Zavvi - Retailer chat [Europe]

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**Retailer charges cards when items ship

Per update received at HDN, starting with August 4,2014 releases, Zavvi will ship in boxes again.

[email protected]

Possible contact #s:

- 08442 640702
- 01606 336169
- 08442 439088

Thanks yeslek!

Current packaging is a cardboard mailer with the steelbook usually wrapped in either a layer of bubble wrap or foam

Spoiler: Past Packaging Updates

Update 9/5/2013:

https://www.hidefninja.com/forums/showpost.php?p=753977&postcount=1732

Current packaging-thanks dv8mad:

Spoiler

Previous packaging:

Spoiler

3/20/2013 Comparison of Play's old packaging to Zavvi's new packaging-thanks Zesty!

14/03/2013 By Wreck:
I now have confirmation that I can announce ... for all those worried about future packaging from Zavvi. My Play contact has been working with zavvi as well on this mission for better packaging. Between the 3 of us and the future comments from this community after its in place I'm sure it will be go over well.

View attachment 29368
from the pick line .........
foam inside

Spoiler

1/19/2013 Member Nyvo tweeted Zaavi about packaging concerns. They said they may be looking into alternate packaging methods.

http://www.zavvi.co.uk​

Zavvi shipping international list:
Zavvi UK

Box update1- 1/7/2014

Spoiler

https://www.hidefninja.com/forums/showpost.php?p=872703&postcount=2421

Box update 2-1/17//2014-we're told they have boxes again.

 

[Flash]

I've had sooooo many damaged recently #hate Zavvi

 

[Devildog151]

I know most Zavvi releases are region b. However, what's the best way to tell if upcoming releases are region free?

 

[Ranavalone]

I know most Zavvi releases are region b. However, what's the best way to tell if upcoming releases are region free?

Region coding has nothing to do with the retailer, e.g., Zavvi. It's tied in with the distributor/studio and what kind of distribution deals they have for a particular release in the UK and in the other regions.

Some generalisations:

- Warner: always region-free (Warner policy)
- Paramount: always (?) region-free
- Universal: almost always region-free
- Disney: mostly region-free
- Fox: mostly region-free
- Sony: mostly region-free
- Arrow: always region-locked
- BFI: always region-locked
- StudioCanal: always region-locked
- Lionsgate: mostly region-locked

I'm pretty sure that I haven't seen a region-locked Paramount UK release, but I think that there may be some region-locked Universal UK releases (rare, though).

Fox and Disney have put out some region-locked UK releases and I'm pretty sure about Sony UK, too. But mostly region-free for all of them.

My observations are based on amaray as well as steelbook releases.

 

[psychoscot]

Most Fox release I have come across in the US are locked as are most Miramax US releases even though they are owned by Disney

 

[Ranavalone]

Most Fox release I have come across in the US are locked as are most Miramax US releases even though they are owned by Disney

Indeed. I was considering just UK releases as @Devildog151 asked about region coding for Zavvi releases.

A sampling of region coding for UK steelbooks distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (some of them are Zavvi exclusive releases to keep on topic ):

ABC: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection, Chariots of Fire, The Poseidon Adventure, Tigerland, Fargo, Braveheart (both releases), The Good the Bad and the Ugly, The Great Escape, Rocky, Robocop (1987) [remastered], Brazil, The Fly (1958), Conan the Barbarian, JFK, Daredevil, X2: X-Men United, Planet of the Apes, The X-Files, Fight Club, Taken 2, Goldeneye, The Silence of the Lambs, Platoon, The Terminator, Alien Anthology, Skyfall, X-Men, Prometheus, Willow, Minority Report, Predator

AB: The Wolverine, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, 28 Days Later, A Good Day to Die Hard, X-Men: First Class, Black Swan, I Robot, Firefly, Life of Pi, Predators, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Avatar

BC: Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief

B: AVP, AVP2, Die Hard, Die Hard 2, Die Hard 4.0, The Fifth Element, The Day After Tomorrow, Commando, Robocop (1987) [first release], Edward Scissorhands

The regions above are based on what is specified on the back covers, not on what region players the discs actually play, i.e., I haven't tested those region specifications for accuracy.

 

[Paperinukke]

speaking of damaged items ... i ordered 8 steelbooks from their flash sales of which 2 arrived today and guess what ... one arrived with two dents

I feel you, I ordered only three and two of them came yesterday. Both flawed, some scratches on the back. I'm quite tired of asking for a replacement for every second steelbook I order from them. Free shipping and low prices sure are good ways to lure me in, but they just bite you on the ass later. I should try to be smarter and only pick necessary exclusives, if even that.

 

[Vaako]

I feel you, I ordered only three and two of them came yesterday. Both flawed, some scratches on the back. I'm quite tired of asking for a replacement for every second steelbook I order from them. Free shipping and low prices sure are good ways to lure me in, but they just bite you on the ass later. I should try to be smarter and only pick necessary exclusives, if even that.

i also try to order a minimum of steelbooks from zavvi but couldn't resist their flash sale

i have asked a replacement for my dented steelbook on monday and received a reply today in which they offer me a 15% refund which i did not accept ...

luckily my other 6 orders arrived in mint condition

 

[levi]

It's now in stock on Zavvi's eBay outlet at an inflated price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maleficen...t=UK_CDsDVDs_DVDs_DVDs_GL&hash=item51c5084e48

disgraceful.

a few days ago people speculated that zavvi only release a portion of their stock at one time, then release another portion later.. for example, nightmare before xmas and army of darkness. i bit my tongue as to the reason why they might do this, but now i will just go ahead and say it.

i think they anticipate which titles may become 'grail' (ie titles which will be exploited by ebay sellers) and zavvi themselves are trying to cash in on that market by releasing stock later at an inflated price when the demand for the product peaks on ebay.

the fact they are selling this at inflated price proves this to be more than mere theory, plus the fact that its always the titles which do command high interest.

 

[BluSteel2012]

disgraceful.

a few days ago people speculated that zavvi only release a portion of their stock at one time, then release another portion later.. for example, nightmare before xmas and army of darkness. i bit my tongue as to the reason why they might do this, but now i will just go ahead and say it.

i think they anticipate which titles may become 'grail' (ie titles which will be exploited by ebay sellers) and zavvi themselves are trying to cash in on that market by releasing stock later at an inflated price when the demand for the product peaks on ebay.

the fact they are selling this at inflated price proves this to be more than mere theory, plus the fact that its always the titles which do command high interest.

Someone should straight out ask them why the price for this has gone up. The sad thing is, people have already bought it at the new high price. Expect the same thing to happen with Guardians Of The Galaxy.

 

[levi]

so essentially, zavvi have joined the scalpers

 

[hayemaker]

Someone should straight out ask them why the price for this has gone up. The sad thing is, people have already bought it at the new high price. Expect the same thing to happen with Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Ebay and Paypal fees?

 

[levi]

''Someone should straight out ask them why the price for this has gone up. The sad thing is, people have already bought it at the new high price. Expect the same thing to happen with Guardians Of The Galaxy.''

yeh, i predict the same will happen with lion king and beauty and the beast.

 

[daveh]

I'm not normally one to stand up for zavvi but with regards to them inflating the prices on ebay it's really simple and understandable as to why

they sell on ebay and play for extra brand exposure in the hope the the buyers would order direct from their website once they're familiar with the brand name

ebay charge 10% fees to all sellers and that's why zavvi will have to inflate the price

I used to own an online shop and used a similar selling tactic, it's not immoral or wrong, just them having to compensate for ebay taking a cut. zavvi will still only end up with the same net profit.

I'm not a zavvi lover and hate many ways in which they conduct business, things from packaging to customer service and lying about print runs but in this case it's clear to understand their motives for inflating the prices.

 

[Hooch]

zavvi.com (OOS) GBP 24.99 incl shipping OOS

zavvi on ebay (more than 10 available) GBP 27.99 excl shipping for me 3.99 = GBP 31.98

Difference GBP 6.99

Yeah...money talks alright!

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Here's a theory (disclaimer: I am not a Zavvi lover or hater) :

Zavvi has a problem with scalpers buying all their steels and selling for a big profit on eBay. Maybe Zavvi's solution to this is to take a percentage of the print run and put it on eBay, thus taking business from the scalpers. Why would you buy Maleficent from CptnScalp for £40 when you can buy it from ZavviOutlet for £28, right?

Suddenly CptnScalp is panicking. He bought 20 of these steels and no one is buying them at his inflated price. What's he gonna do? He's gotta put the price down. £40 becomes £35. £35 becomes £30. ZavviOutlet is still cheaper. £30 becomes £25. At last, sales! But CptnScalp is taking a loss, he bought the steels for £25 each from Zavvi. Now after he's factored in postage, PayPal and eBay fees he's lost maybe £5 per steel. There's no money to be made. CptnScalp quits eBay and goes and finds a real job.

Obviously Zavvi need to put a couple of quid on their eBay price to factor in PayPal and eBay fees. Seems fair to me.

I may be giving Zavvi too much credit with this theory, but you never know. There might be an evil genius working there now.

 

[Heche1981]

RE: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maleficen...d-Edition-Steelbook-Blu-ray-New-/351198006856

Absolutely unbelievable! As if this SteelBook wasn't expensive enough as it is, this is utterly despicable! Even worse is the fact that there are dozens of genuine customers who would have liked the opportunity to have pre-ordered it from the main Zavvi website at the cheaper price! The fact that Zavvi are selling 904 copies on eBay is a real kick in the balls for most people!

If you call Zavvi out on social media, all they will say is "our stock allocations are separate". Consumer watchdogs need to investigate Zavvi and put an end to this once and for all!

 

[SaberTooth]

um guys... where have u been?

zavvi have been relisting "out of stock" steels on the bay since Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

*eats popcorn, sips lemonade*

 

[Noodles]

The new site design for zavvi.com is now completely up and running! What do you think of it? Let them know here.

 

[UpsetSmiley]

Why is it a few hours after I buy something Zavvi offer discount codes? Third time this has happened to me this month.

Sometimes I think this company likes to punish customers.

 

[munkideluxe]

Has anyone tried to update their payment methods on the new site?