Buying Wine on The Internet in Every State

[WineAndCigar]

Certainly some interesting thoughts out here. Did not realize how my original topic could go off in various directions. But, as Jason indicates, the laws seem to be a bit outdated for the wine industry. Anyway, I tried to contact NAXON.COM with the contact name they gave on the web page. The phone number goes to the office of Tony Podesta. Ya, this is the Washington lobbiest who changes the opinions of our legislators. It seems that NAXON is trying to convince Capital Hill that their approach to "wine on the net" will be the "new-and-regulated-way" of the future. They even set up a a Virtual Distribution Company to eventually handle net orders in all 50 States. They have 37 States registered to date. LOOKS LIKE MY ORIGINAL QUESTION MAY SOON BE ANSWERED.

That issue aside,I now get the good business sense that wine sales over the net will eventually become a true monopoly. Hmmm ... where have I heard this concept before ... JDM? I tried to send a note to Virtualvin.com (net wine sales Co.) to get their take on this, and they replied ... "the issue is too complex to discuss over the network - please send your phone # and we can talk about it." (I plan on talking with them after my trip back from Brazil next week). This leads me to think: are the current wine net resellers nervous? Don't know, but NAXON is working on something interesting ... to control Wine over the net.

What gets me pissed off (as a business man, now) is that a MONOPOLY may soon exist out there on the net for wine sales. Although I don't have a busines directly in the wine industry today, this issue kind of makes me want to start a NAXON.COM #2. Certainly our government officials would support open competition. One problem though ... I have heard through my contacts that NAXON has registered anything and everything (phrase, title, object, etc.) do with the branding of XXXWineXXX.COM. They have done a great job to LOCK out the comp. Oh well, life goes on in the wine industry ...
Regards,
WCT




[This message has been edited by WineAndCigar (edited 03-25-99).]