I have ordered many times from PC. Some of their pre-arrival prices are almost too good to be true, however, I have always received the wine. I only have one order from them that is still not filled, and that is the 2004 Montrose. I'm not too worried about it.
Originally posted by Vino Me: Another Premier Cru thread.
VM
Thanks for the link. Apparently PC has been offering spotty customer service for many years. While they have numerous loyal customers, several who have come to their defense on this thread, they still have significant deficiencies in their customer service that have impacted a number of their customers. Deficiencies that haven't been addressed in years, apparently.
I'm interested if any of you satisfied PC customers have had any customer service issues with any of the other major online wine vendors? I, for one, have done internet business with KL Wines, JJBuckley (Winecommune), Hart-Davis-Hart, The Chicago Wine Company, and Winebid without any problems.
Posts: 25 | Location: Nebraska | Registered: Dec 18, 2007
Originally posted by Vino Me: Another Premier Cru thread.
VM
Thanks for the link. Apparently PC has been offering spotty customer service for many years. While they have numerous loyal customers, several who have come to their defense on this thread, they still have significant deficiencies in their customer service that have impacted a number of their customers. Deficiencies that haven't been addressed in years, apparently.
I'm interested if any of you satisfied PC customers have had any customer service issues with any of the other major online wine vendors? I, for one, have done internet business with KL Wines, JJBuckley (Winecommune), Hart-Davis-Hart, The Chicago Wine Company, and Winebid without any problems.
Prasm: I am relatively new to PC. I began ordering from them this year and everything has been great. However, I have never placed an online order. I call and try to speak with the same person. I think that has been a big help. If the wine is pre-arrival, I always ask for a ballpark estimate of arrival. When it gets close to that date, I follow up and check its status. In my opinion, It's a lot easier to do this when you speak with the same individual. Plus, you get to know someone in the process and he/she can make wine recommendations.
Good luck with your order - just don't give up on them yet!
Posts: 1577 | Location: NC | Registered: May 01, 2007
Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP: Prasm: I'm still waiting on 2003 Rieussec and Sudiraut from The Wine Club in Santa Clara. It's not just Premier Cru...
I shot them an email and they called me back. The Rieussec finally came in, but still waiting on the Suduiraut.
http://scmwine.info
Posts: 6569 | Location: Santa Clara Valley AVA | Registered: Jul 02, 2004
Originally posted by Foghorn: I have ordered many times from PC. I only have one order from them that is still not filled, and that is the 2004 Montrose. I'm not too worried about it.
Still on order with PC: 2003 Montrose since March 2004 Montrose since February 2004 d'Yquem since January
No worries here either. MANY orders from PC without a hitch.
My oldest pending arrival from PC: July '06 - 2001 Valdicava BdM
My oldest pending arrival from elsewhere (Woodland Hills): June '07 - Assorted 2005 CdPs
Not worried in the least about either of these orders.
It's pretty much expected that PC will have the slowest deliveries. You're either cool with that and do business with them (and reap the price benefits - where they exist), or you're not and you take your business elsewhere.
There have been plenty of threads dealing with customer service complaints dealing with PC and other retailers. Everyone gets to make their own value choices.
Posts: 1750 | Location: San Diego, CA | Registered: Nov 19, 2005
Premier Cru is definitely unique in their approach. It's not worth emailing them for any reason. But like people are saying - you either accept that or shop elsewhere. They aren't going to change. They don't even keep the messages about their holiday closures on their front page up-to-date (although at the moment, I think it is related to an upcoming, not past, holiday). I'm guessing by March it will still talk about the Xmas/New Year's closings.
One thing they have added in the last year - The ability to check on the order status online for all your items.
My oldest outstanding order:
2/23/2006: 2003 Leoville Las Cases
(I did get my '03 Leoville Barton finally.)
Posts: 3164 | Location: Alexandria, VA, USA | Registered: Oct 29, 2003
I have never had an order not fulfilled. The vast majority of wine that I order from PC I don't plan on drinking for years. So, I simply look at it as free storage. Very, very satisfied customer....
Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity....
Posts: 6103 | Location: Elk Grove, CA, USA | Registered: Dec 06, 2003
Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad: I have never had an order not fulfilled. The vast majority of wine that I order from PC I don't plan on drinking for years. So, I simply look at it as free storage. Very, very satisfied customer....
This is my thinking as well DnVD. I too am waiting on the '01 Valdicava BdM, but I just checked my account online and it is ready to ship. I'm in no hurry.
Originally posted by thelostverse: I too am waiting on the '01 Valdicava BdM, but I just checked my account online and it is ready to ship. I'm in no hurry.
That's fine. Just keep in mind that, just like there are 'shipping windows' during the Summer months, it also can apply to the Winter months, where it's so cold you don't really want your wine shipped then, either.
Hmmm, their website still says mine are not ready to ready. I'll start bugging them for these (along with my other 73 bottles currently pending from them) this summer to prep for heading up there in the fall.
Posts: 1750 | Location: San Diego, CA | Registered: Nov 19, 2005
These things happen from time to time. I ordered two (in stock) magnums from JJBuckley MONTHS ago, in early summer. Called WEEKS ago to find out what's up. They said they're digging through a MOUNTAIN of back orders like this. They'll get to it...
Originally posted by Lentini: I have my '01 Valdicava from them, too.
Premier Cru is definitely unique in their approach. It's not worth emailing them for any reason. But like people are saying - you either accept that or shop elsewhere. They aren't going to change. They don't even keep the messages about their holiday closures on their front page up-to-date (although at the moment, I think it is related to an upcoming, not past, holiday). I'm guessing by March it will still talk about the Xmas/New Year's closings.
One thing they have added in the last year - The ability to check on the order status online for all your items.
My oldest outstanding order:
2/23/2006: 2003 Leoville Las Cases
(I did get my '03 Leoville Barton finally.)
You've been waiting longer for your 03 Las Cases than I have for my 03 Pichon Baron! Hate to say it, but that makes me feel better about my situation. This was my first order with PC and I was getting very worried about the credibility of the company. But the many satisfied customers who have posted here have me thinking otherwise. Apparently PC is content with providing not so great customer service believing the prices and selections they offer are worth it.
Posts: 25 | Location: Nebraska | Registered: Dec 18, 2007
In November 05 I ordered 03 Rieussec and just received them this November, so two year wait on those. That's my longest PC wait, but as others have said, they're going to wait even longer in my celler - but for two years I didn't have to make room so I'm cool with it.
IMHO, they are just one component of a smart shopping stragety (ahem, let's make that strategy, Mr. Bush )
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Squirreljam,
Posts: 669 | Location: St Louis, MO | Registered: Feb 27, 2005
Premier Cru, buyer beware... I'll never buy futures or pre-arrival from Premier Cru ever again. I'm still waiting on one lousy bottle of 2004 Bordeaux purchase back in October, 2005. Three years is long enough to wait as other retailers have this same wine in stock and ready to ship. 2005 Bordeaux futures are the same. If you buy futures from this retailer, prepare yourself for an unreasonably long wait.
Buy somewhere else then. No need to bash a good establishment here and in the other thread after people have explained that your situation is normal and that you're not getting shafted. Especially suspect that you have THREE posts. Considering the provenance of their wines, their shipment arrangement from EU to the US in 100% temp controlled reefers and storage locations along the way, the wait is worth every bit of time for me. And, as someone else noted above, free temp controlled storage is never a bad thing.
I live along way from a decent wine store, so I have little chance to form the kind of relationship needed to get a shot at many of the wines that I've purchased from PC over the years.
Yes, I did call them. About every four months. And all I get is that the particular wine always takes longer, or the boat is in the water story. Whatever the reasons, if multiple stores have the particular wine then why does it take so long for PC to get their customers their orders. Just frustrating. As for wines in stock, I have had no problem receiving them, just futures.
Originally posted by NPF1Fan: Premier Cru, buyer beware... I'll never buy futures or pre-arrival from Premier Cru ever again. I'm still waiting on one lousy bottle of 2004 Bordeaux purchase back in October, 2005.
You're waiting for one whopping bottle of wine? WOW! Just cancel the order, pay the 5% restocking fee and buy it from another store...
Originally posted by NPF1Fan: Yes, I did call them. About every four months. And all I get is that the particular wine always takes longer, or the boat is in the water story. Whatever the reasons, if multiple stores have the particular wine then why does it take so long for PC to get their customers their orders. Just frustrating. As for wines in stock, I have had no problem receiving them, just futures.
Oh, so ARE able to reach them. On the other thread, your little tirade about unanswered emails certainly made it sound as if you couldn't hardly ever get in contact with them.
So, which is it? You can't get in touch, or you don't like what they tell you?
so I'm cool with it.
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