WineCommune Site News

From November 21st through December 25th, 2005, WineCommune will be giving away two $100 American Express Gift Checks (valid anywhere American Express traveler's check are accepted) each week - one a buyer and one to a seller. Entry is simple! Every bid or Buy It! placed during a week is an entry in the contest. There is no limit to the number of entries you make as long as your bid is legitimate. A random bid or Buy It! will be chosen and both the person who placed that bid or Buy It! and the seller of the item bid upon will each get a $100 gift check!

Click here for full details.

Have a lot that would make a great gift? Adding the wine gift icon is free and easy. When you post your lot for sale, look for the checkbox marked GIFT LOT. Just check that box! That's it! Be sure to describe what gift services you can provide the buyer in the lot description field.

Click here for more information on the Gift Section.

Get ready to increase your sales this holiday season! Reach out to more buyers and extendthe holiday shopping calendar by following these tips:

• Make sure buyers know you take PayPal or Credit Cards. Holiday shoppers want to avoid delays. Ring up more sales by allowing them to pay you immediately.
• Use Buy It! in your listings. Auction buying is fun, but somebuyers prefer not to wait when they see an item they like. Buy It! allows them to purchase it on the spot.
• Offer expedited shipping options. Expedited shipping helps ensure items arrive on time, relieving concerns about timely delivery.
• Include photos! People feel more confident buying when they can see the item for sale. Items with photos get the most views and fetch higher prices.
• Include shipping costs if possible. Lots with the most detailed shipping costs and payment information get more bids. Buyers like to know all their costs up front.

Ever since its founding in 1985, the Rusty Staub Foundation has become synonymous with the motto that has been the driving force behind our steadfast commitment: “Benefiting Youth, Fighting Hunger.” The Rusty Staub Foundation Emergency Food Pantries will serve almost half a million meals each year to these needy families, almost two thirds of whom are children.

For the third year in a row, the RSF has partnered with WineCommune to allow you to participate in this auction fundraiser. Bid now on fantasy packages of wine, food and travel to help raise money for this worthy cause.

Click here for full details.

• Make a donation online at RedCross.org.
  
• Keep your confirmation email and forward it to contact@winezap.com.
  
• We'll match 100% of your donation until we hit our $3,000 limit or until September 15.
  

Our goal is to raise a total of $6,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Thank you for your contribution.

UPDATE: We met our $6,000 goal within 1 hour of posting this call to action. Thank you for your contributions! We encourage you to continue donating.

WineCommune proudly presents a special invitation! A Taste for Life 2005 Fifth Annual Fine Wine Tasting, Dinner and Auction on Saturday, September 17, 2005 in San Francisco. Proceeds benefit The Diabetic Youth Foundation

It would be our honor to welcome you to this exclusive evening. To view the wine tasting tables please visit www.atasteforlife.net and click on ‘Wine Tasting Tables’.

Each year, A Taste for Life donates proceeds to a diabetes-related cause, The Diabetic Youth Foundation (DYF). Proceeds from A Taste for Life 2005 will help send diabetic youth and their families to camp. Bearskin Meadow Camp in Yosemite Valley, among other camps run by the DYF, enriches the worlds of children affected by diabetes, teaching them how best to approach life with this devastating disease. The result is a life-changing experience and one that brings about the realization that there are other kids just like them with diabetes and that life can be meaningful and fulfilling.

We hope to see you on September 17th for what is sure to be an unforgettable tasting experience! For table listings, tickets, and more information about A Taste for Life 2005 please visit: http://atasteforlife.net

• Images
• Hot auction indicator
• Reserve indicator
• Close time
• Bid count
• Shipping cost
• Seller information
• and lot number

Click here to view all wines for sale.

• The St. Helena Montessori School "Festa Primavera" Annual Auction
• The KERA Public Radio Fundraising Auction

• Thank you - this would not have been possible without your participation!
• Credits to offset the fees you incurred have been posted to your account. If you did not get credited or have a problem with your credits, please contact us.
  

Two big improvements to the image system:

• The image thumbnails (the small versions of images that appear to the left of the item name in listings) have been improved. We got rid of the black bevel edge and improved the quality of the image. This means a larger, better image.
  

• Sellers can now post up to 4 images for each item - 3 more than before. The first image is still free, but each additional image is 25 cents.
  

Items with images get significantly more interest than those without. These two improvements will help sellers sell more wine and help buyers make better decisions about their purchases.

We have launched a monthly email newsletter aimed at WineCommune sellers. If you are a regular seller on WineCommune, this newsletter is for you! Each monthly email is packed full of useful information about:

• Improving your sales
  
• Making transactions easier
  
• How to maximize item exposure
  
• Insights into buyers
  
• Upcoming events on WineCommune for sellers
  

Michael
WineCommune