Cheato

Sorry, but there's no way around it. It's the commitment you agreed to. If you thought it was a good deal before, don't let it upset you that there is a better deal now. Think of it like price drops in things like DVDs or Blu-ray players or computers. Prices come down. Nobody's making you buy one of those things. If you're satisfied with the price when you buy it, then don't beat yourself up for not having waited. If you feel you will be at the time, then you're not actually ready to buy yet.

You can ease your disappointment by buying a really big ticket item (or 2) that will satisfy your entire commitment all at once. For example, wait for a 50%-off box sets deal to roll around, and buy something like the Complete Friends set. By itself, as long as it is $99.95 or over, it will count as 5 fulfillment credits.

Cheato

She probably went home and told her friends about the guy customers who got offensive and immature with her. Garbage in, garbage out. I can't imagine why you'd think that telling somebody something like that would ever yield any kind of positive result. Maybe you're a really informed consumer. Maybe you're in the 99th percentile of intelligence. That just means that 99% of the people in the world are more stupid than you. You can rampage around and tell them how inferior they are or how they don't measure up to your standards, or you can try to work with them to get the positive result that you want. (Of course, not knowing how to enter the sale codes and not reading the stickied post that had the answer about that, and posting your questions in the Codes thread instead of the Questions thread, and signing up for the basic CH deal instead of using a 7:2 code don't seem to indicate a 99th percentile approach to things. )

They run a business that provides goods at an extremely low price point to people that plan out their purchases. We can average DVDs for less than $5, and many box sets (like season sets of TV shows) for about $15. If you expect good customer service, you're dealing with the wrong company, and you're approaching this with entirely the wrong mindset. Read the CH FAQs in this forum, and the stickied posts, and try to get a better handle on the way to view CH. CH is like a big, dumb horse who you can get to do all kinds of things for you, but you always have to be careful that it doesn't just kick you in the face one day.

This is like people who complain about DeepDiscount or any other company that tries hard to meet the bottom price. I understand the feelings behind complaints about Tower's customer service. But don't bother complaining about CH's. Read the parable of the scorpion and the frog.

I actually don't really understand why you're having a problem with your account. What you're describing is, I believe, an EXTREMELY unusual situation. I think most people reading your posts in this forum are probably thinking that you're the one doing something wrong. In my, I don't know, 7?, 8?, 9?, 10? (sorry, it all blurs together) years of the CH DVD club, with dozens of memberships in the regular and TV clubs, I have never, ever, received a Director's Selection. (knock on wood) Not a one. I never wanted one, I have always selected "No, thanks" on the website, I have always gotten the confirmation email, and I have never gotten one shipped to me.

leximae

UM, was any of that really necessary.

First off, I didn't exactly tell you the entire conversation....but as someone who after college worked in customer service for years, I know good customer service from bad customer service. When you ask someone a question about their business practice and their only response is "you just can't"...without reading off any policy or offering advice or alternatives is bad business.

You just flat out called me stupid...on the internet, really?!

Yes, I am not a Columbia House geek who has regularly come onto obscure forums for the past 7, 8 whatever years to find out how to cheat the system with codes and get better deals, but that does not make me someone who doesn't understand how the business world works. Bad customer service is bad customer service. How many threads are there on here about how CH cheated people out of a deal.

FYI I found this forum through a google search for anything related to columbiahouse and it was on the third or fourth page. Doesn't look like you have very many active members for an online community.

Why alienate a new one asking questions?

And furthermore, you pretty much called me a liar. How is it I am doing something wrong when I save every single "decline confirmation" e-mail I receive then e-mail CH when they automatically charge me to ship out a DVD?

I was very excited to have found this forum, but screw this. There's always one jerk that has to ruin it. Perhaps if my life revolved around scouring the earth for better DVD deals, I could be cool like you.

But wait, I actually HAVE a life.

Cheato

BobO'Link

Lighten up Francis...

In his own way Cheato was trying to help, although I think you mis-read his intent and overall tone. He *did* use a when taking you to task for "not reading and exploring" a bit first. I really don't think his intention was to alienate you... that's not Cheato. I also don't think he called you "stupid" or a "liar". Yes, he expressed a bit of incredulity that you'd receive as many unwanted selections as you've indicated, but he never said that's impossible... just unlikely. There *have* been others who've had multiple issues with the selection of the month and unwanted automatic shipments but it's truly a rare thing.

With CH CS it's very common to get a CS rep who is totally clueless. That's when you just say "thank you anyway", wait a while, and try again. Odds are you'll get a different person who just may do what you want. As Cheato indicated, CH CS is a crap shoot and mostly worthless, uninformed people reading from a tightly controlled script. I avoid calling at all costs simply because almost every time I've called the situation has become more screwed up than before. You might actually be able to get what you want with a simple email using the "Contact us" part of the Help system online. But if you try be ready for a multiple back and forths before you get someone who actually understands or is not simply sending a scripted reply. In my experience, unless you are closing the account, the first reply will *always* be a scripted one which will require you to reply to in order to explain *again* what you want/need.

No one's asking you to become a CH "geek", although it helps if you really want to maximize the CH experience.

Yeah, you got a really crappy deal on your first account, but so did *most* of us here. Much like you we found this place in search of something better and/or answers. We share our common experiences/gripes/finds/etc. As a result, most of us average a bit under $5 for DVDs and a bit under $15 for TV seasons from CH.

And... no one here is trying to "cheat the system with codes and get better deals". If CH really did not want to allow us to do what we do they could easily lock down their system so that codes will only work on the account(s) which receive them. We are the exception. CH makes their money on consumers like you, hopefully, use to be. Those who sign up with a very bad offer, fulfill without using special offers, and purchase lots of DVDs using "standard" offers because it's still a better price than what you'd typically pay at a B&M. Again, *LOTS* of us here use to be "that person"... but not anymore. We know better. We come here because we *love* our hobby of collecting movies/TV shows and want to get the best deal possible. This board has *lots* of very helpful people (of whom Cheato is one contrary to your initial impression) and *lots* of very good information on DVD bargains. It's very common for deals you see posted on slickdeals and/or fatwallet to have originated here.

So... sit back, take a deep breath, and relax... read some of the higher placed threads from the beginning, especially the stickied ones and this one, lurk a while, and ask questions when you just "don't get it".

leximae

Geez Bob... you sure are nice.

Thank you.


That was the original response I was hoping for.

Sincerely, thanks! Good to know I'm not the only one who has "been there".

Gosh, I'm sure there are tons of others who are "duped" and yes their CS suuuucks!

SMART-ASS

Posts 927 and 928 made my day .
Don't mean to berate anyone by laughing at you, but those two posts are funny as heck.

Trevor

Cheato was being nice too. Both of them went out of their way to provide you with lots of useful info. It's people like them that make this a great forum. Welcome!

Cardsfan111

My favorite part of the previous dialogue:

BobO'Link

^Yeah, I liked that analogy as well. Cheato needs to keep that one in his list of "standard replies".

leximae

Okay lovlies,
This may seem like dumb question so bear with me, and yes I did read the other thread asking about the two per household thingie.

I've seen in the codes section, members who have three or four accounts.

I currently have one in my name...and my husband has one in his name.

What are the chances of opening a third? Is there a secret to cheating the system? I really want that 7/2 deal, I feel GYPPED! lol

Currently, in my husband's name we have two more to buy to fulfill the commitment....in mine, we have five...UGH~!

So any advice??? I noticed the b1g1 unlimited code so I'm going to try to finish up the commitment in his account, and add a couple to mine under that deal (although honestly, the buy1, get 1 + 70% is a WAYYYY better deal.

I'm open for suggestion!!!

Trevor

Most have been limited to a max of two of each type of account per address.

2 regular accounts
2 TV club accounts
2 CH.com accounts

Many keep one open all the time, but close the 2nd and re-apply repeatedly.

YMMV of course.

BobO'Link

Unless the 70% off title is less than $4.80, shipping included (the imputed value of a selection on a well optimized account), don't. Just go for the B1G1 and leave the others.

Your better choice is to wait for a B1G1 w/free shipping *or* a free shipping on box sets offer. Both offers are fairly rare with a 2-4 times per year occurance for a B1G1 w/free shipping opportunity and a 1-2 times per year free shipping on sets. The B1G1 w/free shipping is also the time to pick up those titles which are under $4.80 after the % off ($12 and under titles @ 60%, ~$15 and under titles @ 70%). One factor in your favor is that we'll usually see one or both of these offers by Christmas.

Also ignore "fun cash"... it's pretty worthless. Just keep in mind that enough FC to purchase a selection is truly only worth ~$1.80. You have to pay shipping on all FC titles. If you're following the join, fulfill, cancel, repeat mantra you'll never build up enough FC to use anyway unless a spectacular deal happens along which keeps you under the average and affords FC enough to use. The rare "spectacular deal" is why many of us keep one account open at all times.

You want to join, fulfill, cancel, repeat.

If you join with a 7/2 code and fulfill with 2 B1G1 w/free shipping offers your average will be $4.80/each. What is considered a well optimized account. Cheato's done the math several times under various scenarios and offers. Do a search for one of his posts on the matter if you want/need the full details.

Also don't neglect the TVonDVD club if you're interested in TV seasons. You can have 2 of these accounts open concurrently with your DVD accounts. You can pick up 2 seasons (although the selection is very limited) for $9.95 shipped (code HDL) and only need 2 selections of $19.95 or higher to fulfill. The fulfillment titles can be *any* title. They do not have to be sets. Using a B1G1 w/FS can get you 4 DVDs @ $4.80/ea. and 2 TV seasons @ just under $15/ea. Again, Cheato has done the math already. Enough times that I no longer do it myself but look up one of his posts if I *really* need a detailed breakdown.

leximae

Hmmm..you make a great point with shipping. The Only B1G1 w/free shipping I remember was two Christmas's ago....but you guys obviously follow more than I do. So you suggest I wait to fulfill my husband's account?

That b1g1 70% off deal was VERY tempting. I had six movies in my cart for like 40bucks...but you are soooo right that I didn't think about shipping. Although, that would be like ten in shipping right? I'll follow your advice!


ALSO:: Sorry, I know I'm repetitive.......but once I *DO* cancel my husband's fulfilled account... will it be easy to open a new one in his name? I'm not interested at all in TV on DVD.

Thanks.

OH and I don't know what YMMV means....... ::hides::

Trevor

You can still get regular titles in the TV Club account, after the initial two TV sets for ~$10.

YMMV means your mileage may vary.

BobO'Link

^But if she's not interested in TV sets it's kind of worthless unless you can unload the sets as gifts or sell them as used for at least $15/each. Anything lower than that ups the imputed cost of the regular DVDs and really winds up costing in the long run. Considering the time, gas, etc. in the reselling of the titles I would want up to ~$20, based on drive time/distance, to "break even". Again, this is for a "well optimized" account. If you're not worried about that and can accept ~$10 average cost then that might be OK and a somewhat viable option.

Trevor

True. But, I was just guessing that "I'm not interested at all in TV sets" meant "I can get that for $5?!".

lizard

There are two reasons that we mention TV on DVD:

1) If one DOES want some of the enrollment TV sets listed on the TV Edition of the DVD Club, it can be a good deal. Especially for those of us who are primarily interested with fulfilling accounts with Blu-ray Discs (there is no good enrollment option for BD buyers).

2) After collecting hundreds of movie DVDs, some people here have learned that they get more viewing enjoyment from favorite TV shows on DVD than they do from movies. Twenty hours of a good TV show often offers more value than a couple of movies, at equivalent cost. I find that I spend much more time watching TV on DVD than I do my movie collection. But, then, I get only two channels of TV where I live and long ago learned that TV on DVD is vastly better than watching live TV shows: perfect picture and sound, NO COMMERCIALS, watch as many episodes as I want without waiting, no need to wait to watch the conclusion of a "cliff-hanger" episode, subtitles to catch dialog that is indistinct, and so forth.


If you have no interest in TV on DVD, that's fine. But if you do have any favorite TV shows you may eventually become "hooked" on it!

SMART-ASS

Biggest hang_up for TV on dvd is the fact that most times, you can not watch more than what is available on disc.
For example, the series has 6 seasons, but only the first 2 are on dvd or Blu-ray, and they only release 1 per year. In the mean time, seasons 7+ keep running on tv, so the watcher can never catch up.
...or even if the series is not on tv anymore, but all the seasons are not available to buy yet.

lizard

^Nevertheless, there are many TV series that ARE available on DVD, have finished their run, and the trend is for more complete series to be released on DVD. And if the series is still running, why not wait a few years until it is complete before purchasing it on DVD?

As you may recall, I have never understood the "gotta have it NOW!" mentality. This is the same mentality that causes people to buy DVDs on release day from B&M stores even though we know perfectly well that they will be much cheaper in six months or a year. Why? Bragging rights at work? Don't most of us already have lots of DVDs to watch while waiting for the price to drop? Same thing with current TV series on DVD: give it a few years and then buy the sets. They'll probably be cheaper by then anyway.

SMART-ASS

Can't argue with any of that... not one bit.

putnum

Hi I am ordering the Transformers Revenge of the fallen for $22.95 for my directors selection. I am wondering if there was a a code out there that lets me get another one for free? I have tried some of the codes in the thread but maybe you can't do it with directors selections?

Cheato

Please try to keep the sale code discussion in the sale code thread. (I know, it's confusing, since you did have a question, and this is the Questions thread.)

Anyway, any known codes will be posted over there. Asking in here won't get you any new information. I haven't looked at those codes closely, so I don't know if there are any B1G1 codes available right now. However, I just saw that there's a code for B1, get 70%-off additional and free shipping. This is a pretty good deal, particularly if you want titles, priced $14.95 and below.

With a B1G1 code (with no free shipping), you'll pay $22.95 + 2.99 + 1.99 = $27.93 for those 2 DVDs.
With the current 70%-off code, you'll pay $22.95 + $4.49 (for a $14.95 title) = $27.44 for those 2 DVDs. And you can continue to get more in that order, all at 70%-off. And I think the extra 10%-off horror might stack in there, too, making those titles especially attractive right now. (I think that would result in a 73% discount, not an 80% discount.)


In the first situation, your free DVD can be anything with a CH price at $22.95(*) or below, as long as it is not excluded from being available as a free selection. In the second one, you'd have to limit yourself to $14.95(-and-below) titles to make it competitive and/or worthwhile.

(*)Actually, I haven't checked if the one you're talking about is specially discounted as a Director's Selection. If, for example, its normal price is $24.95, then with a B1G1 code, you could get a free selection up to $24.95, not just $22.95, even though the first title is temporarily discounted to $22.95.

lizard

As you have discovered, you can't use sale offers with the Director's Selection.

In general, you should always decline Director's Selections. The reason is that you can get those titles for much less by purchasing them using sale offer codes. Better to forgo the slight price reduction (if any) of the DS and get a free title with free shipping by waiting for a good B1G1F + free shipping sale offer. If any of those deals show up, they will be mentioned in the sale offer code thread. Such deals appear every month or two, although there are no guarantees.

putnum

ahhhh ok many thanks Lizard. I really appreciate everybody work on making this available to us new comers its been very helpful!