Zavvi - Retailer chat [Europe]

TakingYoSteelz · Jun 13, 2013

I appreciate what you're saying, CC. So many people are angry but continue to pay the premium. I'll admit I've paid it for these 2 Disney releases but IM and the latest wave are taking it a few steps too far.

snooloui · Jun 13, 2013

CaptainCoffee said:
I don't have a vendetta bud. I'm just growing tired of people taking Zavvi's word as gospel these days, swallowing it all up without questioning their sleazy selling tactics. Which are very obvious btw.

I'm also disappointed that while a lot of people are complaining about bad practice and high prices nobody seems willing to actually stand up and try and do something about it. I love this forum!! It's the best source of news/ exclusives/ general banter for steelbooks no doubt!

I don't mean to cause an uproar but lately I feel like Zavvi are pulling strings here and I don't like it.

I understand what you are saying, Zavvi do seem like a shadier version of Play.com. Whereas I always trusted what Wreck told us about Play.com, there are some things that just don't add up with Zavvi like you say.

I pointed out in the Iron Man 3 thread that most of the comments about the release (artwork, lack of 3D, price, print run) were negative, yet most ordered multiple copies.

I'm just judging each release on as they come. I will be keeping my order for this because i'm sure it will look great. If it doesn't sell out, so be it. I'm not going to worry myself over stuff like that anymore. Everyone seems to constantly moan about this hobby, so from now on i'm just trying to focus on the positives

I won't comment on your last point by the way, as last time I did I upset a few people and the word 'slander' was thrown around. I do think the emphasis of this forum has changed though which is a shame.

r3zzy · Jun 13, 2013

Is anyone in the US still waiting for Nemo to arrive? I'm getting a little worried because I received The Town today but still am missing Nemo.

hatredhorror · Jun 13, 2013

CaptainCoffee said:
Lol. Already back up for order with TLM? Nothing fishy there then....

yeah, theres ABSOLUTELY nothing fishy, because you guys massively canceled your copies when you found out about the print run and those copies are now back online..

but of course its rather some silly conspiracy..

... seriously.. what is going on here lately ><

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 PM ----------

i mean aladdin sold out in the blink of an eye, of course its absolutely unthinkable that jungle book which is even more popular sells out in a comparable amount of time (considering the higher print run & higher price )

they must try to manipulate us with their ingenious selling tricks of telling us its almost sold out when in fact 9000 copies are left :rolleyes:

nkb32 · Jun 13, 2013

hatredhorror said:
yeah, theres ABSOLUTELY nothing fishy, because you guys massively canceled your copies when you found out about the print run and those copies are now back online..

but of course its rather some silly conspiracy..

... seriously.. what is going on here lately ><

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 PM ----------

i mean aladdin sold out in the blink of an eye, of course its absolutely unthinkable that jungle book which is even more popular sells out in a comparable amount of time (considering the higher print run & higher price )

they must try to manipulate us with their ingenious selling tricks of telling us its almost sold out when in fact 9000 copies are left

I normally would be in agreement with you against the doubters but I cant defend Zavvi anymore. Their tactics and motives or too transparent now. I normally roll my eyes at the skeptics but no one can deny that they a acting quite sketchy. I know I read that cancellations dont process that fast hence the sold out items appear back in stock near release date......not the next day. We may be analyzing too much but Zavvi apprears to be:

jimmyv · Jun 13, 2013

CaptainCoffee said:
Lol. Already back up for order with TLM? Nothing fishy there then....

snooloui said:
Give it a rest mate, you made your point. What's with your vendetta against Zavvi recently?

CaptainCoffee said:
I don't have a vendetta bud. I'm just growing tired of people taking Zavvi's word as gospel these days, swallowing it all up without questioning their sleazy selling tactics. Which are very obvious btw.

I'm also disappointed that while a lot of people are complaining about bad practice and high prices nobody seems willing to actually stand up and try and do something about it. I love this forum!! It's the best source of news/ exclusives/ general banter for steelbooks no doubt!

I don't mean to cause an uproar but lately I feel like Zavvi are pulling strings here and I don't like it.

Yah, but actually... snooloui has a point. There really isn't anything fishy about it being back up for pre-order. Zavvi is just operating their stock in the way they do, which is that the cancellations go into a big pot and then they make those available again to order.

It may not be the best way to manage the cancellations of a pre-order, but I don't think it's "fishy" because we all know now that's how it works. And many knew this would happen because with 10K in stock, there are bound to be many cancellations due to true cancels and due to order changes because of new codes or whatever. So when these "sold out" titles come back in stock just like we all said they would, I don't see the problem. Unless you'd prefer Zavvi wait til the last few days before release date to make the cancellations available again, but that's their choice as the retailer, right?

shadk27 · Jun 13, 2013

Remember when play.com stopped selling and hmv stopped due to their troubles and alot of people were concerned about what would happen? Well, it's obvious really, Zavvi have happened and they are running a business and doing it to make money and no, they probably don't really care about collectors. They probably keep an eye on forums to see what people are saying and gauge opinion plus it's free market research for them (please don't think that they don't know of this and all the other forums out there). If people start going on about a title selling out and stating that they missed it and need one that just helps their cause (how many comments on here when something goes out of stock and then it's back up). They own their site and can do whatever they want with their products and they realise they're on to a winner with steelbooks (how many new ones in the last month?). They can charge what they want and know people will pay even if a few people are not happy on a few forums. There's alot of collectors out there and also people who will just buy a steelbook cos they like a certain title. The same happened before Zavvi and it will just carry on and if anything, come September it'll probably get worse or better depending how you view the situation.

snooloui · Jun 13, 2013

No-one knows how Zavvi's stock system works or how long it takes cancelled copies to filter back into the system. I imagine lots of people ordered multiples and then cancelled some when it didn't sell out in a couple of days. You've also got discount codes to account for, as jimmyv said, with people constantly changing orders to remove certain items or add new items to pre-orders as they become available. Zavvi aren't going to reveal the facts all of the time, but I don't think there is any blatant deception going on.

nkb32 · Jun 13, 2013

It just seem odd is all. No other releases have been handled like this.

1. They keep they print run anonymous so every one assumes it huge (i personally think all print runs should be secret until released- less drama more fun)
2. Possible # of units available is revealed to be 10K maybe (which i dont think is bad at all for Disney titles)
3. People are in an uproar about the POSSIBLE print run (not I)
4. They announce a couple days later (even sending out warning emails) that they are about to sellout.
5. They sell out a few hours after announcement.
6. Then not even 24 hrs later they are back up for pre-order

That not their normal way of doing things. Now like I said, maybe some of us are looking too much into it and this sequence of events just look like something is going on but it actually isnt. I got my orders in and cant wait to get the steels. But that little sequence just made me question them a little bit.

CaptainCoffee · Jun 13, 2013

snooloui said:
I understand what you are saying, Zavvi do seem like a shadier version of Play.com. Whereas I always trusted what Wreck told us about Play.com, there are some things that just don't add up with Zavvi like you say.

I pointed out in the Iron Man 3 thread that most of the comments about the release (artwork, lack of 3D, price, print run) were negative, yet most ordered multiple copies.

I'm just judging each release on as they come. I will be keeping my order for this because i'm sure it will look great. If it doesn't sell out, so be it. I'm not going to worry myself over stuff like that anymore. Everyone seems to constantly moan about this hobby, so from now on i'm just trying to focus on the positives

I won't comment on your last point by the way, as last time I did I upset a few people and the word 'slander' was thrown around. I do think the emphasis of this forum has changed though which is a shame.

We agree on a lot of things mate, I try to focus on the positives but as you alluded to in that last bit...it's hard to keep the faith in light of recent events. :/

jimmyv said:
Yah, but actually... snooloui has a point. There really isn't anything fishy about it being back up for pre-order. Zavvi is just operating their stock in the way they do, which is that the cancellations go into a big pot and then they make those available again to order.

It may not be the best way to manage the cancellations of a pre-order, but I don't think it's "fishy" because we all know now that's how it works. And many knew this would happen because with 10K in stock, there are bound to be many cancellations due to true cancels and due to order changes because of new codes or whatever. So when these "sold out" titles come back in stock just like we all said they would, I don't see the problem. Unless you'd prefer Zavvi wait til the last few days before release date to make the cancellations available again, but that's their choice as the retailer, right?

Thats just it though!! Every single other Zavvi exclusive that had sold out has not been able to pre order again up until (or just before) the release date. There has never been a case of two steelbooks going OOS within hours of each other and then appearing for sale again the next day. Zavvi are not like ES where cancellations pop up for sale within minutes of submission...this is unheard of from them.

And for those who would say these are available again due to members here cancelling their orders....how many of the supoposed 10k units do you think we account for? Maybe...3-4k? Ok...now take that number and minus about 300 max! I'd say out of the dozens of people bitching about the 10k print run only 10% of them actually had the balls to cancel their orders.

The numbers just don't add up for me. Until we get some clarification or reassurance from Zavvi this cycle of mistrust will keep on going...we don't hear a peep from Zavvi though do we? No...they just expect us to announce, promote and buy their steelbooks because in their eyes we are money...plain and simple.

This will be my last post on the subject, I hate to have to write such cynical and depressing posts around here...it is not in my nature to moan about a hobby I love but I feel strongly that we are being taken for a ride here and those people who are supposed to have our best interests at heart seem to be doing nothing about it.

movieknight · Jun 13, 2013

With respect to packaging, I have ordered quite a few Steelbooks from Zavvi and they have all arrived safely without any dents or other damage unlike numerous Steelbooks from Amazon UK, many of which arrived with torn plastic wrap (at least no dents).

urbeenjammin · Jun 13, 2013

where can we put in a review for the purchases.it's great that they are releasing all these exclusives but at what cost to the buyers??? i've had 3 arrive and all are damaged.they need to replace these immediately before we even return it as a courtesy.i don't have the patience for inexcusable damaged steels...

digitalbabe · Jun 13, 2013

Threads merged. As with any retailer experience, I'd say contact them directly and express exactly how you feel about your order. Hopefully, over time-as other retailers have done, including Play and Amazon, the entire process will improve significantly....

urbeenjammin · Jun 13, 2013

i think they should be more like the amazon's where buyers can freely express their input out in the open.quality improves dramatically when everyone can see the problems outwardly.i feel it is very inconvenient for the buyers to have to go thru the shipping process back and forth to correct a retailers problems.such a shame since these steels are high quality designs.it's like having a wrecked ferrari...what's the point...

Marina Blue · Jun 13, 2013

I quit buying from HMV UK before they went belly up, due to most of the steels I ordered were damaged. I will do the same with Zaavi the first time I get a damaged steel.

I won't put up with it again.

schrute farms · Jun 13, 2013

Blu mark, I'm glad you're so happy with Zavvi. I am too. They've made it easier for some of us Americans to acquire some nice steelbooks for reasonable prices. I have purchased many so far, and only 1 (Ted) arrived with damage. It has a slight spine slash, and a few paint chips, but none of that was caused by Zavvi. Only Nemo and Hurt Locker have taken longer than two weeks to arrive. I will continue buying steelbooks from them, because with .99 shipping, they are usually the lowest price too.

Regarding the damage to Ted, they gave me a 2.00GBP refund, which is 20% and seems fair. I do think their customer service RESPONSE time could be improved...

SonicBoom · Jun 13, 2013

Gee, you guys are talking as if you didn't know that Zavvi is a business out to make money. The nerve of them to charge money for SteelBooks!

Zelos · Jun 14, 2013

Grifter2099 said:
looks like the thread got lost again
i havent seen the word jungle or book anywhere in the last few comments
admins can you guys do something please
this thread is about the jungle book steel not zavvis business practices

Why do you care so much about people sharing their opinions on a forum, which is obviously on-topic, considering it's a Zavvi Exclusive steel and they are using this particular steelbook as an example :wtf:

?

Would you rather read: "This looks fantastic!" over 9000 times? Yeah, that would make for a real interesting forum-discussion...:ass:

SimonLDT · Jun 14, 2013

How come my thread was moved? Thought it deserved a thread of it's own as it's a widespread problem and not just related to Zavvi...

wyatt03 · Jun 14, 2013

Zelos said:
Why do you care so much about people sharing their opinions on a forum, which is obviously on-topic, considering it's a Zavvi Exclusive steel and they are using this particular steelbook as an example ?

Would you rather read: "This looks fantastic!" over 9000 times? Yeah, that would make for a real interesting forum-discussion...:ass:

I dont agree! I personally feel that this should be discussed in the Zavvi retailer thread not a particular steelbook thread! Not everyone has to say "this looks fantastic! Over 9000 times" and anyone who just keeps saying that is spamming anyway! This is off topic chatter and I have already noted above their is a more specific thread for this sort of Zavvi discussion! There isnt a lot more to be said about this steel until its release and then we get opinions on the steel in hand and pictures!

Sent from my Galaxy S4

Zavvi - Retailer chat [Europe]

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TakingYoSteelz

snooloui

The 'Negative' Ninja

r3zzy

hatredhorror

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nkb32

jimmyv

shadk27

snooloui

The 'Negative' Ninja

nkb32

CaptainCoffee

movieknight

urbeenjammin

digitalbabe

urbeenjammin

Marina Blue

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schrute farms

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Zelos

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SimonLDT

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wyatt03

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