Avoiding the pitfalls
We’d all like to avoid is the big crush in the grog shops before Christmas and New Year. Parking is a hassle, so is shopping in the crowded aisles, getting through the checkout queues, schlepping all the grog to the car and unloading it at home and schlepping it up or down to your place. It’s not just wine but spirits and beer too, and cases of beer are pretty heavy.
That’s why buying online makes sense. There’s one more reason, and it’s a big one: price. Your local retailer is rarely the one with the best deals and, in the Christmas-New Year period, retailers put on fewer specials because they know people will buy up big anyway.
Buying online
It’s the smartest way to buy your supplies for the holiday season, and you should do it ahead of time. Here’s why:
- You have a much wider range of wines and wine merchants to choose from
- You can be sure you’re buying from the retailer with the best price
- The goods are delivered to your home or front door
- If you buy enough in one order, freight is often free (see below)
- The retailers we recommend have local staff who can help you with queries or orders.
Pitfalls: if you want wine left at your front door or with a neighbour, make sure you say so on the instructions. A lot of wine is delivered by AusPost couriers, and you’ll have to collect it from the Post Office if you miss them.
Online, ahead of time
Here’s how to save a heap of money and a lot of time and inconvenience:
- Plan ahead a little and work out what you need / want
- Do your research online to find the best prices for your choice of wines
- Order what you need at least a couple of weeks ahead of Christmas.
Simple, isn’t it? Here’s a list of wine merchants we and our subscribers have had good experiences with, in terms of range, prices and service.
Pitfalls: merchants with poor service or reputations. First check our list of Online Wine merchants – the Good, Bad & Ugly
