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Sterling Wine Auctions Bidding Help
Membership | Log On | Catalogue | Browsing | Searching | Results | Bidding | Auto Bid | After an Auction | Security | Privacy | Terms and Conditions | Customer ServiceMembership
Do I need to be a member to bid with Sterling Wine Auctions?
Yes. Bidding is restricted to members only.
How do I become a member?
Click on the "New Bidder" button located at the top of your screen
or
click this link Register Now.
How much does membership cost?
There are no membership fees.
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Log On
How do I Log On?
After completing your membership application, Sterling Wine Auctions will contact you (within 1 working day) to explain Sterling Live online internet facilities. After this contact your access to the online bidding area will be activated allowing you to place bids with Sterling Wine Auctions.
To Log On, or enter the bidding area, click on the "Logon" button located at the top of the page.
What does logging on do?
Entering your User ID and Password (or logging on) positively identifies you to the Sterling Wine Auctions system.
Once logged on you are free to bid and access or update your personal account and preference details.
What if I lose my Password?
Simple. If you lose your password, contact Sterling Wine Auctions, and we will provide you with a new password.
Can I change my Password?
Yes. You can change your Password in the Update details section in My Account.
What if I lose (forget) my User ID?
If you lose your User ID contact the staff at Sterling Wine Auctions and we will tell you what your User ID is. Keep this information in a safe place, for security reasons your user ID is unable to be changed. [ top ]
Catalogue
What is a lot?
A lot is the quantity of wine described in the catalogue. A lot can be a single bottle, many bottles, a complete case or many cases. Check the full description of each lot before placing your bid. Remember, all bidding is done on a per bottle basis.
Can I split lots?
No. Lots cannot be split or divided and bidders must purchase all bottles offered in a lot. An auction may have many different sized lots of the same wine. Check all lots before bidding. Sometimes one or more lots may have lower bids or no bids at all, because they have been overlooked by other bidders.
What is a mixed lot?
A mixed lot is a number of different wines and vintages which are catalogued under the one lot number.
Does Sterling Wine Auctions hold the wine it sells?
Yes. All stock is physically located in our cellars or in specialist inventory managed wine storage facilities.
Is each bottle of wine checked before being Auctioned by Sterling?
Yes. Sterling Wine Auctions specialist staff ensure all stock is correctly described before sale. All wines are sold in excellent condition or there are specific technical notes in the catalogue providing prospective buyers with thorough information on old bottles. If you need more information, or an opinion about a lot, do not hesitate to contact us.
What do the different bottle descriptors meanin the catalogue mean?
Each lot is fully described, if there is any ullage, capsule, label or cellar damage it is noted against the lot. This information has a vital role in establishing the value and potential of each bottle. For more details go to the "Important Notes" chapter under "Auctions".
Can I Check the lots personally before the Auction?
Yes. Lots older than 1980 can be viewed by appointment.
Most Stock is held in our Subiaco Perth cellar. Distance is no longer a problem,images can be sent over the internet and detailed expert opinions can be provided. Please note that lots can not be viewed on the day of the auction.
What is the price estimate?
A price range estimate for each lot is given in the catalogue. It is an estimate only, usually based on the price range achieved for the wine in previous specialist wine auction sales. The price estimate is intended to assist you in determining your bids.
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Browsing or Searching
How do I find the wine I want?
You can either Browse or Search to find the wine you want.
How do I browse?
Selecting Current Auction in the Auctions menu takes you to the current wine auction. Click on Browse to see all of the current items for sale in lot number order page by page.
How do I search?
There is a Search link located in the navigation bar, which will enable you to quickly search by vintage, brand, blend or region.
The search page allows you to search the catalogue for anything.
If you are only interested in Penfolds Grange for example, you can type this into the Keyword section (as shown below). This will then show you all the Penfolds Grange that is listed in the catalogue. This can be done with any wine at all.
Can I search for a wine category?
Yes. At the first page of the search facility you can select from any of the categories listed below.
View By Product
Information about the Quick Browse function
The quick browse links are located on every page of the auction catalogue, if you know the name of the wine you are interested in just click on the letter and it will send you straight to all the wines that start with this letter.
To see another particular letter follow the same process. If you want to see the entire catalogue again, simply click on "ALL"
Quick browse: ALL | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
How can I obtain a print catalogue?
Printed Sterling catalogues are available from the Web site free of charge. To obtain a copy click on the "Auctions" link and go to the "Download Catalogue" section. There is also a "Download Catalogue" link in toolbar in the live auction area. You will need Microsoft Word or Acrobat Reader in order to be able to view and print the catalogue.
Each Sterling Auction catalogue is available as a printed book that can be posted to you as a subscription. Charges apply for this service to cover print and postage costs. If you would like to receive a printed catalogue contact the staff at Sterling Wine Auctions to arrange it.
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Setting the Number of Results per Page
Can I choose the number of catalogue lots displayed per page?
Yes. By logging on and clicking on the "Update Details" section under "My Account" you can change the number of listings per page to whatever you are comfortable with.
The most common numbers are 20,50 and 100. Anything over 100 will take a little longer to download. Once you have selected the number that you are happy with, type it into the "Site Listings per Page" area and click on the Update details button located at the bottom of the screen.
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Bidding
How do I select the lots I want to bid on?
First find wines of interest using Browse or Search. Tick the Bid List check box on the right margin for each lot you may wish to bid on. Then scroll to the bottom of each page and either click on the "Next" or "Make Bid" button located there to make up your list of interesting lots. You can either go directly to Bidding by clicking on the "Make Bid" button or click "Next" to keep proceeding to the next auction catalogue page and continue selecting.
Can I come back later to select more lots for bidding?
Yes. You can add to your wish list as many time as you like. Any new lots you select for bidding are added to your bidding list in lot number order. Just remember to click on "Next" or "Make Bid" at the end of each page.
How do I bid?
Lots that you have selected while browsing are stored in your "Wish List" section. Once you've selected the lots you want to bid on click on the "Show Wish List" link in the bottom toolbar of the screen. This will take you to a page with all the lots you have selected in lot number order.
Next to each lot is a box with a dollar sign attached to it. $ Type your maximum bid price in the box. This is not a bid, it is your ceiling that the system will work up to. The Auto Bid facility will do the bidding on your behalf in $1.00 increments. Auto Bid is programmed to buy for you as cheaply as possible.
Once you have keyed in bid figures on the lots of interest in your wish list click on the "Make Bid" button under the lot listing and your bids will be processed onto the live system. Your screen will change to the "My Bids" area and any lot that you are currently successful with will be in RED. In many cases the current successful bid is below the maximum you listed. Your maximum bid amount is displayed beside your current successful bid. If the bid price is in BLACK it means that you have been out bid and will need to either increase your bid or pass on the lot.
** Don't forget all bids are on a PER BOTTLE basis.
Do I stay logged on indefinitely?
No. 2 Hours after your session on the Sterling website becomes inactive your account is logged off. For your security, logon's are closed 2 hours after you made your last command / movement on the Sterling web site.
This precaution restricts an unauthorised business colleague or family member from viewing or changing your bids or personal details.
Are my "Wish List" and "My Bids" deleted from the system?
No. From the time you log on to the end of the auction, your wish list and bids are stored and ready for your updates. Log off and then Log on the next day and your auction position is saved. On the completion of an auction, your wish list is deleted but your "My Bids" page is saved until the activation of the next new auction.
Do I have to bid on all lots in my "Wish List"?
No. If you do not want to bid on a particular lot that is in your Wish List, you can either leave it blank or click on the tick box located next to the lot number on the left and click on the "Remove" button. This will remove the lots from your wish list completely.
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Auto Bid
How does Auto Bid work?
After you have entered your bid(s) and clicked the Make Bid button, Sterling's Auto Bid facility will do the bidding on your behalf. Auto Bid automatically bids $1.00 more than the current highest bid.
For example if you are bidding on a bottle and your Auto Bid is $50.00 and the current bid is $30.00 the system will automatically bid $31.00 on your behalf.
On occasion you will bidding against another bidders "hidden" auto bid. The current successful bid may be $30.00 and the highest current auto bid may be $40.00, when you bid $50.00 the system will place you as the current successful bidder at $41.00, $1.00 higher that the hidden competition auto bid.
The process continues and the bids may exceed your Auto Bid amount. If you are outbid you may increase your bid at any time. Your auto bid is only visible to you. Like in a live auction, it is the highest price you are prepared to pay for the particular lot.
Auto Bid allows you to set the maximum bid you are willing to make, but not necessarily pay, for a lot. Having placed your maximum bid there is no risk of losing a lot to someone else at a price you would have been willing to pay. The system automatically increases your bid up to the maximum you have set in response to bids placed by others. Auto Bid continues to monitor the bidding on your behalf until you are the successful bidder at the close of the sale, or until you are outbid.
What do I do if I am outbid?
If another bidder places a bid that exceeds your Bid, proceed to the "My Bids" section of the current online catalogue. Look at the particular lot(s) that have been beaten and click on the check box next to each lot that you want to increase the bid on. Select the "Make bid" button on that page to proceed back to the bidding area. Increase your bid accordingly and click on the "Make Bid" button.
Can I withdraw a bid?
No. Bids cannot be withdrawn. Please place your bids carefully.
Is there anything I need to do on the last day of an auction?
If you have already placed your maximum bid(s) there is nothing you need to do. Auto Bid automatically handles your bidding for you. To avoid the disappointment of being beaten by a small amount, it may be useful to review your bids leading up to the sale close.
If you have left your bidding until the last day it is important that you place your bids well before the last hour of auction time. You are still able to increase your bids in the last hour, but it is important to have your wish list in place ready to take bids before time runs out. If you are bidding on the last day it is important you view the most up-to-date bids. Current Bid shows the winning bid at the time you last loaded the page. Click 'Refresh' or 'Reload' on your browser to follow the current bidding on a lot.
What are the advantages of AutoBid?
Sterling Wine Auctions Auto Bid facility auction technology guarantees that all parties involved are treated equitably. With Auto Bid you continue to be involved in the auction without having to constantly monitor the bidding. Auto Bid ensures that your participation is fair, time effective and user friendly.
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After an Auction
Am I notified of my winning bids at the close of sale?
Yes. Within 24 hours, often within minutes of the close of a sale, you are notified by email of your winning bids and lot numbers. This is not a tax invoice, but a confirmation of your success. Invoices will be faxed and posted to you within 2 days of the close of an auction.
Can I find out what lots I didn't bid on went for?
Yes. The auction catalogue remains available for viewing with final bid prices. The sales results are added to the "1997 to Today" sales database before the opening of the next auction. This information is located in the Wine Values section of the website.
What is on my invoice?
Your invoice lists the lots you've won and the Sale Total that you need to pay. The Sale Total is the final bid or hammer price plus the Buyer's Premium of 15% (incl. GST). The Grand Total is the total inclusive of shipping & insurance charges.
What do I do about shipping and insurance?
A minimum fee of $20.00 applies to any purchase of 12 bottles or under. Every 12 bottles case is charged at $20. Six packs and part full 12 packs are freighted at the same $20 per carton charge. Sterling Wine Auctions preferred carrier is Australia Post. Insurance will be arranged at 2.0% (incl. GST) of the invoice total. Insurance is an automatic charge with freight.
Should you require shipping and insurance within Australia please make sure that you have supplied Sterling Wine Auctions with your correct delivery address in the "Update Details" section found under "My Account".
What happens if I am charged Shipping when I do not need it?
If you are charged for shipping and you are collecting your wine from our Subiaco Cellar, call our staff and they will amend your invoice and fax a copy to you within 24 hours.
What if I am an international client?
International clients need to advise Sterling of their freight or storage arrangements prior to payment of their account. The most effective shipping and insurance arrangements can then be made and added to your invoice.
Personal collection of my wine?
You are welcome to pick up your purchases from Sterling’s Perth Cellar. Advance notice of collection ensures there are no delays. No collections can be made until 12:00pm on the Monday following the Wednesday auction. If the invoice notes wines as "Ex-cellar", they will be available for collection one week later. The Monday week, following the Wednesday Auction. This delay in collection is caused by arranging transport from professional cellaring service to the Sterling cellar in Subiaco.
What are my payment options?
Terms are strictly cash, EFTPOS (VISA Card, Master Card or Business Card) or bank cheque before delivery or collection. Personal cheques are only acceptable by arrangement prior to the auction and may be subject to special clearance at the cost of the Bidder. For security purposes telephone purchases, Visa Card, Mater Card and Bankcard are limited to $1200.00 only.
A 2% charge applies if not paid within 7 days.
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Security
Are my Credit Card details filed by Sterling Wine Auctions?
No. As a security and privacy measure, Sterling Wine Auctions does not store your credit card details. We discourage clients from providing this information in any written form.
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Privacy
What about my privacy?
Sterling Wine Auctions have strict privacy procedures that are upheld by all staff.
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Terms & Conditions
What are Sterling Wine Auctions Terms & Conditions?
The auction terms & conditions are the legal and binding agreement you make when you bid with Sterling Wine Auctions. It is understood that each bidder is aware of these terms and conditions and that they are agreed and accepted on joining.
What do the Terms & Conditions cover?
In Terms & Conditions questions regarding the buyer's premium, hammer price, purchase price & the GST as well as your rights and responsibilities as a buyer or member are answered.
Where can I find Sterling Wine Auctions Terms & Conditions?
Terms & Conditions information is located in "Auctions" under "Terms & Conditions". These should be read before bidding with Sterling Wine Auctions.
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Customer Service
What will Customer Service tell me?
Customer Service answers questions about Sterling Wine Auctions including buying, selling, forthcoming auctions, valuations, cellarage and shipping.
Where do I find Customer Service?
Customer Service is available as a selection on the main tool bar above.
What if I still have questions?
If you still have any questions please contact us.
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