To store or not to store--that is the question.

[winecollector]

I honestly don't visit very many web sites, and even have trouble finding the time to keep up to date on this one. From what I've heard though, e-bay may be one that you could try in order to find a used unit. Until you actually find a unit, if you have some valuable wines that you don't intend to open for years, I would recommend you follow Hotwine's advice. Again, being from NY, your going to likely have better access to used wine products as well as wine services than the majority of us from other states.

The following are only a couple of the wine storage places I am aware of in NY. They sometimes advertise their services in the back of Wine Spectator Magazine. Their charges start at $1.10 per case a month and go up from there. All claim to be temperature & humidity controlled, as well as vibration free.

Wine Services Inc. (Meto NY & Long Island)- 1-800-955-WINE, or www.a1stop.com/wine . $1.10 per case per month, pick up and delivery available.

Caves of Carlyle (Manhattan)- 212-977-4900, or fax 212-977-2501. These are private lockers. 48th Street & Eleventh Ave.

Chelsea Wine Vault (New York City)- 212-462-4244, or www.chelseawinevault.com . Open 6 days a week, pick up and delivery arranged.

Vintage Wine Warehouse (Manhattan)- 1-212-245-4889, or fax 1-212-245-4839. Accessable 6 days a week, pick up and deliveries aranged. $1.35 per case per month.

Check them out, and see if any of these appeal to you.

I don't know how many bottles your looking to store. If you don't have too many, maybe check out www.winestat.com . They advertise a product for $149 that you can use with a spare fridge, freezer ($169), or air conditioner. I don't necessarily recommend a unit like this- I'm not convinced there would not be vibration, nor do I know how reliable they are. However, since you can't afford a new wine cooling unit, this may be something that will fit your budget.