CellarTracker Main Site
Register for Forum | Login | My Profile | Member List | Search

RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me?

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [Cellar Talk] >> General Discussion >> RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? Page: <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4 5   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/5/2013 8:44:06 AM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		And, sadly, I am now feeling less hopeful and more overwhelmed. Since the topic has changed from this thread title, I updated here https://www.cellartracker.com/forum/tm.asp?m=303162, instead.

Apparently it is impossible, at least for me, to buy a wine cabinet without issue.

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 61
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 11:14:15 AM   
Eric

 

Posts: 17473
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		Is this VinoTemp's latest volley?

http://scotchtape.ductwhisky.com/2013/12/vinotemp-imposes-horrible-anti-consumer.html

_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

http://twitter.com/cellartracker
http://facebook.com/cellartracker

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 62
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 11:41:10 AM   
dj_plusone

 

Posts: 667
Joined: 9/21/2012
From: Sherman Oaks CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Eric

Is this VinoTemp's latest volley?

http://scotchtape.ductwhisky.com/2013/12/vinotemp-imposes-horrible-anti-consumer.html



Wow, if so that's pretty heavy handed.

_____________________________

My Current Juice

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 63
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 12:08:37 PM   
fingers

 

Posts: 8414
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: dj_plusone


quote:

ORIGINAL: Eric

Is this VinoTemp's latest volley?

http://scotchtape.ductwhisky.com/2013/12/vinotemp-imposes-horrible-anti-consumer.html



Wow, if so that's pretty heavy handed.


Hey, can I get one of those clauses for me? You know, applicable to everyone in this forum to not "disparage" me.

I'd have Wine Strategies and VinoPKM dead to rights.

(in reply to dj_plusone)
Post #: 64
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 12:16:22 PM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Eric

Is this VinoTemp's latest volley?

http://scotchtape.ductwhisky.com/2013/12/vinotemp-imposes-horrible-anti-consumer.html


Wow! Even with all the subsequent issues I had with my Le Cache purchase this just makes me happier than ever to have nothing to do with what seems like a truly repugnant company. (And I gotta wonder if this thread is part of the reason for their new "policy," which, by the way, is about as enforceable, legally, as their order penalty policies.)

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 65
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 1:13:01 PM   
wineismylife

 

Posts: 6558
Joined: 11/7/2006
From: Arlington, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Eric

Is this VinoTemp's latest volley?

http://scotchtape.ductwhisky.com/2013/12/vinotemp-imposes-horrible-anti-consumer.html


What a joke. I can't believe they'll find a single person to sign a contract with that included.

_____________________________

Joe

Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone.

MyBlog @ http://www.wineismylife.net/

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 66
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 1:31:28 PM   
mjobtx

 

Posts: 1250
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline 		Unfortunately this type of thing is surfacing far more frequently. Consumer bullying. I guess many companies don't feel that they can stand behind their products anymore so they try to bully people into not providing negative feedback. I can't imagine this would hold up in court. On the other hand going to court can be costly in both time and money. The real problem occurs when they charge your credit card for the perceived transgression because they have not eliminated it from their system. While the PCI rules and regs say that the credit card should never be stored for transactions such as this, you just never know.

Below taken from information regarding PCI-DSS standards adopted by merchants accepting credit/debit cards. Merchants seldom retain the credit card information unless given specific permission to do so. Even then, it subjects them to a set of strict retention rules. The default for the consumer should be to not allow retention except in rare and highly trustworthy situations.

"Where most retailers are susceptible is when they retain a customer’s card information for convenience for future sales. While it is absolutely forbidden to retain card holder information from a single transaction, if a customer gives consent it is acceptable to retain card information for future sales – and this is where many retailers put themselves at risk. The problem here is that if there is an electronic file on a network that is ever accessible to the Internet, the card numbers are potentially accessible to the world. It may go against common sense, these card numbers are better kept manually on a piece of paper in a secured physical location."

_____________________________

PlanoWino

(in reply to wineismylife)
Post #: 67
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 1:59:09 PM   
Redrunners

 

Posts: 923
Joined: 7/9/2010
From: Glastonbury, CT
Status: offline 		Well - I've never bought one of their products, and given their poor service and sleazy policies on providing feedback, I am sure I never well.

Given that this policy only applies to people who have had the misfortune to buy their products, I guess that the rest of us are allowed to fire away.




_____________________________

Drinking good wine with good food in the company of friends is one of life's great pleasures.


(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 68
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 12/23/2013 2:02:19 PM   
Old Doug

 

Posts: 8281
Joined: 5/12/2011
From: Atlanta, Georgia, US
Status: offline 		This must constitute a "throwing in of the towel," at least to an extent.

(in reply to Redrunners)
Post #: 69
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 9:06:13 AM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		I received a legal notice today from Vinotemp. They are suing me for the full cost of the wine cellar THAT THEY NEVER DELIVERED and that my credit card settled a dispute in my favor over.

(in reply to Old Doug)
Post #: 70
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 10:07:15 AM   
dbg

 

Posts: 572
Joined: 10/25/2008
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		Wow, I can't believe that this nightmare continues for you.

It shows that the legal system is a two-edged sword. It sounds like Vinotemp is hoping you'll look at the legal and time costs and conclude that it's cheaper to pay them.

Is there a consumer advocate type reporter at your local newspaper or TV station? Though maybe you don't want the publicity - especially for a high-end wine cellar - it's not like they're shutting off the gas in the dead of winter.

Maybe we can put together a "CT markandsusanw legal defense fund."

_____________________________

David G

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 71
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 11:03:40 AM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		To correct myself, Vinotemp is, apparently, sending me to debt collection with a threat to sue me, via a local lawyer's office, for about 75% of the full cost of what the unit would have been. (Which is what they were threatening me with way back when I began this thread.) They're asking for $4,300 and change and the original cost was $5,800. We never received a unit. We never touched the unit. As far as I know, the unit was never even in the same zip code as our home. It was a standard unit, with standard, selectable options (color, lights) offered on their website. The unit was ordered and paid for in April, with an original quoted delivery date of June 7. It was on August 22, after 12 written delivery dates came and went without anything occurring, that we threw in the towel and said we wanted to cancel. Vinotemp refused to credit us anything for the unit and we disputed the charge. A credit card dispute was settled in our favor by Chase Bank in late October.

We are not "have a lawyer"-type people. We did talk, briefly, with a friend who happens to be one this morning. It didn't necessarily brighten my outlook. Honestly, I just can't believe this is ongoing. We have nothing from Vinotemp. We NEVER had anything from Vinotemp. They had our money for SEVEN months. Now they want $4,300.67 for absolutely nothing and they can ruin our credit just by their say so? Or drag us into the expense and stress of a court case? Nightmare is correct.

< Message edited by markandsusanw -- 1/21/2014 11:06:13 AM >

(in reply to dbg)
Post #: 72
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 12:27:11 PM   
Fire Bill

 

Posts: 185
Joined: 12/28/2013
From: San Marcos, CA
Status: offline 		Lawyer up and have them send a letter to Vinosnakeinthegrass on your behalf. There are plenty of lawyers out there who would love to do this for you, and it would not cost that much $$. I don't think this is going to go away unless you play their hand. They have been threatening you for months and that's not right. So, go talk to a lawyer, even if it costs you a little $$ for a consult. When dealing with the possibility of ruining your credit, you have to do whatever it takes.

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 73
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 12:40:37 PM   
joegish

 

Posts: 187
Joined: 5/3/2012
From: Newtown, Connecticut
Status: offline 		Unbelievable.

I will never, ever buy anything from Vinotemp. What a poor excuse for a company.

_____________________________

Life is too short to drink bad wine

(in reply to Fire Bill)
Post #: 74
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 1:59:20 PM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		I have now received a second letter from another company, this one a debt collection agency, based in Anaheim that says I owe not only the $4300.67, but also another $1290.20 in "collection" fees, for a grand total of $5,590.87.

I have never, in my life, under any circumstance, had any sort of debt collection service. This is not who I am. I don't know whether to laugh, or cry, or scream. I feel like doing all three, to be honest. It really is starting to feel like not just a terrible, awful hassle, but an actual nightmare spinning out of control.

< Message edited by markandsusanw -- 1/21/2014 2:01:38 PM >

(in reply to joegish)
Post #: 75
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 2:23:35 PM   
annerk

 

Posts: 6129
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: offline 		At this point I would consult a lawyer, and most likely counter-Sue for a whole lot more.



_____________________________

https://www.instagram.com/whattheducktravel

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 76
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 2:34:32 PM   
puppetclause

 

Posts: 717
Joined: 10/9/2010
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		Sue for damages, inconvenience, and the profits you lost by not being able to purchase wine (and later resell) while the unit was not being delivered as advertised. You can also sue for whatever legal fees you incur, and I would highly reccomend you do so. Above all else DON'T BE SCARED. It's a tactic, and fear is what they hope will get you to pay them undue money for a job they never did. When my CC got stolen when I was abroad and got replaced with a new number, my gym sent me to collections. They threatened all kinds of stuff on messages I never got til I was back in the states. They can't do anything. They can't affect your credit score (which is just make-believe anyway), as they aren't a bank. You're already settled with your CC, and it was sided in your favor. The collections agency will say they can do X or Y, but usually they're just hired muscle who's only weapon is letterheads, threats, and making phonecalls to your home while you're eating dinner. This is a magical country where lawsuits are actually pretty cheap to file and follow through on. Counter sue as soon as you can after checking with a lawyer, there's a 99% chance they'll offer to drop the whole thing when they see your counter-suit.

(in reply to annerk)
Post #: 77
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 2:52:16 PM   
Fire Bill

 

Posts: 185
Joined: 12/28/2013
From: San Marcos, CA
Status: offline 		Do not talk to the collection agency until you talk to a lawyer. Find a reputable lawyer in your area, schedule a consultation and go from there. If you were having a stroke, you would go to a doctor. You are having people try to sue (actually extort) you, so go to a lawyer. They are the pros, and they will help you. Don't wait on this, collection agencies can report to the credit bureaus. Just because your cc settled with them, doesn't mean they can't come after you with a collection agency or a civil suit. This is America, you can sue for anything. Go talk to a lawyer, they will handle everything for you, and determine if you can sue them. Good luck, I will have a drink for you tonight!

(in reply to puppetclause)
Post #: 78
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 8:06:25 PM   
jrockman

 

Posts: 2534
Joined: 4/17/2012
From: Des Moines, WA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: dbg

Is there a consumer advocate type reporter at your local newspaper or TV station? Though maybe you don't want the publicity - especially for a high-end wine cellar - it's not like they're shutting off the gas in the dead of winter.



I like this idea; these people need to be called out.

(in reply to dbg)
Post #: 79
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/21/2014 8:59:26 PM   
dbg

 

Posts: 572
Joined: 10/25/2008
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		There are a lot of similarities here to the KlearGear case.

_____________________________

David G

(in reply to jrockman)
Post #: 80
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 5:47:19 AM   
annerk

 

Posts: 6129
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: offline 		Reputable companies don't need such a clause. Just saying.

_____________________________

https://www.instagram.com/whattheducktravel

(in reply to dbg)
Post #: 81
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 8:01:52 AM   
BoCron

 

Posts: 383
Joined: 12/29/2013
From: Milton, GA
Status: offline 		I just read this entire thread. Needless to say I'm horrified by the business practices of Vinotemp. If nothing else this has totally changed my research as Vinotemp was in the running for me. No more, thank you very much!
I think I will find something affordable and nearby and assume I will be replacing it every few years.
So sad that this is the state of customer service :(.

Annette

(in reply to annerk)
Post #: 82
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 8:23:07 AM   
haggis

 

Posts: 105
Joined: 11/11/2007
From: Ithaca, NY
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: BoCron

I just read this entire thread. Needless to say I'm horrified by the business practices of Vinotemp. If nothing else this has totally changed my research as Vinotemp was in the running for me. No more, thank you very much!
I think I will find something affordable and nearby and assume I will be replacing it every few years.
So sad that this is the state of customer service :(.

Annette



Same here, which is why I buy local on Craigslist.

(in reply to BoCron)
Post #: 83
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 9:40:16 AM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		UPDATE ...

We did bite the bullet and contact a lawyer to at least look at what we've got and what we've been sent before doing anything else.

Also, it's worth noting that Vinotemp NEVER contacted me again after I told them I was done waiting for their never-ending "it will be there in a week" delivery timeline. That was on August 15. They never tried to bill us for any "debt," just, apparently, went straight to a lawyer and debt collection service. Very strange that we got two separate notices, from two separate states, with two different amounts "due."

Lastly, though their long-winded terms and conditions from the original agreement, it is not written as they supposedly quoted in their emails to me. There is a provision for a cancellation charge--though I'll argue that I didn't cancel but instead that they failed to delivery, repeatedly--but they're attempting to charge me the RETURN costs. How could I even possibly have been construed to "return" something I never had.

Below is their original terms and conditions as I received them


(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 84
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 3:29:15 PM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		We did consult with an attorney. He advised us how to handle the dueling debt collection letters and will be contacting Vinotemp on our behalf. After all that's occurred not exactly hopeful it will be taken care of this easily, but I still dare to dream.

This is, by far, the most outrageous action I've ever encountered, or even heard of, towards a consumer via a supposedly reputable company in my life. And, given that we've built two custom homes (those that have also gone through the process will know what I mean), including one where the contractor made off in the night with a good deal of our supplies and money ... That's really saying something.

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 85
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 4:01:16 PM   
wadcorp

 

Posts: 9467
Joined: 10/29/2008
From: Kansas City, MO
Status: offline 		Really hate that this is ongoing for you, Susan.

We had a similar issue with a housepainter who had no intention of doing what we were expecting of him. We fired him on the fourth day & he sued us for the entire amount. Consulted with our lawyer, who said I should have no trouble representing myself in small-claims court. Did just that. Took photos of all the areas of the house (8×10 color glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining…), had a day-by-day itinerary of what happened when, what times we spoke on the phone, when they arrived & when they left, and what they promised to do.

In court, the judge found for the plaintiff in the two cases before ours. Not a good sign.

After I was done testifying, the judge asked me, "Would you like to counter-sue?"

Needless to say, we won. You will, too.

.

_____________________________

"Wine is light held together by moisture."
— Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 86
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 1/22/2014 5:13:24 PM   
mc2 wines

 

Posts: 3873
Joined: 8/31/2012
From: NYC
Status: offline 		Susan - so very sorry for this. It sounds like a straight-up nightmare. Can't imagine anyone whose read this thread ever being open to Vinotempo ever.

I have to believe a lawyer can help you sort it all and I can't imagine the court that would find for them. Also seems like you have some good documentation of the whole ordeal (even just in this forum) which has to help. Best of luck and keep us posted on how it goes! I agree there should definitely be a countersuit and some damages just even on your time spent dealing with all of their crap.

(in reply to wadcorp)
Post #: 87
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 4/19/2014 7:28:11 AM   
markandsusanw

 

Posts: 903
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline 		Vinotemp is suing me for the cost of the cabinet they never delivered (or even attempted to). Seriously. I was served this morning.

< Message edited by markandsusanw -- 4/20/2014 9:35:30 AM >

(in reply to mc2 wines)
Post #: 88
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 4/19/2014 7:32:24 AM   
jrockman

 

Posts: 2534
Joined: 4/17/2012
From: Des Moines, WA
Status: offline 		Unbelievable!

(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 89
RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? - 4/19/2014 7:33:38 AM   
Redrunners

 

Posts: 923
Joined: 7/9/2010
From: Glastonbury, CT
Status: offline 		That is beyond obnoxious.

Can't believe they would have any type of case. Sounds like they are just trolling for a settlement.

You should consider counter suing. May help to get them to back off.

_____________________________

Drinking good wine with good food in the company of friends is one of life's great pleasures.


(in reply to markandsusanw)
Post #: 90
Page:   <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4 5   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Cellar Talk] >> General Discussion >> RE: Vinotemp Issues. Just me? Page: <<   < prev  1 2 [3] 4 5   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

0.203