Winewebb is a leading online marketplace for fine wines.
Our marketplace connects collectors, chefs and sommeliers to extraordinary fine and rare wines. We feature listings from a worldwide network of producers and collectors. Each wine has been thoroughly vetted by our in-house experts.
Our best-in-class platform allows you to bid on wines at auctions. You can also become a member of one or more of our specialised and highly curated communities and buy the wines offered directly in these communities (deals).
Auctions
Where and how is my wine stored once it has been estimated?
At every stage of the sale (from receipt to dispatch) the bottles are stored in a secure facility at an appropriate temperature. Winewebb holds an insurance policy covering wine stored on behalf of the seller.
Who sets the reserve price?
The reserve price is the start bid for a lot. A lot will not be sold below the start bid. The start bid is set by Winewebb on behalf of the seller.
How long does the auction last?
Each auction sale lasts approximately ten days. During this period, your lots will be given prominent exposure and high visibility on our website. Expect a period of three weeks to a month between the delivery of your wines at our warehouse and them being published for auction.
How much is the seller's commission?
At auction, you are charged a seller's commission once your lots have been sold and before payment is settled. It includes the cost of expertise, insurance, and wine storage prior to sale. It also considers Winewebb advertisement of your wine to its global customer base. Our seller commission is five (5) percent of the hammer price.
Can I track the sale of my wines in real time?
You can follow your lots throughout the sale. You can use your account to track bids on each of your lots in real time (see My Bids).
What are the payment terms?
Winewebb makes a commitment to complete the transaction promptly once a buyer has been found, and payment is guaranteed. You will be paid electronically within 35 days after the sales transaction.
Who is responsible for transporting the wine?
For the transit of your bottles to Winewebb, you can choose from three (3) options:
Drop off your bottles at our storage warehouse: you can drop off your bottles directly in our warehouse by making an appointment at least 72h in advance, bringing an identity document with you;
Pick up by Winewebb (we will give a cost estimate for this);
Transport by post through our trusted partners or by your own means.
How much will it cost for my wines to be picked up?
The transport cost will vary depending on the quantity and value of the bottles you are selling, as well as your location. Our teams are at your service to provide a quote. You can equally choose to deliver the bottles yourself, or to have them delivered by a courier of your choice.
Are the wines insured during transport?
All our transportation is value insured. In the case of an accident during transport, your wines are reimbursed at the median value of the estimation given (between the high and low estimate).
Should I prepare specific packaging for transport?
Whatever mode of transport is chosen, the wines must travel in adapted packaging. In the case that you choose for collection by Winewebb, we will provide special packaging. If you choose any other option for sending, you must use adapted packaging (wooden cases or cardboard boxes). We can also provide you with these on request, the price of this service depending on the quantity and your location.
How will I know that my wine has been received?
Winewebb will inform you by email when your wine is received.
How do I receive proof that you have received my wines?
Before your wines are auctioned, you will receive a conciliation agreement confirming that the wines have been received and accepted. You will receive an email with a link to this agreement, once the wines have been checked and integrated onto our system.
Can I fix a minimum price for the sale of my wines?
During the evaluation of your cellar, Winewebb will give you a high and low estimate for each bottle. The low estimate will be the reserve price (start bid) during the auction. Our specialists reserve the right to review and, if necessary, lower the estimate price once the bottles are received if they do not conform to the description and/or photos provided. Your agreement will be required for the bottles to be put up for sale at a modified price. Winewebb also reserves the right to refuse to sell bottles that have not been preserved in a satisfactory manner.
Can estimates be revised after appraisal?
The estimations given are calculated on the basis that the wines have been stored in optimal conditions. They can be revised following the meticulous appraisal of the bottles, and price cuts of between 5 and 30% can be applied. The most frequent reasons for changing estimations are the following:
a lower level than previously stated;
a stained, dirty, scratched and/or damaged label;
an illegible vintage;
a damaged capsule;
a foreign export bottle;
a scratched serial number.
How will I know the result of my wines in the sale?
Once the auction is closed, you will receive an email detailing the results for each of the lots up for sale. You can also follow your lots throughout the sale. You can use your account to track bids and the hammer price on each of your lots in real time.
What happens if some of my wines are not sold?
If your wines don't find a buyer during the auction, they are automatically entered into the next auction at no extra cost.
Can I take unsold bottles back?
Once the auction is closed, it is possible for you to pick up any bottles that haven't been sold at no extra cost (except any transport costs). To do this you have to make an appointment at least 72 hours before the desired pickup date.
Bidding
How can I find and be alerted about wines I'm interested in?
You can get updates about lots and wines that you're interested in through setting up your favourites. You can use our Winepedia encyclopaedia to select your favourite wines, vintages, vineyards, and producers. Just select the 'hart' symbol in the righthand corner of the wine(s) you are interested in. When you have selected your favourite, our system will automatically generate timely alerts. This way you'll never miss out on your favourite lots or wines.
What countries can I place bids from?
Unfortunately, we are not able to support bidding from all countries around the world. We are working hard on making this possible in the future, as we would like to offer our services to even more users worldwide. If you come from a country that is not supported now, we apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause.
How is the next minimum bid calculated?
Our system calculates the next minimum bid based on the current highest bid. This table gives the exact numbers:
Current bid
Next minimum bid
€0 - €45
+ €5
€50 - €140
+ €10
€150 - €230
+ €20
€250 - €775
+ €25
€800 - €1,250
+ €50
€1,300 - €2,400
+ €100
€2,500 - €4,750
+ €250
€5,000 - €14,500
+ €500
> €15,000
+ €1,000
The reason we do this is to make sure only bidders who are serious about taking the lot home will bid. This stops people from driving up the price by placing many smaller bids in the last stages of the auction.For an automatic bid, we also use the same bidding increments shown in the table above.
How is it possible that someone won the auction with a bid placed after the indicated hammer time?
When your bid is placed in the last ten (10) seconds of an auction, extra time will be added to the indicated hammer time. This gives all bidders an equal opportunity to win a lot.
Why are bidding times for some lots occasionally made longer?
We want to make sure that each bidder has a chance to make that special lot theirs, so we have a system in place for last-minute bids. If a bid is placed within the last ten (10) seconds of an auction, an extra ten (10) seconds will be added to the end time (hammer time) of that auction. This creates a “buffer” to avoid multiple bids being placed within the closing seconds of an auction. For example: if a bid is placed five (5) seconds before the auction hammer time, the hammer time is extended by ten (10) seconds. At that point, the auction would then end in fifteen (15) seconds.
Can I use my own preferred currency to bid?
Winewebb only allows its customers to bid in Euro’s. In the near future you will be able to place bids in your own preferred currency.
Automatic bids
What is an automatic bid and how does it work?
An automatic bid, or autobid, is a great way to stick to your budget and stay on top! You’re in full control — you decide the maximum amount you’re willing to bid and we take care of the fuss.All you need to do is decide on the maximum you’re willing to bid for a lot. From there, we’ll place the next minimum bid for you (find out what the next minimum bid is in chapter “Bidding”). Unlike a manual bid, you don’t need to keep checking in and rebidding. If another bidder outbids you, we’ll place a bid for you to put you back on top (always in the smallest possible increments).However, we’ll never go above the limit you’ve set. If someone bids above your limit, we’ll let you know and then you can decide if you want to place another bid.
How do I set a limit on my automatic bid?
You’re in full control of your automatic bid limit. You can decide the exact limit, and it’s quick and easy to set. It’s important to remember we’ll always stop at the limit you’ve set.On the lot detail page you want to bid on, you’ll see a button that says “Autobid”. To the left of this button is an empty field, where you can enter the maximum amount for your auto bid. You can enter your limit into this field and click the “Autobid” button to create an auto bid with your chosen maximum amount.From here, we’ll place the next minimum bid for you. If someone outbids you and you haven’t reached your maximum, we’ll bid again on your behalf. We always bid the smallest amount necessary to put you back on top.
Can I change the amount of my automatic bid after I placed it?
If you wish to lower the amount of your autobid, unfortunately this is not possible. Whether it’s a regular bid or an automatic bid, you can’t lower or cancel a bid you’ve placed on Winewebb. If you wish to increase the amount, however, then yes, you can. To increase the limit of your automatic bid, just place another autobid by entering your new maximum and clicking the button ‘Increase’.
What happens when I reach my automatic bid limit?
We’ll stop bidding on your behalf and we’ll let you know that you’ve reached your limit.We’ll never bid above the limit you’ve set, so you can rest assured you’re always in full control.From there, you can decide if you’d like to keep bidding, by placing either an autobid with a new limit or a manual bid.
Who can see my automatic bid?
Your autobid is private which means no other customers can see it, only we can see it. You can also see it and keep track of your autobids.Other bidders and the seller can’t see your autobid limit or even that you’ve set an autobid.When a bid is placed, all customers can see it in the bid history section of the lot page. However, they can’t see whether a bid is a manual bid or part of an autobid.
Can I cancel my automatic bid?
Unfortunately not. To keep things fair for other bidders and our sellers, you can’t cancel any bids you have placed on Winewebb. You also can’t lower your autobid limit once you’ve set it.
Can I place an automatic bid if I already have the highest bid?
Yes, you can! An autobid is a great strategy for staying on top without having to keep checking if you’ve been outbid.If you’re already the highest bidder and you set an autobid, we won’t bid again for you unless someone else outbids you. We will never go above the limit you’ve set for your autobid. So you’re in full control.
What happens if I place an automatic bid in the last minute of the auction?
If you place an autobid in the last ten (10) seconds of an auction, we’ll extend the auction end time by ten (10) seconds. This gives other bidders a chance to decide whether they’d like to bid again. If another bidder does bid again and you haven’t reached your autobid limit, we’ll place another bid on your behalf and add another 60 seconds to the auction end time.
Bidding issues
Why has my account been blocked for bidding?
If your account has been blocked from bidding, it is possible that you have outstanding payments.
This can happen if you've not paid for a lot you've won within the designated time frame. As all bids are binding on Winewebb, you are required to purchase any lot you win. When you win a lot, we will send you multiple payment reminders and if you do not submit your payment in time, your account will be blocked from bidding and buying.
Please have a look on your “My Orders” page. Here you will be able to see any outstanding unpaid orders you have. In the instance that your order has been cancelled, you are still required to pay the auction fee (10% of the winning bid).
As soon as your payment for any outstanding invoices has been processed, you can bid in our auctions again. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, please be aware that it may take up to two working days to process your payment and restore your bidding rights. We therefore recommend using one of the direct payment options available on our online payment page.
If your account has been blocked and you would like more information, please contact us.
I wish to withdraw or cancel an earlier bid
It is not possible to cancel or withdraw your bid. Each bid placed on Winewebb is binding and will remain so unless it is outbid. If you end up being the highest bidder and you win the lot, you are required to pay for it. You can make this payment on your “My Orders” page. If you do not make this payment, you will be blocked from placing any further bids on Winewebb.
Why can’t I bid?
Most auctions are open to everyone in the countries where we operate. However, there are some restrictions.Most restrictions are due to country-wide restrictions. Bidders from countries mentioned in United States, Canada, and China (mainland) are restricted from participating in Alcohol Auctions.At Winewebb, we strive to deliver the best experience possible for our users. In some cases, we have limited participation for bidders in certain countries. This is due to shipping delays and import restrictions that adversely affect the buying experience.
VAT
Is VAT included in the price?
All prices on our website, like estimations, market prices, bids and hammer prices are including VAT.
Buying on Winewebb
Our Buyer Protection Policy
Buyer protection is part of our broader promise to ensure you're satisfied with your purchase. If you have an issue or there's a discrepancy with your bottle, we promise to work with you to reach a resolution.
How does a purchase qualify for protection?
Bottles must be purchased through our secure checkout. They must display significant discrepancies to the seller's description, appear damaged in transit, or never have arrived. Additionally, you must report the issue within 7 days of the delivery date.
How do you report an issue?
If you receive a bottle that doesn't meet your expectations, contact us within seven (7) days of the delivery date. When reaching out, make sure to include photos of the areas of concern and the bottle as a whole, so our specialists can better evaluate the issue and more quickly reach a resolution.
What if a bottle was purchased outside of Winewebb?
If you purchased a bottle in-store, over the phone, or via email, then your item does not qualify for protection.
What if the issue is reported after seven (7) days of delivery?
Contact Winewebb if you want to report an issue after the 7-day period. We ask that you be as prompt as possible, as the 7 days allows us to work with our sellers and shipping carriers to resolve claims quickly. Please note, if it has been more than 7 days, we may no longer be able to assist you with the issue you have reported.Please note: If you have any concerns regarding authenticity, you may report the issue at any time for review.
What is the lot "estimation" based on?
The minimum and maximum estimation is calculated by our experts using the most recent international auction results. The estimation includes the hammer price including VAT.
What is the "market price" based on?
The market price is based on huge database of trade results of leading wine merchants. The market price includes VAT.
What is an Escrow Account?
Winewebb protects both the buyer and the seller throughout the transaction process. We have set up an escrow account that will hold your payment till the transaction is completed and you have accepted the wine. For these escrow accounts we work together with Online Payment Platform BV. OPP is an independent financial institute that has a license of DNB (The Dutch National Bank) to regulate and manage payment transactions for online marketplaces like Winewebb.
