Vinebid is a unique platform offering buyers and sellers of nursery vines a secure and transparent environment in which to trade. The site is designed and operated with the importance of security measures and User’s privacy in mind. In the latter regard, all users are referred to Vinebid’s privacy policy. For more detailed information regarding the manner in, and terms on which, transactions are conducted on the site, users are referred to Vinebid’s terms and conditions.

Buyers

Vinebid offers an innovative and unique way for farmers to take control of their input costs. Through the auction process available in Vinebid the buyer can choose what he is willing to pay for his vines rather than have the price dictated to him. In addition, vines can be sold at a set price on a ‘buy now’ basis. All sales are conducted in accordance with and are subject to Vinebid’s terms and conditions. The prices reflected on Vinebid are exclusive of VAT (VAT is not charged on nursery vines). All sales are on an ‘ex nursery’ basisDue to the perishable nature of vines and their source (and in relation to sales conducted by auction due to the manner in which they are sold) there is no cooling off period for the Buyer after vines are collected.

Sellers

Vinebid offers the South African vine nursery industry a unique selling platform which allows the nurseryman to sell surplus vines at a reduced price without affecting his ex-works price as the transaction is being conducted through a third party. High value or rare combinations can be sold through the bidding process at far higher than market prices increasing profits. One of the major benefits to the nurseryman of selling his vines through the Vinebid portal is the structured way in which all transactions take place.

Registration and bidding process

1. A user registers on the website as either a Buyer (free) or a Seller ( costs involved).
2. If you registered as a Seller you can now add a lot that will be available for all registered Buyers to make offers on, you may choose to accept or reject the offers.
3. If you registered as a Buyer you can now make offers on all the available lots that have been added by Sellers.
4. The Seller may accept or reject ant offers received at any time. The buyer will be informed as soon as his offer has been accepted or rejected.

Payment process

1. If you as a Buyer have been chosen as the winning Buyer of a lot then you must make the payment of 30% of the total plus 3.5% commision to Vinebid within a period of 2 days (48 hours).
2. You will be supplied with deposit details to make the EFT payment.
3. Once you have made the deposit, fax your proof of payment to 086 671 0018 or email it to billing@vinebid.com
4. Once the payment has been verified, Vinebid will email you an invoice along with a unique transaction code to the Buyer.
5. Once the payment has been received, Vinebid will send a summary of the sale along with the Buyer's details to the Seller and visa versa.

Delivery and Collection process

1. The Buyer communicates with the Seller on the details of delivery, collection and final payment of the vines from the collection address nominated by the Seller and exchanges the transaction code with the Seller once the delivery and collection phase has been completed.
2. The Seller logs onto the Vinebid website and enters the transaction code given by the Buyer.
3. Vinebid will then verify the transaction code and pay the 30% deposit to the Seller within 32 days.
4. Vinebid strongly recommends that all Buyers carefully inspect all vines purchased before the transaction code is provided to the Seller – in order to ensure that the vines conform to the sale description and contract terms. Vinebid also strongly recommends that Sellers do not release vines to Buyers until the transaction code has been entered into and is accepted by the Vinebid website please note that the codes are case sensitive.

Users will be subject to certain charges based on how they will use Vinebid.

Buyers

• Registration is free of charge for all users who register as a Buyer.
• Membership at Vinebid is currently free of charge for Buyers.

Sellers

• Seller registration is subject to a signup fee of R4500.
• Membership at Vinebid is valid for 12 months and is subject to a membership fee of R5000 for Sellers only.

Penalties will be incurred by users in relation to certain forms of conduct or in relation to certain events as reflected in the Vinebid Terms and Conditions.

Buyers

• A Buyer who has been chosen as the winner and has not made the payment before the payment deadline of 5 days (120 hours) after the winner has been selected and notified, will be liable for a penalty of 10% of the sale price for the lot.
• If a Buyer requests that a offer be removed, the Buyer will be liable for a penalty of 10% of the value of the bid.

Sellers

• After the Buyer has collected the material, if a Seller does not enter the Transaction Code before the redemption period of 30 days after the Buyer has paid, then the lot will be cancelled and the Seller will be liable for a penalty of 10% of the value of the lot.
• If a Seller requests that a lot be removed and the lot has not yet closed, but has received offers, then the Seller will be liable for a penalty of 25% of the value of the lot.

To ensure fair usage of this service, time limits have been imposed on certain actions on Vinebid.

Buyers

• Lots must be paid within 2 days (48 hours) of a winner being selected and notified.
• Once a transaction has been concluded, the Buyer will have 60 days to rate the Seller and comment on the transaction.

Sellers

• The minimum period that a lot can be open on Vinebid is 5 days.
• The latest date that a lot can close is 90 days from the loading date.
• When an Lot closes on the expiry date, the Seller has 5 days to accept an offer.
• Once the Buyer has paid for a lot, the Seller has 30 days to enter the Transaction Code.
• After a transaction is completed, the Seller has 60 days to rate the Buyer and comment on the transaction.

What is a good or bad rating?

1 is the worst possible rating and 10 is the best possible rating. The ratings are an average of all the rating made about a user over time.

What does the Rating System do and how does it work?

The Rating System is a feature that allows a user to make a public comment about other users with whom that user has interacted. This provides Vinebid users with a means of policing themselves and of promoting honesty. For more specific information, User’s are referred to the Ratings and Comments Policy.

Why should I rate another user?

All feedback comes from actual experiences that users have had with each other. This in turn gives all users a chance to find out a bit more about the people they are doing business with, which assists all users in making an informed decision about conducting business with a particular user in the future. It also helps set the standards for all users. You are therefore providing a service to other users of our site, by partaking in the Rating System.

How do I rate a user?

You are only able to rate another user that you have interacted with once an auction/sale has successfully closed. We encourage you to finish your transaction with the user before placing a rating about your interaction with that person. Please keep in mind your overall experience as well as each step in the transaction process.

A link is provided to you after the closing of an auction/sale through which you will have access to the Rating Area. You will have only one opportunity to post your rating and comment, you will not be able to edit it at a later date. You may also enter a text comment to elaborate on your rating.

Please think carefully about placing a negative rating about a user and only do so after making reasonable attempts to resolve the issues you have with the relevant user.

How do I view a rating of a user?

This depends upon whether the user is a Buyer or a Seller.

If the user is a Seller, you can view that Seller's rating by clicking on a item, which will take you to the lot details page. It can be seen under the seller heading.

If the user is a Buyer, you can view that Buyer's rating only once an auction has closed and you will be offered the choice of up to five buyers along with their bids and rating to choose to sell you vines to.

Can I view my own rating?

You can view your own rating from the Member's Area of the site. Login and it will appear on the top right of the screen, just click on your rating.

What is the difference between a certified and uncertified nursery?

Certified nurseries are registered with the department of agriculture and Vinebid has checked their credentials. Uncertified nurseries may be private individuals acting as agents or farmers reselling excess vines.

Currently Vinebid only works with registered nurseries that have been in the industry for 10 years plus so you can be assured of quality.

How does this website work?

Vinebid is a third party platform allowing Sellers and Buyers of nursery vines to conduct their business in accordance with the terms and conditions governing all transactions on the site. Sellers have the opportunity to sell their products at a discount while keeping the transaction between themselves and the Buyer. Sellers also have the benefit of being assured payment within 32 days of the close of an auction. Buyers benefit from being able to control the cost of their vines by being able to select lots at the prices they are happy to pay. Vinebid is not a party to any sale transactions concluded on the website.

Are the transactions on this site safe?

No private information is sent so all transactions are 100% safe. All payments are handled off-line.

How will I get paid for my vines?

Vinebid will receive payment from the Buyer via the EFT payment once he has been selected by the Seller. This money (30% Deposit) will be held by Vinebid until the Seller enters the payment code which he has received from the Buyer upon collection of the vines. Once this code is entered (within 30 days after the close of the auction) correctly the Seller will receive payment from Vinebid with in 32days or less.

How do I pay for lots on the site?

Buyers will pay a 30% deposit plus 3.5% commission for lots they have successfully made offers on by doing a EFT payment. Vinebid will send a invoice with all necessary details.

Can I choose how many vines I want to buy?

No, the vines are sold in lots, so find a lot which has the amount of vines closest to what you are looking for or post a comment on the "wall" so sellers can see what you are looking for.

How do I know who to buy from or sell to?

The user ratings are a good indicator of who to do business with generally nurseries with high ratings and that have sold a lot of vines should be preferred. Buyers with high ratings and good comment are also preferable.

Also if you look at the seller profile you will see the sellers name and a short bio.

Who is responsible for the delivery of vines?

It is the Buyers responsibility to collect his vines within 30 days of paying for them. Upon collection the Buyer must give the payment code to the Seller.