Not that I’m adding anything really new other than another thank you both to Todd and especially the retailers that add new wines to try–
For every complaint about the auction/board ending at 7pm as a west coaster (I’m at work still), the east coast has an equally sound argument-- but it is easier to stay up late if you really want to bid, unless you want to vote for the Heismann (McCaffery should have won).
I do not think that the wineries should pony up for a charitable endeavor, they are already discounting enough–charge 1 or 2% to us as the charity donation instead. Tax the majority not the minority and not always the producers. I already feel guilty for only buying from Berserker Day from a couple of wineries, but I know how to fix that.
One thing that is an issue for me has to do with short inventory that sells out, and then more is offered. Is there a way to request a waitlist if a new offer opens?
The preview day actually seems to be the opening day or actual Berserker Day for subscribers. I’ll bet most subscribers spent more money on the 26th than the 27th. Maybe the previews should all come out in the am with offers going live at a different time. This would allow a bit of research if you don’t know some of the wineries. If you miss the opening you can be out of luck. See waitlist idea above.
Above all, thank you for all involved. I picked up a couple of old friends and tried some new ones this year. Next year olive oil and beef (and probably some new wineries as well),
As you know many of the producers are very small so there isn’t large inventory and then many are offering rare or unique bottlings. I know EMH sold one of their ENTIRE back vintages to Bersekers. No more for anyone, not even if you visit the winery. Awesome treat for those that purchased.
I don’t think it was premeditated. I know that Ryan Zeplatas sold out and then decided “screw it” and went down into his personal cellar and started pulling stuff out and posting it for sale. I thought it was great, true Bersekers. A few others did the same.
I don’t know if you are referring to all auctions, or just your special selection auction that I won. But I intentionally jumped the shark with my bid of $500 which was intended to be higher than your perceived value and that of other bidders. I tried to shut out other bidders by bidding more than others would pay, and not by just bidding $5 more than them. If someone else wanted to outbid me, more power to them. Because I jumped the bid, it may have ‘calmed the usual excitement’, but WB got more than they would have if the bidding proceeded normally. I think that because these are not charity (i.e. deductible) auctions, they will typically not go above retail, but instead will die when people think they approach retail. They want a ‘deal’ and are not going to pay more than retail.
And Chuck, WB appreciates it, I know. Me? I was astounded and thrilled. Thank you.
I was referring to how the excitement was over on the 27th, but the item remained open. And not just mine. The others that I looked at also had final bids on the 27th or 28th. So it was not that the bids were not good, it’s that I don’t think they benefited from the extra open time.
I’d like to ask y’all to remember WHY wineries participate in this fine day: To expose our best offerings to very social, chatty, winelovers. The quid pro quo for being part of this day is WINERY is assured some exposure and tasting notes and BUYERS earn killer deals to tempt them to try something new. The idea of charging wineries to put up an offer doesn’t make sense unless you want retail pricing. Our price of admission is a great DEAL. And a compelling introduction of the deal.
To me, those who don’t offer a really special deal just aren’t doing their part. A laundry list of a retail shop inventory at regular retail pricing probably not worthy of eyeballs on this precious day. And for the buyers, that’s ok if you only buy on BDay, but please share how much you like the wine and why.
It’s big? No problem, we have all day. Post 'em all at once or in groups. Todd, how about hourly on the hour. Then someone can take a break if they know they’ve seen everything that hour until the next clock strikes. The actual number of offers posted each hour = total offers (good ones!!!) divided by number of hours. All with offer numbers please so buyers can be sure they’ve seen everything when the forum gets frothy! Berserkers know the date, anticipate the date, and expect the madness, just keep it simple so they can plow through all the offerings giving fodder for great wine discussion year 'round.
On Preview Day, I’d post all non wine related items and offer them for sale. This will take some of the pressure (and clutter) off Berserker Day. BD should be wine only.
In 2015, I was shut out of the EMH vertical I wanted. As a result, two of my pets died, three members of my family came down with rare tropical diseases that requires extended stays in the ICU, and according to chaos theory, seven people I did not know were in serious car crashes. One of those people was the sole bread winner for a family of twelve, so the other eleven all applied for food stamps, thereby increasing my tax bill. It’s all Merrill and Todd’s fault for doing such a horrible job organizing Berserkerday.
I vote for whatever is easier for Todd. Nothing is perfect and you can’t please all of the people all of the time. In exchange for me not having to work on it, I will take whatever I get and be happy about it.
![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
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