The Bunch Code of Practice

 

The Bunch

 

Together with six other leading independent merchants Corney & Barrow is signatory to The Bunch Code of Practice, setting industry standards for customer satisfaction and for the security of customers' paid reserves, whether shipped or lying abroad. The ormulation of the Code of Practice is an on-going concern and thus far, members of the Bunch have committed themselves to the following:

We do not want to bewilder you with service, but there are perhaps three features to which we should particularly draw your attention:

  1. We aim to offer wines which are exclusive to us - and therefore to you - and which are the best available in their class, as well as the most competitively priced. This applies to United Kingdom customers only and to overseas customers' orders delivered to a United Kingdom port.
  2. We undertake, as we have always done, to replace or credit wine which, for any reason, fails to give satisfaction
  3. Each customer has always been looked after by one specific person. We remain committed to this unique aspect of our service as the Company continues to grow.

The Bunch Guarantee

  1. If you don't like any wine that you buy from us, for whatever reason, return it within a month of purchase and we shall refund your money without question or delay. This applies to United Kingdom customers only and to overseas customers' orders delivered to a United Kingdom port.
  2. This Guarantee applies to 'En Primeur' sales in the sense that the customers have the right to change their mind within one month of being charged for their order.

Customer Paid Reserves, Duty Paid

 
  1. All customer paid reserves are stored separately from any stock belonging to the merchant, and such storage areas are clearly identified
  2. Separate stock records are maintained for all customer reserves.
  3. Every case held duty paid on behalf of a customer is clearly identified in a way which unambiguously asserts that customer's ownership.
  4. Individual stock certificates are supplied annually to each customer, or on request.
  5. No wines will be removed from individual customer reserves except on instructions from the owner or, where the customer requires frequent withdrawals from reserves (eg in the case of restaurants) following receipt of a letter of indemnity from the owner authorising verbal instructions.
  6. Wines are insured on the customer's behalf, at least to the value of the original purchase price.
  7. Customers may inspect their duty paid reserves at any time during normal business hours.

Customer Paid Reserves, In Bond

 
  1. Members of The Bunch who provide bonded storage for customer reserves are moving rapidly to compliance with the standards outlined above for duty paid stocks, or have already completed the implementation of these conditions, consistent with the requirements of HM Customs and Excise.

Customer Paid Reserves, Overseas

 
  1. It is not possible to provide the same level of separate identification and access for inspection in the case of overseas stocks (particularly when this relates to 'primeur' sales of wine still in cask) but members of the Bunch are working on establishing some accord with this matter with foreign suppliers and meanwhile provide certification based on current best practice.
  2. Members ensure that they only deal with established and reputable suppliers (the producer where possible), preferring to pay slightly more if necessary to achieve this end.
  3. Suppliers provide stock certificates to the merchants and the merchants provide stock certificates for their customers, clearly stating what additional charges if any (duty, shipping etc) may be payable at a later date.
  4. Wines are paid for promptly by the merchant in accordance with the supplier's terms and conditions to the UK as soon as practicable after bottling, and then delivered promptly to our customers or placed in their duty paid or bonded reserves.

Mail Order

 
  1. Members of the Bunch are signatories to the Mail Order Code of Practice, promulgated by the Wine and Spirit Association.
  2. The Bunch is working on a clear summary of this Mail Order Code, comprehensible to customers, and will incorporate any further enhancements which seem necessary

The Bunch consists of the following merchants:
Corney & Barrow, Adnams, John Armit, Lay & Wheeler, Tanners and Yapp, Berry Brothers & Rudd.
We are members of the Wine & Spirit Association and subscribe to the Wine by Mail code.

 


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