Selling your rare whisky online can be a lucrative decision, but choosing the right platform is key to maximizing your profits and ensuring a smooth process. Glenbotal and Whisky Auctioneer are two major players in this space, each offering distinct advantages for sellers. Let’s take a closer look at how these two platforms stack up against each other in terms of fees, pricing potential, payout speeds, and more.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal’s fixed-price model typically results in higher sale prices, with sellers averaging 40% more than auction prices. By connecting directly with collectors and investors, Glenbotal offers a predictable and consistent sales outcome, eliminating the uncertainty associated with auction-based platforms.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer operates a traditional auction model, meaning the final sale price depends on bidder activity. While this can sometimes lead to record-breaking sales, it also comes with the risk of lower prices if bidding activity is low or competition is weak.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal charges a 15% post-sales commission, with no fees for buyers. This all-in-one fee covers the entire sales process, from bottle collection to marketing and promotion.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer charges a 5% seller commission, plus a £6 listing fee per bottle. There is also an additional £10 fee if you set a reserve price on your lot. While their commission rate is lower, the additional fees can add up, particularly for sellers listing multiple bottles.
Glenbotal:
Once your bottle is sold and delivered, Glenbotal processes payments within 7 days, ensuring sellers get their money quickly.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer processes payments within 21 business days after the auction ends, giving them a standard payout window compared to most auction platforms.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal provides access to a global audience of collectors and high-value buyers, ensuring bottles are seen by serious bidders and enthusiasts from around the world.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer also has a global audience with dedicated locations in the UK and the EU. Their auction format attracts tens of thousands of bidders, giving sellers the opportunity to showcase their bottles to a wide range of buyers.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal offers a full-service selling experience, including free bottle collection, professional photography, marketing, and customer support. This makes the process incredibly easy for sellers who prefer a hands-off approach.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer requires sellers to manage their bottle registration, though they provide additional support like free bottle collections for consignments that meet certain criteria. Sellers need to be more involved, particularly with packing and sending their bottles.
Glenbotal:
Glenbotal engages in extensive marketing efforts, including targeted advertising and global campaigns that ensure bottles are seen by the right buyers at the right time.
Whisky Auctioneer:
Whisky Auctioneer focuses its marketing efforts around specific auction periods, meaning that while your bottle gets significant attention during the auction, its visibility is limited to the auction window.
| Feature | Glenbotal | Whisky Auctioneer |
| Pricing Potential | Fixed-price sales, averaging 40% higher than auctions. | Auction-based pricing, potential for competitive bidding. |
| Fees | 15% post-sales commission, no buyer fees. | 5% seller commission, £6 listing fee, £10 reserve fee. |
| Payout Speed | ~7 days after bottle is sent to buyer. | Up to 21 business days after auction ends. |
| Audience Reach | Global network of collectors and investors. | Global audience with strong bidder base. |
| Sales Flexibility | List anytime, no need to wait for auction cycles. | Auction-based, limited to auction periods. |
| Convenience | Full-service, including free bottle collection and marketing. | Seller-managed, free bottle collection in some cases. |
| Marketing | Continuous global marketing and promotion. | Auction-limited promotion during specific auction dates. |
| Sales Outcome | Predictable, fixed-price sales. | Auction-driven, dependent on bidder activity. |
| Market Perception | Reliable, high-value platform for rare whiskies. | Reputable auction house for collectors and rare whiskies. |
Choose Glenbotal if you want a predictable and full-service experience. With a fixed-price model, comprehensive marketing, and fast payouts, Glenbotal is perfect for sellers who prefer a hands-off approach and want to maximize profits.
Choose Whisky Auctioneer if you prefer auction-based pricing and are comfortable with a more hands-on selling process. Their lower seller fees make it appealing for those looking to minimize costs, though the final sale price is dependent on bidding dynamics.
Both platforms offer excellent opportunities to sell rare whisky, but Glenbotal’s full-service model and guaranteed pricing often make it the preferred choice for sellers looking for reliability and higher profit margins.
