Consignment Terms

Determining the Reserve Price

At WineBid.com we maintain an extensive database of current wine prices accumulated from commercial wine auctions, including our own. We calculate our low and high price estimates based on the average hammer prices from the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available.

Once we've received your wines for consignment we may adjust the estimates to account for variations in the condition of the wine, including the fill level and the conditions of the label, capsule and cork. The reserve will be set at least one bid increment below the low estimate for the wine. It is our experience that wines with lower reserves attract more interest. Wines with lower reserves often sell for a higher price than identical wines in the same auction that started with higher reserves.

Because our goal is to sell your wine for the highest price possible, we will set the reserve for your wine at a level that we believe is realistic in relation to current market conditions. We reserve the right to set the reserve price for any wine sold at WineBid.com.

Seller's Agreement

Before accepting your wines for auction, WineBid.com requires a signed Seller's Agreement. Each contract between WineBid.com and the seller can be different. Please read and understand the entire Agreement before signing. Please also note that WineBid.com's pricing structure and hammer prices are proprietary. By signing the Seller's Agreement sellers agree not to disclose WineBid.com's proprietary pricing or hammer prices -- meaning the sums received for specific wines sold at auction -- to any third parties.

Commission Rates

Once we have accepted a bid that is at or above the reserve, your wine will be sold. We will then retain a Seller's Commission that will be calculated as a percentage of the final accepted bid. Your account representative will discuss your Seller’s Commission rate with you.

Seller's Shipping Responsibility

Sellers are responsible for the expense of shipping their consigned wines to our nearest facility. We will deduct any expense we incur on a seller's behalf to ship the wine to one of our facilities, or to return any unsold wine to the seller. All costs, terms, and conditions are detailed in the Seller's Agreement, which represents the entire contract between the seller and WineBid.com. If you would like assistance with shipping arrangements, please contact our Consignment Department, consign@winebid.com or call us toll-free (888) 638-8968. We will provide you with competitive shipping rates and recommend shipping services to safely deliver your wine to one of our facilities. When shipping your wine, please be sure to require a signature to assure its safe delivery and receipt.

Payment for Consigned Wine

Settlement checks are mailed approximately 30 business days after the close of the auction, subject to the terms and conditions contained in your Seller's Agreement.

Unsold Wine

Most wine consigned to WineBid.com is sold in its first auction. Typically, any wine that does not sell in its first auction will be re-entered into the next auction with the reserve price lowered one bidding increment below the previous reserve. If you prefer to have unsold wine returned to you, we will return it as allowed by your state's laws. You will be charged for the cost of shipping.