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+--- Thread: BEWARE of 55 Degrees in Napa (/thread-13460.html)
- VinoTX - 11-02-2001
BEWARE of “55 Degreesâ€
If you purchase wine direct from Napa wineries from out-of-state, you are like me. We have to find forwarders or shippers that will pick up the wine and mail it to your home or business. (Since most states are still anal in not allowing direct purchase of wine by a consumer)
WARNING! Do Not Use "55 Degrees".
My experience: I purchased one case of wine from Whitehall Lane (I’m a long-time club member and love their wines) I contracted with 55 Degrees to pick up the wine and ship it to me. They picked up the wine, unfortunately the case was packaged in 2 – 6 pac boxes. First Irritation: Of course they took the opportunity to charge me double for this pick up. Instead of $38 it cost $76. I found this a little outrageous for them to walk out with 2 boxes instead of one and double the price to me. BUT, foolish me, the “contract†says $36 per box. Got me there.
Second Irritation: Do they ship the wine to me, no. They send me an email notifying me to contact a shipper myself, arrange for pickup from them, to have it shipped to me.
Hmmm, nice service here.
Third Irritation: They waited one full month to contact me (the email above) that they had picked up my wine. I had someone there the next day to pick it up from them and ship it to me. However, what do I receive in the mail? ...a second month storage fee. Now I've had enough.
I’ve politely asked them about their service, the double pickup fee, the lateness of notification and what do I get from the owner: “I am sorry you feel that our charges are unreasonable.
I don't.......â€
I find their tactics abusive and detrimental to all of us, purchasers and supplies in the wine industry. I plan on telling this to all my friends, retailers, wineries, distributors that I know. My only satisfaction.
For your information: There are several shippers that will pick up the wine from the wineries AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, and ship it to your home. I used Buffalo Shipping Post, in Napa at (707) 226-7942, but there are many others.
BTW, Whitehall Lane was appalled by their service and refunded me half of the pickup fee because of the 2 box packaging. (Which get tossed anyway to ship in Styrofoam shippers). If you’re not familiar with Whitehall Lane, try their wines and stop by for a visit when you’re in Napa. Great people, beautiful wines.
- cpurvis - 11-02-2001
VinoTX, be sure to send a scorchin' letter to the Better Business Bureau about the problem...I've gotten good results a couple of times in ridiculous customer (dis)service situations.
cp