First, let me say that I am reviewing Vin En Noir for their business practices. Vin Shady.
Vin En Noir does not pay their vendors. I'll speak to one, in particular, that I have firsthand knowledge of. (full disclosure: I now work for the vendor.) My friend is a solo winemaker, micro producer, puts everything into the business. Over a YEAR AGO he sold her 8 cases of his wine with net 30 terms.
She bought it wholesale. She sold it retail or higher (by the glass is normally higher, especially in Napa), and made more than enough to pay the vendor who made it. ...more than enough...
Let me tell you what that almost $3K bill did to this small, black-owned, solopreneur business: Not getting paid risked part of the harvest (that bill would have paid for a ton of grapes, or an entire pallet of wine bottles, or one of the custom crush fees paid to share a facility.
This business started 4 years ago and has been producing AWARD WINNING WINES since day one. She said she wanted to elevate him and help him get exposure. He wanted to help her start this beautiful venture and gave her net30 terms, as a way to help a fellow black business owner out. He trusted her with his products and to honor her word.
A few weeks later she needed two cases of wine in an emergency for her business, and he made them available to her even on a weekend. To date, had not been paid for the first 8 cases...but gave some grace for a fellow Black community member.
Months pass. Emails and statements have gone out. No response. Emails imploring her to even talk to him about it. Nothing. More emails. Nothing. No good faith from this woman. No good faith...
Finally get the invoice into her hands face to face and she asks for payment arrangements. Dennis still believing in and wanting to help a fellow out, she got terms. Needed to make a "good faith" payment to start the agreed upon repayment. One week passes. Nothing. Two weeks. Nothing. It finally took a "this is how this can escalate" email to get a response and a $750 payment. since then, nothing. Not one email. Not one phone conversation from her. Nothing but crickets.
Meanwhile, my friend is struggling to keep going with his business. Its not right. Not one bit.
This is not the kind of business or people anyone should trust.
Other vendors should be warned.
Potential clients should know, too.
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