Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
#626
Political Exile
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Yeah, I sent my covers in the first week also and am still waiting. My order included HP, Matrix and Casablanca along with 20 other titles. I think it was already mentioned earlier in this thread, but wasn't Casablanca HD-DVD notorious for only selling 200 copies? Certainly not all of these were turned into Warner for exchange, so we are talking about needing to stock a few dozen copies at most for this program.
#627
Banned by request
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I'm also still waiting. I've got confirmation that my covers were received, and was told one item was on backorder, and that they ship all the discs together, so I have to wait till the backordered one is back in stock. At the time I thought they were referring to the Matrix collection, but now I think they might have been talking about Casablanca.
#628
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I'm also still waiting... squarely because of the Casablanca release.
Almost regret I put that one in my order.
Almost regret I put that one in my order.
#629
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Yeah, I sent my covers in the first week also and am still waiting. My order included HP, Matrix and Casablanca along with 20 other titles. I think it was already mentioned earlier in this thread, but wasn't Casablanca HD-DVD notorious for only selling 200 copies? Certainly not all of these were turned into Warner for exchange, so we are talking about needing to stock a few dozen copies at most for this program.
#630
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Maybe on release week, but I guarantee it sold well more than 200 copies total. I know the response for it wasn't as good as was hoped, but it wasn't that abysmally low.
#631
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
It's been seven weeks since I placed my order, so I just called to check on the status. Illyana (sp?) said that Casablanca and Planet Earth will continue to be backordered until the end of the month and that I should be receiving my shipment around then.
#632
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
It seems there are more than a few dozen people in these forums that are waiting for Casablanca . I never heard how many copies of the HD DVD sold, but if it was 200, was that sold to consumers or to retailers? I would assume consumers. But since you could get the HD DVD cheap online, I say there were a lot of people who bought the HD DVD then turned it in (including myself). WB probably did plan on only a few copies thinking the same thing that you did, not expecting so many people to buy the HD DVD in order to get the Blu-ray. After all $16 ($6 from inet for the HD DVD and $10 for the upgrade) is a lot better than $40+ even if you add the shipping charges for both. I don't think they anticipated such a huge response for it.
#633
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
This isn't entirely unexpected from WHV. The Casablanca issue is reminiscent of the Batman: The Complete Animated Series debacle, in which a bunch of us pre-ordered the box set months in advance from WHV and received an e-mail on release week saying they couldn't fulfill the order.
#634
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Here is some more bad news...
My initial order, which is today 6 weeks old from the time they received my HD DVD covers, included Casablanca, Planet Earth and Matrix (plus many more, 24 total).
As everybody knows, Planet Earth and Casablanca have been back-ordered seemingly the entire promotion.
After a 5 week wait, Warner offered to split my order so that the two back-ordered titles, Casablanca and Planet Earth, would stop holding up the entire order.
Well, today I get an email saying that my order was split so that all my titles, with the exception of Casablanca and Planet Earth, would remain with the original order number and that Casablanca and Planet Earth now had a new order number and that it was on back-order.
Now, for the bad news, my original order is now on back-order as well, because The Matrix is on back-order.
What this means, is that Warner is NOT filling orders with the exception of back-order titles, they are holding EVERY order that has at least one back-order item.
So for example, if you placed an order (as I did) that included Planet Earth, Casablanca and Matrix, with Casablanca and Planet Earth on back-order, Warner has not been holding a copy of Matrix for you. So, even though Matrix is in stock, if your order has Casablanca on back-order, you not only are not getting a copy of Casablanca held for you, you are not getting a copy of Matrix held for your order either. So, everybody that has been placing their order for Matrix AFTER you placed your order and until they've run out, have been getting their Matrix shipped, even though you might have placed your order for Matrix many weeks earlier.
In theory, Warner might never ship your order, especially large orders, as at any given moment, one or more of your titles are on back-order so Warner doesn't hold any titles for you. Today, Casablanca is on back-order so you get no titles actually pulled for your order. Next week, Casablanca comes back in stock, but Matrix is on back-order, so even though Matrix was available last week, you never got a copy pulled for your order so now your order can't be shipped because there is no Matrix. When Matrix comes back in stock, perhaps Casablanca is back on back-order.
What a freaking nightmare!
The Warner CSR's may be polite, but based on the structure for this promotion, they don't seem to be able to help much. Those of us with multiple titles in short supply, Casablanca, Matrix, Planet Earth (and others) might get the dreaded email down the road, 'sorry, but due to unanticipated demand, some of your titles can not be shipped. We will not charge your credit card for unshipped titles. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, blah blah blah...'
I just got off the phone and it has been confirmed that Warner does not hold any titles so if you have even one title on back-order, absolutely no titles will be held for you. In theory, those with large orders might not ever get their order shipped as at any given time, if one title is on back-order, no titles are held for you.
Warner's reasoning for doing it this way (their response), 'Can you imagine how many unfulfilled orders we would have sitting around here if we filled orders with all titles in-stock but wait to ship until any/all back-order titles were back in stock to complete the order?'
My initial order, which is today 6 weeks old from the time they received my HD DVD covers, included Casablanca, Planet Earth and Matrix (plus many more, 24 total).
As everybody knows, Planet Earth and Casablanca have been back-ordered seemingly the entire promotion.
After a 5 week wait, Warner offered to split my order so that the two back-ordered titles, Casablanca and Planet Earth, would stop holding up the entire order.
Well, today I get an email saying that my order was split so that all my titles, with the exception of Casablanca and Planet Earth, would remain with the original order number and that Casablanca and Planet Earth now had a new order number and that it was on back-order.
Now, for the bad news, my original order is now on back-order as well, because The Matrix is on back-order.
What this means, is that Warner is NOT filling orders with the exception of back-order titles, they are holding EVERY order that has at least one back-order item.
So for example, if you placed an order (as I did) that included Planet Earth, Casablanca and Matrix, with Casablanca and Planet Earth on back-order, Warner has not been holding a copy of Matrix for you. So, even though Matrix is in stock, if your order has Casablanca on back-order, you not only are not getting a copy of Casablanca held for you, you are not getting a copy of Matrix held for your order either. So, everybody that has been placing their order for Matrix AFTER you placed your order and until they've run out, have been getting their Matrix shipped, even though you might have placed your order for Matrix many weeks earlier.
In theory, Warner might never ship your order, especially large orders, as at any given moment, one or more of your titles are on back-order so Warner doesn't hold any titles for you. Today, Casablanca is on back-order so you get no titles actually pulled for your order. Next week, Casablanca comes back in stock, but Matrix is on back-order, so even though Matrix was available last week, you never got a copy pulled for your order so now your order can't be shipped because there is no Matrix. When Matrix comes back in stock, perhaps Casablanca is back on back-order.
What a freaking nightmare!
The Warner CSR's may be polite, but based on the structure for this promotion, they don't seem to be able to help much. Those of us with multiple titles in short supply, Casablanca, Matrix, Planet Earth (and others) might get the dreaded email down the road, 'sorry, but due to unanticipated demand, some of your titles can not be shipped. We will not charge your credit card for unshipped titles. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, blah blah blah...'
I just got off the phone and it has been confirmed that Warner does not hold any titles so if you have even one title on back-order, absolutely no titles will be held for you. In theory, those with large orders might not ever get their order shipped as at any given time, if one title is on back-order, no titles are held for you.
Warner's reasoning for doing it this way (their response), 'Can you imagine how many unfulfilled orders we would have sitting around here if we filled orders with all titles in-stock but wait to ship until any/all back-order titles were back in stock to complete the order?'
Last edited by bub; 06-09-09 at 04:26 PM. Reason: Called and received clarification...
#635
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Wow. My response would be, "You're the retail division of the manufacturer of these discs. There's no reason that any title should be on back-order for any significant length of time, so if you were operating like you should be, you would never have many unfulfilled orders sitting around."
#636
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Going to retail stores lately (CostCo, Best Buy, etc.), I now notice these back-ordered blu-rays more than ever, just sitting there at each store, gathering dust - it's like salt in a wound.
None of these stores are in any short supply of these, at all, and yet the manufacturer can't seem to get them. Weird.
None of these stores are in any short supply of these, at all, and yet the manufacturer can't seem to get them. Weird.
#637
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I think the problem is that these expensive sets aren't made in large quantities. Most of what has been made has been sent to retailers, without a lot of backstock sitting around in Warner's warehouses. Then this program is announced and what stock they had disappeared rather quickly.
#638
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
So I've checked with reps, and if you have items on backorder you can request to have the in stock items shipped to you, and the ones that aren't in stock shipped to you when available.
Just called in and modified the order I'm waiting on to be shipped to my Amerifriend.
Seems the Matrix Digibook is what was OOS and holding my order up.
Hopefully this helps everyone =)
Just called in and modified the order I'm waiting on to be shipped to my Amerifriend.
Seems the Matrix Digibook is what was OOS and holding my order up.
Hopefully this helps everyone =)
#639
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
The Warner CSR's may be polite, but based on the structure for this promotion, they don't seem to be able to help much. Those of us with multiple titles in short supply, Casablanca, Matrix, Planet Earth (and others) might get the dreaded email down the road, 'sorry, but due to unanticipated demand, some of your titles can not be shipped. We will not charge your credit card for unshipped titles. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, blah blah blah...'
Even if they've kept the covers, they may not be able to back out, as a court might say that a reasonable person would be comfortable throwing away or giving away a disc after entering a contract where they agreed to send in the insert for a replacement. If worst comes to worst, I imagine Warner would ship what they could and send coupons for us to pick up the rest of the titles at retail. As long as none of the titles go out of print, though, I'm guessing they'll fulfill all of the orders themselves and some of us will just be waiting a very long time.
#641
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I'll repeat myself:
I think the problem is that these expensive sets aren't made in large quantities. Most of what has been made has been sent to retailers, without a lot of backstock sitting around in Warner's warehouses. Then this program is announced and what stock they had disappeared rather quickly.
I think the problem is that these expensive sets aren't made in large quantities. Most of what has been made has been sent to retailers, without a lot of backstock sitting around in Warner's warehouses. Then this program is announced and what stock they had disappeared rather quickly.
#642
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I received an email from the csr's claiming they never received my covers.
bullshit. Here's my tracking # 4204 8843 9182 8052 1390 7085 8731 94 usps.com
Detailed Results:
Delivered, April 29, 2009, 11:00 am, HOWELL, MI 48844
Arrival at Unit, April 28, 2009, 8:10 am, HOWELL, MI 48843
Processed through Sort Facility, April 25, 2009, 5:06 am, LANSING, MI 48924
Processed through Sort Facility, April 24, 2009, 8:46 am, DETROIT, MI 48233
Processed through Sort Facility, April 23, 2009, 12:57 am, SEATTLE, WA 98168
Processed through Sort Facility, April 22, 2009, 10:21 pm, TACOMA, WA 98413
#643
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Bad news for me now.
I received an email from the csr's claiming they never received my covers.
bullshit. Here's my tracking # 4204 8843 9182 8052 1390 7085 8731 94 usps.com
Detailed Results:
Delivered, April 29, 2009, 11:00 am, HOWELL, MI 48844
Arrival at Unit, April 28, 2009, 8:10 am, HOWELL, MI 48843
Processed through Sort Facility, April 25, 2009, 5:06 am, LANSING, MI 48924
Processed through Sort Facility, April 24, 2009, 8:46 am, DETROIT, MI 48233
Processed through Sort Facility, April 23, 2009, 12:57 am, SEATTLE, WA 98168
Processed through Sort Facility, April 22, 2009, 10:21 pm, TACOMA, WA 98413
I received an email from the csr's claiming they never received my covers.
bullshit. Here's my tracking # 4204 8843 9182 8052 1390 7085 8731 94 usps.com
Detailed Results:
Delivered, April 29, 2009, 11:00 am, HOWELL, MI 48844
Arrival at Unit, April 28, 2009, 8:10 am, HOWELL, MI 48843
Processed through Sort Facility, April 25, 2009, 5:06 am, LANSING, MI 48924
Processed through Sort Facility, April 24, 2009, 8:46 am, DETROIT, MI 48233
Processed through Sort Facility, April 23, 2009, 12:57 am, SEATTLE, WA 98168
Processed through Sort Facility, April 22, 2009, 10:21 pm, TACOMA, WA 98413
#644
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Going to retail stores lately (CostCo, Best Buy, etc.), I now notice these back-ordered blu-rays more than ever, just sitting there at each store, gathering dust - it's like salt in a wound.
None of these stores are in any short supply of these, at all, and yet the manufacturer can't seem to get them. Weird.
None of these stores are in any short supply of these, at all, and yet the manufacturer can't seem to get them. Weird.
#645
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I don't understand why WB and other studios don't simply offer a certificate you can use at any retail store who carries the same exact release, when you have fulfilled the studio's requirements. It would make things a lot easier. No shipping to the customer necessary at all. Just mail a goddamn letter with a certificate good for the Ultimate Matrix on Blu which states is good at any retailer such as Best Buy, Fry's, etc.
So, in other words, it would be a lot easier and better (at least on a business end) for WB to do the best that they can to provide the stock themselves. There may be a point where, for some reason, they can't get any more stock and have to resort to certificates. But they will wait as long as they can before giving in, then it would take a while for them to work out the logistics, if they can work out anything at all. I doubt they will ever get to the point of not being able to get stock at all. And if they did, they might just take their chances and just send out an apology, hoping that not many people will go out of their way to fight them over it. After all, is it worth the legal hassle just to get a Blu-ray movie, or because you lost an HD DVD cover? Granted, a judge probably would rule that the HD DVD cover does count as part of the payment and must somehow be reimbursed. But legal battles can be long and tedious, even if you weren't out any money for it, especially when WB has the money and clout to keep fighting it. Though there are people who will do it just for the principle of it. But only when WB is afraid of fighting a long legal battle will they probably give in to a settlement with certificates.
#646
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Slightly off topic , but has anyone heard of any other studios starting up there own Red2Blu style exchange program?
#647
Banned by request
Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
So, in other words, it would be a lot easier and better (at least on a business end) for WB to do the best that they can to provide the stock themselves. There may be a point where, for some reason, they can't get any more stock and have to resort to certificates. But they will wait as long as they can before giving in, then it would take a while for them to work out the logistics, if they can work out anything at all. I doubt they will ever get to the point of not being able to get stock at all. And if they did, they might just take their chances and just send out an apology, hoping that not many people will go out of their way to fight them over it. After all, is it worth the legal hassle just to get a Blu-ray movie, or because you lost an HD DVD cover? Granted, a judge probably would rule that the HD DVD cover does count as part of the payment and must somehow be reimbursed. But legal battles can be long and tedious, even if you weren't out any money for it, especially when WB has the money and clout to keep fighting it. Though there are people who will do it just for the principle of it. But only when WB is afraid of fighting a long legal battle will they probably give in to a settlement with certificates.
#648
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
Let's not even mention The Weinstein Company....they obviously have A LOT bigger problems to worry about than a HD DVD trade-in program...
#649
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I had sent in 25 covers at the very beginning of the promotion. After several weeks I called to check on the status of the order. I was told the order would be shipping shortly. 2 weeks later I got the "your covers have been received" email. A week later I called again to check on the status of the order. I was told that all but The Matrix was in stock and they offered to split The Matrix off to a separate order (with no extra charges for shipping) and they shipped the other 24 blu rays. I just received them today. So I am just waiting for The Matrix to arrive.
#650
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Re: Warner launches "Red2Blu" trade-in program
I'm hoping they'll put Casablanca up so I can place an order. I'm in no hurry but I really, really hope they offer it again.
Would be nice if Charlie & the Chocolate Factory were released too, and if I could find a deal on Xmas story to add that title.
Would be nice if Charlie & the Chocolate Factory were released too, and if I could find a deal on Xmas story to add that title.