Buyers FAQs
Q: How do I do a 'Wanted to Buy', so that I be notified when something I’m looking for is listed?
A: All you need to do is go to the 'Buy' section of whatever you are looking for, and complete the filters (eg 'Sauv Blanc' & 'Marlborough'). Below the 'Search' button, you will find "save this search". Check that your settings in 'My Vintrade' are set for you to be emailed by editing your account. Lower on the screen is a tick-box that asks if you would like to ‘Email me when new listings are added matching one of my saved searches’. Tick that box.
Also whenever you request a sample, Vintrade will automatically save that search for you.
Q: How do I know the wine or products are any good?
A: Next to any item listed is a ‘Request Sample’ button. When you click this, an email is sent to the seller with a request to deliver a sample to you. If you need to the item to be sent to a different address to the delivery address specified in your Vintrade account, the option is there.
Q: I requested a sample and it hasn’t turned up!
A: A seller does not have to provide a sample – they may have been inundated with sample requests, or he may have decided to only send out a limited number of samples. If you check the 'Request Sample' button, you will see the number of samples requests by potential buyers so far, in a little circle. This may provide a clue that the auction lot is very popular.
Q: What price shall I bid?
A: You can bid whatever price you think is fair. The seller will probably not sell it until reserve is reached, but you might as well have a go! Note that bid prices can only be placed in increments of one cent (no decimals-of-cents bids, even for screwcaps!). If you are unsure of what the true market price is, check the Market Reporting section of Vintrade. This will tell you what price people have been paying on Vintrade over the past few months, and you will be able to see trends. Note that the price you bid does not include GST, Excise, ALAC or freight.
Q: Will the auction auto-extend?
A: No. Whatever is the highest bid at the time the seller has set as the finish time will become the winner of the auction.
A note on last-minute bids: There is a risk that your last-minute bids will not be processed or will not be the highest bid at the time of closing. We encourage you to place your highest bid well before the auction closes to ensure it is procesed by our servers.
Q: What if I want to narrow my search?
A: when searching for items, there is a 'Keyword Search' box. Put anything in there that is relevant to you, eg: "2013" if you are looking only for the coming vintage, or 'Oak' if you are only interested in oaked wines
Q: Is there any charge for buying?
A: No. Currently the use of the site is free for WineWorks customers. If any charge is levied in the future, it will not be levied on you, the buyer
Q: What certificates do I need to buy wine?
A: None. However a Sellers should provide a Statutory Declaration detailing composition of the wine, SWNZ compliance and how 'organic' it is. If these are not attached to the listing, use the Question and Answer functionality to satisfy your requests before placing a bid.
Q: Is excise and GST included?
A: Vintrade prices are quoted exclusive of GST, Excise and ALAC. After you have successfully bid for an item, you will receive an email that adds GST to the price you bid, as Vintrade transactions are business-to-business. If excise is payable under normal NZ Customs criteria then you, the buyer, will need to add that to the price as well. The seller should provide an invoice, as per normal business procedure.
Q: Can I have more than one user set up for my company?
A: No. But if you have requested a sample, and need the item to be sent to another address (your home, or another part of your business), you can specify a different delivery address to the one set up in your Vintrade Account.
Q: Can I arrange a tender for Sellers to supply me with bulk wine?
A: Not yet, but click here to let the Vintrade team know that this option interests you.