Zavvi - Retailer chat [Europe]

jackanape · Jul 4, 2013

BluSteel2012 said:
I raised this point before and was quickly shot down for dissing Zavvi. I was told it's OK for other sites to bring Steelbooks back into stock (eg: Amazon) but when Zavvi does it everyones giving them a hard time.

My point was, yes, sometimes a small number of copies of certain titles come back into stock (even on other sites) but it's usually just after the item has been released (not before) and it's usually titles that are available worlwide so people cancel orders depending on if they can get a better deal elsewhere or suppliers may have held back some stock from somewhere else etc...

I was shot down for voicing the opinion that this was a marketing ploy by Zavvi to sell more copies of an item that's not really doing that well to begin with. Think about it, if something goes OOS it suddenly becomes sought after. Suddenly it's back in stock and everyone's running over their own mothers to snap up a copy! It's a great way of getting sales up.

These are Zavvi's own exclusives, and they can't tell how many copies they have left or when it's actually sold out??????

If it's not sold out prior to release then they should stop putting it on the listings. The damn things haven't been released yet so how could copies keep reappearing if it's supposed to have been 'sold out'??

Exactly. What is odd is that it is the 'Sold Out' films that still appear in the listings that keep coming back into stock. Which makes it appear that Zavvi know full well that they still have stock left.

As an example, both Roger Rabbit and Aladdin actually did sell out in terms of pre-orders (though I suppose that is debatable after 500 copies of Aladdin turned up on Zavvi Outlet) and both were completely removed from the Zavvi listings.

Whereas Tron, Rambo and Dick Tracy have all stuck around if you look for all steelbooks on Zavvi despite being Out of Stock and then stock has suddenly appeared. So it just looks like the stock was there all along.

I actually like plenty of the steels that Zavvi produce, but it's just the glut of items and the way they are handling the sales/returns especially that is giving them a bad name right now. Still they have only started doing a lot of Steelbooks this year so hopefully it's a learning curve. Hopefully.

hatredhorror · Jul 4, 2013

*facepalm* :hilarious:

BluSteel2012 · Jul 4, 2013

Agree. Don't get me wrong, Zavvi are doing a top job bringing us all these Steelbooks. And I'm preordering most of them myself. But I just can't help thinking there's a certain amount of sneaky underhanded shenanigans going on on their part IMO.

At the end of the day, they're not doing anything wrong. It's their site-their stock and they can charge what they want. It's just a pity I have to get that vibe from them though.

@hatredhorror everyone's entitled to their opinion. Everytime I voice mine about Zavvi you have a smart comment. Give it a rest please. You're begining to sound like blumark007.

---------- Post added at 03:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------

This 'ignore' member option is awesome :LOL:

Naughtius Maximus · Jul 4, 2013

moved a few relevant posts from Rambo to here

thecardman23 · Jul 4, 2013

jackanape said:
Exactly. What is odd is that it is the 'Sold Out' films that still appear in the listings that keep coming back into stock. Which makes it appear that Zavvi know full well that they still have stock left.

As an example, both Roger Rabbit and Aladdin actually did sell out in terms of pre-orders (though I suppose that is debatable after 500 copies of Aladdin turned up on Zavvi Outlet) and both were completely removed from the Zavvi listings.

Whereas Tron, Rambo and Dick Tracy have all stuck around if you look for all steelbooks on Zavvi despite being Out of Stock and then stock has suddenly appeared. So it just looks like the stock was there all along.

I actually like plenty of the steels that Zavvi produce, but it's just the glut of items and the way they are handling the sales/returns especially that is giving them a bad name right now. Still they have only started doing a lot of Steelbooks this year so hopefully it's a learning curve. Hopefully.

BluSteel2012 said:
Agree. Don't get me wrong, Zavvi are doing a top job bringing us all these Steelbooks. And I'm preordering most of them myself. But I just can't help thinking there's a certain amount of sneaky underhanded shenanigans going on on their part IMO.

At the end of the day, they're not doing anything wrong. It's their site-their stock and they can charge what they want. It's just a pity I have to get that vibe from them though.

@hatredhorror everyone's entitled to their opinion. Everytime I voice mine about Zavvi you have a smart comment. Give it a rest please. You're begining to sound like blumark007.

I agree with both of you. Don't get me wrong I really appreciate the fact that zavvi ship internationally and have had some cool releases like TRON & Rambo. But they should stick to one standard operating procedure. How does Finding Nemo & Aladdin become available for 30% higher markup on Ebay when there are more copies and Rambo/ Tron are the same price back on their website? Shouldn't there be one way of handling stock from cancelled orders?

Also I don't think its wrong for us to voice our opinions of disatisfaction with a retailer. This happens very often.. it's the right of the customer to complain if things are not being handled correctly. Attacking other forum members is wrong and there's no room for being impolite. However retailers are making money from us and if they are not doing a stand up job or change their policies on a whim and consumers orders are cancelled or refunds not given for damaged items we are fully within our right to voice it and make others aware of the issue.

roadie · Jul 4, 2013

To be honest, this forum is becoming quite unfriendly.
People are getting annoyed at one another. We are only collecting steelbooks, seriously guys, relax. I understand there are a lot of people who are truly for Zavvi and those who are against them.

To be fair Zavvi have not get the best customer service, they really need to look at this, there stock system seems to be highly ineffective and also there strategies are quite sneaky. However, on the other hand some of there releases have been great.
I wish people would just not lose their emotions over some steelbooks!! Rant over!

frankfish44 · Jul 4, 2013

Just a coulple of points,

1. In every steelbook thread, there are always debates about pros and cons of every steelbook release. Naturally this will occur in the Zavvi threads as well. The sheer amount of releases Zavvi are pumping out magnifies this. When you release more steelbooks than there are weeks in a yr then this will keep getting worse
2. It has been mentioned their customer service is quite poor. This further makes the situation worse as many are forced to buy multiples to ensure a mint copy. No replacement stock for OOS titles, and poor although improved packaging plus numerous other customer complaints will eventually leak into the threads.
3. Premium pricing on some major releases like IM3 without premium content. I believe I speak for most the steels should never be short changed. Whats the point of buying a steel, if the amaray is better in terms of content yet being released together?? So many single disc releases with no extras or bonus content, lack and disregard for 3D on releases that deserve 3D is frustrating.
4. For me personally not knowing what you are purchasing is annoying. Quite often steels are ending up with different appearances from the mock ups. If it has a raised border, is it that difficult to make the mock up as close to the final product as we see in most other retailers? I for one would like to know exactly what I am purchasing. I believe this is not an issue for most other steelbook retailers. The mock up is what you get and all design features are incorporated in it.

alvinhwang21 · Jul 4, 2013

maybe someone with more experience with the post service or zavvi can answer this, but why do the packages never arrive at the same time ?

for example, if i ordered 10 packages of aladdin, they never arrive on the same day or sometimes not in the same week. Just curious if someone can answer this. Thanks !

Escuby Du · Jul 4, 2013

Good Lord, I wish I had discovered this thread before I discovered Zavvi.

Ranavalone · Jul 5, 2013

Steve-O said:
... Zavvi is a very tough theme. I don't order from them because I think the way they act the last few months is a little dubious. The increasing prices, the bad packaging and the bad customer service was too much for me. I was never asked for a photo as evidence of a damaged Steelbook before. I think this is ridiculous. ...

Case A: Received a bent steelbook. Customer service response: "Sorry about that. Please send it back to us for replacement".

Case B: Received a steelbook with a scratch in the spine. "Please can you send photos of the damage to [email protected] so we can investigate this for you?

Once we have received the photographs, we can assess the damage and arrange a suitable solution for you."

My understanding is that in case of relatively minor damage, they may offer the customer a partial refund. That may be why they ask for pictures of the damage, not because they doubt what the customer is saying.

Personally, I find the patronising tone a bit too much; I know exactly what is "a suitable solution" for me.

In case B, I politely replied that I'm not going to email any pictures and I'm really not interested in a reduced price for a defective product.

The next email from Zavvi was the return instructions. I didn't even bother with asking for refund of the shipping costs (which they offered).

Chandler_90 · Jul 6, 2013

I'm very mixed up with my feelings about Zavvi.

On the one hand I think they are doing a good thing by replacing play and breathing life into the UK steel market..

On the other.. They seem to be diluting and milking the market..

Their prices as of late are a little silly.. And I'm not that big a fan of reusing old grail artworks.

I like that fact that they're trying but I just get the feeling that they're exploiting our obsession to the point of breaking many people's hobby.

As for the steels themselves.. Apart from artwork reuse.. I've found them to be of reasonably high quality finish.. Argo for example feels like a premium steel.. But their quality control procedures need to be scrutinised as there are far too many defects slipping through.. Although is that their fault or the printer's?

This is kind of a mixed post really but wanted to get my views out

daveh · Jul 6, 2013

Today's order received from Zavvi was snow white and the huntsman stel with a disappointing spine slash and then this one, i'm going to email them now but it shocks me why someone would even pack this when it's clearly not brand new!!

Bobthesub · Jul 6, 2013

Chandler_90 said:
I'm very mixed up with my feelings about Zavvi.

Im kinda in the same boat, not that long ago with Play deciding to bow out and the problems at HMV we were all worried we had seen an end to the UK steelbook....now a lot of us are complaining that there are too many!

Are they releasing too many? possibly... do I have to buy them? no, it just happens that they are releasing a lot of films I like in some very nice steelbooks but lately, a combination of sheer quantity and of course the prices have resulted in me seriously reducing the amount I have on preorder, and it seems Im not the only one, Ive seen quite a lot of videos from collectors and film fans on youtube saying the same thing

As far as Zavvi go, I cant comment on their customer service as thankfully Ive not had any issues so Ive had no dealings with their CS (or lack of as some report) some have issues with their packaging, personally I think its pretty good, it might not hold up to international postage as good as some would like but for domestic postage its fine, and remember, international postage is 99p! I think for a quid its bloody good!

chanfm · Jul 6, 2013

rq42blu said:
Interesting debate regarding the increase in pricing of steelbooks, particularly by zaavi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MacwsY6BZ64

Gosh! This guy is good. Is he a HDN member?

---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 PM ----------

I read this thread for the first time today. Full of good info. I thought Jungle Book was OOS sometime ago but I managed to order it today.

I have a feeling that Zavvi is going to be stuck with a lot of dead stock. And before long, they will have to drop prices to clear all these excess steels. Play had the same problem towards the end. They could not clear some of the steels even at less than £10. I think there is no hurry ordering. After all, how many of their steels go OOS before release date?

Gamesgaryjp · Jul 6, 2013

Got 5 steelbooks through the other day. All packed separately in those card and foam boxes. All were mint as aquafresh!

Their customer service is appauling. They are good if you dont need to return anything

Sigill · Jul 6, 2013

chanfm said:
Gosh! This guy is good. Is he a HDN member?

Off course he is!

I think it's Dinolast.

chanfm · Jul 6, 2013

Sigill said:
Off course he is! I think it's Dinolast.

Kudos to him!

100pr00f · Jul 7, 2013

SO far so good with getting steels mint , knocks on wood

but

My Aladdin was cancelled some how from the Zavvi Website and I emailed them a week before they started selling The Steels on Ebay

ask y was it was cancelled...its because they ran out of stock ...a week later they started selling 500 copies on ebay...whats with that

javidial · Jul 7, 2013

My Aladdin Steelbook came damaged. Just a bit in one corner, but according to them, I stay with my expensive damaged Steelbook or I get a refund and no Steelbook. A good philosophy.

manonfire · Jul 7, 2013

I ordered Aladdin, Close encounters and Taxi driver together and got £4.00 off £40.00 , since Aladdin has already arrived I today attempted to cancel Taxi Driver and Close encounters since I already have both of them ( taxi driver digibook ) and the 3 disc edition of close encounters but it states I can no longer cancel since Aladdin has already been sent out and was purchased as part of the offer.

I suppose this makes sense but I had no idea I was unable to cancel any of my orders once one of them had shipped. I've done the same thing with Kill Bill ( which has now shipped ) , reservoir dogs and the evil dead remake. I wont be able to cancel the last two now since Kill Bill has already arrived.

Although I have received money off of the orders that have arrived I think Zavvi should make more of a point of this, I'm now £30.00 out this month for two steelbooks I don't really even want. I guess it's my fault for not being more observant.

Zavvi - Retailer chat [Europe]

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jackanape

hatredhorror

(not actually) BANNED

BluSteel2012

Naughtius Maximus

thecardman23

roadie

frankfish44

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Escuby Du

Stiff Belt

Ranavalone

You have to be tough in Finland

Chandler_90

Evil Par5n1p

daveh

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chanfm

Eastern Ninja

Gamesgaryjp

Sigill

Lead Steelbook Mod

chanfm

Eastern Ninja

100pr00f

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