Black Panther (3D+2D Blu-ray SteelBook) (Blufans Exclusive #48) [China]

[pbtour4il]

Release date: Late September 2018 (TBC)
Price: TBA
Note: The special empty box is available only when you buy Box set and 1/4 Slip together.
Group buy: One Click + 1/4 slip COMPLETE PACKAGE
ONE CLICK - DOUBLE LENTICULAR - SINGLE LENTICULAR - FULL SLIP - QUARTER SLIP (Storage box NOT included)

Important Group Buy update

Spoiler

Official update for all group buy participants -

The licensing agreement for Black Panther, for unknown reasons, still has not been resolved and because of this Infinity War will now be being released first (roughly early December time). The licensing agreement for Black Panther is looking to be completed around November time but because of the other releases (infinity War, Greatest Showman, Three Billboards), Black Panther will not ship until January 2019 at the earliest.

Infinity War will ship with the same editions (1/4 slip + Box, One Click, DL, SL and full slip)

Group Buy members, we have a couple of options for you -

1. Transfer
Your Black Panther request will automatically be transferred to the same edition to that of Avengers: Infinity War. You will then be guaranteed a spot for Black Panther, which will be charged for again later on in the year (or potentially January 2019)

2. Refund
You can cancel your Black Panther request and be refunded. Please note that should you change your mind afterwards we cannot allow you to repurchase Black Panther. At this time there will not be a further GB for it (however this may change although not guaranteed)

3. Wait it out
Wait for Black Panther to be released. If you decide to wait it out, as a thank you we will enter you into a HDN sponsored prize draw.

The official GB for Avengers: Infinity War won't be live until November.

I will be sending this as a PM to all participants tomorrow too with the relevant instructions.

Spoiler

Spoiler: Old artwork (Single Lenti)

 

[PKAVFC]

If I turn up at my local Tesco to buy a loaf of bread and there are none left on the shelves then I either buy an alternative or I come back again next time.
Granted, comparing a loaf of bread that gets re-stocked to a Steelbook set that never comes into print again is obviously a difference, but the principal is the same...

Where does the ownership of obtaining this product lie? With the buyer of course! If I go back again the next day at a random time and it's all sold out again then tough!

You turn up at a time you can make and it's either there or it isn't.

Creating this whole new system because of stock allocation and people complaining about missing out is
already flawed when you have no control over a) The retailer, and b) The buyer. You guys are the 'middle man' in all of this and creating yourselves a lot of work for nothing.
It feels like you are 'mollycoddling' members who cannot make adult decisions for themselves.
This is taking the approach in a different direction that won't provide a better result for anybody here, or in fact push the group buys in a more bitter direction when members who can
be bothered to show up on time, over and over, will ultimately now miss out completely. I know it can't be about 'the regulars' versus 'the newbies' because the site is here of course to
create new members... but mark my words, they will come, they will 'drop in' and and they will go... and then you'll lose some of your regular members (the guys who actually keep threads
healthy with long term discussion) who would be getting extremely annoyed with never obtaining a copy. Remember, it's already those same members who turn up to every group buy as advertised!
Do you really want them all jumping ship elsewhere? This isn't broke!

I don't dispute the system isn't fair, but it's already fair right now and the ownership is on us buyers ourselves to be here on time, on the advertised date. It's that simple.

Perhaps an opinion poll could have been created first taking into account ALL factors and go with the majority, but that's just me.



This was put out for discussion I do believe...? Just my opinion on the matter.

When you say people will just drop in and go, do you not think the chance of that taking place will be significantly higher if there are no restrictions?

There are group buys out there that open very early without any numbers/allocation by the retailer confirmed to them. Resellers rejoice! Get one copy here and let’s wait for HDN and other sites.

However, people think they have the security of that copy because they put their name down. They do not. For this release certain group buys will have a 3 tier membership you have to pay for and even then you could miss out. Now that is harsh.

Also over there if you utter a word of contempt or frustration you will find the only list you are on is the s#it list.

On the “other site” there is a VIP membership and also the first come first served which is literally a raffle in itself. People deal with it.

Here it is suggested that you will need to qualify for the raffle, such as your last group buy for example and it’s a problem.

If none of this occurred and say there were 20 one clicks and 15 of those went to “new” members (posted once/drop in and go) and you miss out, surely there would be uproar that HDN let that happen.

I have said before, if HDN wanted to be strict they could make it premium members only, which again, others do elsewhere so if people want to go over there, good luck, they will need it.

 

[St4rlord]

Okay, lets do it. Let it roll and see where it goes. It's an idea an I'm all for that if it ultimately helps everybody overall.

It is what it is. At the end of the day if I miss out on something i'll go elsewhere to eventually get it and it's rare that I do miss out on here so I'm always grateful for that
and what I have obtained up until now. I never piss and moan. I'm only into the Marvel/DC and the odd nugget premiums anyway so it's not like I'm going to sweat if this
is rolled out for many GB's lol.

I do think it's a lot of work for the hosts though.

 

[jitstark]

I've been trying to think of a fairer way this GB could go down but I can't think of one.

For me the 'Fastest checkout' method wasn't a problem. I'm old skool and remember the days of having to score Korean steelbooks within about 12 seconds or you missed out (this was even before Kimchi). That experience has held me is good stead for many steels. Plus I kinda agree with Dazzler when he says if you really want one you make sure that you're there on time and prepped. That's what I do. It's every man for himself and fastest finger/best internet wins.

The major drawbacks for that system is that anyone, new member or old, could secure a copy and that would leave people moaning that they didn't get one even though they've been a member for X amount of years. The SL GB for Thor Ragnarok is a prime example. There were only something like 27 SLs and people started knocking the GB system because they missed out. There was one guy who went off because there wasn't a month's notice given for when the GB went live.

Also, life can get in the way and you may not be able to get online through no fault of your own.

At least this new way will ensure that every member has a equal chance of scoring a copy. You don't even need to be online for it. I feel it will help deal with the guys who use both sites to get Blufans steels too as, again, it's an equal chance. The fact that you have to have been in a previous GB should weed these guys further. Is it perfect? No. People will still miss out but that's life and life isn't fair.

I agree with Two Face when it comes to the new GB method:

 

[DMD4k]

The unique raffle will not be for every member, it's only for past buyers through HDN, so in that sense it helps ensure long-standing members have a better chance at one than the regular method which is open to anyone. The 2nd half of the equation is in lady luck's hand and not our own. That's the part that people aren't liking, I think.

 

[Hewitt89]

Personally, I also believe the older system is better and the most fair, even in cases where the stock is so limited. You have be there, you have to make the work in researching how to best upper your chances, you have to put in an effort and determitation, and at the end of it all you need to have a little bit of luck too. And I also say that as someone who is unable to attend the GB if I happen to be at work at the time it goes live (that will not be a problem with a rafflw). Some might say this is unfair for new members because the older ones have an advantage but I don’t quite agree with that. Obviously you have experience when you have done it before and knows what way works best, but ultimately, if you only do your work your chances are good. I’m quite new myself and two of my first GBs were Blade Runner 2049 FAC and Ragnarok Blufans, both sold out immediately and I got one from both. Because I had done some work in preparing, figuring out how it worked best. With the lottery it is just that, a lottery. There will be no «rewarding» for putting in an effort, doing your work and wanting it the most. It’s all up to luck. And you also feel like you have absolutely no control yourself, with the regular GB system you have some control and can in the end only blame yourself if you don’t make it.

Only my opinion, not opposing any changes and I respect and accept that the ones in charge may want to try something new when quantities are challenging. One thing is for sure, it’s definitely not an easy task when demand outnumbers quantity in this kind of scale.

 

[adarkcorner]

I understand why this is being done and yes it is a fair method but why try to fix something that isn't broken? It's almost as if you're catering to those who complain they missed out on the group buys through nobody's fault but their own.


Just to establish a few things here for a second;

1. Everything hosts should do in group buys on here they have always done correctly in my opinion. Notice has always been given. Updates have always been provided. Information has been passed to buyers as quickly as it can be. etc.

2. People who complain about missing out on a copy [for whatever reason] is nobody's fault whatsoever other than their own, and if they claim it is not their own fault either because of
matters out of their control then that simply is life.

3. You're likely going to drive people away IF this catches on for future group buys and the same people are always unlucky enough to never bag a copy.

4. Finally...​

Group buys should be about effort and determination on the part of the buyer. Let the buyer come to the group buy, not the other way around. With this new method rightly or wrongly anybody can hop onto HDN, put their name down, win, bag a copy and then leave again [if previously entered one]. That's fair enough right as its open to all? But what about when that becomes swamped with non-regular members who just simply show up for this easy method rather than wanting to sit for weeks/months waiting around for it to go live and actually being here when it does?
It's so easy for anybody to just drop their name down for a copy to be entered into a raffle AND WIN... versus... being on here day in and day out, monitoring times going live , discussing the actual steelbook etc and having that excitement of hitting the 'buy now' button the moment it does go live. The latter method, the usual method, casts out all of those who simply cannot be bothered to be here on time and thus shows effort and determination on the part of the other buyers to actually be here for when the hosts have provided EVERYBODY with the same opportunity.

This shouldn't be about scalping, that will never be stopped. This should be about the right members doing the right thing at the right time.

I think it's the wrong thing to do but that's just my opinion. If this is just a trial for Black Panther or it's not something set in stone etc then fair enough but you really need to go back to thinking about the fact that none of us have to have our hands held here in terms of being here for a group buy on time.

This. All of this. One million percent.

 

[Mickle_89]

Another thing to consider is that if HDN risked doing a "first come first serve" method for this particular GB and with the presumably low qty, there is a VERY HIGH probability it will oversell as we've encountered before (i.e. Doctor Strange fiasco and various other releases afterwards-BR2049/Interstellar HDZ, Shape Of Water FAC etc).

Even with a staggered GB (adding small batches at a time) with how hot/limited this release is and the sheer demand I can personally see this overselling easily. It's unfortunate but a fundamental error in this particular GB system how it allows copies to oversell. This is not a criticism towards HDN as I know @apsmith21 dedicated a lot of time, effort and money into this new streamlined GB project. It is however a fact that for high demand GB's and/or those with low qty, the chance of the system overselling is very high. I guess this "raffle" process eliminates that oversell possibility.

 

[kryptonite]

Everyone is getting too anxious for this release.

 

[adarkcorner]

Another thing to consider is that if HDN risked doing a "first come first serve" method for this particular GB and with the presumably low qty, there is a VERY HIGH probability it will oversell as we've encountered before (i.e. Doctor Strange fiasco and various other releases afterwards-BR2049/Interstellar HDZ, Shape Of Water FAC etc).

Even with a staggered GB (adding small batches at a time) with how hot/limited this release is and the sheer demand I can personally see this overselling easily. It's unfortunate but a fundamental error in this particular GB system how it allows copies to oversell. This is not a criticism towards HDN as I know @apsmith21 dedicated a lot of time, effort and money into this new streamlined GB project. It is however a fact that for high demand GB's and/or those with low qty, the chance of the system overselling is very high. I guess this "raffle" process eliminates that oversell possibility.

I believe this is the crux of the matter and the primary reason for the raffle idea. I didn't bring it up in my earlier post because I feared it would upset the mods/hosts who've worked hard on implementing the revamped GB system, but now I can blame it on you .

However, I think a raffle is the wrong solution. Not that I could tell you what the right solution is. Glad I'm not a mod .

 

[StifflersDad]

The unique raffle will not be for every member, it's only for past buyers through HDN, so in that sense it helps ensure long-standing members have a better chance at one than the regular method which is open to anyone. The 2nd half of the equation is in lady luck's hand and not our own. That's the part that people aren't liking, I think.

How does being in only one previous GB make you a long standing member?????

 

[StifflersDad]

Another thing to consider is that if HDN risked doing a "first come first serve" method for this particular GB and with the presumably low qty, there is a VERY HIGH probability it will oversell as we've encountered before (i.e. Doctor Strange fiasco and various other releases afterwards-BR2049/Interstellar HDZ, Shape Of Water FAC etc).

Even with a staggered GB (adding small batches at a time) with how hot/limited this release is and the sheer demand I can personally see this overselling easily. It's unfortunate but a fundamental error in this particular GB system how it allows copies to oversell. This is not a criticism towards HDN as I know @apsmith21 dedicated a lot of time, effort and money into this new streamlined GB project. It is however a fact that for high demand GB's and/or those with low qty, the chance of the system overselling is very high. I guess this "raffle" process eliminates that oversell possibility.

To prevent a oversell all you have to do is go back to old request method " 1 to UK please"

 

[Mickle_89]

I believe this is the crux of the matter and the primary reason for the raffle idea. I didn't bring it up in my earlier post because I feared it would upset the mods/hosts who've worked hard on implementing the revamped GB system, but now I can blame it on you .

However, I think a raffle is the wrong solution. Not that I could tell you what the right solution is. Glad I'm not a mod .

Haha, that's why I carefully worded with sincerity buddy Don't see how my comments will upset anyone

To prevent a oversell all you have to do is go back to old request method " 1 to UK please"

Yes but we all know that's not going to happen unfortunately. Not after HDN have invested so much into this new GB system. As you know that system is in place to ultimately stop the non-payers causing financial strain on hosts and also saves them a lot of manual work/effort creating lists, sending invoices, chasing payments etc.

 

[DMD4k]

How does being in only one previous GB make you a long standing member?????

It doesn’t. I said help long-standing members. And it does help because with the regular method anyone can take a long-standing member’s spot. With the raffle being limited to at least one previous GB, that helps cut down on competition for all members that qualify, including long-standing members. I thought that was obvious but happy to explain.

 

[Basil]

@Wreck i do have one question how long will raffle entry period be open for?
a few days, a week?

many thanks
in advance

basil

 

[yy0925]

To prevent a oversell all you have to do is go back to old request method " 1 to UK please"

Yes. I do think the old GB system worked fine.

 

[hatredhorror]

*cough* prefer premium supporters *cough*

 

[schnauzithomas]

Hi
Where are the pictures of the One Click and the versions?
thomas

 

[DMD4k]

Hi
Where are the pictures of the One Click and the versions?
thomas

They are nowhere, they haven't been made public... that's if they even exist at this point.

 

[schnauzithomas]

They are nowhere, they haven't been made public... that's if they even exist at this point.

Thanks

 

[hoppusdelonge]

*cough* prefer premium supporters *cough*

I don't completely disagree with this idea, but from previous experience of site memberships/subscription services I've found this method by far the most exploitable by people wanting multiple copies. Plus there's always the possibility of selling 500 memberships and only having 50 items to sell, it's not like HDN can limit the number of premium supporters, and setting up a separate GB membership is going to annoy more people than it pleases.