United Cellars Auctions – Terms & Conditions
Effective Date: 19/05/2025
Governing Entity: United Cellars Pty Ltd (ABN: [95 111 797 623])
By registering for and participating in United Cellars Auctions, you agree to the following terms. These Terms and Conditions govern all interactions with United Cellars in relation to auctions, bidding, payments, fulfilment, and consignment services.
1. Eligibility and Registration
To participate in United Cellars Auctions:
You must be at least 18 years old (or legal drinking age in your jurisdiction).
You must create an account with accurate personal or business information.
By placing a bid, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
2. Bidding and Purchase Terms
All bids are final, irrevocable, and legally binding.
The highest bid at the time of auction close will be deemed the winning bid.
Winning bidders will receive confirmation via email and are obligated to complete payment within the required timeframe.
United Cellars reserves the right to withdraw any lot prior to the close of bidding without notice.
3. Product Descriptions and Condition
Wine descriptions are compiled from cellar records, producer notes, and visual inspection.
All wines are sold as-is, particularly aged bottles, with no guarantees regarding drinkability or cork condition unless otherwise stated.
Imag for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the exact condition of the product.
4. Payment and Buyer’s Premium
Payment is due within 72 hours of the auction's conclusion.
A Buyer’s Premium may apply and will be clearly stated per auction or per lot.
Accepted payment methods include major credit cards and other payment services available on the checkout page.
Non-payment within the allocated time may result in forfeiture of the wine, cancellation of the bid, and suspension from future auctions.
5. Shipping, Delivery & Insurance
After successful payment, buyers may elect to:
Ship wines to an approved address
Arrange pickup (by appointment)
Store their wine with United Cellars (see Section 6)
All shipments are insured up to the invoice value.
Delivery timelines may vary based on location, customs, and courier constraints.
6. Auction Storage Terms
United Cellars offers a secure, temperature-controlled storage facility for auction purchases:
Fee Structure: $0.40 per bottle per month (AUD, incl. GST).
Billing: Storage is billed on the 21st of each month for all items not shipped. Fees are charged to the default credit card on file.
Management: Buyers can log in anytime to request shipment.
Abandonment: Wines left in storage for more than 12 months without payment or contact may be classified as abandoned. United Cellars reserves the right to resell or dispose of abandoned items after due notice.
7. Risk & Title
Title and risk of loss pass to the buyer upon:
Full payment, and
Shipment or entry into storage, whichever comes first.
8. Returns, Faults & Cancellations
All auction sales are final. No cancellations, returns, or exchanges are permitted except where required by Australian Consumer Law.
Wines sold through auction are not covered by the United Cellars Tasting Guarantee that applies to standard retail purchases. This includes wines affected by cork taint, oxidation, or other faults common in older bottles.
Bidders acknowledge that aged or cellared wines carry inherent risks, including bottle variation and possible spoilage. These risks are accepted at the time of bidding.
Wines are sold as-is, based on their described condition. United Cellars does not guarantee provenance, storage history prior to our custody, or sensory outcomes after purchase unless explicitly warranted.
9. Account Suspension & Termination
United Cellars reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account for:
Non-payment
Fraudulent bidding or activity
Abuse of the platform or staff
Repeated return requests inconsistent with our policies
10. Corporate & Trade Buyers
Licensed trade and corporate clients are welcome under the following conditions:
An ABN (or equivalent international identifier) is required for trade registration.
No consumer protections apply to trade purchases unless mandated by law.
Trade buyers are responsible for resale compliance in their jurisdictions.
Services such as consolidated invoicing or storage plans may be offered to trade clients upon request.
11. International Buyers – Taxes and Duties
International bidders are responsible for:
All local import taxes, duties, customs fees, and VAT.
United Cellars does not declare auction purchases as “gifts” or undervalue them.
Prices are quoted in AUD, inclusive of Australian GST (where applicable).
Delays or returns due to unpaid duties are at the buyer’s risk and expense.
12. Vendor Consignment Terms (Selling Wine via Auction)
United Cellars offers consignment services to clients wishing to sell wine through auction.
12.1 Consignment Agreement
All vendors must sign a formal consignment agreement outlining terms, commission, and reserve prices (if applicable).
12.2 Title and Warranty
The vendor warrants that they have clear legal title and the right to sell the wine, free of liens or encumbrances.
Vendors must disclose all material facts (e.g., provenance, prior storage conditions, label damage, etc.)
12.3 Storage and Handling
Wines accepted for auction are stored in United Cellars’ secure facility.
Consigned wines may be subject to quality inspection. Bottles deemed unsuitable may be declined or revalued.
12.4 Auction Listing and Reserves
Vendors may propose reserve prices, subject to approval. Unsold wines may be relisted or returned, subject to handling fees.
12.5 Commission & Payment
United Cellars applies a commission on the final hammer price, as agreed in the consignment contract.
Payment is made to the vendor within 21 business days of buyer payment, less applicable fees.
12.6 Withdrawal or Cancellation
United Cellars reserves the right to withdraw any consigned lot at its sole discretion (e.g., for compliance, authenticity, or administrative reasons).
13. Privacy Policy
Data is collected and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By registering and bidding, you consent to the use of your information for transaction processing, communication, and marketing (where opted in).
14. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. All disputes shall be resolved in the courts of NSW.
15. Amendments
We may update these Terms from time to time. Your continued participation in United Cellars Auctions constitutes acceptance of any changes.
16. Contact Us
For all enquiries related to auctions, consignments, or accounts:
United Cellars Auctions
Email: auctions@unitedcellars.com.au
Phone:02 8915 5333
Website: https://www.unitedx.com.au
