JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my business

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JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my business - 1/21/2014 2:17:01 PM

GalvezGuy

Posts: 5864
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline

After several years of doing flawless business, JJ Buckley has officially gone down the crapper. About 150 bottles that were in storage have "disappeared". They have offered me a full refund and a $500 store credit. It has been 2 months and I have not seen either. Everyone I speak to is nice, but my patience has come to its end. I more pissed about being without the wines than I am about the lack of reimbursement. There were several potential gems in there including some first growths, some 64 Barolo, and a boatload of Cali Cabs from the 80s. Normally I would write this off to bad luck but looking at other boards, this is a recent and recurring problem.

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Post #: 1

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:20:22 PM

annerk

Posts: 6122
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: offline

These were wines they were storing for you? Ugh.

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RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:28:43 PM

Wine Gopher

Posts: 821
Joined: 3/12/2012
From: MN
Status: offline

That scares me. I might just take delivery of some of my JJB purchases soon if for no other reason to ensure they are still there.

Good luck.

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 3

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:34:56 PM

markandsusanw

Posts: 882
Joined: 5/10/2010
Status: offline

That stinks. Seems to be a bad business day for wine fans. I had my own break with JJB a year or so ago. Not great customer service, but nothing as bad as what you're going through. Can't say I've missed them much. Hope you are, at the very least, made whole financially.

(in reply to Wine Gopher)

Post #: 4

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:35:26 PM

GalvezGuy

Posts: 5864
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline

Yes indeed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: annerk

These were wines they were storing for you? Ugh.

_____________________________

Burgundy makes you think of silly things; Bordeaux makes you talk about them; Champagne makes you do them.

(in reply to annerk)

Post #: 5

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:42:19 PM

champagneinhand

Posts: 10282
Joined: 5/30/2011
From: Upstate New York, California born.
Status: offline

GG, that is truly shocking. I know the have had a total overhaul of their warehouse, and combined it with updating their website and computer system. I don't know why they had to do it all at the same time, but I am sure its because on of the founding partners wanted out or vice versa. About half the sales staff left and they totally restructured their warehouse department. I have had them put my bottles in other people storage, but they have always found them, even if it took a little time.

I just am shocked that the number of bottles they can't account for. Wondering f the trucked the to Texas or Florida. I did receive some bottles that were sent to florida last year. I can't believe the first growths and the really aged Barolo. I would be very upset too.

Roland, had mentioned that this had been the hardest couple of months getting everything back up and running. I think the warehouse management really didn't have any sort of accountability, and its hard keeping good people as there are plenty of warehouse jobs in the Bay area. I have had several problems with the new site, where Pre-orders would come in, yet I couldn't get the system to show me if they were really in storage or not. I always went with the wine specialist to track that down. I feel for you. Maybe look towards K&L if they ship to Texas, while their prices are a bit higher, I know the have some kind of concierge or PC pricing, as I have been offered it in the past. Shipping prices have gone up for everybody, so I don't see that as a reason to stay with Buckley, I just have a good relationship with my rep. I do have stuff shipped often though, because storage 3000+ miles away, just isn't secure enough for me. Question for you? did you have cellar insurance, and if you did, how would this effect any claim?

I would think they should be able to re-source most of the First growth stuff and everything but the really old, once in a lifetime type stuff, as their relationships with the chateaux are pretty strong. I am surprised they didn't go that extra mile for you. Wondering if it was pilfered or just negligently misplaced. I won't do the professional wine storage with FP, either. Same goes for WineX and K&L. LBwines supposedly has a huge warehouse, but shipped mid winter, so I'm not really sure anywhere is terribly safe, especially after the robbery in the Seattle area. Good luck, trying to replace all that, what a nightmare.

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As I age my finger tips seem to be bigger, my iOS keyboard seems to be less kind, and my need for wearing reading glasses has never been greater. I hope you are forgiving and can read between my lines.

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Post #: 6

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 2:43:01 PM

wineismylife

Posts: 6493
Joined: 11/7/2006
From: Arlington, TX
Status: offline

I broke ties with all wine dealers right before I went through the moratorium a few years ago. I got tired of chasing this, it's sold out, can't find this, should be on the next boat, shipping next Fall and on and on and on.

If I want to buy a wine I'll decide what I want to buy and when I want to buy it from whoever has it in their hot little hands and can ship it that very day. Otherwise, keep it. Not interested.

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Joe

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

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

(in reply to GalvezGuy)

Post #: 7

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 3:01:21 PM

mjobtx

Posts: 1250
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline

Unfortunately for Texans, K&L and most other retailer do not ship here. I used to buy quite a bit from K&L but alas no more because they can't ship. Like Joe, I buy from whoever has it and will ship. It is getting far more difficult to obtain aged wines though. At my age, I don't buy the new stuff except for value priced drink now juice.

Sorry David. I can't imagine losing that much wine but I do remember Spec's telling me many times that they show a wine in stock but don't have a clue where it is. And here I was expecting that First Growth juice to show up at CT VII. How sad.

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PlanoWino

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Post #: 8

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 3:11:06 PM

Fire Bill

Posts: 185
Joined: 12/28/2013
From: San Marcos, CA
Status: offline

I also had an experience with JJB. Several years ago I ordered 12 bottles of Bordeaux on futures and when the delivery date came 3 years later, I received nothing. I called their customer service and they told me the delivery would be delayed another 6 months. Ok, no big deal... Six months later, I received my shipment only to find that it was 3 bottles, not 12. Once again, I called CS and asked what happened. They told me that they were out of stock, and that I would be refunded my money for the other 9 bottles. I was not happy because the wine had quadrupled in value since the day I purchased it on futures. Their rep gave me this story that futures are a very dynamic process, blah, blah, blah, there's always risk, blah, blah, the amounts they receive varies, blah, blah, blah... Never again will I ever buy anything from them.

(in reply to wineismylife)

Post #: 9

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 3:13:47 PM

Robert Pavlovich

Posts: 1955
Joined: 2/10/2012
From: West Los Angeles
Status: offline

Good to know, but sorry for your losses.

I have such little tolerance for retail run-around, what premiums paid to K&L and the like are well worth it.

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"Blending muddles the message"

-The Burgundian Monks

(in reply to mjobtx)

Post #: 10

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 3:36:35 PM

champagneinhand

Posts: 10282
Joined: 5/30/2011
From: Upstate New York, California born.
Status: offline

Every retailer has horror stories, we all know that. I do think this reorganization of Buckley has really impacted the day to day service, and hopefully can get resolved. As for GG, I would be mad as hell. But no retailer has a perfect record. K&L comes close, and I will be looking at them more and more. I have always enjoyed reading their monthlies, and now that they use pdf files it just as easy. Some of the people that left Buckley formed a Berkeley based retailer called Maison du Prix. I have bought some dessert wines their, as they are focused on harder to obtain wine. The also have some Burgs there that are good price-wise, but more towards sticking rarer wines.

There will be mistakes, that is what it is, but 155 bottles that were being stored is unacceptable. I would want $500 and then a pound of flesh.
WL, Gary's seem to have there prices rise or their specials dwindle too. I am starting to look at NY based places, and Empire seems to have a great selection with good prices. Tax and shipping aren't fun, but it is inevitable. I would like to look into Grapes, but their website is horrible. Vinopolis looks good for a West Coast alternative, just as Sec is. It is hard to find places with bottles to pick up off the shelf, when trying to source wines that go pre-order, like Burgundy and newer Bordeaux. I will be back filling those areas, from now on. Spain, Italy, Greece and the Rhone valley will see new purchases along with Sauternes.

_____________________________

As I age my finger tips seem to be bigger, my iOS keyboard seems to be less kind, and my need for wearing reading glasses has never been greater. I hope you are forgiving and can read between my lines.

(in reply to Robert Pavlovich)

Post #: 11

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 3:46:55 PM

arthrovine

Posts: 386
Joined: 8/31/2010
From: PDX
Status: offline

Galvez,

Sorry for your misfortune from JJB. I am also a customer now having concerns.

Were you a 'member' of the JJB private client list? The reason I ask is that I too, have a number of wines in storage and now fear that they are missing.

This misrepresentation of storage this case dooms their credibility.

Hopefully a solution where customer satisfaction and confidence can be restored is obtainable.

(in reply to champagneinhand)

Post #: 12

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 4:13:32 PM

Blue Shorts

Posts: 2779
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz
Status: offline

I stopped dealing with JJB a few years ago. Same story. Wines ordered rarely appeared on time, or in the quantities ordered. Futures ended up being shorted (personally, I think that they watch prices.... if they go up before delivery, they resell at higher prices and just refund the money to the original purchaser). I couldn't prove anything, so I decided to cut my losses and just find another wine dealer.

I've had great luck with The Wine Club in Santa Clara. Futures arrive in time as ordered. Ironically, unlike other posters here, I don't like K&L. Maybe it was coincidence, but I got too many corked bottles from them.

(in reply to arthrovine)

Post #: 13

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 4:25:14 PM

Wine_Strategies

Posts: 3833
Joined: 4/28/2009
From: Castle Pines N., CO. or Italia
Status: offline

Interestingly, I sent them a break-up letter early this morning. I asked them to produce and ship the wines immediately, or issue a refund, immediately. Some stuff goes back to last April, and most other retailers have already delivered the next vintage of the wines I'd ordered.

Since they sold out to the Canadians, it's been all downhill.

I've sent a number of messages to my new (my old one was replaced last week, per their notice) and crickets. Not even the courtesy of a reply.

game over, after 6+ years

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https://ItalianWine.Smugmug.com

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Post #: 14

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 4:56:59 PM

musedir

Posts: 23493
Joined: 2/25/2010
From: At 2534ft in Asheville near Royal Pines
Status: offline

I was having fun going through the bin sales roster and was considering some odd lots until I read your thread. Even though I've had no problems with my PC contact at JJB, suddenly I backed off my picking. Guess I will just dump my "cart" and move on. Nothing to see here.

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"Fan the sinnking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; and pass the rosy wine." Charles Dickens.

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Post #: 15

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:11:03 PM

ericindc

Posts: 2082
Joined: 7/6/2012
From: District of Columbia
Status: offline

Yeah, now I am worried about my En Primeur buys from 2010 and 2011.

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Just waiting for my Grand Cru to age.

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Post #: 16

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:13:46 PM

wadcorp

Posts: 9332
Joined: 10/29/2008
From: Kansas City, MO
Status: offline

Really sorry to hear this. And I'm sorry you had such a big hit, GalvezGuy.

Not good. And not the way a responsible company operates. As mentioned, since these are older wines, could they have been "resold" at a higher price & they just refund what you'd paid for them?

Sounds like an independent audit is in order.

.

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— Galileo Galilei, physicist and astronomer (1564-1642)

(in reply to GalvezGuy)

Post #: 17

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:18:49 PM

ericindc

Posts: 2082
Joined: 7/6/2012
From: District of Columbia
Status: offline

@ Wadcorp. Thats what I would be wondering about the EP stuff. If they suddenly thought. wait, we can make $100 more per bottle (or more), would they just sell em? Seems really short sighted. I remember the massive amount of 2009 Bordeaux that Galvezguy bought, and they just lost him as a customer for life.

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-Eric
Just waiting for my Grand Cru to age.

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Post #: 18

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:24:46 PM

Posts: 14826
Joined: 11/12/2011
From: Wandering between Coastal SC and South FL
Status: offline

I have futures in CdP pending.
We'll see

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"One not only drinks wine, one smells it, observes it, tastes it, sips it and -- one talks about it!" (in memory of drycab)

(in reply to ericindc)

Post #: 19

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:36:56 PM

recotte

Posts: 6870
Joined: 1/19/2011
Status: offline

Fantastic. I have both wine in storage and futures with them. I'll be requesting shipment on the stored bottles right away, even though I don't really have room for them right now (which is the whole reason why they're in JJB's storage in the first place).

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RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:53:21 PM

schwank

Posts: 950
Joined: 11/26/2011
From: Portlandia
Status: offline

I will vouch for Sec and Vinopolis. Great service. I benefit from them being local where I can walk in there and chat. I do wish Vinopolis had a better website from the customer side, to show pending bottles and such. Most of their stuff is short term arrival though, a couple months at most.

I have had the same JJB rep for a couple of years now, and there have been some great deals along with ex chateau aged bottles. No question that recently things have gone downhill dramatically. I have about 2 pending cases, mostly CdP and a few older bottles. After some hassle trying to get a confirmation I bought a couple bottles from the bin end sale and asked to have shipping consolidated with existing storage. That didn't happen, got an invoice for just the new purchases and $4.50/bottle shipping, which is triple what they used to charge me. I am scared to ask for my other bottles based on above.

I am pretty much done with JJB too. Sounds like time to stick to the locals.

< Message edited by schwank -- 1/21/2014 7:19:35 PM >

(in reply to S1)

Post #: 21

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:55:33 PM

Franklin 10

Posts: 1419
Joined: 12/8/2011
From: Indianapolis
Status: offline

Your story is maddening.

I've been encouraged to pursue an account by a someone locally (Indy). After reading through this thread, am very disinclined!

Hope you get some kind of satisfactory resolution.

(in reply to GalvezGuy)

Post #: 22

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 5:57:36 PM

bretrooks

Posts: 2865
Joined: 9/27/2009
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Status: offline

Sorry to hear all this - for you all and the major issues you've had, and for me, as there have now been recent negative experiences reported here with two of the three online retailers I have the most history with.

C'mon, K&L, keep it together...

I still have three 'futures' bottles pending with JJB from last summer, but haven't ordered anything from them since then. I was reassigned to a new rep at that time (which was okay with me - I'm a small-time customer and never built a rapport with my previous guy). My new rep there is young but nice enough, and we have something of a personal connection since he used to work at a local wine shop, but I just haven't been offered anything I couldn't resist from them lately.

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RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 6:45:31 PM

musedir

Posts: 23493
Joined: 2/25/2010
From: At 2534ft in Asheville near Royal Pines
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: schwank

I will vouch for Sec and Vinopolis. Great service. I benefit from them being local where I can walk in there and chat. I do wish Vinopolis had a better website from the customer side, to show pending bottles and such.

I have had the same rep for a couple of years now, and there have been some great deals along with ex chateau aged bottles. No question that recently things gone downhill dramatically. I have about 2 pending cases, mostly CdP and a few older bottles. I bought a couple bottles from the bin end sale and asked to have shipping consolidated with existing storage. That didn't happen, got an invoice for just the new purchases and $4.50/bottle shipping, which is triple what they used to charge me. I am scared to ask for my other bottles based on above.

I am pretty much done with JJB too. Sounds like time to stick to the locals.

I vouch for Sec. And I've not had any problems with Full Pull. Just began a new relationship with Apex Cellars in NC. First time was a solid winner.

_____________________________

"Fan the sinnking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; and pass the rosy wine." Charles Dickens.

(in reply to schwank)

Post #: 24

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 7:09:12 PM

khmark7

Posts: 11420
Joined: 7/6/2008
From: Chicago suburbs
Status: offline

Sorry to hear about this, as that is a LOT of bottles.

Glad my pending deliveries is below 20 bottles. You might have to update that thread now....

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Post #: 25

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 7:15:35 PM

msieurledocq

Posts: 125
Joined: 1/4/2013
From: San Francisco, California
Status: offline

Oh boy. I'd been worrying about this -- sorry for what you're doing through, GG. I've been having similar problems, on a much smaller scale, to what others have mentioned. The website is inconsistent; it seems to not know what I actually have with them. I have 12 bottles (according to my records) but it took my PC guy a while to find that some were they were missing. I also did the Bin Ends sale and got some very nice 2000 Bordeaux, but now I'm pretty nervous.

My guy said it was going to be hectic for a few more weeks, so I told him I'd swing by after February 1 to pick up my bottles. Might make it a little before that. Shoot.

< Message edited by msieurledocq -- 1/22/2014 8:28:41 AM >

(in reply to musedir)

Post #: 26

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 7:19:51 PM

gmbdds

Posts: 90
Joined: 5/8/2008
From: Omaha, NE
Status: offline

Are there other wine outlets that do something similar to the private client offers like JJB? Despite these troubles, I've liked the (formerly) daily offers and prices. I've also liked the 6 months free storage, so orders could be lumped into cases. I, too, will have to consider moving on and would like something similar (without the headaches) to compliment the local shops, Full Pull, auctions and once in a while stores I currently use.

(in reply to musedir)

Post #: 27

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 7:42:26 PM

rwilk_2000

Posts: 1258
Joined: 10/14/2007
From: Kansas City
Status: offline

Over the last few years I have purchased around 300 bottles from JJB. Other than 1 bottle allegedly dropped while being packed, I haven't had any issues of significance. I sometimes get frustrated with lack of timely responses and I was sorry to lose my first rep Alex, but my new rep Geoffrey seems ok. I did email him a week or so ago as my CT pending show about 30 from JJB and their website didn't quite match up. For now I will trust them, Here is what he told me:

We are having some display issues with our site. We launched this new back end system which needs build out so the front end website coordiantes/displays correctly. As it stands I do not believe that it shows anything in storage.

As part of the new system launch we have not packed wines into storage recently. They are here, just not in storage. Here is a quick run down of what we is in stock/storage/pending arrival.

Storage:
2005 Pavie - 1 bottle
2011 Caymus Special Selection - 1 bottle

In Stock:
2010 Monbousquet - 3 bottles
Jacuqesson Cuve 736 - 4 bottles
2012 Belle Glos Clark & telephone - 4 bottles
2012 Belle Glos Las Alturas - 2 bottles
2010 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve - 3 bottles
2010 Cliff Lede Cabernet SLD - 3 bottles

Pre-Arrival:
2012 Pontet-Canet -
750ml - 4 bottles
1500ml - 1 bottle
Vilmart Champagne -
Rubis - 4 bottles
Grand Cellier 1Er Cru Brut - 4 bottles
2008 Grand Cellier d'Or - 4 bottles
2005 Leoville Barton - 3 bottles

A quick note about the Vilmart, our supplier I Europe seems to have delayed this one a bit. It expected to be here by now, and appears to be on the way for February delivery.

Geoffrey

_____________________________

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Post #: 28

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 8:35:32 PM

skifree

Posts: 3410
Joined: 3/14/2010
From: SE King County, Washington
Status: offline

Thanks for the heads up - I have a lot of 2010 Bdx and a few burgs that they have not shipped, plus a case of 2011 VCC. This is strange, as I have 273 bottles that I purchased from them the last few years including lots of 2009 Bdx EP.

Will do a full accounting against with the emails I saved as I got the same story about the web site and back end system when I asked Cory. That seems like complete BS now that I think about this again. Perhaps they lost control of their inventory and orders during a systems upgrade.

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So much wine, so little time

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Post #: 29

RE: JJ Buckley - Another Retailer that has lost my busi... - 1/21/2014 8:56:30 PM

Fire Bill

Posts: 185
Joined: 12/28/2013
From: San Marcos, CA
Status: offline

The bottles I purchased in futures from JJB were 12x750ml bottles of 2008 Pavillon Rouge @ $53 ea. I thought it was weird that when my expected arrival date came and I was told that it was going to be 6 months more, on CT others were receiving their bottles and even consuming a few. This was my first time buying futures, so I was not educated on how it worked. When I only received 3 bottles, I bought their story hook, line and sinker. I now look back and realize that if a company shows available bottles, you should get what you pay for. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe it had to do with the fact that bottles were selling at release for $200. I will never know. I will just stick to local wine stores or wineries directly for my wine needs. My 2 cents

(in reply to skifree)

Post #: 30