About 2 weeks ago, I bought 2 bottles of 2012 Mouton from K&L on futures. I happened to read an article yesterday about how Mouton lowered their price this year, and went back and did a search on wine-searcher.com. At least 7 other places had a cheaper price (at the time of purchase, no one was offering on wine-searcher), several by $20-40/bottle.
In any case, I went to online chat yesterday, looking to see if they would price match. No one ever answered, and so I tried to send it to them (using their system) so they could read it and respond when non one was available. I did not receive a response, and so below is my chat session - the operator cut me off mid-typing. In any case, you’ll see her comments (highlighted if I did it correctly) as to Grand Cru and their futures. I was wondering if any of you know what she’s talking about, or if you’ve had any issues with them:
Bill:
Need help with futures purchase.
Call accepted by operator Melissa Smith. Currently in room: Melissa Smith, Bill.
Melissa Smith:
How can I help?
Bill:
I had tried this yesterday, but no one responded online. I thought I sent the request, but did not receive an answer. In any case, here is my issue:
Bill:
I recently placed order # ____________ with you, and was a bit disappointed to find that literally everyone else is selling the same bottles for $30-40 cheaper. I am hoping you might be willing to price match. I can give you links if that’s helpful.
Melissa Smith:
Ah, unfortunately we are unable to price match, however our reputation exceeds all other online companies that deal in futures.
Melissa Smith:
Is there anything else that I can help you with?
Bill:
Well, I appreciate that, but I have purchased from you and from others who are priced less and have had no issues. I’d like to ask you to reconsider, as I’m not sure the reputation is equivalent to the charge.
Melissa Smith:
I’m sorry, the only company I see offering it in the US for less than us is Premier Cru, and we are not willing to do what they do in order to make a sale.
Bill:
I’m not sure what you mean by “we are not willing to do what they do in order to make a sale,” but here’s a link showing multiple companies that are less: Where to buy 2012 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac | prices & local stores in USA
Melissa Smith:
I am on that site right now, I’ve heard of none of the other companies besides Wally’s and JJ Buckleys.
Bill:
Well, I’m not sure what to tell you. I’ve worked with both of them, Grand Vin, Zachy’s, etc. Candidly, looking at this today, it appears that prices have started to go up because when I tried to get help yesterday, Grand Vine was at $349. I don’t recall where Wally’s or JJ Buckley was, and I dodn’t even reva;; seeing Zachy’s yesterday.
Bill:
recall
Melissa Smith:
I can appreciate you wanting the best price, but we stand by our reputation and our prices.
Bill:
Well, at $80 for 2 bottles, I don’t value your reputation as highly as you do. Frankly, as a consumer, my value of your reputation is paramount. If this had been a 2 month old order, or less recent offering, I could appreciate your position. Unfortunately, though, I will have to take my business elsehwre in the future. FWIW, I spend ~$____ a year on wine, and have only started buying from you in any significance recently. To my recollection, I have never purchased futures from you, so I don’t even know if your “reputation” is deserved from that perspective.
Melissa Smith:
I see that you purchased the 2009 Lagrange, and 2010 Langoa Barton from us.
Melissa Smith:
I wish you all the best, we will notify you as soon as your bottles arrive.