Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

[kpc]

The disclaimer is very clear and has always been part of their policy.

Well so it may be but if 2009 is a very good year but 2010 is not....would you be happy?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Well so it may be but if 2009 is a very good year but 2010 is not....would you be happy?

Nope.

But I'd know it was a possibility given the terms of the contract entered into. You don't have to contract under those terms if you don't wish to.

If you want to avoid this possibility order by phone and be clear about the vintage required. Tell them that it is 'a condition' of the agreement that you get the vintage you asked for.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

A bit annoyed with Dan Murphy...ordered a 2009 Red but received a 2010....rang to complain and they said there is a small disclaimer (which I can now see) on the website that they may subsitute the vintage depending on stocks...can take to nearest Dan Murphy store for a refund if not happy...defeats the purpose of ordering online so you don't have to go to store!

From an old post by RWB - barcodes don't change between vintages, so whatever system DM has for tracking stuff in their warehouse doesn't know what bottles are what vintages, unfortunately. Their cellar release stuff is, supposedly, different, as DM affix their own unique barcode stickers to those bottles (sometimes different stickers, for the same wine/vintage, which causes it's own problems!)

 

[blackcat20]

A bit annoyed with Dan Murphy...ordered a 2009 Red but received a 2010....rang to complain and they said there is a small disclaimer (which I can now see) on the website that they may subsitute the vintage depending on stocks...can take to nearest Dan Murphy store for a refund if not happy...defeats the purpose of ordering online so you don't have to go to store!

The disclaimer is very clear and has always been part of their policy.

For "current" vintage, you get whichever. It can vary between stores too; I've picked up older vintages at the current price. As posted above, cellar release stuff has a different barcode and shouldnt be substituted.

 

[prozac]

Well so it may be but if 2009 is a very good year but 2010 is not....would you be happy?

I quite agree. There should not have been any substitution of a 2009 vintage it not being the same product as the same label in 2010. Any wine merchant would know this.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I quite agree. There should not have been any substitution of a 2009 vintage it not being the same product as the same label in 2010. Any wine merchant would know this.

If vintage is important, than DM might not be the best place to go shopping. Walk into any DM and the vast bulk of floorspace is devoted to stock where vintage isn't really a factor. That $5 NZ Sauv Blanc tastes just as good (or as bad) whether you got the 2015 or a 2014. Let alone the beers, spirits, sparkling and other NV stuff they sell. DM is a mass market, high volume seller of mostly cheap plonk.

Not wishing to defend them, but if you have certain expectations, you're better off making your purchases from a vendor that aligns to your expectations, rather than expecting (hoping?) that DM to change their business model.

 

[redbigot]

If vintage is important, than DM might not be the best place to go shopping. Walk into any DM and the vast bulk of floorspace is devoted to stock where vintage isn't really a factor. That $5 NZ Sauv Blanc tastes just as good (or as bad) whether you got the 2015 or a 2014. Let alone the beers, spirits, sparkling and other NV stuff they sell. DM is a mass market, high volume seller of mostly cheap plonk.

Not wishing to defend them, but if you have certain expectations, you're better off making your purchases from a vendor that aligns to your expectations, rather than expecting (hoping?) that DM to change their business model.

I've never had any problem returning or refusing at Click and Collect any wine that wasn't the vintage advertised at the time of buying.

The T&C entry is there to cover them for the too often inability to track vintages, but they have no problem ignoring it for returns.

I've even had them arrange pick-up when I insisted, despite living about 5 minutes away from a store.


Here is their policy on Returns and refunds: https://www.danmurphys.com.au/help/returns-and-refunds-content

 

[Wozza]

I have been stocking up on the aged stuff too, J-P.

My best joy has come through Langtons and getting set up with a broker. They'll happily give you 30 minutes of their time to build a profile of what you like and what your budget is. I have had some absolute crackers from them since joining up. And have just put in a few more orders this week. Their delivery times aren't as quick as others.

I have also had some great aged wines from Cellar Link. They have a very impressive climate controlled warehouse in Sydney and have a lot of investor and private collector holdings, with an online Marketplace where the aged stuff is sold. If you are in Sydney, they often have some wines open to try before you buy. Their service is good too. And if you are lucky, they host some amazing wine tasting evenings and dinners at their fancy tasting and dining rooms.

I have also had some good wines through Grays Online, but I am not a huge fan of the auctions. But that's just me wanting to spend time with the family and wife rather than mucking around with multiple auctions.

I hear Summer Hill Wine Shop is also a great place to get aged wines, although I haven't bitten the bullet and ordered through them yet. And don't forget going direct to the wineries. I have picked up some excellent wines direct.

Vino mof_ occasionally have some older wines, but these are the exception to their staple diet of young (often age-worthy) high scoring, well priced Aussie wines.

I have tended to stay clear of Dan's (mainly because of pricing and offering), eBay and Gumtree (the latter two because of no guaranteed providence).

AnonymousCoward also likes to buy the aged stuff, and he'll no doubt have some excellent recommendations for you too.

AND ! - I ought to add: watch this thread. AFFers are great at posting the latest and greatest deals. Some are for the aged stuff, and if it is, it's likely to be posted to this thread.

Happy hunting ...

The posts below regarding 09 v 10 substitutions is another reason I steer clear of Dan's if you are after the aged stuff. There is just no guarantee you'll get the vintage you order.

Now, J-P - not sure if you have got yourself signed up to a Langtons broker yet. But I can say, on my broker's recent recommendation, that I am tonight tasting an absolute stormer of a wine that is probably in its sweet spot for bottle ageing:

the Hewitson Mad Hatter Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006

I paid $35 a bottle for this $70 cellar door, single vineyard premium Shiraz. And am thinking I have got a great deal for the pedigree, age and taste experience of this wine. On Vivino, I have just given it a very high 4.3 (out of 5), which is pretty good for a $35 purchase: http://www.vivino.com/wines/14278

I have no idea if Langtons have any more. But, if they do, then this wine is an aged beauty with all those nuances you only get from a well cellared, quality aged wine.

Just putting it out there (and in stark contrast to what Dan's may or may not give you as they hide behind the lawyer's fine print) ...

 

[redbigot]

The posts below regarding 09 v 10 substitutions is another reason I steer clear of Dan's if you are after the aged stuff. There is just no guarantee you'll get the vintage you order.

Now, J-P - not sure if you have got yourself signed up to a Langtons broker yet. But I can say, on my broker's recent recommendation, that I am tonight tasting an absolute stormer of a wine that is probably in its sweet spot for bottle ageing:

the Hewitson Mad Hatter Single Vineyard Shiraz 2006

I paid $35 a bottle for this $70 cellar door, single vineyard premium Shiraz. And am thinking I have got a great deal for the pedigree, age and taste experience of this wine. On Vivino, I have just given it a very high 4.3 (out of 5), which is pretty good for a $35 purchase: http://www.vivino.com/wines/14278

I have no idea if Langtons have any more. But, if they do, then this wine is an aged beauty with all those nuances you only get from a well cellared, quality aged wine.

Just putting it out there (and in stark contrast to what Dan's may or may not give you as they hide behind the lawyer's fine print) ...

Langtons and DM are both owned by Woolworths.
For DM Cellar Release aged wines you are guaranteed the vintage.

I don't buy much from DM, but when I do it doesn't bother me if they send the wrong vintage, it's easy for me to take/send it back and mostly they get it right.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Langtons and DM are both owned by Woolworths.

Whilst they might both be owned by Woolworths, their business models are very different.

 

[redbigot]

Whilst they might both be owned by Woolworths, their business models are very different.

All still boils down to making as much money as possible flogging wine, just covering different segments of the market. Both with serious flaws in their operations, web sites etc.

You just need to work out how to play them rather than let them play you. And that's not too difficult if you have a little discipline and access to the right information.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Agree 100% with you on the conclusion: they're both businesses out to make money, not charities out to help our drinking problem.

Whether they're bother owned by Woolworths or not though is pretty irrelevant IMHO and going back to the post that started this segue: as you say: play the vendor. If you want hassle free, online ordering getting the advertised vintage, DM probably isn't the best. There are alternatives out there that will work better. Not to mention that 'raging against the machine' here will achieve nothing - DM aren't going to change their model

 

[Wozza]

All still boils down to making as much money as possible flogging wine, just covering different segments of the market. Both with serious flaws in their operations, web sites etc.

You just need to work out how to play them rather than let them play you. And that's not too difficult if you have a little discipline and access to the right information.

The irony of a single owner isn't lost on me, RB and AC. In any event, I totally agree with you RB. You just make the right (smart) plays that suit your tastes and budget as the deals roll in.

This is none more evident for me than the other Woolworths Wine company I buy from - WineMarket. I started all excited buying some classic wines from them, referring or 'shouting my mates' about these guys. Only for the website to now only pump out 'mostly' low end, moderately okay, high volume wine - which is not my thing at all. But I do keep going back for the odd browse. As they may offer a decent wine at a decent price as they did for a period in 2015.

 

[redbigot]

This is none more evident for me than the other Woolworths Wine company I buy from - WineMarket. I started all excited buying some classic wines from them, referring or 'shouting my mates' about these guys. Only for the website to now only pump out 'mostly' low end, moderately okay, high volume wine - which is not my thing at all. But I do keep going back for the odd browse. As they may offer a decent wine at a decent price as they did for a period in 2015.

That's a strange situation, considering that the last time I actually picked up one of their calls (probably 4-5 months ago) the rep was proudly claiming they were now under Langtons management and would be able to offer better wines.

I only ever buy from Wine Market or Cellarmasters when there is 20% off or a $50 voucher code going and then it's only recognised brands, mostly for inclusion in quaffer packs I do for friends.

 

[kpc]

A bit annoyed with Dan Murphy...ordered a 2009 Red but received a 2010....rang to complain and they said there is a small disclaimer (which I can now see) on the website that they may subsitute the vintage depending on stocks...can take to nearest Dan Murphy store for a refund if not happy...defeats the purpose of ordering online so you don't have to go to store!

My next delivery resulted in bottles of 2012 vintage instead of 2007 :evil::evil:, and 2011 instead of 2010.....that was the tipping point, so I took all of them back to my local Dan Murphy's store for a full refund...the very apologetic lady said she herself would have been very upset if the same had happened to her, and said over the Xmas period, they had many returns for similar reasons...ps small win: put refund onto a non points earning card

 

[prozac]

...ps small win: put refund onto a non points earning card

The small fish are sweet.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Wow that would suck. Just curious - what where you ordering?

 

[pilatus]

My next delivery resulted in bottles of 2012 vintage instead of 2007 :evil::evil:, and 2011 instead of 2010.....that was the tipping point, so I took all of them back to my local Dan Murphy's store for a full refund...the very apologetic lady said she herself would have been very upset if the same had happened to her, and said over the Xmas period, they had many returns for similar reasons...ps small win: put refund onto a non points earning card

I have had similar drama myself on advertised 2012 vintage and instead received 2011 vintage...lol
the 2012 had higher ratings and credited with many awards unlike the 2011
taking the matter further no store in SA had the 2012 in stock?
how can this be termed as a vintage variation?

 

[kpc]

Wow that would suck. Just curious - what where you ordering?

French Red

 

[Mr_Orange]

ps small win: put refund onto a non points earning card

Always a neat trick, if you can get away with it.