Norm de Plume

I've noticed a few potentially ominous signs:

-Its website has just been fairly radically changed.
-There's a new 25%-70% off banner on the site that smacks suspiciously of a clearance sale.
-Out-of-stock titles seem to be replenished at a much more sluggish pace and with a smaller quantity now than in the past.

I've been shopping with Planet for a decade now, and it would be a shame to see it go under. It has always been the best, cheapest source for "small" DVD and laserdisc releases.

Does anyone have any information on the company's financial status?

Heliosphann

They just did INVENTORY this past weekend, so that's probably the reason. They sure are slow with my order as I placed it in the middle of last week and it hasn't even shipped yet!!!

DebraGray

I really love shopping with them and going on several times a day as they updated there comming soon titles often.

Yes lately they have run out of stuff fast and havent been able to get it back in.

first I ordered from DVDexpress then they went under and were taken over now I see the same tell tale signs.

It would be a shame Ive spent soo much money with them and they were very good.

im keeping my fingers crossed

NavinJohnson

Yeah, there was a note on their front page about this. They apologized for any delays...
Nice outfit, though. DVDPlanet.com got a big chunk of several of my paychecks last year...

GeoffK

Movin to the store forum.

bboisvert

I don't really see this as an ominous sign. Looks to me like they are finally taking action and resolving complaints about the previous design, where every page took tons of time to load because of 100+ individual images.

They've streamlined the look a bit, and given people the option to turn off product graphics. Good move.


And the new banner isn't indicating any sort of a clearance sale... just making their existing prices seem more attractive to a casual surfer.

Norm de Plume

If that's indeed the reason then that's fine. I never had problems with the website; sure it loaded rather slowly, but it was more professional looking than the new one is. However I agree that simplicity is preferrable, as long as all the information is still there. I don't need or want fancy graphics either.

To my knowledge, their "existing prices" have never vacillated. They've always had a flat-rate policy. It used to be 30% off retail, but was reduced to 25% a couple of years ago, with the bonus of more savings for pre-orders. That was the extent off their discounts.

bboisvert

Yes, they've always had a flat rate discount. But they've also always had a sale section, even back in the laserdisc days.

Titles on sale are cheaper than 25-30% off (usually closer to 40% or so). I'm sure the 70% off is in reference to the $4.88 Pokemon volumes.

jomo99

I don't think they're in any danger of going away. However, they do need to fix their computer "problem" about charging a higher price for pre-booked dvd's when they invoice. I've had the last six orders have this problem, & I'm now calling in & logging official complaints every time they do it. I'm almost ready to give up on them.

travis_bickle

I ordered on 4-10 and my order still hasn't shipped. I only ordered titles that came up as green or "in stock." Anyone have any updates??

DJ_Spyder

I've had that very same problem as well I got my E-mail notice on 4/10 that says that the titles I ordered have been charged to my credit card but they have not shipped yet WTF? Lately they sure have been slow when it comes to shipping.