Gladiator Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray SteelBook) (HDzeta Exclusive No.3) [China]

[wxlinkswd]

Release date: March, 2015
Notes: Glossy finish, Title and Helmet Embossed
Steelbook Made in Denmark, Limited 3000 copies.
Disc: Remasterd Disc +Bonus disc, 2 discs are Region Free

* Note, the Lenticular is not glued to slip, it is loose. It was supposed to be loose, according to the design by HDzeta, but this was not clear in the mockup. Someone will be in contact you with to determine whether you wish to receive the product as intended, or wait for a 'glued' replacement from your hub leader, after Xin sends it to them.

Group Buy details (click on spoiler)

Spoiler

1. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Tripack Version Round 1 ---100 copies for HDN
Price: 160 $US (include shipping to hub)
Group Buy Link < Click (SOLD OUT)

2. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Tripack Version Round 2 ---200 copies for HDN
Price: 160 $US (include shipping to hub)
Group Buy Link < click (SOLD OUT)

3. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Lenticular Version --- 300-400 copies for HDN
Price: 56 $US (include shipping to hub)
Group Buy Link < click

4. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Normal Slip Version --- 200-300 copies for HDN
Price: 53 $US (include shipping to hub)
Group Buy Link < click

5. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Quarter Slip Version --- 150 copies for HDN
Price: 50 $US (include shipping to hub)
Group Buy Link < click

6. GB-Gladiator Ultimate Edition Lenticular/Normal/Quarter Slip Version Round 2 --- 150 copies for HDN
Price: 56$ / 53$ / 50$
Group Buy Link < click

Spoiler: Inside art

All the different editions:
Lenticular Slip: (with normal number card) 1300 copies(No.0001-No.0500 for the boxset, not sold seperatly)

Spoiler

Normal Slip: (with normal number card) 1000 copies(No.0001-No.0500 for the boxset, not sold seperatly)

Spoiler

1/4 Slip: (with normal number card) 700 copies(No.0001-No.0500 for the boxset, not sold seperatly)

Spoiler

Triple Boxset Artwork: (with Special Metal Number card) Only 500 copies, No.0001-No.0500

Spoiler

For in-hand pics, see this post.

Spoiler: Old infos

Item delayed due to manufacturing/printing issue.
Please see Xin's updated post here​

**Please direct all inquiries regarding Steelbook payments, invoices, etc to Alex**
Hubs will invoice for shipping later when Steelbooks are received by the hub leaders.

To know the GB go time in your area, please use this user friendly TIMEZONE CONVERTER

 

[blu-steel]

There should be little to no import fees for this.

 

[keyjey]

sorry for the delay everybody,i just asked my boss,he told me the re-print steelbooks still in china costoms,nobody can promise when clearanced,we can only wait at now.
im so sorry,but i think hdzeta will ship them to hubs very soon.
if you have any questions,PM me.

Just curious, were people given option to back out due to this unexpected delay? Something like blufans.

 

[Gadget]

mnementh said...

I've come to expect delays on premium releases and try not to let it bother me any more.

There's the problem. The companies releasing these (premium) steelbooks know they're going to sell out; there's no real incentive to keep to any release date they say at the start. There's no need to offer any sweetener to customers when the release date slips by weeks or months because every copy will still sell. At least when blufans had a problem with Iron Man they offered us a deal...
I agree expecting a freebie from a GB host is silly, but how about something from HDZeta for the delay? A discount, money off a future HDZeta release, free gifts?

As for Sideshow/Hot Toys, I haven't bought from them. But if they say something will be released on a certain day, or in a particular month, even if it's a year away, do they deliver on time? I don't know, just asking.

For me, if the company says the steelbook, or the sofa, or the new kitchen, or the new car will be ready by Christmas, then I expect it to be, no excuses.

 

[keyjey]

mnementh said...



There's the problem. The companies releasing these (premium) steelbooks know they're going to sell out; there's no real incentive to keep to any release date they say at the start. There's no need to offer any sweetener to customers when the release date slips by weeks or months because every copy will still sell. At least when blufans had a problem with Iron Man they offered us a deal...
I agree expecting a freebie from a GB host is silly, but how about something from HDZeta for the delay? A discount, money off a future HDZeta release, free gifts?

As for Sideshow/Hot Toys, I haven't bought from them. But if they say something will be released on a certain day, or in a particular month, even if it's a year away, do they deliver on time? I don't know, just asking.

For me, if the company says the steelbook, or the sofa, or the new kitchen, or the new car will be ready by Christmas, then I expect it to be, no excuses.

Kinda agree with this...Although I don't think there were any delays in previous HDZeta releases. I hope this was just one off. It would have been fair if at least HDzeta had offered members to able to back out. And I feel if you ask yourselves to back from certain GB you will be blacklisted. Thats why some people are even hesitant to ask at first place

 

[zoneism]

There's the problem. The companies releasing these (premium) steelbooks know they're going to sell out; there's no real incentive to keep to any release date they say at the start. There's no need to offer any sweetener to customers when the release date slips by weeks or months because every copy will still sell. At least when blufans had a problem with Iron Man they offered us a deal...
I agree expecting a freebie from a GB host is silly, but how about something from HDZeta for the delay? A discount, money off a future HDZeta release, free gifts?

As for Sideshow/Hot Toys, I haven't bought from them. But if they say something will be released on a certain day, or in a particular month, even if it's a year away, do they deliver on time? I don't know, just asking.

For me, if the company says the steelbook, or the sofa, or the new kitchen, or the new car will be ready by Christmas, then I expect it to be, no excuses.

All that will happen is that the release date will be renamed a guide date and then they aren't legally bound.

Only reason I can see that it would be a real problem to anyone (as opposed to a minor inconvenience) is if you were reselling it on ebay or it was a birthday present for someone. If it's neither of those then it is just one of those things in life that only you can choose to be calm about or wind yourself up about.

Personally, I see no problem. There are plenty more premium releases coming out which can keep me happy in the meantime.

As for compensation or freebies, are we all kids on here or something? Sometimes sh*t happens but that doesn't mean we're entitled to stuff all the time.

Sorry to sound like I'm having a rant but there's a fair bit of pi**ing and moaning on here lately for no real reason (IM kimchi situation excluded) which wears a bit thin after a while

 

[Ronnie3067]

This is my first premium SteelBook and I'm more than happy to wait if there has been an issue with production. I used to be an avid gamer, quite a few years ago, and release dates came and went without products being made available - Duke Nukem Forever anyone? OK, that may be an extreme example but this happens in other industries as well.

I would rather wait and get the product I have paid for rather than a sub-standard or inferior one.

 

[C.C. 95]

mnementh said...



There's the problem. The companies releasing these (premium) steelbooks know they're going to sell out; there's no real incentive to keep to any release date they say at the start. There's no need to offer any sweetener to customers when the release date slips by weeks or months because every copy will still sell. At least when blufans had a problem with Iron Man they offered us a deal...
I agree expecting a freebie from a GB host is silly, but how about something from HDZeta for the delay? A discount, money off a future HDZeta release, free gifts?

As for Sideshow/Hot Toys, I haven't bought from them. But if they say something will be released on a certain day, or in a particular month, even if it's a year away, do they deliver on time? I don't know, just asking.

For me, if the company says the steelbook, or the sofa, or the new kitchen, or the new car will be ready by Christmas, then I expect it to be, no excuses.

I don't think what you are saying is a bad idea at all. If there is any compensation to be had for delays, it is on HDzeta. It would be nice, as you said, to at least have a gesture like points or something...
Also-I'll let you know in 11 months if my Sideshow/Hot Toys figure arrives on time! (My first!).

 

[Gadget]

Having paid for this over 6 weeks ago I don't consider it a 'minor' inconvenience. If I hadn't paid I might feel differently. Are we all kids on here or something. I might say yes to that.

 

[zoneism]

6 weeks is no time at all, trust me.

If you aren't happy then politely ask someone if you can back out of the GB. But no doubt you still want this beautiful steelbook and something extra, so maybe it's time to make a grown up decision.

 

[Gadget]

I sent wxlinkswd a message yesterday, waiting for a reply.

I consider it poor service to pay and then have delays that are measured in months. You feel differently.

Beautiful steelbook? Maybe (as I don't yet have one I don't know!), but I already have the 'beautiful' German steelbook of Gladiator which was less money and much easier to buy.

I understand, you want this Gladiator steelbook and it doesn't matter to you if it's delivered in February 2015 or February 2016. I DOES matter to me.

 

[Collectus]

I think at some point this whole "premium steelbook" argument doesen´t
work anymore.

Not only HDZeta but others too:
Damaged steelbooks
Delays
Poor servers
No E-Mail reply

Premium? Please. In Europe such a shop would be broke.

 

[Familyguy824]

Im sure we all don't like the delays but truth be told it has been a bit weird this last couple months because it seems all the retailers have had issues. HDZeta kimchi Blufans nova hell even plain archive had a little delay with istd. Maybe it's just been a bit flukie. Usually Blufans has the delays (which I have no problems with since they happen to be my favorite retailer) but everyone else seems to be decent usually.

 

[Gadget]

I'm with Collectus re the 'premium steelbook' argument.

After the Kimchidvd Iron Man experience, where I put the steelbook in my cart, couldn't access the cart, and then was told it was out of stock, I decided I'm not even going to try using their website any more. And after the drama I read in that thread I think fate did me a favour. It leaves me wondering if / when we receive this steelbook, will there be complaints about damage, inferior quality, or ?

Blufans impressed me greatly. They may have had a delay, but they didn't ask for money weeks or months ago. I was on the reserve list, converted, and haven't had a payment request yet. They've also offered us the V1 case for $10 if you want it, no pressure, which I think is a nice gesture. They seem good at communicating with customers too.

 

[Hartigan]

All that will happen is that the release date will be renamed a guide date and then they aren't legally bound.

Only reason I can see that it would be a real problem to anyone (as opposed to a minor inconvenience) is if you were reselling it on ebay or it was a birthday present for someone. If it's neither of those then it is just one of those things in life that only you can choose to be calm about or wind yourself up about.

Personally, I see no problem. There are plenty more premium releases coming out which can keep me happy in the meantime.

As for compensation or freebies, are we all kids on here or something? Sometimes sh*t happens but that doesn't mean we're entitled to stuff all the time.

Sorry to sound like I'm having a rant but there's a fair bit of pi**ing and moaning on here lately for no real reason (IM kimchi situation excluded) which wears a bit thin after a while

Nicely said buddy!

 

[Marina Blue]

I think at some point this whole "premium steelbook" argument doesen´t
work anymore.

Not only HDZeta but others too:
Damaged steelbooks
Delays
Poor servers
No E-Mail reply

Premium? Please. In Europe such a shop would be broke.

In Europe, didn't HMV UK and Play.com go broke?

 

[zoneism]

I'm with Collectus re the 'premium steelbook' argument.

After the Kimchidvd Iron Man experience, where I put the steelbook in my cart, couldn't access the cart, and then was told it was out of stock, I decided I'm not even going to try using their website any more. And after the drama I read in that thread I think fate did me a favour. It leaves me wondering if / when we receive this steelbook, will there be complaints about damage, inferior quality, or ?

Blufans impressed me greatly. They may have had a delay, but they didn't ask for money weeks or months ago. I was on the reserve list, converted, and haven't had a payment request yet. They've also offered us the V1 case for $10 if you want it, no pressure, which I think is a nice gesture. They seem good at communicating with customers too.

HDZeta definitely help the premium steelbook case. They put a lot of time and effort into approving the best artwork they can, then they have to get all the individual extras approved in addition (normally from separate departments who don't work in unison despite being the same company), then coordinate everything on various forums to ensure the smoothest possible pre-order and distribution. It's pretty much the same for BF / PA / kimchi / Nova. In the case of Gladiator they have been stung by an error in the manufacturing, but if that hadn't happened then we wouldn't be having this debate and would all very likely be showing off our pics to each other instead.

You can say the same thing about damage / inferior quality about any release (from any retailer / forum) until you have it in hand. It's purely speculation until we have seen them.

And I can't argue your last point on Blufans, because it's true and you are right. But I, and many others on here (perhaps you included?), have been ordering from BF for years and they started in exactly the same situation as HDZ and built up their reputation with the help of us here (in a big way) and now they are much, much better than they were when it comes to the smoothness of the process. Over time HDZ and the likes will also improve as they build their businesses. And every so often they will make a mistake but it will only ever be in trying to bring us a premium steelbook package and not for trying to blag us with a low quality package for a premium price.

Regarding IM BF, I have to assume that they provided incorrect details to Scanavo which has led to the manufacturing error and delay, and this is why BF have been able to sell the faulty stock (to cover their losses) as well as selling the corrected version. We as customers win, however if it had been the error of Scanavo (as with Gladiator) then Scanavo would have recalled all of the faulty stock and none of us would be getting the compensation (which is still at an extra cost to us by the way). That's the way I see the IM BF situation anyway. Having not been directly involved in that deal I can only take an educated guess as to the finer detail. The flip is that it was an error by HDZ but because of the contractual obligations to have Ridley Scott's name on the cover then legally they couldn't be sold cheap to customers and had to be scrapped / recycled instead.

We're both on the same side here bud, I just see very often collectors jumping down the throats of these much smaller outfits who are definitely changing this hobby for the better and putting in a hell of a lot more effort than the retail giants of the world. I can't force anyone to be happy, but I definitely recommend accepting that sometimes things happen out of our control which are just as easy to accept than fight. And seeking extras as compensation will not help these outfits to improve as fast as we want if it ends up costing them.

 

[mnementh]

Well said Zoneism

 

[Blu-devil]

I'd take these releases, delays and all over anything being pumped out by Zavvi anyday and without equivocation.
At least the items are paid up, so that's one expense we are spared. It's win win as far as I am concerned.
As a UK citizen, my only concern is that Asian manufacturing houses may now be under the spotlight as far as ***T I mean FACT and CUN I mean CUSTOMS are concerned.

 

[n3wk1d]

Hi all, HDZeta had put in all efforts to make this release a success.
They kept the quality in checks, if the QC can't even pass our eyes. (as collector) do you think it would pass yours?

Please be fair and not judge something you dont know.

Arranging a steelbook release is not what you think that easy, have you tried to get one done? If not who are you to make such statement.
I'm not siding either side, who wishes for delays? Let me ask you this question, do you prefer to receive bad quality steelbook and we stick to the released date as promised?
Or you prefer we redo the whole batch and delay it?

Which one would you go for?

Not happy, let me know.

 

[Starling]

Damn I love collecting Steelbooks, all this drama, all this passion.

An incredible hobby!