Don’t have a good feeling about this, especially given the shenanigans Groupon pulled with the Cameron Hughes offer. It seems like those whose orders shipped later are getting the substituted cases.
Follow up with your credit card company. They’ll make it right. Send them the screenshot showing slashed out price and Bien Nacido and the vintage. Done deal - doesn’t matter what Groupon’s return policy is.
Did any of you that received the incorrect wine get an email from Groupon about the item being shipped? I received an email today(after it had already been shipped) from Groupon that specifically lists what wine is to be received.
From Groupon’s FAQ:
If the item was sold by a third-party merchant:
Groupon Goods Marketplace items are sold by independent third-party vendors through our website. If the product you received wasn’t what you expected, you’ll need to reach out directly to the merchant. > Learn how to contact our Marketplace merchants here> .
If the wrong item was sent to you, you’re welcome to keep it, but we understand if you’d rather return it—just check the deal’s Fine Print for the return policy.
Yes I received the shipment email that stated “Qupe Santa Bien Nacido Maria Valley 2016 Syrah 12 Pack” in the description line which is not what I received.
We ordered the case, and got the right bottling. Arrived Tues in No Cal.
I spent way too long in an online “chat” with Groupon. They are looking into it. Allegedly.
Haven’t tried VWE or CC route yet.
Agreed! I literally cannot accepting store credit when this was their mistake. Their response seems laughable on its face. (Sorry you are going through this, it seems super frustrating. But you have reason on your side!)
Please keep us posted as if any of you get responses. My case is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. While in fully acknowledge it’s the definition of a first world problem, I will absolutely be disputing charges if I am sent a wine I didn’t order.
Just to add another data point – I purchased the 6-pack. Shipment was delivered to me yesterday. All 6 bottles are the Bien Nacido Hillside Estate.
Michael
Reading some of the reviews for the “Castle Claus” (lol) wine sold on Groupon and fulfilled by Vintage Wine Estates, it seems like there was a similar issue. People ordered that wine and received a completely different wine.
They didn’t send the wine that I ordered. I ordered Christmas wine. They sent a typical bottom shelf wine called “Middle Sister.” No Christmas label or theme whatsoever. I ordered this wine the day that the deal was listed so they never had “Christmas wine.” Scam alert!
I was Sent a different product Was told they ran out of what I ordered and was promised so sent me a substitute without my knowledge or authorization. It was a bait and switch Very time consuming and difficult to try and get a refund. I would not recommend this seller.
What kind of clown show is this?
2 cases delivered yesterday - all BN Hillside Estate.
Mine is out for delivery today. Beyond the obvious - we should receive what we ordered - I suspect far fewer people would have purchased this if it was clearly the 2018 Central Coast. Solid wine but not something I would have gone looking for. The Hillside also wasn’t on my radar as a wine I was seeking, but the crazy pricing made it an irresistible deal.
Ugh. Mine is due Monday according to FedEx. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, I appreciate the news here from people about what they’ve received and what has and hasn’t worked for resolving the issue for those who got the wrong bottles.
Mystery solved. Turns out the culprits were…
Laziness and incompetence!
Excerpt from email I received from VWE:
“Regretfully, Groupon oversold on the 2016 Syrah and the inventory has been depleted. Our Marketing team chose the 2018 Syrah as the comparable substitution. Our website also notes that if an item in your order becomes unavailable, we will substitute it with the next vintage.”
Of course, they didn’t let me know that the wine was being substituted for a much less valuable wine, nor did they substitute with “the next vintage.”
I just received a case 2018 Central Coast. One of the first to buy, too.
If it was me, next step would be contacting my credit card company and dispute the charge.
Yup, you have all the leverage here. Classic bait and switch, and not even close to compliant with the terms of the offer. File a chargeback and let them and Groupon both know that you are doing so.
Absolutely call your CC company to dispute the charge. That response is completely asinine. I have to imagine they will be getting many calls with the same issue.
I actually did get a response of sorts from Groupon, so I will see if they have any interest in making this right. (Of course, if the wine is totally sold out, their version of “making it right” might not be very right.)