iDealwine.com is getting a makeover! We have been working hard to update to your favourite website in order to improve your user experience. You won’t notice any major changes in how the website looks but you might be able to spot the subtle differences between the old version of the website and the new one. It’ll be quicker, more ergonomic and smoother so that you can continue your journeys in the world of wine with an even better website. For this to happen, iDealwine.com will be down for a few hours as 13th May draws to a close and 14th May see the light of day (French time). Of course, we’ll be by your side ready to help you during these changes and we thank you for your patience during this time.
While the iDealwine website will be down, you won’t be totally left in the dark as you’ll still be able to read the iDealwine blog, shop in the iDealwine En Primeurs website and access the Fine Spirits Auction site. Our different social media accounts will also still be available, and we’ll use them to keep up updated about our progress in real time.
Also, collecting orders and dropping off wine to be sold will be suspended on 13 May.
Let’s take a closer look at the changes
1. The big news: Auctions automatically extend
This is the major modification of the new website. At the moment, it’s not possible to place a bid on a lot after the auction has closed on the iDealwine website. At the stated hour, the catalogue closes and the highest bid on each lot makes those who placed them the happy winners of the bottles. We have therefore decided to put in place a system which automatically extends the auction, known as “Overtime Bidding”. This will mean that iDealwine auctions will be more similar to those that take place in a physical auction room.
When a customer places a bid in the final 3 minutes of an auction (the time and date of closing listed in the “Our Auctions” menu), the catalogue is automatically extended by 3 minutes. If another bid is placed in the 30 seconds before the new closing time, the catalogue is automatically extended by 30 seconds. This system of extending the auction closing time by 30 seconds can be repeated 9 times if new bids are added to the lot. This means that the maximum time auctions can be extended by cannot exceed 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
All this means that you’ll have even more chance to get your hands on the lot you had your heart set on. If you’re not free when an auction is closing, there’s no cause for alarm as our Maximum Bid feature isn’t going anywhere. This system allows you to set the amount you are willing to pay for a lot and the website will automatically place a bid on the desired lot each time someone outbids you until the set figure is reached.
2. More streamlined purchasing process
Whist our current website was pioneer when it was launched over two decades ago, it was designed in 2001. We’ve added to it over time, of course, but this has rendered the purchasing process to finish and pay for orders quite complex. This is especially true after we added the fixed-priced section of the website. The team has knuckled down and found ways to streamline this part of the site and iron out the sticking points. It will henceforth be easier and more straight forward to complete your order, go through the payment process and organise delivery or to have your bottles put into storage.
3. Currency choice when paying by card
When paying by card on the old website, you could select the currency you wanted on the site, and when you went to the payment page, you were automatically redirected to a page for paying in your currency. This page came from a third-party company that charged an exchange rate which wasn’t particularly advantageous for you.
That’s now changed. While you can still browse the website using the same currencies as before, the card payment page will only allow you to pay in Euros, USD (American Dollar) and GBP (Pounds Sterling). If your preferred currency is available (EUR, USD, or GBP), you will be immediately directed to the payment page displaying the total of your order in the currency you chose. If your preferred currency is not available, an error message will appear, and you will be redirected to the payment page in Euros.
You can also go back to the website and select USD or GBP to pay in either of these currencies.
No matter which currency you chose, the exchange rate proposed will now be a lot more in line with what it actually is. And if you don’t wish to pay in EUR, USD, or GBP, you can still choose to pay via bank transfer which accepts all currencies shown on the iDealwine website. The bank details and more information can be found in the FAQs.
4. Clearer “Encyclopaedia of wine”
For those who like to consult the part of our website called “Encyclopaedia of wine”, you’ll notice some changes on the new version of the website. First of all, it’s been renamed “Wine Guide” and it’s here that you can find information about:
- Geography of wine
- Vintage guide
- Bottle format
- Main grape varieties
What is more, we’ll also be adding new articles to the iDealwine blog in the coming months on topics such as ‘How to conserve wine’ and ‘How to serve and taste wine’ as well as a glossary. Your wine experienced will only be enriched by these changes!
5. Some services will be temporary unavailable while we make these changes
When changing from the old website to the new one, some pages will be unavailable for some time afterwards. One of these pages will be “My cellar” in your profile as the data will be moved over at a later time but don’t worry, your data won’t be lost. The “Help me choose” page will also disappear for a while because we’re giving it a major facelift with lots of new functionalities. We’ll tell you more about this when it’s back online. 🙂
We remain at your side as you explore our new website. If you have questions about any part of it, please reach out to our Customer Service team on +33(0)156058610 or via info@idealwine.com who are more than happy to help.
