fromvineyardsdirect.ie

I've had issues with them as well. I ordered three cases of wine en primeur (before bottling) roughly mid 2012 for delivery late 2013 / early 2014. Buying en primeur can be dodgy (lots of scammers out there) and one of the main pieces of advice from those 'in the know' is to obtain certificates from the broker (FVD in this case) proving that they were allocated wine by the chateau and that 'your' wine is now in your name - thus protecting you if the broker goes under; this should not be a problem with reputable brokers. Despite months of going back and forth with them, and several promises, I never got them. I was especially worried as one of my purchases was at an exceptional price. Having a look around, there seems to be very little activity from them recently - despite previous regular updates, their Facebook page has only been updated once since last summer (and even that was three months ago), and the last user post on their page is an unanswered complaint about missing bottles and no contact. I am still getting occasional emails but not as many as before. They also seem to have lost one of their staff (Gareth's name has not been on emails since summer). I have serious misgivings about their current status.

But, there is some encouraging signs. They contacted me last Autumn to let me know one of my purchases was ready for delivery (not the great value one). I wanted to avail of their storage service (no point getting this wine before 2015, and I don't have a cellar) but got no reply to my emails requesting same. In the end, I sent them the cheque for VAT and duty about 5 weeks ago - and received my wine a couple of days later (albeit with no notice of any kind). So there does seem to be some movement - but I'd be hesitant to give them money (too late for me)......

You might keep me posted? I'd be interested in how you get on. They have a couple of hundred quid of my money and I hope I get something for it!

Hey guys bought and paid for a case of wine off fromvineyardsdirect last year and yes you guessed it…….no sign!! Any ideas? Anybody out there with similar problems? Sent emails and rang many times but to no avail!
How do we know wine dealers will deliver our wine? Paid fromvineyardsdirect by cheque….i know school boy error I’m told as I have no comeback.
Any bolt of lightning ideas out there how I can get case or money back?

There is another thread about FVD but it had some posts removed recently. I'm in a similar situation but had contact today with them. I hope to have news in the coming days.

Threads merged.

tHB

To be honest, you would be better off raising this in the Consumer Issues forum.

So, I promised an update. Not looking good unfortunately! I mentioned above that I had been in contact with FVD on 30th July - Stuart promised me my wine within two weeks then. Well, three weeks later and nowt! No response to email either. That I even got that communication is thanks to the (much appreciated) help of wine critic Tom Doorley and UK wine fraud journalist Jim Budd.

Some facts about FVD Ireland:
1. They have not filed returns for last year, despite being obliged to do so.
2. As of their last accounts, they have liabilities of over €500,000 and a negative net worth of -€422k.
3. All of the directors (including Stuart, who still seems to be representing them) resigned in February of this year.
4. They no longer have any connection with the UK company, and simply licence the name.


FVD UK:
In the hole to UK Revenue for approx £1 million stg due to "accounting errors". Currently trying to restructure the company with creditors being asked to take a major haircut. Even this is conditional on Revenue approving the scheme which, at last reporting, they hadn't.


So, think carefully before you give them money. And if you already have (like me) - good luck getting what you're owed!

Zac and David - would you mind PMing me your email addresses and details of your dealings with FVD? Jim Budd is going after them in his wine fraud blog so other unsatisfied customers' stories may help. There was also another person whose posts were removed from here - get in touch as well if you're still watching!

they were great a few years back. I ordered 2 cases en primeur and should have delivery some months back - there is no answer to my calls and emails from Ire or UK. Just sensed something was up and found this post. I did use PayPal but as it was 2 years ago I do not think I have comeback.
Interested to know what I can do - probably try the small claims court and see if they have anything left - just not right that they are still trading if they are not delivering. Could you still order on their website?

Thread re-opened as a regular poster has pertinent info that may be of use to other forum regulars.

Please note that the thread will be closed again if this descends into a 'how do I get my money back?' or 'these are a bunch of [add expletive]' fest..

tHB

Hi Padraig,

I know I'm late to this discussion, but i am fairly stressed about this.

I bought 5 cases of wine from these guys a couple of years ago and i had left it with them in storage since (pretty niaive, in hindsight). I tried to get them to deliver them recently and no answer. I googled them and discovered this thread.

Did you find out anything more? Are they still trading? Is there any way to get the wine / refund?

Cheers.