1855 (1855.com, 1855.con): Château Grand Puy Lacoste

Rather gloomy photos of Château Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac) not as gloomy as RP's prospects of receiving is wine from 1855 anytime soon

RP, an increasingly frustrated 1855 client, ordered two cases of 2007 Château Grand Puy Lacoste en primeur. These wines should have been delivered at least nine months ago as RP paid the additional tax and delivery charges on 21st December 2010. He is still awaiting for his wine. 

Screen capture taken on 12th September from 1855's site (http://ventesprivees.1855.com/vp198/crazy-bordeaux/2011-09-01/)

Detail of the 81 bottles of 2007 offered

12.9.11: 1855 offering 81 bottles of Château Grand Puy Lacoste for sale when they have been unable to deliver 24 bottles to RP, who should have received his wine nine months ago.

Screen capture: 12.9.11 – 

http://ventesprivees.1855.com/vp198/crazy-bordeaux/2011-09-01/10134774/chateau-grand-puy-lacoste-2007/

RP is particularly incensed that 1855 currently has 2007 Grand Puy Lacoste for sale under a Crazy Bordeaux vente privée offer.

Fed up with being fobbed off with the customary lame excuses for their failure to deliver, RP contacted Château Grand Puy Lacoste and the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux some two months ago. Although rather disappointingly he has yet apparently to receive a response from the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, he has recently received a sympathetic response from the owner of Grand Puy Lacoste. RP has asked me not to publish this response. However, it is clear that the owner is concerned at the damage that 1855's unethical trading (fraudulent trading?) is doing to the image of the Bordeaux Grand Crus and that he would be happy to see the miscreants hauled up before the courts.         

Below is some of RP's correspondence:  

From: RP

Sent: 09 September 2011 08:54
To: 'dfxb@domainesfxborie.com' (Grand Puy Lacoste),  'ugc@ugcb.net' (Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux)
Subject: FW: Continued delay in delivery from 1855.com - Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007
Importance: High

Dear Sirs,

About two months ago I contacted you regarding delivery problems with 1855 – unfortunately I did not get any reply from you and – as one could expect – I still have not received my 2 cases of Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007.

It is particularly shocking that 1855 is currently conducting a “vente privee” under the name “Crazy Bordeaux” in which they are selling this wine and still have not shipped it to me. They started with 174 bottles and as of this morning they have 76 bottles left. Please see communication to 1855 management and customer services staff (to which no reply has been received)

I once again ask you for assistance in this matter

Kind Regards,

RP

From: RP
Sent: 02 September 2011 07:59
To: 'e.sauty@1855.com'; 'T.Maincent@1855.com'; 'f.hyon@1855.com'; 'contact@1855.com'; Matthieu Ortalda (matthieu@1855.com); 'nathanael@1855.com'
Cc: 'dfxb@domainesfxborie.com'; 'ugc@ugcb.net'
Subject: RE: Continued delay in delivery from 1855.com - Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007
Importance: High

Dear Sirs,

As part of your current “Crazy Bordeaux Campaign” you are selling and indicate to have in stock 174 bottles of Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007  (see attached pdf)

As you are well aware of, I am still waiting for my 24 bottles and I find it totally unacceptable that you are selling items that you have not yet delivered to me.

As a client who has paid for this, I would think it is illegal not to deliver what I have ordered claiming that you do not have it in stock

Can you please arrange for immediate delivery of my 24 bottles (in 2 original wooden cases) and inform me when I will receive them

RP

From: RP
Sent: 13 July 2011 10:43
To: 'e.sauty@1855.com'; 'T.Maincent@1855.com'; 'f.hyon@1855.com'; 'contact@1855.com'
Cc: 'dfxb@domainesfxborie.com'; 'ugc@ugcb.net'
Subject: Continued delay in delivery from 1855.com - Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007
Importance: High

Dear Sirs,

On July 1st 2011 I emailed you expressing my disappointment that 1855 – once again – had broken its promise. Two weeks have passed and you still have not replied to me.

I ordered (and paid) the wines on 21 Dec 2010 and taxes and delivery charges were paid on 10 Jan 2011 for 24 bottles (two OWC  of 12 x 0.75) of Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007.

More than six months later, nothing has happened… Every month you send me the same message you replace the month of delivery (please see the history of your messages below).  

Given your continued failure to keep your promises and the fact that my messages and questions (the usual Why? When?) keep on being ignored, you have forced me to inform both the UGCB and the Château itself.

We have reached the point where I expect someone to call me (mobile below) and explain me why this has happened, give me a firm date of delivery but also give me comfort on my 2008 and 2009 purchases!

Kind Regards,

RP

Your message on 3 June 2011:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your message.We wish to inform you that your application is in the hands of the head department and it does well among the priorities to be addressed.

Recent arrivals from Bordeaux Futures references will be spread through mid June and deliveries will lead to the end of June.

We present again our apologies for these delays delayed but rest assured that this issue will find a positive outcome.

Shipments to claim VAT will be by wave throughout the month of June not to repeat the problems of delay that we experienced in the past.

This means that once you receive this request for VAT, the wines will be sent within 10 days.

Sincerely,XX, Chargée de Relation Client Senior

Your message on 5 May 2011:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your message. We wish to inform you that your application is in the hands of the head department and it does well among the priorities to be addressed.

Recent arrivals from Bordeaux Futures references will be spread through mid May and deliveries will lead to the end of May

We present again our apologies for these delays delayed but rest assured that this issue will find a positive outcome.

We remain at your disposal for any further information.

Sincerely,XX, Chargée de Relation Client Senior

Your message on 28 February 2011

Dear sir,

We do not have it in stock at the very moment. We are having supplying delays and are making up for them at the moment. We will let you know soon when the wines are available. We sincerely apologise for the delays.

We remain at your disposal.

Best regards, XX, Chargé de Relation Client