Condition is everything!

[Exciseman]

If I'm buying drinking whisky, I don't care a jot about the condition of the bottle label or the box/tube.

However, if I'm getting an expression for my collection or for my 'pension stash', condition is everything.

On another thread, I mentioned TWE causing me more than one a wasted trip to London by describing a bottling as 'perfect' which clearly wasn't (the last effort had a bashed in box top). Vitara talked of a similar experience with RMW. The Vintage House is a third retailer which (whilst having an excellent range) takes no care of its stock.

This far, my best experiences have been with LFW and with Wright Wine (who will send you photos of expensive bottlings).

Has anyone else had any problems? Or does anyone have recommendations?

[Aidan]

Maybe they pack them better for international shipping, but I've had no real problems with any of them.

[Finnegan]

Can't comment on any previously owned stock but I have never experienced any problems with deliveries from RMW or TWE, quite the opposite in fact.

[Nick Brown]

I'm not convinced that condition really matters as much as we sometimes think. Obviously a label that is completely trashed is a problem but for most bottlings even a missing box or tube won't make that much difference to resale price. That's because people buy what is there, rather than worrying about what is not.

[Exciseman]

Nick

Although it goes against accepted advice, you may have a point.

I recently disposed of a bottling on SWA which had a completely missing box. It went for far, far more than I was anticipating.

Maybe, I'm too much of a perfectionist.

Tim

[vitara7]

Maybe, I'm too much of a perfectionist.

i tend to think this is also partly my problem. hence the reason i only ever buy bottles i can go an collect in person, with the exception of the likes of the laphroaig feis iles and the balvenie cooper, stuff that can only be posted.

when its an actual collection, and your trying your best to get bottles, you do tend to raise your standards of expectation.

im personally the type, i could be going to the same shop for years without an issue, but one problem, and ill never go back.

[Drew]

The last couple of purchases I have received from LMDW have been vacuum packed which crushes the boxes. I don't really mind when it's a drinker but it does annoy me when it's for my collection. The latest one was a bottle of Amrut Potonova, a nice box with magnetic seal but crushed beyond repair.

[solera]

Annoying polystyrene chips aside I find TWE to ship in perfect condition on every occasion I've shopped with them - and that's more than a few parcels! Not had an issue with RMW or LFW either. SMWS also ship in very good condition.

[Willie JJ]

I recently disposed of a bottling on SWA which had a completely missing box.

Can you have a partly missing box?

[vitara7]

that actually reminds me of the actual reason i stopped using RMW. they used to put stupid labels on the backs of bottles,(maybe they still do) roughly about 50mm x 20mm basicly advertising for the shop, somthing along the lines of "running out come buy more" they were the cheap type of label that couldn't be properly pulled of. in addition this, they must have been encountering a shoplifting problem as they were also sticking on RFID stickers about 25mm x 25mm which you just cant remove without leaving loads of cement like residue on the bottle.

to make matters worse, they were sticking them on limited edition bottles overlapping the rear labels, in fact from memory, they were sticking both labels of theirs overlapping rear labels. so if you did try to get them off, you had to damage to label, now as a collector, thats a big no no.

when trying to buy something, cant remember what is was now, probably some uber limited must have release of ledaig or something of equal quality, (sarcasum btw), i asked for a bottle without a RFID tag on it, as i got "stung" with one before on a balblair 38yo i think it was, i was told i couldn't, they all had the tags on it.

does anyone know if they still stick either the advertising label on bottles or the RFID tags?

[mongo]

unless they're selling something specifically as a collectible it seems difficult to fault them for trying to protect their stock.

everything twe has sent me has always been perfectly packed as well, and i don't find those peanuts to be so terribly objectionable either--though i do prefer whiskybase's bubble-wrap based approach.

[Nick Brown]

when trying to buy something, cant remember what is was now, probably some uber limited must have release of ledaig or something of equal quality, (sarcasum btw), i asked for a bottle without a RFID tag on it, as i got "stung" with one before on a balblair 38yo i think it was, i was told i couldn't, they all had the tags on it.

does anyone know if they still stick either the advertising label on bottles or the RFID tags?

I never really minded the Ruinning Out stickers as that just added to the "authenticity" of the product. I can't imagine a collecotr in future years would worry too much about it either. But the RFID squares were really annoying as they were ugly, bulky and invariably put on crooked. I refused a bottle of OB North Port once because they had slapped these stickers on the stock (apparently by mistake). They really had no need to put these stickers on stock kept on the shelves behind the till - just on the cheap stuff on the main shelves that could easily fall into an open bag.

[bpbleus]

I side with the complainers. I have had many shipments from TWE showing that their shipping department not always give the care and attention it should. The worst was a box (with 12 bottles) that was filled only halfway with peanuts. The bottles survived the transatlantic trip, which proved the fact that miracles do happen, even outside the context of religion. I have had piles of inserts, boxes and tins that were damaged because the bottles were not properly secured in their containers. However, on the positive side, I have never had a problem asking for a replacement box (to be send with a next order).

[orange_barnet]

Condition may not necessarily be everything.... but it can mean a lot (as anyone who has ever had a 'bad hair' day will understand). It all depends on how important it is to create the right impression, and why.

[Nick Brown]

Presumably if you ask for a replacement box for one which has been damaged in transit, someone down the line will be sold the bottle without a box.

The duck, in case anyone in interested, is a tufted duck. These are often seen in the Water of Leith just near the SMWS.

[vitara7]

unless they're selling something specifically as a collectible it seems difficult to fault them for trying to protect their stock.

the bottles the genral public can touch and get near, yes, you can understand the RFID tags being on them, but when the bottle is sold as a collectable, is on the top shelf almost behind the counter that the staff have to go and get a ladder or steps themselfs in order to reach, or that are down in the store room which is off limits to the robbing public, then i dont think theres any need.

[orange_barnet]

I'm not convinced that condition really matters as much as we sometimes think. Obviously a label that is completely trashed is a problem but for most bottlings even a missing box or tube won't make that much difference to resale price. That's because people buy what is there, rather than worrying about what is not.

I agree.

Whilst damaged packaging might be irritating if I was buying for myself, I would not be unduly concerned. However if I was buying for someone else, I would be more concerned.

Presumably if you ask for a replacement box for one which has been damaged in transit, someone down the line will be sold the bottle without a box.

I imagine so.

The duck, in case anyone in interested, is a tufted duck. These are often seen in the Water of Leith just near the SMWS.

Thanks for the duck info Nick! I shall be looking out for these tufted ducks in the Water of Leith... I may spot one next week as I'll have the pleasure of being in Edinburgh.

[Aidan]

LMdW have a strange packaging contraption. Plastic is stretched over the box using an kind of cardboard leaver and it crushes any paper box, slightly. Not much, though.

[mongo]

the bottles the genral public can touch and get near, yes, you can understand the RFID tags being on them, but when the bottle is sold as a collectable, is on the top shelf almost behind the counter that the staff have to go and get a ladder or steps themselfs in order to reach, or that are down in the store room which is off limits to the robbing public, then i dont think theres any need.

you seem to have missed this bit in my post even while quoting it.

unless they're selling something specifically as a collectible it seems difficult to fault them for trying to protect their stock.

[ktothec]

Well, I'm kinda a collector and I personally hate it when the boxes or labels are damaged or the bottle has other stickers or security stuff on it. Some/most websites use official pictures to sell their bottles so there's no indication whatsoever of the state the box, label or bottle is in. Not really a problem if the bottles are new, except for packaging that damages the boxes. But when they're selling a bottle they re-bought themselves from customers or at an auction or from their personal collection I personally think they should clearly state/indicate that there is some damage visible.

Recently bought 2 bottles of Kilchoman Inaugural Release with damaged boxes (whiskysite.nl) and an Octomore 01.1 with a slightly damaged tube (not that bad actually, but still, no mention of it on thebondingdram.be). Not to pleased with the Kilchomans when I opened the box it came in.

Packaging is crucial when you're sending collectable and/or expensive bottles. At least be transparent on the website!

Luckily there are a lot of online shops who do an excellent job. Big ups to them !!!

[Exciseman]

Another 'run in' today for me with a UK retailer.

Yesterday, I saw an expensive collectible whisky on this retailer's website. So, I sent a very polite e-mail requesting that someone call me about condition.

I duly received a call today. I was told that there were issues with the luxury presentation boxes. When I commented that this was a great pity, the response that I got was surprising.

Not "terribly sorry that they're not perfect". More along the lines of "what did you expect?".

It was almost as if the retailer perceived selling a bashed up product as acceptable.

Well, it isn't!!!! Maybe for a bottle destined to be immediately cracked open. But not otherwise.

Thanks to some excellent suppliers, every bottle that I have at home is perfect. Needless to say, I'll stick with these suppliers and not the retailer that contacted me today.

[Nick Brown]

It was almost as if the retailer perceived selling a bashed up product as acceptable.

Well, it isn't!!!! Maybe for a bottle destined to be immediately cracked open. But not otherwise.

But what would you expect a retailer to do with stock that isn't in perfect condition? Throw it out? All retailers sell stock that isn't in perfect condition (go to a bookshop if you want a ready example) and it is up to the customer to check things out if they want pristine products. And that's what you did. Many retailers would knock a pound off for stock that has obvious blemishes but I think expecting them to be apologetic is unrealistic.

[Exciseman]

It wasn't the fact that the retailer had imperfect stock. More, that she got ratty when I was disappointed at the fact.

[jsaliga]

Then you should take your business elsewhere. No point in getting bothered about a business that doesn't cater specifically to your needs. Customers who demand perfection are usually the most costly and difficult to please because they often have an inflated sense of entitlement. I'm not saying that describes you, but excessively demanding customers tend to lower profit margins (unless the business is expressly set up for that sort of clientele) and reduce the quality of customer service.

--Jerome

[bpbleus]

If a retailer lists a premium product for a premium price, the customer may reasonably expect it is in premium condition and will be shipped with premium care. If the product is not in pristine condition, the advertisement should say so. Period.

'Second hand' bottles should always be listed with pictures of the bottle and presentation materials actually being offered.

The above is so obvious that I don't understand this could be subject for discussion. Substandard practices of some retailers is a subject worthy of discussion, but to be really helpful, their identity should be revealed.