Decanter World Wine Awards1855.com increasingly embattled as protesters gather
- Thursday 30 August 2012
In the last few months 1855.com has been accused of fraud by French TV and named in a series of unfavourable court judgments; its site has been threatened with closure and its share price has dropped as low as €0.03.
This month an anti-1855 protest association has been formed.
At the beginning of August TV channel France2 ran a news item about 1855.com under the headline ‘arnaque’ (fraud).
Reporting on the growing number of legal complaints against 1855.com, it said one disgruntled customer has asked the courts to close down the site. The hearing takes place in Paris on 27 September.
In mid-July a Bordeaux court ordered 1855 to pay €50 a day to a client who in 2009 had ordered Chateau Lafite and Chateau Latour, both 2008s, expecting delivery last year but receiving nothing.
This month Abus 1855.com was officially recognised as an association. It has been set up by dissatisfied customers of 1855.com and its associated companies Cave Privée and Chateauonline, which were acquired by 1855.com in 2010 and 2011.
The object of the association is to assist clients of 1855 to pursue the company as well as dissuade new customers.
The French government agency Brigade Interrégionale d'Enquête Vins et Spiritueux (BIEV) is actively pressurising 1855.com to reimburse customers who have not received wine they have ordered.
1855.com's troubles have hit its share price. Shares are now trading at between €0.03- €0.04 on the Paris Bourse. Five years ago they hit a high of €5.00 a share.
Have your say!
Sanjay
January 04 12:46
To RWC: When you say it works if you go to see them,..did you go to their offices? And you got a refund?
Kevin Bingham
December 30 17:33
still waiting for 18 bottles of various 08 Rothschild. 8000 euros now valued at 21000.
Have even been to Paris office where the rep was really embarrassed as she knew the problems but being used as frontline to customers....she must have very thick skin or being paid alot of money. Offered to look into it!! I would suggest Abus 1855 a group of people getting together or a law suit direct One of the richest people in France owns them and cannot understand why big Domaines still supply them
Kevin Bingham
RWC
November 21 17:45
I suggest to travel to Paris and keep the refund of money personally. I tried it and it works. Good luck!
Xavier C.
October 16 09:37
I am still waiting for 2004 primeurs from 1855.com. I also ordered 2009 burgundies from their sister company called ChateauOnline and never received them. However, I managed to get a refund on that last order. Not from the merchant of course, but from the credit card company I used to pay my order, claiming that wines that should have been delivered in spring this year haven't. This is a breach of sale contract. You might want to try that...