This week's Netscape Forum poll: Buying wine online?

[Robin Garr]

Now that more than a year has passed since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on shipping wine direct to consumers across state lines, many states have passed new legislation bringing their rules into compliance. Some, like New York, have opened the doors to consumer freedom of choice; others, under intense lobbying from wholesale business interests, have slammed the door shut. This week's Netscape WineLovers Community poll seeks to discern how much the online wine-buying scene has shifted. Please take a moment to cast a vote, no matter where in the world you live.

Remember, you don't need to log in to vote in the Netscape Forum polls. Here's the link:

Buying wine online?

[James Roscoe]

I live in Maryland. Greedy distributors continue to keep me from ever being able to use the internet to purchase wine on the 'Net. Like Mel Gibson in Braveheart, all I can do is shout "Freedom!"

[Robin Garr]

I live in Maryland. Greedy distributors continue to keep me from ever being able to use the internet to purchase wine on the 'Net. Like Mel Gibson in Braveheart, all I can do is shout "Freedom!"

Don't be so quick to despair, James ... I live in Kentucky, which the wholesalers chose as their pilot model for the felony-law scam, apparently because our legislature is so cheap and easy to buy. But the law doesn't deter a fair share of vendors from sending in wine until someone tells them to stop. No matter where you live, the F-word almost certainly doesn't apply on first offense. Rather than assuming nobody will ship to you, it's worth asking.

[James Roscoe]

I would prefer not to violate the law, even stupid idiotic ones. Although I have been known to jaywalk now and then and don't ask about speed limits. In general I prefer to stay on the right side of the law. I also don't like technicalities. I would prefer to live in a straight-forward reciprical state.

[Robin Garr]

I would prefer not to violate the law, even stupid idiotic ones. Although I have been known to jaywalk now and then and don't ask about speed limits. In general I prefer to stay on the right side of the law. I also don't like technicalities. I would prefer to live in a straight-forward reciprical state.

I'd prefer to have my state BE a straightforward reciprocal state, James.

I think you're being overly cautious, though. Assuming that Maryland's law is similar to Kentucky's (and as far as I know, they all follow the same WSWA-written model), it's important to understand two points: First, YOU are not breaking any law if you receive alcohol direct from the vendor. The vendor may be, but you are not. Second, virtually all these state laws are based on a two-strike policy: It's only an offense if the vendor <i>continues to ship</i> after a warning has been issued. As long as the vendor has received no warning, his hands are clean.

Just to echo what Robin said, I live in Maryland and have found some vendors willing to ship. Not all, of course, but some do. And more are willing to do it in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision, regardless of its inapplicability.

I didn't vote as a UK perspective might cloud the figures.

FWIW I do buy more off the net these days, as I know more of what I'd like and I'm prepared to hunt around for it. Some issues remain, which might affect peoples enjoyment from the wine:

- You can't see the storage conditions of the wine. It might be a temperature controlled warehouse, a subterraneum cellar or a glass fronted sauna of a shop

- Shipping: Standard of couriers in UK is dire. Two separate instances of breakages in about a dozen deliveries. On top of that, wine shipped in summer will be handled by people who know nothing about wine and it may be left somewhere very hot.

Whilst these are factors, I see myself buying more and more over the web and we're starting to see a new breed of independant merchant, specialising in wine from a country or region (or 2-3 of them). Languedoc, Beaujolais, Germany, South Australia, Italy, Tuscany, Spain, Australia, NZ all have their specialists (in some cases many of them). This local expertise can be a real bonus.

regards

Ian

Has anyone tried buying wine on Ebay? If so, what have your experience been? I'm curious because I've seen some pretty interesting stuff on there, but I'm nervous about bidding because I have no idea how reliable the seller is or how well s/he has taken care of the bottle.

Hey Robin:

Kentucky??? Aren't there nothing but back wood stills out there? Ha ha. Thanks for stirring this one up - there's a good thread I posted to called PA MONOPOLY that is rant-friendly...

DP

[James Roscoe]

Just to echo what Robin said, I live in Maryland and have found some vendors willing to ship. Not all, of course, but some do. And more are willing to do it in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision, regardless of its inapplicability.

I have a friend who gets stuff shipped in from some Central Coast wineries. I also know people who live in Virginia. I could give them that address. It all just p****s me off though.

Lizbeth,
Can those of us held in bondage in PA buy off of E-BAY? Please tell me how?

I do buy online as living rurally in PA that's my only option to remotely get a selection without driving for hours.

"Can those of us held in bondage in PA buy off of E-BAY? Please tell me how?"


I haven't tried (yet), but about 1/2 of the vendors say that they will ship to PA. From some rumors (mostly heard while waiting in line for a package at the UPS store), most of the places are shipping the wine as "ceramics" or "olive oil" and no one really seems to care. The only problem is if you have insurance on the package, the shipper will not refund anything if the product is technically not supposed to be shipped. But it's still really tempting.