It's only a day after the first season of the original Trek was released on DVD, and I'm already on my third set.
How'd that happen? Read on.
Bought the first at Target. The first disc had some kind of serious gouge - more than a scratch - while the 8th disc had a patch of hairline scratches.
I took it back, but had to take a refund, because they didn't have any more in stock, and another Target also had none.
So I go to Best Buy, Target ad in-hand for price match. I open the set in the store - there's a gouged disc. They try to fix it, using a Game Doctor, and make it incredibly worse.
So I grab a second set at the same Best Buy, and open it. It had two or three discs that were messed up, so I swapped them out with the other set I had just opened.
So it took swapping discs between two sets to get one good one.
And in the back of my mind the whole time is that sticker I saw on the back: Made in Mexico.
MEJHarrison
09-01-04, 03:20 PM
Originally posted by Altimus Prime
So I go to Best Buy, Target ad in-hand for price match. I open the set in the store - there's a gouged disc. They try to fix it, using a Game Doctor, and make it incredibly worse.
They try to fix it? -eek- There's not a chance in hell I would accept something they tried to "fix". Not even if they did the right thing and gave you a nice discount for taking faulty merchandise.
I want my stuff in new condition before it's opened, not after some putz takes a Game Doctor to it.
Altimus Prime
09-01-04, 04:19 PM
Well, I really had no idea what the mark on the disc was. And it was just the one disc, and it was a small mark, so I was hoping it would come off and the set would be fine.
I didn't know they'd run it through a Game Doctor.
I didn't want to grab a second set - I mean, really, how many would they let me open? I felt like I was gambling - which one to pick, which one will be OK?
Fortunately they let me use the two sets I opened to assemble one good one. But I really shouldn't have had to do that.
gutwrencher
09-01-04, 04:31 PM
Originally posted by Altimus Prime
I didn't want to grab a second set - I mean, really, how many would they let me open?
screw them....as many as it takes. you get the replacement, stand at the counter and open it...then keep doing that until you get an un-damaged copy. I think it's a right you have, no? you do not have to accept a defective/damaged copy.
DVD Josh
09-01-04, 04:50 PM
I'm with Gut. I went through 8 portable DVD players at Costco until I found one without a line through it. I wasn't leaving without a perfect one.
drjohnson3
09-01-04, 04:54 PM
If I remember correctly, the sixth season of Deep Space Nine had that same "Made in Mexico" sticker. And while I had no trouble with any of the other seasons (which did not have the same sticker, and were presumably manufactured in a different country with cheap labor), I could never find a set that didn't have a scratched Disc 1. I took it back three times, and each time the Suncoast people opened MULTIPLE sets for me. After going through most of their stock, we still weren't able to find an undamaged Disc 1. So I had to settle for a scratched one.
I wrote Paramount for a replacement, but of course I never heard from them. Whoever's making these discs for them in Mexico sure is doing a crappy job.
ruk
09-01-04, 04:58 PM
Originally posted by DVD Josh
I'm with Gut. I went through 8 portable DVD players at Costco until I found one without a line through it. I wasn't leaving without a perfect one.
i love the way you guys think, always get your money's worth, believe it or not i have learned quite a bit from all of the posts all over this forum, you guys really know how to get things done, great work
ksgemini
09-01-04, 09:12 PM
I truly thought I was the only person in the world with these kind of problems ...I have about 400 titles-many are 6/7 disc TV seasons so700-800 actual discs...I have had many TV sets come with a scratched disc and much moreso in the last year when I have purchased far less than previous years...I have even kept scratched discs(that played) because the stores (BB, CC, Suncoast) have refused to give me another unless I prove it skips in front of them..it has been mostly Buffy and Angel sets...a couple X Files...I feel your frustration...I bought the original TOS Volumes and ..honestly...in addition to cost factor...the fact that I have 40 mint discs in strong cases was a deciding factor in just keeping the originals and not "upgrading"...on the other hand I talk to people that have 1000+ discs and claim they never had a scratched new disc...maybe I am just unlucky...I have about 80 ADV discs and maybe 80 A&E discs...not one scratch ever...I think the big companies are getting sloppy
Brak55
09-01-04, 09:53 PM
Originally posted by gutwrencher
screw them....as many as it takes. you get the replacement, stand at the counter and open it...then keep doing that until you get an un-damaged copy. I think it's a right you have, no? you do not have to accept a defective/damaged copy.
I remember someone about a year ago on here talking about taking a set back to BB with a single scratched disk. They opened another and a different disk was scratched. He just wanted to swap disks to make a good set and they said they couldn't do it. So he just kept opening sets until he got one with all good disks.
Who makes up these policies?
Bronkster
09-01-04, 10:59 PM
My set didn't have the gouges, but one disk was scratched a bit, so I returned it for a new set. Lucked out on the 2nd box!
While the friendly and knowledgable Fry's employee had me scamper off to get the replacement, he snapped the two pieces of the outer shell apart and couldn't get it back together. He claimed it was fine when I returned and said, "Oh, you broke it." I politely took the new replacement set away from him when he pulled out a pocket knife to open the shrink wrap. All in all, another entertaining trip to Fry's!
Although I hadn't made any association to disks being made in Mexico and problems, I will be be checking a bit closer. I have noticed that in the past few years of collecting, I've had many more "quality control" issues than I did during the early years.
darmok
09-01-04, 11:39 PM
checked my bestbuy purchase tonight, and sure enough, disc 7 had a hairline scratch, while disc 8 had a wave of scuff marks (as if an abrasive object was rubbed across the entire half of the surface, causing multiple parallel scratches. argh!!!
emhello
09-02-04, 12:49 AM
2 of the discs in the set I bought were scratched very deeply. Unfortunately the store had sold out when I went back to exchange it. So I just got a refund for now. :( So much for quality control...
gutwrencher
09-02-04, 01:39 AM
Originally posted by Brak55
He just wanted to swap disks to make a good set and they said they couldn't do it.
they don't just have an extra disc around...it's only as part of a set. the entire set needs to be sent back to the distributor...not just the disc. it would still leave a bad set in inventory...even if they did just swap discs. easier for them...even if it's not that great for the consumer.
AGuyNamedMike
09-02-04, 01:47 AM
Must. wait. for. megaset. this. Christmas!
Romero
09-02-04, 10:28 AM
My monster Legacy boxset had made in Mexico mark on the back also. Had to return those three times to get a decent set.
I am afraid to even look at my Trek Disks. I don't want to return these multiple times knowing I will have to go through it for the final two seasons. :(
WhovianZorker
09-02-04, 11:34 AM
Originally posted by gutwrencher
they don't just have an extra disc around...it's only as part of a set. the entire set needs to be sent back to the distributor...not just the disc. it would still leave a bad set in inventory...even if they did just swap discs. easier for them...even if it's not that great for the consumer.
I don't think that's what was meant.
Let's say he opens the first set and disk #1 is bad. Well, that set is defective. It has to go back.
So say he opens the second set and disk #2 is bad. Well, that set is defective. It has to go back.
Time to open a third set....
But wouldn't it make more sense for him to take disk #1 from the second set and the rest of the disks from the first set, and the store would only have to send back one set to the manufacturer with two bad disks?
darmok
09-02-04, 11:51 AM
my strategy would be to hold onto the first set, go out and buy a second set, and between the two sets come up with a "fair" set of scratch-free discs, and then return a set that has all the bad discs. the main advantage to doing it this way would be that it would allow me to take my sweet time checking the discs for any scratches i may overlook at the store. the problem i can forsee with that is bestbuy would give me a hassle, saying they can only give me an exchange for same item only. sometimes i'm in the mood to do a swap, and sometimes i don't, because i don't like the people rolling their eyes back on something (scratches) they perceive as trivial. on top of that, the bestbuy sets come with the bonus disc, and i don't want to get to the store and there's no more to swap. at this point, i think i'm going to hold onto them and contact paramount later on to see if i can send in my bad disc 7&8.
Altimus Prime
09-02-04, 12:34 PM
The Best Buy I was at was kind enough to let me swap three discs between two sets to assemble one good one. Guess I was fortuante in that regard.
Also, on the first set I had opened and gave back, the woman at the counter pulled the case completely apart. She had no idea how it worked, or how it was hinged. It just snaps back together at the bottom.
Altimus Prime
09-02-04, 12:37 PM
Originally posted by darmok
my strategy would be to hold onto the first set, go out and buy a second set, and between the two sets come up with a "fair" set of scratch-free discs, and then return a set that has all the bad discs. the main advantage to doing it this way would be that it would allow me to take my sweet time checking the discs for any scratches i may overlook at the store. the problem i can forsee with that is bestbuy would give me a hassle, saying they can only give me an exchange for same item only. sometimes i'm in the mood to do a swap, and sometimes i don't, because i don't like the people rolling their eyes back on something (scratches) they perceive as trivial. on top of that, the bestbuy sets come with the bonus disc, and i don't want to get to the store and there's no more to swap. at this point, i think i'm going to hold onto them and contact paramount later on to see if i can send in my bad disc 7&8.
Of course, with that scenario, you have to pay up-front for two sets, in this case about $200, and then hope they'll give you a refund for the damaged set you return. If they'll only give you an exchange for the same item only, then you're screwed.
I did the swap thing at WalMart once to, with T2 I think.
mink-e
09-02-04, 01:51 PM
Just got mine from Amazon, and lucky me, disk one's got a nice scuff on the outside. I'll be RMA'ing it for another set. I just hope I don't get to play musical disks through the mail, but I have a feeling I will. This should be fun.
mink-e
09-02-04, 02:16 PM
Just a quick update. Just got off the phone with Amazon and they're going to 2nd day out another set and let me ship back the crappy disk with the other set. Pretty dang good CS.
emhello
09-02-04, 02:20 PM
Yeah amazon is usually great at CS.
Altimus Prime
09-02-04, 03:14 PM
But all that mailing back and forth is a pain in the a@@.
Which is why, especially with things like this, it's better to buy from a brick-and-mortar store you can actually go to, IMO. I would have hated to have had to deal with this via mail.
And if the second set you get has a bad disc or more, then what?
Man, this sucks. There really needs to be something done about quality control with DVDs.
Jon2
09-02-04, 03:17 PM
I never bought any of the original Trek series DVDs, but I do have two that were gifts. Being a Trek fan since grade school when the original series aired, I was seriously considering the original series box sets. But, from all the posts I've been reading, it's beginning to appear as though scuffs and scratches are a new DVD feature. One I can live without.
As much of a STOS fan as I am, it's just not worth the effort to try get a pristine set.
BTW, for anyone who may be interested, the Trek sets are approximately $82 at Costco and Sams' Clubs. If I was into buying season box sets of any TV series, I'd join just for that reason alone. The price of membership would pay for itself many times over.
emhello
09-02-04, 03:24 PM
The sad thing is, the people who wait to buy them will probably get re-packaged damaged items from the people who are sending them back. Many stores are just too lazy to send them back to the distributer.
mink-e
09-02-04, 04:09 PM
I ended up getting mine through SOTL on Amazon, but after hearing all the fun people are having, I'll probably go the Sam's route next time. Can't argue with the price, but if Paramount is putting out such a poorly produced product, I'll look before I leave the store in the future. If the second set is hosed too, they'll have to send me another one. I was really worried that Amazon was going to make me send my set back and I'd have to take my chances with another new set. This way, I can watch the rest of the set while waiting for the new set to come in. It's not as good as getting a new disk today, but it will do in this case. Hopefully the next set will be better, but I doubt I'll take the chance and order online again.
I agree that there needs to be some kind of QC on DVDs. Hopefully the e-tailers will figure out that jacked up copies will equal people going to B&M stores and costing them sales because they don't want to deal with the hassle of the mail and really get on the ball.
Fok
09-02-04, 04:19 PM
Guess I'll be waiting on this set.
redskull47
09-02-04, 04:28 PM
Originally posted by emhello
The sad thing is, the people who wait to buy them will probably get re-packaged damaged items from the people who are sending them back. Many stores are just too lazy to send them back to the distributer.
That's why the state of Ohio sued BB several weeks ago. Among other things, they charged BB with knowingly returning damaged/opened merchandise to the shelves.
Sex Fiend
09-02-04, 05:31 PM
I would also suggest that EVERYONE who got a bad copy of this set write Paramount and complain about the studio's manufacturer. Enough complaints and the studio may change factories, or at least implement some quality assurance steps (such as replacing personnel working at the factory), particularly if the problem is pervasive enough that significant expense and hassle results to Paramount itself in terms of processing returns and refunds from retailers.
And a lot of the problem is the result of using cheap Third World labor, particularly with poor quality control oversight in place.
El-Kabong
09-02-04, 05:57 PM
You know, with all the doom and gloom - it's not all bad. My set was perfect top to bottom. Not even fuzz or hairs on the disc.
So not every single set is dragged behind a truck on the way to the store. Go ahead and buy - just keep an eye out along the way.
DVD Polizei
09-02-04, 06:42 PM
Looks like NetFlix is supplying all the Star Trek discs.
icruise
09-02-04, 07:43 PM
Hmm. My set from Amazon seems pristine, luckily, so it's not as if they're all like this.
pOpus
09-02-04, 08:18 PM
My copy from Amazon was in perfect condition. I was also quite pleased that the pictures of the packaging didn't do it justice. It is not nearly as tacky as the pics online would suggest.
gutwrencher
09-02-04, 09:42 PM
Originally posted by El-Kabong
You know, with all the doom and gloom - it's not all bad. My set was perfect top to bottom. Not even fuzz or hairs on the disc.
same here.
mink-e
09-02-04, 10:35 PM
I'm glad to hear that a lot of people are getting good discs. I'm hoping that I'm just the exception. I've never gotten a disc like that before and it just really irked me. If a ton of people are getting good sets, I am more than willing to accept the possibility that I just got one of the few crappy ones and go about my merry DVD purchasing way as usual.
shaggy
09-02-04, 11:38 PM
Mine are fine, I actually think the packaging is very good with this set. Its kinda of a pain to open, but the discs are secure.
Romero
09-03-04, 01:10 AM
Just checked my disks. One has three scratches on it. Another has a scuff mark. Suppose I will take it back this weekend, and try to exchange.
stinkeye
09-03-04, 10:16 AM
Add me to the list of scratch-free sets ordered from Amazon. The problem doesn't appear to be as widespread as something like the Monster Legacy discs, which was an example of how not to package media. I have to again say that I'm dissapointed with the cases the Trek discs came in. It's bad enough they're overpriced, at least put them in something other than cheap jewel cases glued together. I like the outer box though.
Altimus Prime
09-03-04, 10:57 AM
Originally posted by mink-e
I'm glad to hear that a lot of people are getting good discs. I'm hoping that I'm just the exception. I've never gotten a disc like that before and it just really irked me. If a ton of people are getting good sets, I am more than willing to accept the possibility that I just got one of the few crappy ones and go about my merry DVD purchasing way as usual.
I got three sets from two different stores and each one had at least one damaged disc.
I don't know if studios allow for a certain percentage of damage/returns, but if they do, I bet the percentage with this set is over that limit - unless it's ridiculously high.
buckee1
09-03-04, 11:12 AM
Originally posted by El-Kabong
You know, with all the doom and gloom - it's not all bad. My set was perfect top to bottom. Not even fuzz or hairs on the disc.
So not every single set is dragged behind a truck on the way to the store. Go ahead and buy - just keep an eye out along the way.
Same here.
serse
09-03-04, 05:28 PM
What appeared at first to be scuff marks and scratches in my copy turned out be from the underside of the clear plastic in which the discs were embedded. When I took them out of the plastic rhey were all good.
PrivateJoker
09-03-04, 06:18 PM
Originally posted by Altimus Prime
And in the back of my mind the whole time is that sticker I saw on the back: Made in Mexico.
Leave my Jetta out of this!! :D
mink-e
09-07-04, 04:52 PM
Just a quick update:
I got my second set of ST:TOS in and the lo and behold, the first disk was scratched along the outside again. We'll see what happens when I call them again.
emhello
09-07-04, 05:03 PM
Also picked up ANOTHER set today as well and this one is going back as well. Disc 4 this time - deep scratch that you can actually feel. This may be it for me for trying for a while. Or next time I'll just open them right in my car before leaving the parking lot.
mink-e
09-07-04, 09:33 PM
Amazon is now overnighting me a third set, so I should have it Thursday. With the rate this is going, I'm never trusting Paramount, so I'll buy the set, take it to customer service and open it there to make sure I don't even leave the store without a good set. This is ridiculous of Paramount. Maybe third time will be the charm, but I'm not holding much hope right now.
Leechboy
09-08-04, 12:46 AM
This is about the "Made in Mexico" comment on one of the earlier posts. My copy of "Clerks X" had the made in mexico sticker and every disc was scratched. Back when Saving Private Ryan was released it also was made in mexico and scratched.
emhello
09-08-04, 01:24 AM
I just bought a copy of 'Murder on the Orient Express' today and what do I find - more scratches on this disc as well!! And it was only 1 of 2 in the whole store. :( So I'm with mink-e on never trusting Paramount again. From now on, I open these all IN THE PARKING LOT and I'm getting them replaced immediately to spare myself the inevitable trip back!!
mink-e
09-08-04, 10:13 AM
If I'm going to post the bad, I need to post the good as well. I just opened my copy of Generations with much trepidation because how much fun would it be to try and get an exchange on a recalled item that never should have been sold? Anyway, both discs are absolutely flawless, and I look forward to checking them out tonight.
Altimus Prime
09-08-04, 01:00 PM
Don't open them in the parking lot. Open 'em right there in the store. That's what I did at Best Buy - I opened it right at the service desk (where I had to go to get a price match.)
THX7966
09-08-04, 01:05 PM
Are you guys being way too picky? Do these scuffs and scratches affect how the discs PLAY? That is what they are for after all. I mean, who sits and stares at the discs? They are either playing in the machine, or sitting in the box. I think going through 3 and 4 different sets to find perfect discs is a bit much.
emhello
09-08-04, 01:13 PM
Originally posted by THX7966
Are you guys being way too picky? Do these scuffs and scratches affect how the discs PLAY? That is what they are for after all. I mean, who sits and stares at the discs? They are either playing in the machine, or sitting in the box. I think going through 3 and 4 different sets to find perfect discs is a bit much.
The scratches on the discs I'm referring to were so deep you could FEEL THEM. That's just not right. They MIGHT play on SOME players, but who knows about others. In any case, I don't mind light surface scratches but that's not what I got.
Adonus
09-08-04, 01:54 PM
Originally posted by WhovianZorker
I don't think that's what was meant.
Let's say he opens the first set and disk #1 is bad. Well, that set is defective. It has to go back.
So say he opens the second set and disk #2 is bad. Well, that set is defective. It has to go back.
Time to open a third set....
But wouldn't it make more sense for him to take disk #1 from the second set and the rest of the disks from the first set, and the store would only have to send back one set to the manufacturer with two bad disks?
Exactly, I was just going to say the same thing....
Adonus.
mink-e
09-08-04, 03:50 PM
Frankly, I don't think I'm being picky in the slightest. If I'm buying a DVD at a pawn shop or something and there's a slight scratch or something, I may still buy it, but it's my choice. I know up front that it's been viewed before and sometimes you get imperfections because things happen or people don't take care of their discs. That's the way it is when you buy used. Maybe I'm just being silly, but I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect a brand new, sealed DVD set that cost $75+ to look like it's new. If I paid $30, I would have no room to complain, but I didn't.
Panda Phil
09-08-04, 10:28 PM
Maybe this is just a variation on the old 'handful of nuts and bolts behind the body panel of the Cadillac' gag? Some disgruntled Mexican assembly line worker with a piece of sandpaper.
Quake1028
09-08-04, 11:33 PM
This is as good a place to ask as any: Were there only 3 seasons of TOS? Meaning the megaset coming out in December will contain the full run?
Altimus Prime
09-09-04, 12:14 AM
Originally posted by THX7966
Are you guys being way too picky? Do these scuffs and scratches affect how the discs PLAY? That is what they are for after all. I mean, who sits and stares at the discs? They are either playing in the machine, or sitting in the box. I think going through 3 and 4 different sets to find perfect discs is a bit much.
If I'm paying $100 - or any amount, really - for a DVD or DVD set, I absolutely, positively do NOT want a disc that is visibly damaged. Even if it plays. Who's to say it might play now, but won't play properly in the near future? Why accept damaged merchandise?
We're not talking about a spec of dust or errant hair. We're talking scratches and gouges. That is unacceptable.
P.S. And yes, there were only three seasons of the original Trek.
darkside
09-09-04, 12:42 AM
My company has thousands of employees that do data entry work for us in Mexico. They are by far the most unhappy bunch of people I have ever spoken with (and thats the better paid supervisors).
Their quality is by far the lowest of any workers we have, but you can't beat the labor cost so we just have a small team here in the US that is in charge of researching and correcting their errors. They will do stuff like type curse words and complaints into the note section on documents so you have to check over their work carefully.
The discs coming out scratched doesn't surprise me at all as there are a lot of unhappy (rightfully so if you ask me) employees in Mexico. All the loose discs in the Universal Monster sets were from Mexico too.
mink-e
09-09-04, 02:38 PM
Unbelievable. I'm now 0 for 3. The third set came in and of course the first disc is scratched...AGAIN. I don't bother looking at the other ones because the rest on my set are fine. Anyway, called Amazon and they won't send anymore sets, which I can kinda understand, but it's just really frustrating. Essentially, my options are either to send back all three sets I have now, or I can keep one if it plays and they'll give me a discount on the set I keep. Not sure what I'll do. It is all that I could reasonably expect from Amazon, as they've bent over backwards, but it still gets me pissed off at Paramount.
alfredog1976
09-09-04, 11:50 PM
I feel everyone's sentiments here...I went to a Best Buy today, since the first 2 discs had scratches on them, expecting to be able to swap the discs. Had to open 2 sets and asked to swap the good ones with the bad ones in the set I brought in. He said no...his reason? He was afraid the "serial numbers wouldn't match" (??????)...Had to settle for the 2nd opened set. This is very frustrating, as consumers, we shouldn't have to deal with this crap.
By the way, anyone interested in the bonus disc? Sell or trade...let me know.
Cartload
09-10-04, 08:08 AM
I guess the only thing you guys can do is just watch the discs and hope they all play with no problems. The quality control of DVDs in general has gone downhill now that it has become extremely mainstream and the best advice I can offer is just to accept the scuffed or scratched disc if it plays properly. Trust me, you will all be a LOT less stressed out.
Mr. Cinema
09-10-04, 09:48 AM
I started a thread a few months ago about finding more discs scratched that were made in Mexico, and the dvd talk snobs almost had a heart attack when they read it. It's good to see my theory is starting to come true with this thread about the Star Trek dvds. I've bought other dvds that were made in Mexico, such as Mystic River, that have been in bad condition.
Plain and simple, if you buy a dvd at the store as "NEW", it sure better be in "NEW" condition.
sracer
09-10-04, 10:19 AM
Has anyone who bought their set at Costco seen any of this scratching and scuffing?
I remember when the Universal Legacy sets came out, the ones from Amazon were "rattlers" and all scratched, but the ones I bought from Costco were pristine. I'm wondering if Costco gets theirs from a difference source.
sracer
09-12-04, 07:41 PM
Update. I just picked up the Star Trek:TOS first season boxset from Costco ($81.99). I examined all of the discs. All are perfect and pristine.... no scratches or scuffs.
Trinitron
09-13-04, 02:47 AM
I bought mine at Costco and it looked perfect to me as well. Interesting, and only $81 to boot! (I distinctly remember the "Made in Mexico" label on the back, too).
sracer
09-13-04, 09:35 AM
hehe, I had a "Oh man I'm f.... umm, screwed" look on my face when I turned the package over and saw that "Made in Mexico" sticker. :lol:
davejt1
09-13-04, 09:48 AM
Originally posted by WhovianZorker
But wouldn't it make more sense for him to take disk #1 from the second set and the rest of the disks from the first set, and the store would only have to send back one set to the manufacturer with two bad disks?
Makes perfect sense to me. I've actually tried this at BB on three different occasions over the past several years when I received badly scratched discs in box sets (to the point that they had problems playing correctly).
The first two times they refused to let me do this (even when I suggested it). The second time actually got pretty heated, as the manager asked me what I was trying to pull?! Yes, this is a scam I pull - I go from state to state and swap out DVDs from box sets hoping to bring the movie industry down one box set at a time!!!
Fortunately, the third time, the CSR helping me at BB even suggested that I grab a new box and swap out the bad disc for a good one before I even said anything! Needless to say, I commended her (and told her manager) for her smarts and initiative.
While this sounds like a good solution, I guess my experience has been that it's much harder to convince others of this without looking suspicious.
Buy: