Practicality/logistics of bidding collectively at auction?

[paul r.]

I was just looking at an auction catalog and saw a few older Madeiras that I would have interest in-but the quantity is more than I'd like. Just wondering if anyone is bidding together so that we aren't competing w/each other and we can lay off some of the btls. For example if there is a case of something I'd probably prefer 3btls.

not sure if this is the appropriate forum, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Pls send me a pm if you have interest-I don't post here as often as I should but I've spent some time around the boards

-paul

[Eric Ifune]

I'm always looking for old Madeira at auction, so if you find a promising lot, I might be interested.

[Andy Velebil]

I've split auction lots with others before, but it involves a lot of communication and lots of trust between the parties. One person has to be point man to place the bid, front the money, and then help coordinate shipping if the other party can't easily pick it up. Then the other party then has to pay the point man and collect his share of the wines.

Also make sure all parties are fully aware of any buyers premium, tax, shipping costs, etc. These little things can add up fast and that $100 bottle is all of a sudden $130+ and someone then saying they don't want to split the lot after all as it's too much money. just my

[Timothy B.]

I, too, would be interested, but as Andy says, there'd be bunch of stuff to sort out.

After the sticker shock of seeing what buying a single bottle of wine from winebid really cost, I am very aware of the premiums, etc.

[Moses Botbol]

I've split plenty of Lots with others. Considerations are:

- Where are the others located? Can be a problem with shipping
- Are they going to pay you or the auction house?

Generally, I only split Lots with local friends so the port is never really getting away from me, lol...

[Benjamin Sullivan]

I would love to split some good bottles from auction. As long as the wine can be shipped to my Vinfolio account in California I am in! Send an e-mail to ben_sully at shaw dot ca

[Jay Hack]

I just posted on a lot of 3 bottles of 1875 at the current AMC auction. The key is that although I would prefer to get only one bottle, I would take all three, so I can bid on the lot and hope that people send me the money if we win. The pain in the ass is the shipping. The AMC warehouse is only a 20 minute drive from my house, which is an easy pick up, but the tran-shipment is a pain.

[Roy Hersh]

Sometimes when there are lots with mixed bottles, it would be fun to do a group buy and then get together to consume the various bottles in the lot, as long as there are no duplications. Madeira is one of the safest bets at auction.