Originally Posted by
cordelli
OK, I'll bite.
How does your Wine Check get around buying one every time? If I buy it and bring wine home in it in a $13 box from Buffalo (or $8 at Sterling), on my next trip I either have to bring the empty box back with me or buy another one.
If I'm going to bring a Wine Check back out with an empty box in it, I can just as well bring the empty box on my next trip too.
Are you saying you can somehow fold it up in a suitcase with a reusable styrofoam box in it? Of course not. In either case, you either bring an empty box out there with you, or you buy a new one. Using a Winecheck does not in any way change the number of boxes I need, either I bring one or get a new one.
I'm sure we all appreciate you coming here to sell your product, but you need to be reasonable in the discussion.
Mike, I'm not sure how I'm not being reasonable, so please allow me to clarify.
Yes, if you choose to pack it in your suitcase, since it does fold up, you'd need another shipper box and Styrofoam. However, I'm imagining that this crowd, in particular has NO problem traveling with as many checked bags as they want. You can, if you like, check a Wine Check with nothing in it, anticipating filling it up, or, you can fill it with 'stuff' that would normally be in your baggage. One winemaker brings wine home to Minnesota and brings back venison in the slots. Most who travel with it keep the box in it, and either keep it empty, or fill it with clothing, toiletries, or snacks.
The concept is essentially to provide an extra layer of protection to the box (and wine within), allow for reusing of the box/Styrofoam if needed, and make it far easier to transport (wheels and handles, versus a 45 lb smooth sided cardboard box you kick through the airport because you have no hands free). Having an insulated bag over your shipper box also allows one to keep wine safely in the trunk while touring wine country, particularly if it is in a shipper box within The Wine Check, with a Styrofoam insert, and with ice packs in the slots provided within. We all spend a decent amount of money on our wine, yet can be all to careless when transporting it. You don't put your clothes in a box, do you? If you brought an empty box back and forth in a trip, it wouldn't last very long. At best, the cardboard casing would go. Typically, the Styrofoam inside wears down from the constant edge damage. It's about reusing, and convenience - wheels on your luggage, pull straps or telescoping handles, carry handles, etc. Same goes for wine - this is wine luggage. If you feel that a box is just as good, that's fine - many feel it is quite difficult to handle, hence the creation of The Wine Check (not my idea - the idea of a tour guide in Napa/Sonoma)