Selling wines

I've read on this and several other sites that people sell their wines. I know that there are internet sites like winebid.com and a few others. In general, how much of your wines do you sell, what type of wine sells and where do you sell them. This is more of a curiosity for me since I live in MA where it is probably illegal to do most of this due to the restrictions that they have. Thanks in advance.

I, for one, Michael, do not sell my wines and generally wouldn't think to do so. Once, I recall, the thought did cross my mind (it was a short distance to be sure) simply because the wine in question was purchased for about $40 and was on sale years later for more than $500 per bottle. With a kid in college and two more about to be, it might have helped. But all in all, a few thousand dollars on two or three 4-year college bills - heck, I'll need to wine just to be able to write the checks.
There was a post recently about selling wine on e-bay. Perhaps you can go to e-bay and get an idea of what's happening.
I hope you get the answers your looking for.
JP

[Robin Garr]

Michael, I've never sold or bought a wine at auction, but as I understand it, most of the auction sites handle the details and paperwork for you, and the traditional houses, at least, take shipment from you (so they can evaluate the wine and ensure that it really exists, I guess) and handle shipment to the buyer. How that plays out with individual state laws, I really don't know, although most state laws govern shipping IN (for tax and perhaps for alcoholic-beverage control reasons) but don't pay much attention to individuals shipping OUT.

Thanks Robin and Jon,

I appreciate the information. It was more a curiousity as I never knew how this could be done. The statements made in other threads though seem to make it sound like it something that is done all the time.

Not sure I would have anything others want anyways. Actually, living in MA, I'm more interested in how to get wine IN. The shipping laws here are just BRUTAL!!!

Rather than going through any hassle to sell bottles of wine from your collection, think about donating some of it.

I sit on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations, and I can assure you they are very grateful for gifts like this. I am always donating wine (single bottles, doubles, triples, and tastings) during the year to local non-profits, who use them in blind auctions.

Try it, you'll like it.

-- Clark

[Robin Garr]

Rather than going through any hassle to sell bottles of wine from your collection, think about donating some of it.

I sit on the Board of Directors for two non-profit organizations, and I can assure you they are very grateful for gifts like this. I am always donating wine (single bottles, doubles, triples, and tastings) during the year to local non-profits, who use them in blind auctions.

Try it, you'll like it.

Very good advice, Clark. I get a LOT of unsolicited winery freebies, and as a matter of policy, I decline to review them. But a number of local charities are very happy indeed to have them, either for sale at fund-raisers (silent auctions and such) or to serve at wine-and-cheese tastings. I do sometimes wonder if this violates the letter of ABC laws, but as long as it's charitable and benefit, nobody (in this state, anyway) is likely to do anything about it.

although most state laws govern shipping IN (for tax and perhaps for alcoholic-beverage control reasons) but don't pay much attention to individuals shipping OUT.

The opposite is true with UPS. We have no problem with shipping IN with them; the driver smiles and says "Here's your wine!" However, you have to lie to them to get them ship OUT; "'er that's bottled liquids in there."

[Robin Garr]

although most state laws govern shipping IN (for tax and perhaps for alcoholic-beverage control reasons) but don't pay much attention to individuals shipping OUT.

The opposite is true with UPS. We have no problem with shipping IN with them; the driver smiles and says "Here's your wine!" However, you have to lie to them to get them ship OUT; "'er that's bottled liquids in there."

Slightly different angle there, though: UPS isn't worried about you breaking the law in your state, they're concerned about accepting a delivery that may be illegal at the receiving end. In my experience, they'll accept from business shippers on a don't-ask, don't-tell basis, but they're more wary of shipments from private individuals.

Again, though, your state's law doesn't likely address the issue of shipping alcohol out, even if UPS doesn't want to do it.

Thanks for the donation advice. I never thought about it that way. You are right. I always go to drop off stuff. I will ask them next time if they or someone else will accept some.

You can always ask us Massholes if we want anything