. We all suffer from the same dreaded acquisition disease.

-- George Krashos

+1. Just bought a case of bubbles for Xmas.

Carl

toofastdriving wrote:Hi

It's been a while since I posted. A few years back I started accumulating wines that are currently in a wine storage locker. About 450 bottles of mostly Australian wines - some on the cheaper end of the scale, some more expensive - nothing too crazy expensive but there's some very good reviewed wines. I've since moved overseas and am unsure when I'm going to move back. About 50 of those bottles have a 'drink by' year in the next 3-4 years - although those bottles are at the cheaper end of the scale. I just don't think I'll be back to enjoy them.

I hate the idea of wasting good wine, but I'm also not interested in selling bits and pieces through the auction houses and worrying about the back and forth. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions about how to go about offloading the entire collection in one hit?

Thanks
Andrew

I have sold odd bottles through Langtons and agree that they are your best option if you want to move all or most of this. The only comment I would make is that dealing with their bureaucracy through the general number can be arduous. The auction manager is very helpful and I suggest you deal direct with him if you decide to proceed - I can give you his details if you PM me.

Sigmamupi wrote:I have sold odd bottles through Langtons and agree that they are your best option if you want to move all or most of this. The only comment I would make is that dealing with their bureaucracy through the general number can be arduous. The auction manager is very helpful and I suggest you deal direct with him if you decide to proceed - I can give you his details if you PM me.

Great tip, thanks so much. Will definitely PM you if I decide to go ahead and sell.

Thanks again
Andrew