KimchiDVD - SteelBook Retailer Chat Thread

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Feel free to discuss shipping, customer service, availability, etc about this retailer here.

List of Kimchidvd.com Exclusives HERE


Frequently Asked Questions:

Q) What is the link to Kimchidvd?
A)Welcome to KIMCHI DVD
Q) I haven't mastered Korean yet - how can I read the site?!
A) Install Google translate on your browser:

Google Chrome HERE
Firefox HERE

Q) How do I register?
A) Turn on Google translate >> Login >> click on "If members to join ..." >> fill in EVERY box >>
click on this box to ensure your member ID is available:
rsz_button.jpg
>> Sign up!

You don't need to use Google Translate to register, provided you use the English registration link.
You need to enter both a Celluar phone (mobile) and Telephone number when registering/placing an order, however they can both be the same number (I don't have a home phone number, so always use my mobile number).
Numbers should be entered without a proceeding 0 and you do not need to enter your country code (KimchiDVD add it automatically to your parcel label).

So a UK phone (01452 123123) is specified like this:
Local Area Code : 1452 Phone Number : 123123

A UK mobile (07847 123123) is specified like this:
Local Area Code : 7847 Phone Number : 123123

If you have already registered, afterlogging in you can update your address/phone numbers here.

Q) Do they ship outside of Korea?
A) Yes, worldwide delivery, various shipping options available, for example to UK: (1 x steelbook)

K-Packet is tracked and one Steelbook to UK (with a weight of 450g - which is the typical weight for a lenticular) costs $10.81.
On average it takes around 7 days after dispatch to arrive in the UK - I always use K-Packet when placing orders and my orders have always arrived safely.

I'm not sure if it's insured or not (there's no mention) but assuming you pay via PayPal, their guarantee will cover you if you don't receive your order for some reason.

You can track your K-Packet order using this website, however tracking information isn't always accurate after leaving Korea (e.g. sometimes it doesn't update again before it's delivered, or even after if your postman doesn't bother getting a signature).

EMS $21.80 (Tracked, replacement will be issued where possible if lost)
TNT Premium $37.80 (Tracked, replacement will be issued where possible if lost)

Q) What form of packing do they use?
A) Cardboard Box, with enough bubblewrap to keep things safe, see below: (Thanks to SBC28 for pics)

A pretty sturdy box, which seemingly took some damage during shipping.
(These are pretty much always the same boxes.)
kimchipackaging01.jpg


Enough space for the item to "breathe", but snug enough to stop it from moving.
(That white thing is the invoice, which i choose to include, since i am in the USA.)
kimchipackaging02.jpg


6 layers of bubble wrap.
kimchipackaging03.jpg


Another shot of the bubble wrap, one sheet (4 layers) removed.
kimchipackaging04.jpg


One minty mint SB, all the way from Korea.

Q) Is the retailer custom's friendly? (i.e will they mark as gift, or low value).
A) Very friendly, you have various options to choose from:
rsz_customs-kimchi.jpg

Q) Will the retailer charges upon order or upon shipment
A) You will be charged upon order

Q) What payment do they accept?
A) Card or Paypal

Q) Customer Services any good?
A) Yes - overall a very good, reliable site to order from.

Cancellations: Send an email to [email protected], including the number of the order you wish to cancel. He'll get back to you as soon as he can.

Replacements: are issued if in stock, if not a refund will be offered.
Refunds: They are normally processed within a few days.
 
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Okay, I eventually got this sorted using a different laptop to place my order... now, a new problem - I ordered a number of steelbooks and paid via Paypal two days ago.

I checked my account last night and the entry on the 'My Account' tab has disappeared! So basically my online account is showing no record of the order, despite my Paypal account having the funds taken from it.

Sent two emails to Tony at KimchiDVD, with no response...

Should I be worried or not???

My order is messed up within the "Your Order" section, showing my Monsters, Inc. steelbook as cancelled and no money sent, when in fact I paid and had a 'sucessful' order back in August. The transaction appears in PayPal. What should I do to make sure I get my Monsters, Inc. steelbook?
 
I just cancelled the Monsters university non kimchiDVD version, Do I have to do anything else other than cancel it on my account page? How long does it take usually to get a refund? Thanks
 
Is there any way we can get the OP to update the first post with links to the various releases Kimchi is putting out? Other than T2, Le Grande Bleu, and Infernal Affairs, I'm not sure what else there is (though I know there's at least two more), and it'd be nice to see the retailer thread actually have links to what's being sold.

Kimchidvd Exclusives listing and discussion thread is here
 
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Kimchidvd Exclusive #7 Monsters University SteelBook release cancelled.

Awesome news ;)

I can't say i like these plastic steelbook holders. They don't really enclose without tape. They should have printed up plastic sleeves instead..

Also Kimchi should skip all the tape on the bubblewrap. I mean several layers won't open up in a tight box. They could save alot of time there :scat:
 
Received the K-packet today. I have to say great packaging, the steelbook came in perfect condition, and the best part no customs charges :oohyeah:

Thanks Choi and Kimchi :thumbs: and looking forward to received the other Kimchi exclusives steelbooks
 
Received Monster Inc ! That was fast ! K Packet is great !
Kimchi did great work - the long time we have to wait and paid in advance for Monster Inc , and 4 other Steels month before.

Kimchi Full trustable :D

Thanks to Tony and Choi!!!
 
It appears that for some members, Kimchi has forgotten to include some necessary paperwork with their packages, resulting in charges from UK Customs.

Whilst I agree that if Custom decide a package should have charges because of stated values being incorrect, in this case the packages may have passed through Custom if the paperwork had been included.

For this reason, should Kimchi make some reparations for those members who have been affected ?

I personally believe they should, as in the first instance, the paperwork has been forgotten, and it is for this reason that the charges are being levied.

Please note that 'incorrect' stated values on customs paperwork is a separate discussion, and should not be discussed here.
 
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If Kimchi did not put the Customs Declaration form ON the package, how can UK Customs charge anyone if Customs do not open the package? Though I cannot see Kimchi not putting form on the package.

What happens if the invoice is not in the package when they do open it?

Do they make a random guess as to the value of the items and charge the receiver?
 
UK Customs have the right to open any package - I've had plenty where they've been opened and then resealed with a note saying 'Opened By....'" and then loads of legal stuff as to why they can do it.

And yes - it looks as they they make a judgement on value and charge against that
 
UK Customs have the right to open any package - I've had plenty where they've been opened and then resealed with a note saying 'Opened By....'" and then loads of legal stuff as to why they can do it.

And yes - it looks as they they make a judgement on value and charge against that

so theyll see a catalogue title blu ray.. how high could they possibly rate it? like 10gbp at max which falls under the custom threshold (at least here in germany)

with the correct invoice the parcel would have been seized
 
well, you're *theoretically* right, but i would feel stupid to ask kimchi for a refund..

if you rly have to complain about something like the higher (or btw perhaps lower (in the end we cant say for sure)) probability of getting caught by the customs due to a missing invoice, then go ahead
 
Are you saying that though just because it's Kimchi or would you say the same if any retailer had done this. If this were Zavvi, people would be screaming for blood. As it is they're gloating that they've manage to get a free Jungle Book .

Also, this isn't just me. Others have got the same issue as well, I'm just being a bit more vocal about it.

As I've said, if all the paperwork is there and it incurs extra charges, I have no issue with that - not now or at any time in the past.

However this mistake has cost me money, where in all likelihood if the documentation had been present there would have been no charges, based on the fact that others in the UK have received the steelbooks already
 
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It appears that for some members, Kimchi has forgotten to include some necessary paperwork with their packages, resulting in charges from UK Customs.

Whilst I agree that if Custom decide a package should have charges because of stated values being incorrect, in this case the packages may have passed through Custom if the paperwork had been included.

For this reason, should Kimchi make some reparations for those members who have been affected ?

I personally believe they should, as in the first instance, the paperwork has been forgotten, and it is for this reason that the charges are being levied.

Please note that 'incorrect' stated values on customs paperwork is a separate discussion, and should not be discussed here.

Just happened to me this morning, been hit by customs fees for my copy of Tangled because "Customs retention reason : Invoice missing" :angry:

I dodged it with Monsters Inc, but depending on how badly I get hit with this, I'm gonna have to think twice about using them which is a shame. Hopefully someone can get word to them about this, sort it out for all our sakes.
 
if the custom charges are low i wouldnt go through the trouble of endless mailing, etc.

if i asked them for the correct invoice, i would think it doesnt make much of a difference whether the invoice is there or not and hence let it pass

the only case in which i would complain is if i specifically asked them to declare a lower value and they instead forgot the invoice at all.. but then again its an extra service by kimchi, they shouldnt be offering at all

edit: so youre saying that uk customs would let it pass even if they saw the correct voice? thats certainly not the case here in germany.. well, maybe youre in the right then
 
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So what threshold would you put at not claiming - Charges below £10 ? Below £20 ?

Based on charges I have had before, I'm expecting it to be between the £20 - £30 range.

Would you be happy to lose this amount due to someone else's mistake ? You say in a previous post you would feel stupid asking for a refund, but at what loss would that stop ?
 
So what threshold would you put at not claiming - Charges below £10 ? Below £20 ?

Based on charges I have had before, I'm expecting it to be between the £20 - £30 range.

Would you be happy to lose this amount due to someone else's mistake ?

No, i was thinking about a single steelbook and therefore ~ 6-7gbp

20-30gbp would be a significant amount of course

i just dont know if you can say that its their fault, because it most likely would have got seized anyways

but if youre sure that it wouldnt, then i guess youre in the right

---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 AM ----------

btw. i often had the customs say that the invoice was missing when in fact it it just exceeded the duty-free threshold!