KimchiDVD - SteelBook Retailer Chat Thread

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:

>> Sign up!

You don't need to use Google Translate to register, provided you use the English registration link.

Spoiler

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.

Spoiler

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)

Spoiler

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

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.)

6 layers of bubble wrap.

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

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:

Spoiler

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.

 

[Futurhythm]

Looks like my Grand Bleu Steelbook is gone. The post office finally got back to me today saying it apparently arrived in the country on the 19th of November. I really doubt it's going to show up now.

Really bummed about it but nothing I can do.

So, how are Kimchi with issuing refunds for lost items?

 

[mrpitt]

I ordered a few things during their sale they had around the middle of december.

It's been held up in the UPS center and on the tracking suggests they are awaiting more information from either me, or the seller. That was over 10 days ago. I called UPS, and was put on hold for a while. The lady on the phone came back and said it's being held by the border/customs department as they are awaiting for a authorization letter from disney pixar, and some talk about destroying the items at the end. I have emailed Tony, with no response as of this post.


Louisville, KY, United States 12/20/2013 10:48 A.M. Additional import documentation is required for clearance. / UPS will contact the sender and/or receiver regarding the status or disposition of this package.

UPS gave me an agent to call with a 502 area code.

In my order, along with the monster inc., were a few non disney titles.

Anybody ever have this problem with Kimchi? - as I am assuming since they are listed here as a steelbook dealer/store, they are authorized and legit. I ordered near 300 us dollars of stuff, and paid for global - a lot.

Please help a fellow ninja out here, and see if anybody can contact Tony to get this taken care of.

Much appreciated.

I am also curios like the last poster - are we due refunds with items lost or held up at customs needing additional information that might or might not be provided? Mine is needing an authorization letter from disney that he has permission to even make these steelbooks - and if they can not provide this, they are talking about destroying them.

 

[mrpitt]

Latest update

1ZA1110R0451049709

Package held up now since the 16th of December in California. Kentucky UPS agents working with custom officials in California have requested information from Kimchivideo and Tony that is a letter of authorization he has with Disney/Pixar's approval to produce these steelbooks. The agent I talked to a few times has told me that kimchivideo has never responded to any reach outs they have made. She also made mention of the invoice being filled out wrong, with the only documentation as (7 DVD's).

Agent said letter of authorization from Disney/Pixar must be received, in English, within two days, USA time - or the package WILL be destroyed. Tony has the option of paying for a return, with an english request email to the said agent - that I provided him, within the same two day period, USA days. Email MUST contain his billing account number if he decides to try and save these steelbooks. If he indeed does have agreement with Disney/Pixar in allowing him to make these steelbooks, getting this English document over to the phone numbers I sent him will release the items and be delivered it to mrpitt - me.

All information has been forwarded to Tony in English, and Korean, made possible by google..

I have received one email from Tony.




The order no.2************** has been arrive at your country customs.

But they collected the item as the illegal items.

Maybe it will be returned to us.

Other order will be proceed generally.



I find it irresponsible for any dealer that ships international to not know how to invoice a package properly. I find it jaw dropping that a dealer would not respond to a customs request, and simply ignore it, as was done in this case. UPS/customs agents, have documented all requests of said contact towards Tony and Kimchivideo.

I will hate to see so many beautiful steelbooks destroyed.

I will keep you posted as to the outcome of this horrid saga, as I am hoping Tony and Kimchivideo get this letter of Disney/Pixar approval in ENGLISHtothe customs agent working with UPS in time, and do a rush job - or at least he pays for his own steelbooks to not be destroyed, and sends out an email with his billing account so they can send it back to his shop.

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 PM ----------

Looks like my Grand Bleu Steelbook is gone. The post office finally got back to me today saying it apparently arrived in the country on the 19th of November. I really doubt it's going to show up now.

Really bummed about it but nothing I can do.

So, how are Kimchi with issuing refunds for lost items?

If you never receive any merchandise, you should not have to pay - but again, I guess it's all where you live and how you paid.

A seller's main responsibility is to get the item to you, provided you gave the proper address.

Tracking is the proof - so if you cheap on international, there really is none.

---------- Post added at 01:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

One man show guys. So expect ultra slow response.

Well, a one man show might want to hire some more people when those complaints begin, no?

A 2-3 week response time is totally unacceptable for any mail business that collects money for goods that will ship, WORLDWIDE, period - end of subject. His one man show was not able to respond to customs officials on my order, and now have 2 days before they are destroyed.

 

[mrpitt]

Update of the saga

Extension given by April.

Finally talked to April, and not Jamie - who is the boss the April. April was out the weekend and Monday - arrived today. She is allowing this to be solved by Tony until next Monday, Jan 12th 2014 - USA time date.

She will extend the letter head of disney letter of approval until this date, thus allowing Tony to get this to her.

April Smitha *1-502- ***-****

*******@ups.com

This is the special customs division that works with US customs.

She gave me insights to the order of events.

December 28, or around that day (she will email me the entire case logs soon), Tony sent a new invoice back, but NOT the letterhead from disney they required and requested. She informed me that they get them all the time - the authorization, approval letter FROM disney that Tony should have. At this point, if all he has is it written in Korean, I would send it over and hope that works.

So, it seems he has been contacted and responded - but gave an invoice, and NOT the authorization letter from disney, that they get many times. This should not be hard to get, and I have asked Tony that if all he has is in Korean writing, it is at this point better then nothing - and if he can't translate or get an english copy - get it over and hope that is enough.

Tony was reached out from the Korean UPS branch as well - and no response to that request.

So Tony now has until next Monday, USA time - to contact this lady for getting her a disney approval letter on their letterhead, or a email authorizing it's return, with a billing account he should have with UPS.

All have been included and sent to Tony by email.

 

[urbeenjammin]

I've been promised a replacement copy of Le Grand Bleu for a few months now and the latest response i received was be " patient "
I just don't get how difficult it would be to issue a store credit.
I place new orders and my funds are taken without hesitation at all.So show a little courtesy and provide a credit if you can't send a replacement out.I know its a mom and pop's store but i just don't see the effort...sorry

 

[keyjey]

I have been holding off on ordering tangled after reading all these horror stories

Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk 2

 

[smileyx9]

I have been holding off on ordering tangled after reading all these horror stories

Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk 2

You don`t have to hold of,Mate- i ordered a lot at Kimchi-never had any Issues.
Tony always replyed my Mails in Time and changed Order if i wanted to add Steels or Steel Shells. Great Service-IMO

 

[urbeenjammin]

The service is great if you don't receive any damaged steels...
the story is the other way around if you do.
Big difference.

 

[mrpitt]

The latest of the Kimchi horror story

I was emailed by the owner, or somebody with his account - saying they contacted UPS Korea, and would mail it out again, when they got it returned top Korea- sent this time non tracking. I was also told in same said e-mail that not only would I get it sent with the cheaper non tracking service, but Disney would not give them documentation, even after they were supposedly contacted by the owner of Kimchi.

I have also received help in a PM that said the same. Studios approval is needed for UPS and it will get here if it is sent non tracking. Oddly enough, this UPS tracking service is offered, and the only way, of course, I would have 7 expensive steelbooks sent from South Korea - being tracked.

So, now that I was handed all this over from Tony and the helper here in PM, I of course replied to them that this would be totally unacceptable. I paid for UPS tracking, and Tony failed to produce customs approval from the manufacturer. I am happy that Tony is getting them back and contacted UPS Korea, but that does me no good.

I requested an immediate refund back into my paypal account.

I also managed to call April back at UPS/customs - and she said there was no contact at this time to any Korean UPS, as she would have that noted as soon as said call was made. And as she pointed out, it's a simple email, with billing account number - so a call would be noted, but the email is the documentation UPS Korea would need to get the shipment sent back.

April did say she would hold the package for a few more days.

After reading this entire thread after fact, it makes we wish I would of avoided this place to begin with.

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

The service is great if you don't receive any damaged steels...
the story is the other way around if you do.
Big difference.

Bingo - the mark of a good company is not how a it acts when they get you the package in time and fine shape.

It's when they mess up - how fast do they email you back? How fast to respond to replacements for damaged steel? How fast to they produce required customs documentation?

From what I have read and now experienced - this is indeed a one man show, and one that has got too much on his plate.

Horrific

 

[mrpitt]

Kimchi video and Tony emailed me and said the refund was made back into my paypal account.

It was.

I will say, for me personally, I will never attempt a purchase from Kimchivideo due to this thread alone, a thread now marked as read, as I posted my customs and shipping/communication issues and became curious.

In the end, he did provide good communication and fair resolution - when the ball got rolling.

Thank you the poster on this web site who shall remain nameless - he was a great help in communication.

Being I reside in the Philippines and spend much time in Asian countries (even have many photos of me in South Korea, most freezing my arse off) I do realize that there is barrier of language that goes past words - and meanings with cultural differences that can at times make a person from another country like myself needing to be more patient with while in these places. However, when I have a 45 day window of paypal protection, if I do not have clean steel in 40 days - a case will be opened.

Money is the universal language.

Thankfully Tony stopped all that paypal eventuality, as it was a lost cause within 45 days, and now he hopefully gets his steelbooks back - and is now in the process of sending Le Grand Bleu to urbeenjammin, as that was one of the 7. :movie:

"Be patient" should now be "it's on it's way" to urbeenjammin.

 

[Futurhythm]

Kimchi video and Tony emailed me and said the refund was made back into my paypal account.

Thankfully Tony stopped all that paypal eventuality, as it was a lost cause within 45 days, and now he hopefully gets his steelbooks back - and is now in the process of sending Le Grand Bleu to urbeenjammin, as that was one of the 7. :movie:

"Be patient" should now be "it's on it's way" to urbeenjammin.

Glad to hear you've got things resolved. It's a shame you didn't get your Steelbooks and there's still a chance they might be destroyed, but it's still a good outcome.

I'm still waiting on a response with my Le Grand Bleu. I got the "Be patient" line as well, and now it's become "We will check the post office on our end". I can't put in a PayPal claim either because it's already been so long. All I have to rely on now is luck and the inherent good in people

I'm curious if Kimchi's actually got extra Le Grand Bleus if urbeenjammin was promised a replacement. I mean, how're you supposed to offer a replacement for something that's out of print?

 

[urbeenjammin]

I've tried several times thru email about the situation offering possible alternatives besides the replacement.It doesn't take a collector to realize the fact that where would these "replacements" come from...I've suggested adding another copy to current orders; getting a store credit; nothing, except the now infamous line "be patient"
Someone here should estimate when these were first shipped and received since i emailed them some photos of the damage steelbook.There wasn't anyone else that released this version so there shouldn't have been anything suspicious about the damaged steel coming from them.The first response i got was " it will be shipped with your next order "
i actually thought " wow that's a pretty good response " as far as customer service is concerned.The next time i received an order,i got fairly excited waiting and anticipating the replacement.when i opened the box,all i got for a replacement was a note on a piece of paper telling me it will be delayed...it went down hill from there to where i am now.

 

[bigducknfish]

I emailed Kimchi and I emailed Tony 2 weeks ago about my second damaged item I have received(First Le Grand Bleu, second Tale of Two sisters). Both have been sent this way(poor quality control) and not through any shipping damage. While I was offered a refund on the first(not taken) Tony has refused to answer me at all regarding the later and I will not be purchasing anything else. Kimchi are going downhill in my eyes and this comes from a person whose favorite steelbook of 2013 was Tangled Lenticular.

No answer
No buy!

 

[lgans316]

One man show guys, so please be patient.

 

[bigducknfish]

One man show guys, so please be patient.

Igans you are right of course, small retailers deserve a break I think.

I was a bit disappointed LGB couldn't be replaced but have to say the way Tony dealt with it offering a full refund inc post was to be commended.
My concern now is that the Tale of Two Sisters Lenticular has a print run of just 150 and I fear that if and when I get reply it may be too late to get a replacement.

Patience needed on my side, yes, but if the reply does come that it is now sold out then I will have to disagree.

 

[lgans316]

Actually my comment was sarcastic. I don't like any business that takes money upfront to be run by one man and taking ages to respond.

 

[watkinson]

How about 'Metallica through the never' the next Kimchi's steelbook?! It'll be awesome!

 

[psychoscot]

Having never used Kimchi before and intend using them for Leon, what are peoples experiences when it comes to shipping options IE non tracked V Tracked. I'm in the UK and was thinking of just going non tracked.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[frankfish44]

Having never used Kimchi before and intend using them for Leon, what are peoples experiences when it comes to shipping options IE non tracked V Tracked. I'm in the UK and was thinking of just going non tracked.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I do believe all the options have tracking. Cheapest option is $10.81

 

[works99]

Having never used Kimchi before and intend using them for Leon, what are peoples experiences when it comes to shipping options IE non tracked V Tracked. I'm in the UK and was thinking of just going non tracked.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

the options you have are K Packet which is around $10 for 1 steel, and EMS which is around $30 (which I used for 3 steels in same packet).
K Packet has some tracking but you do go days without any new up dates whilst with EMS you get a lot more up dates and the delivery time is a lot more quicker. With EMS I even had an up date saying that it was being loaded into the delivery van (Parcel Force).

Steve.