Shipping Options, Questions on seasonality and inbound shipping Options

[Richard O]

A Question: If i purchase a wine from a collector on the Marketplace, do i have an option for the collector to keep the wine and hold it for cooler weather to ship? There is a bunch of wine that i would like to bid on, but i DO NOT-UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE- want ANY wine that i own to be shipped anywhere in the US during the summer months...what are my options? Not bid on any wine?

Thanks!

Richard

[Kristin Vinfolio]

Hi Richard,
We're receiving a lot of questions and requests for more details on our inbound shipping guidelines so I appreciate you posting your questions. Your questions and feedback also help us to refine these guidelines as we move forward. I've included some specifics below and we'll continue to improve our communications on these policies.

If i purchase a wine from a collector on the Marketplace, do i have an option for the collector to keep the wine and hold it for cooler weather to ship? No, we don't support this option currently. However, you do have the option of limiting your bid to wine in Vinfolio storage. You can do so by selecting the Location option of "Vinfolio storage" when placing your bid.

Shipping speed determination:
We do an automated check of the 10-day weather forecast using Accuweather.com at the time the seller goes through the shipping wizard (to package up what may be multiple bid acceptances at that time). This is when the speed is determined, and when shipping labels and packing lists are printed by the seller. If the high temperature at either end (originating or receiving) is 80 or above on a single day within the 10 day forecast, the transit time shortens to a max of 2 days. If it is 90 or above on a single day within the 10 day forecast, it goes to overnight. In cold weather, there is a reciprocal process. The triggers are 20 degrees and 10 degrees. The shipping cost to the seller doesn't vary based on speed.

[Kristin Vinfolio]

A similar question "Why don't you just let the buyer and seller both agree to have the wine stored at the seller's until it's safe to ship?" was posted on Mark Squire's Bulletin Board here.

I have included Steve Bachmann's response for a possible solution. We will add this to our product roadmap and continue to build out requirements internally, but wanted to put it out to our users for feedback.

From Bidder's perspective

1. Bidder specifies a “weather hold” requirement as a bid parameter (only when"any location" parameter is also specified as a "weather hold" would be NA if the bid is limited to wine in Storage).
2. Bidder should be prepared to accept a potentially extended delay (even months) in receiving his wine. The actual delay may not occur as it depends on the "accepting Seller's" wine location. E.g., an "any location" bid might be accepted by someone with wine in Vinfolio Storage.
3. Perhaps the bid also specifies what temperature conditions must apply when shipping the Bidder's purchase (80-90 with 2-day, or 70s or below only with 3-day).
4. Upon bid acceptance by a Seller, the Bidder's credit card is charged as with any acceptance.
5. Bidder gets benefit of knowing whatever Seller's wine fills his order will be sent per his precise specification (or better).

From Seller's perspective

1. Seller would need to accept the "weather hold" restriction as part of the bid acceptance process.
2. Sellers accepting bids during extreme hot (or cold) conditions get extra assurance that their wine will not be damaged in shipment to Vinfolio.
3. Seller knows the wine is sold and paid for (with money effectively escrowed by us) and may accept such weather-restricted bids at any time of the year. However, payment to Seller will be delayed as all wine must still be received and pass inspection by Vinfolio first.
4. Seller may be able to accumulate additional bid acceptances to ship more efficiently later (the standard two week shipment deadline is essentially extended for such bids).
5. By accepting the bid, Seller is agreeing to defer shipping until emailed by Vinfolio to do so (perhaps starting after some fixed date in the Fall and Spring but still subject to a weather check).
6. The shipment request email would be triggered based on Vinfolio auto-checking the weather forecast for relevant pending shipments (say on Sundays before Monday-Tuesday shipping dates) until a shipping window opens up.
7. Sellers may be permitted some ability to temporarily “suspend shipment requests” in case they are traveling.
8. If the transaction is later cancelled by Seller or Seller fails to ship after multiple requests, the Bidder's credit card is refunded and the Seller is charged the normal penalty fees. Repeated failures by the Seller to comply will lead to losing their Marketplace selling privileges.

The challenge in implementing something like this will be to make it simple to use and not confusing. Any reactions would be appreciated.

[TannicTony]

A similar question "Why don't you just let the buyer and seller both agree to have the wine stored at the seller's until it's safe to ship?" was posted on Mark Squire's Bulletin Board here.

I have included Steve Bachmann's response for a possible solution. We will add this to our product roadmap and continue to build out requirements internally, but wanted to put it out to our users for feedback.

From Bidder's perspective

1. Bidder specifies a “weather hold” requirement as a bid parameter (only when"any location" parameter is also specified as a "weather hold" would be NA if the bid is limited to wine in Storage).
2. Bidder should be prepared to accept a potentially extended delay (even months) in receiving his wine. The actual delay may not occur as it depends on the "accepting Seller's" wine location. E.g., an "any location" bid might be accepted by someone with wine in Vinfolio Storage.
3. Perhaps the bid also specifies what temperature conditions must apply when shipping the Bidder's purchase (80-90 with 2-day, or 70s or below only with 3-day).
4. Upon bid acceptance by a Seller, the Bidder's credit card is charged as with any acceptance.
5. Bidder gets benefit of knowing whatever Seller's wine fills his order will be sent per his precise specification (or better).

From Seller's perspective

1. Seller would need to accept the "weather hold" restriction as part of the bid acceptance process.
2. Sellers accepting bids during extreme hot (or cold) conditions get extra assurance that their wine will not be damaged in shipment to Vinfolio.
3. Seller knows the wine is sold and paid for (with money effectively escrowed by us) and may accept such weather-restricted bids at any time of the year. However, payment to Seller will be delayed as all wine must still be received and pass inspection by Vinfolio first.
4. Seller may be able to accumulate additional bid acceptances to ship more efficiently later (the standard two week shipment deadline is essentially extended for such bids).
5. By accepting the bid, Seller is agreeing to defer shipping until emailed by Vinfolio to do so (perhaps starting after some fixed date in the Fall and Spring but still subject to a weather check).
6. The shipment request email would be triggered based on Vinfolio auto-checking the weather forecast for relevant pending shipments (say on Sundays before Monday-Tuesday shipping dates) until a shipping window opens up.
7. Sellers may be permitted some ability to temporarily “suspend shipment requests” in case they are traveling.
8. If the transaction is later cancelled by Seller or Seller fails to ship after multiple requests, the Bidder's credit card is refunded and the Seller is charged the normal penalty fees. Repeated failures by the Seller to comply will lead to losing their Marketplace selling privileges.

The challenge in implementing something like this will be to make it simple to use and not confusing. Any reactions would be appreciated.

From both a seller and bidders perspective, I think this would be a great option. Given that most people who purchase wine during very hot or cold weather prefer to hold shipping, this option would be accepted. I think this option will attract more bidders.

[SlyFoxVintner]

Are shipments insured, and if so for what value, auction, appraised, or replacement? Is it possible to add insurance for a fee if it is not? Just curious, it's kind of unnerving thinking of fedex throwing a couple of thousand dollars worth of wine around with the seller assuming all liability.

Thanks,

Zac