Nova Media retailer thread [Korea]

StifflersDad · Apr 13, 2015

Hey @apsmith21 I have never had anything bad to say about any GBs run by you or @Wreck. On the contrary you guys and @digitalbabe and @Naughtius Maximus deserve utmost respect and gratitude from us. I have purposely never joined the other forum and have participated in several GB only on HDN and will always stay loyal to HDN. My feelings are not about GBs per se.

(The GB system is also far more beneficial for North American members because of Europe customs so comparison of costs is not straight forward)

Any way moving on I will try and battle Novamedia servers to secure a lenticular!

paulboland · Apr 13, 2015

jimmyv said:
for me in usa, my total "to my doorstep" GB cost for all 3 editions of john wick was $144. that's only like $20 more total than if i ordered direct through NM. also, that's only $48 per edition.

$70? $85? wth

He was comparing the Europe GB not the ones run by USA members
It is more expensive with the Europe GB its mentions the breakdown in that GB some which is now worldwide now due to novaMedia stopping USA GB after John Wick
The Europe GB get hits with VAT Duty and Customs Import Duty and this is divided amongst all in the GB
This now will also apply for the Avengers GB as it worldwide its noting the GB host can do anything about its what happens as he has to pay the VAT and Import Duty when postal service delivers the parcels to him

Go to the GB for Avengers you will see
Steelbook ($) + shipping from KR to me (x$) + import tax = Customs charges (divided among all SBs) + $4 for my time and work (per Steelbook for the first , for any after that $3) + shipping to you (x$) and then you have on top of this PayPal fee that's not mentioned and also does not mention the HDN fee which will be also included

If someone wants to pay that amount that's up to them

C.C. 95 · Apr 13, 2015

Wow. I was doing some work in another room for awhile, and I kept hearing my alerts going off on my laptop like a freakin mother! So this is what it was!
I think @severo's points can be taken into consideration because of where he is and customs, etc.
For me, the GB's have been great cuz I travel alot, and can't always be at a computer. I accept and understand any fees that go with that. It is a service. I am paying for that service. Gratefully!

For me it is not so much about getting a better deal, as much as it is about the convenience to be able to have a proxy secure an in-demand item when I am unable to do so. I do understand that mileage may vary on a number of factors for other members...
But it is a Real service they do, and I am beyond appreciative.
So big ups to the GB hosts! They are the best!

MrBMT · Apr 13, 2015

jimmyv said:
for me in usa, my total "to my doorstep" GB cost for all 3 editions of john wick was $144. that's only like $20 more total than if i ordered direct through NM. also, that's only $48 per edition.
$70? $85? wth

US group buys are considerably cheaper than Masterblaster's group buys.

With his you're paying for the Steelbook, German import sales tax (19%) + German customs fee (3.5%), $4 GB fee, shipping twice (once to him, once to you), plus PayPal fees.

If you were to assume a single Steelbook cost roughly the same as CA:TWS from Novamedia...
That's $46.55 + 8.84 + 1.63 + 4 = 61.02 (before shipping or PayPal fees).

I don't see it being possible for shipping total to be any less than $15 (within Europe) via the Group Buy.
So even based on that, it's $61.02 + 15 = $76.02, plus PayPal fees.

Alternatively, for example - ordering directly from Novamedia when in the UK:
$46.55 + $14 shipping (K-Packet), marked down cost for no customs fee = $60.55.

C.C. 95 · Apr 13, 2015

MrBMT said:
US group buys are considerably cheaper than Masterblaster's group buys.
With his you're paying for the Steelbook, shipping twice (once to him, once to you), German import sales tax (19%) + German customs fee (3.5%), $4 GB fee plus PayPal fees.

That is true. But that is really only going to come into play with the Nova's (since there is no U.S. Nova GB).

severo · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
Just a general statement, and I'm only speaking for myself here - this is the last I'll mention on this subject. I knew Avengers would be a hot button subject from Nova, in seeing some recent feedback.

In many of my group buys, I'm often limiting to 1 per member, and sometimes asking members I've never worked with before to show that they did not have an existing order with the retailer. I have traditionally done my best to be fair in the awarding the chance to buy any edition that I get in hand and that the folks asking for a copy really do need my help.

I do not personally get any funds for my time or effort on any group buy. Any fee paid goes directly to the sites account. You know that if you'e worked with me before.

As an example, I spent five hours on Friday night packing up Interstellar editions to ship to members here, and that was after an 8 hour work day. I'm not asking anyone to mimic my example, but I've been in the steelbook hobby since 2009 and was running group buys on blu-ray forums first and then here since 2010. It takes a lot of work to do these on a daily basis, and I've probably surprised a few folks since I haven't burned out yet. lol

My point of the story is NOT to say..."oh woe is Andy", but rather saying...you guys are really picking on the wrong subject here.

We know that Nova sells to resellers in bulk. And we know that those editions go right to e-bay, and are not transparent in their costs at all, making the example from @severo more feasible.

If I was out to make money, I would just order a bunch of copies from Nova and put them up at high cost...

But then you guys attack the group buy system, for the small per item fee, when other folks are making funds hand over fist and group buy hosts are on here are really asking for a very tiny amount of compensation for their work.

I don't get it.

first of all, i promise that will be my last statement on this topic here (unless we don't find another place to discss it

).

i never attacked the forum or a GB host directly. and i took part in many HDN group buys and was always happy with and thankful for what i got. you, andy, were a great help in getting me some bestbuy steels recently, i would not have had any other chance to get them for that price and service anywhere else. but that's a completely different story, because a different GB situation than what we have here...
i have a lot of respect for GB hosts and forum mods here, i only stated that it is indeed considerably more expensive to take part in a GB hosted from germany where you can expect customs taxes, import fees and all the other added fees that were mentioned before.
it just adds up. and yes, i've been part of masterblaster's group buys as well, so i know what i'm talking about.

and i still think that my calculations posted before are not way off what i (here in austria, the package coming from germany to my place) would have to expect when going the GB route.

thé responsibilty for this of course is in the retailer's hands. i understand that.

kaamelott · Apr 13, 2015

Please can we stop with this GB discussion no one is forced to take part in it.
Many thanks and a nice evening :cigar:

AlienKing · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
Just a general statement, and I'm only speaking for myself here - this is the last I'll mention on this subject. I knew Avengers would be a hot button subject from Nova, in seeing some recent feedback.

In many of my group buys, I'm often limiting to 1 per member, and sometimes asking members I've never worked with before to show that they did not have an existing order with the retailer. I have traditionally done my best to be fair in the awarding the chance to buy any edition that I get in hand and that the folks asking for a copy really do need my help.

I do not personally get any funds for my time or effort on any group buy. Any fee paid goes directly to the sites account. You know that if you'e worked with me before.

As an example, I spent five hours on Friday night packing up Interstellar editions to ship to members here, and that was after an 8 hour work day. I'm not asking anyone to mimic my example, but I've been in the steelbook hobby since 2009 and was running group buys on blu-ray forums first and then here since 2010. It takes a lot of work to do these on a daily basis, and I've probably surprised a few folks since I haven't burned out yet. lol

My point of the story is NOT to say..."oh woe is Andy", but rather saying...you guys are really picking on the wrong subject here.

We know that Nova sells to resellers in bulk. And we know that those editions go right to e-bay, and are not transparent in their costs at all, making the example from @severo more feasible.

If I was out to make money, I would just order a bunch of copies from Nova and put them up at high cost...

But then you guys attack the group buy system, for the small per item fee, when other folks are making funds hand over fist and group buy hosts are on here are really asking for a very tiny amount of compensation for their work.

I don't get it.

Just wanted to say (to all other GB hosts as well), that GBs are a privilege, especially when you are practically providing the service for free. So don't let anything else get to your head. I think the "complaining" are just concerns because they didn't get the same fair chance like all others, especially when those others include scalpers. I've been there, so I know the feeling. Unfortunately, it is our loss; we shouldn't be attacking the GB system.

Jericho · Apr 13, 2015

dance time? I'm in

Also note, I am not sure the GB is going to get all the copies ordered. In fact, I'd be shocked if it did. Ultimately its up to Nova, but I don't think they want so much of their stock going to one person (who will admittedly redistribute it). But it really prejudices those that aren't on or don't know about this site. That's bad business if its too big a number

Lionel · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
Just a general statement, and I'm only speaking for myself here - this is the last I'll mention on this subject. I knew Avengers would be a hot button subject from Nova, in seeing some recent feedback.

In many of my group buys, I'm often limiting to 1 per member, and sometimes asking members I've never worked with before to show that they did not have an existing order with the retailer. I have traditionally done my best to be fair in the awarding the chance to buy any edition that I get in hand and that the folks asking for a copy really do need my help.

I do not personally get any funds for my time or effort on any group buy. Any fee paid goes directly to the sites account. You know that if you'e worked with me before.

As an example, I spent five hours on Friday night packing up Interstellar editions to ship to members here, and that was after an 8 hour work day. I'm not asking anyone to mimic my example, but I've been in the steelbook hobby since 2009 and was running group buys on blu-ray forums first and then here since 2010. It takes a lot of work to do these on a daily basis, and I've probably surprised a few folks since I haven't burned out yet. lol

My point of the story is NOT to say..."oh woe is Andy", but rather saying...you guys are really picking on the wrong subject here.

We know that Nova sells to resellers in bulk. And we know that those editions go right to e-bay, and are not transparent in their costs at all, making the example from @severo more feasible.

If I was out to make money, I would just order a bunch of copies from Nova and put them up at high cost...

But then you guys attack the group buy system, for the small per item fee, when other folks are making funds hand over fist and group buy hosts are on here are really asking for a very tiny amount of compensation for their work.

I don't get it.

I think most people are worried that the amount of copies going into the GB, out of the amount that are available, if it's a 4000 run, half stays in South Korea, there is probably at least 25% of them going to the Group Buy already, for a product you can buy directly from Novamedia and they ship worldwide. You and Drum do a great job for Best Buy/Target/ Futureshop Group Buys I have participated in, but the difference is they do not ship worldwide. Nobody should really complain about getting charged $2, because at the end of the day you are helping us get a Steelbook which we wouldn't be able to get for a reasonable price without your help.

apsmith21 · Apr 13, 2015

If you think 25% of all copies go to GB requests, you are sadly mistaken. The biggest number of copies I was allowed to purchase was around 5% of the international run. Let's take that and multiply by two as there were two group buy hosts, and that's 10% in total and we likely helped out at least 250 - 300 members.

Now is it likely the other 15% go to resellers who spin them at high prices? YES.

Thanks for the kind words on the other items though.

keyjey · Apr 13, 2015

I think the only concern most people have is to limit the quantity for group buys and I guess mostly Nova is to be blamed for that. For one they should not allow anyone to start a GB 2-3 months in advance and second thing is let customers know how much is assigned to GB.

apsmith21 · Apr 13, 2015

And remember, if Nova really cared about who got what, they would put other safeguards in place to make sure that the most collectors got a copy as possible. But from everything I've seen that's not the case...

They are most concerned with selling out their international run, as that only promotes the hype for the next version to come.

AnubisNefer · Apr 13, 2015

Highest possible profit against the lowest cost possible.

But then again, they're a commercial company and not charity.

So they are entitled to do so, but let them be aware that people wil dislike this more and more.

Only, collectors will come and go and it will sadly not effect business.

It would be noble to set a fixed ratio of copies to be sold through numerous groupbuys and not let this amount exceed above that given limit..

apsmith21 · Apr 13, 2015

AnubisNefer said:
Highest possible profit against the lowest cost possible.

But then again, they're a commercial company and not charity.

So they are entitled to do so, but let then be aware that people wil dislike this more and more.

Only, collectors will come and go and it will sadly not effect business.

That's the interesting part of this, isn't it? You can see a company like PLAIN, who takes a different angle on this - where they really try and keep that audience coming back again and again - who appear to have the "long view" in mind.

AnubisNefer · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
That's the interesting part of this, isn't it? You can see a company like PLAIN, who takes a different angle on this - where they really try and keep that audience coming back again and again - who appear to have the "long view" in mind.

Exactly, but then again.

Plain is just plain extraordinary. ;-)

It's mindset, character, honestly, loyalty and the sheer fact that they love what they do and want to share that with fellow collectors makes them so unique.

Lionel · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
If you think 25% of all copies go to GB requests, you are sadly mistaken. The biggest number of copies I was allowed to purchase was around 5% of the international run. Let's take that and multiply by two as there were two group buy hosts, and that's 10% in total and we likely helped out at least 250 - 300 members.

Now is it likely the other 15% go to resellers who spin them at high prices? YES.

Thanks for the kind words on the other items though.

Well there is 14 pages with 20 posts a page already on this group buy, so that is 280 copies if people only ordered one copy each, which blatantly isn't the case, some people are ordering 4 copies. So if he is only getting 5% of the print run, 100 copies if 2000 copies are available to the Rest Of The World, how is he likely to cover this forum, the other forum and German one too then! LOL

keyjey · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
And remember, if Nova really cared about who got what, they would put other safeguards in place to make sure that the most collectors got a copy as possible. But from everything I've seen that's not the case...

They are most concerned with selling out their international run, as that only promotes the hype for the next version to come.

Agree. Don't kill the messenger :naughty:

apsmith21 · Apr 13, 2015

Lionel said:
Well there is 14 pages with 20 posts a page already on this group buy, so that is 280 copies if people only ordered one copy each, which blatantly isn't the case, some people are ordering 4 copies. So if he is only getting 5% of the print run, 100 copies if 2000 copies are available to the Rest Of The World, how is he likely to cover this forum, the other forum and German one too then! LOL

I can tell you right now, there is no way that everyone on the GB thread that has replied is going to be helped.

If he has some other deal worked out with Nova, good for him. I can only tell you the details of my past experience and what they have allowed me to do.

For instance, Nova could say there are 2000 to the international customers, but actually reserve 2500. Retailers do that all the time. What they say publicly and do behind the scenes are two different things.

Lionel · Apr 13, 2015

apsmith21 said:
I can tell you right now, there is no way that everyone on the GB thread that has replied is going to be helped.

If he has some other deal worked out with Nova, good for him. I can only tell you the details of my past experience and what they have allowed me to do.

For instance, Nova could say there are 2000 to the international customers, but actually reserve 2500. Retailers do that all the time. What they say publicly and do behind the scenes are two different things.

I can see what your saying, I bet he's making a fortune on these Group Buys. On my next order from Blufans, I am going to order loads :thumbs:

Nova Media retailer thread [Korea]

Attachments

StifflersDad

paulboland

Contributor Steels/Arrow

C.C. 95

The Snarky Assassin

MrBMT

Steelbook Collector

C.C. 95

The Snarky Assassin

severo

kaamelott

AlienKing

The Matrix has you...

Jericho

Red Belt

Lionel

The Lenticular Collector

apsmith21

Operations Director

keyjey

apsmith21

Operations Director

AnubisNefer

apsmith21

Operations Director

AnubisNefer

Lionel

The Lenticular Collector

keyjey

apsmith21

Operations Director

Lionel

The Lenticular Collector

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