Online wine-trade 1855(dot)com in bad distress

In addition, the internet-forum "La Passion du Vin" recorded already over 2.100 comments about this problem. In this sommermonth European customers authorised an french lawer to setup an class action. The lawyer`s office said that the present demand of the customurs is about 80.000 euro.

Increasingly irritated about the obviously non- delivery of wines via 1855.com are also a row of leading Châteaux in Bordeaux. David Ornon, commercial director of the Château Smith Haut-Lafite, mentioned in a comment "lamentable practices” and told that the ordered wines including the vintage 2009 had been delivered to 1855.com. Finally he claimed to end up the partnership with the online wine-dealer.

There is reason to be worried with regard to the developemnet of 1855.com. The sales volume of the company in 2011 declined to 24 percent according to 2009. And according to 2008 the sales volume already dropped down to 33 percent. After official reports of the vintner there had been a sales volume of around 7,6 millions euros in 2010, but in 2009 around 9,9 million euros. At the same time common stockholders among them illustrious persons like the french banker Jean-Pierre Meyers, husband of Françoise Bettencourt, daughter of the Lórial heiress Lilliane Bettencourt, invested 11,2 million euros to the company. This money was needed to inherit the competing internet vintners Caveprivée in november 2010 and Château-Online in march 2011.

At the very moment Fabien Hyon, so far CEO of 1855.com and meanwhile head of the two new incorporated companies, announced the Decanter and explained via e-mail that he confidently expects that all asignments will be achieved. Literally it is written there: "...as far as it concerns the 2008 Bordeaux Primeurs, these wines will be delivered at the latest until the end of december this year- the delieveries already started. All of our employees work hard, to avoid more delays.” Furthermore it is saying: "With regard to the 2009 and 2010 Bordeaux Primeurs we will take action that the quality of our services will improve, which i promise." (red.yoopress)