- How can I contact Zachys?
- Zachys Wine Auctions
T: 914.448.3026
Email: auction@zachys.com
Zachys Asia Limited
T: +852.2530.1971
WA: +852.6388.4840
Email: asia@zachys.com
Zachys Europe Limited
T: +44.2045.715.315
Email: auction@zachys.com
Consigning
- I'm interested in consigning wine. What do I do?
- Zachys is currently accepting consignments of all sizes for our live and online auctions. Not sure if auction is right for you? We accept consignments of all sizes, so if you're unsure, it's best to ask. Call or email one of our Wine Specialists and we'll talk you through every step of the process.
The first step in the auction process is to send us an inventory. If you don't have an inventory, or can't do one yourself, our specialists can often put one together at no cost. Ask us! If you do have one, it should include quantity, size, vintage, and wine description and other pertinent information. Email consignments@zachys.com or fax your list to (914)313-2350.
- The labels on my bottles have deteriorated. Are they still auctionable?
- Yes! In fact, this is often a sign that the wines have been stored in properly damp conditions.
- I would like a valuation of my cellar for insurance purposes. How much will that cost?
- While we do not offer insurance valuations as one of our standard services, please call (866)324-9954 to speak with an auction specialist about your options.
Bidding
- How do I bid?
- The first thing you need to do is Create an Account. There is a button to ‘Signup’ on the home page. Here you will need to fill out your billing information, delivery address, and credit card information. Once your account is set up, you can just sign in and start bidding. Bidding in a live auction can be done online ahead of the auction date, live online, over the phone, or in person.
- I am placing absentee bids in an upcoming sale. How will I know if I have any successful bids?
- You can view the status of your absentee bids at any time in the My Account section on the website when you are logged in. From here, select the auction you want to view your bids in. The page will show a summary of your bids, the lots you have won/winning, or lost/losing, as well as lots you are watching. You can also bid on these lots from this page. Click on the lot to be directed back to the Lot Detail page for more information.
At the close of the auction, invoices are emailed to successful bidders as soon as results are confirmed.
- Do I need to know my client number when filling out my absentee bid form?
- No. If you do not know your client number or have never bid with Zachys before, you can be registered as long as you provide billing and shipping addresses, telephone numbers, and valid credit card information.
- Do I need to send in the Collection and Delivery form with my bids?
- No. Collection and delivery of your purchases is arranged post sale. At that time, you can either send in the collection and delivery form, or you can simply email auction@zachys.com with your instructions. Instructions will not be processed until Zachys has received payment in full for the sale in question.
- Do you need banking information as well as my credit card information to process my bids?
- Credit card information is sufficient for all bid requests totaling less than $20,000. Bid requests amounting to more than $20,000 require bank information as well.
- What are the bidding increments?
- The proper increments are listed below.
$0-$100: by $10s, i.e., $10, 20, 30
$100-$500: by $20s, i.e., $100, 120, 140
$500-$1000: by $50s
$1000-$2000: by $100s
$2000-$5000: by $200s
$5000-$10,000: by $500s
$10,000-$20,000: by $1000s
$20,000-$50,000+: by $2000s
- What does ‘Your Max:’ mean, and how do max bids work?
- When bidding, you have the option either to simply bid the next increment, or to specify a maximum bid that may be higher than the current bidding level of the lot. If you bid two or more increments above the current bid, our system will automatically continue to bid for you if there is additional competition on the lot, up to your maximum. Should someone outbid your maximum bid, you will be alerted via email that ‘you have been outbid.’ If you wish to compete further, you can do so at any time up until the auction closes.
- How can I view and manage all of my current bids?
- At the top of the page is a section called ‘My Account’. From here, select the auction you want to view your bids in. The page will show a summary of your bids, the lots you have won/winning, or lost/losing, as well as lots you are watching. You can also bid on these lots from this page. Click on the lot to be directed back to the Lot Detail page for more information.
- What is the cutoff time for me to submit a bid?
- The date and time the auction closes is noted on the bidding pages. You can place bids at any time, from the moment the auction opens until the close.
- How do I find a specific wine that I want to bid on?
- There are various search methods at the top of the screen. You can search by lot number or keyword, or filter by country, region, type, size, quantity, vintage and packaging. For a condensed list of every wine in the sale with lot numbers, you can download the auction spreadsheet available on the auction page.
The Catalog
- How can I get an auction catalog?
- You can obtain catalogs for our upcoming auctions by downloading a free PDF from our website or emailing us at auction@zachys.com with your name and address.
- What is a parcel lot?
- A parcel is a sequence of lots carrying the same estimates and consisting of the same type, quantity, and bottle size. In this type of sale, the buyer of the first lot of a parcel of wine will have, at the discretion of the auctioneer, the option to take any or all further lots in the parcel for the same price.
- What do these estimates mean? What should I bid?
- The prices listed in the catalog are values estimated by our auction specialists based on extensive research of market value, retail value, release price, recent auction prices at Zachys as well as our competitors, and a number of other factors. We cannot predict where the hammer will fall, these are merely estimates. In deciding where to bid, we suggest that you consider how much you are willing to spend on a particular bottle, including the buyer's premium.
- What do the assessments under the lot title mean?
Understanding Fill Level and Ullage
Understanding Label Assessments 1
Understanding Label Assessments 2
5 Tips for Buying Old Wine
Attending the Live Auction
- Do I need to register in order to attend the auction?
- All Zachys auctions are open to the public. You only need to register in order to bid; spectators are welcome to attend. Meals are available only for registered bidders. It is perfectly fine to register on the day of the sale. However, pre-registering saves you time at the registration table.
Settlement of Invoice & Shipping
- Can I pay by credit card?
- Yes. Zachys will accept Visa, Union Pay, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. The maximum amount allowed to be charged on credit cards for a live auction is limited to HK$150,000 or US$20,000 per auction. Zachys reserves the right to charge Buyer's credit card and to immediately assess a 3% late penalty charge, should payment be past the due date, notwithstanding that the amount of such charge may exceed HK$150,000 or US$20,000.
There is no credit card limit for internet auctions.
- I purchased wine at your last auction. Where is it located?
- Zachys Wine Auctions has warehouse facilities in Port Chester, New York and Hong Kong. Wine is delivered in accordance with the law of the state/country in which the inventory resides. Delivery rates and restrictions vary from state to state — please refer to our Buying & Bidding Information for complete information on this subject. To arrange for delivery and collection, download our Collection and Delivery Form or contact our customer service representatives with questions.
- Will I automatically get my wine after the sale?
- All successful bidders must contact a customer service associate to arrange the collection or delivery of their purchases.
- When is the earliest I can have my wine delivered?
- Zachys generally operates on a 72 hour turn-around time. However, during the first week after the sale, due to the high volume of requests for delivery, it may take longer than 72 hours for instructions to be processed. Please note that invoices of 15 lots or more may take longer to process.
- Can items from one invoice be delivered to multiple addresses?
- Yes. However, lots cannot be split: each individual lot must be delivered to one location.
- Do you deliver overseas?
- Zachys offers consolidated sea shipments between Port Chester and Hong Kong several times a year. Subsidized consolidated air shipping is also available along those routes at a rate of US$12 per 0.75L.
Zachys can also assist with dedicated shipments to many international destinations. Quotes vary based upon quantity and destination. Please contact us to obtain a quote.
Bidders should be advised there are certain restrictions regarding the shipment of spirits. Many countries and states impose limitations on quantity, high duties, and/or taxes, and bidders should be aware of export and import restrictions.
Please contact customer service with questions or to make arrangements.
- What are my delivery options?
- Zachys can assist you in making arrangements to have the wine purchased at auction shipped. Options may differ depending on where the wines are located and the final destination.
Options available can include ground, 2-day air, and next day air service through common carriers, fully licensed temperature-controlled trucking and consolidated shipments between Zachy's international warehouses, and select US locations. Please contact us for more information.
- When do I pay for my purchases?
- You will receive an email confirmation within hours of the close of the sale listing all of your winning lots, the hammer prices and the total with buyer's premium.
For zCollection purchases, Zachys will auto-charge the credit card on file for the full invoice amount within 48 hours of the sale close.
For live auction purchases, Zachys will auto-charge the credit card on file within 48 hours of the sale close. American Express cards may be charged the full invoice amount without limit; all other cards are subject to a limit of HK$150,000 or US$20,000.
In respect of all other purchases, buyers are expected to pay for purchases within 14 calendar days of purchase for live sales and 7 calendar days of purchase for internet sales. At the end of this 14- or 7-calendar day period (as applicable), Zachys reserves the right to charge the Buyer's credit card on file for any amounts still due. All amounts remaining due after this 14- or 7-calendar-day period will be subject to a 2% per month late charge. In addition, any payments in default after 21 calendar days will incur a penalty equal to 3% of the purchase price. Additional late fees equal to 3% of the total purchase price may be charged for every 14 calendar days past the initial 21-calendarday period. All payments are payments on account until all invoices and all balances due are paid in full.
- How do I collect my wines?
- For New York Auctions, wines can be picked up from the Zachys Wine Auction warehouse or Zachys Wine and Liquor, Inc. store between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday, provided that payment for the lots has been received. Buyers can arrange to collect their wine by appointment by phoning Zachys at 914.448.3026 or email auction@zachys.com. Please provide at least 72 hours notice before coming to collect your purchases.
For Hong Kong Auctions, wines can be picked up from the Zachys Asia warehouse between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, provided that payment for the lots has been received. Buyers can arrange to collect their wine by appointment by phoning Zachys at 852.2530.1971. Please provide at least 72 hours notice before coming to collect your purchases. Note there is a gate fee charge when picking up from warehouse. Please contact us at asia@zachys.com or call us at 852.2530.1971 for details.
For pickups, any additional packaging and/or handling that is required or requested will be subject to processing fees.
- I just received a bill from New York Fine Wine Storage. What is this?
- New York Fine Wine Storage is our temperature controlled on-site storage facility. Auction purchases will be stored free of charge for the first 90 days after the auction from which the wine is purchased.