Another issue with shipping is when. Wine does not like to freeze and it does not to be heated. Unless wine is being shipped by specialist shippers (at great cost), there are only two times of the year which are safe: spring (February to April) and autumn (September to November). If you are in the South the windows for shipping are even smaller. Some of the auction houses have recognized this issue, and if you buy wine during the summer, they will house it for free until it is safe to ship in autumn.
Not all sellers are so careful. If a wine is shipped in the heat, the wine is pressed around the cork, which sometimes extrudes slightly. There are then tell-tale drip marks down the side of the bottle. Try and look for these signs when buying wine at auction. _r2_c2.jpg)
_r11_c2.jpg){kind=small}
_r11_c14.jpg){kind=small}