Undeadcow

Today got the remaining items from my 12/14/11 Corman sale order including Humanoids From the Deep blu-ray and Forbiddean Planet blu-ray. Also got 1 item from my 01/08/12 Synapse order, The Image blu-ray. All shipped from Amazon. Still awaiting 9 Blue Underground titles from 12/19/11 and 2 Synapse titles from 01/08/12. I feel bad about this guy using Amazon so much, at this rate it seems he'll drive himself out of business.

joe_b

He now claims on Facebook that customer e-mails have been going to his spam folder, which is why nobody's gotten a response. I don't really buy that, considering several people asked for order updates on Facebook and Twitter and he ignored most of those. The guy set up a new e-mail address for people wanting status updates: [email protected]. He claims you will (hopefully) get a reply within four days.

I'm still opening a claim at the end of the week if I don't hear anything. He keeps insisting most of the orders are out, yet says anyone who is tired of waiting can get a refund. Too much conflicting info... and all these Amazon gift orders are starting to raise flags with me. Why not just address his supply problems -- delays from wholesalers, etc? If he really had all this stuff in stock, why not just post pictures of his inventory to alleviate everyone's concern?

Undeadcow

I am confused by the Amazon stuff too. I think he's trying to guarantee supplies even at his own expense. I think a good website inventory system would save him a lot of grief. He has obviously been working off a backorder. However he has several times posted inventory pictures on Twitter.

joe_b

I've seen those, but it mostly looked like a couple boxes of Synapse/Code Red DVDs. There were a handful of BU titles pictured, but not nearly enough to fill 2000+ orders.

GoldenWheels

I wonder about this myself. I don't see how he can be making any money on these discs if he is truly a new little business...as distributors (who often charge more than if you are direct, and this guy isn't) don't just hand out the kind of discounts that allow you to sell 10$ blus for a profit. And while they also don't care how much money YOU lose so long as THEY get paid...you need serious volume to make huge discounts worth a distributors time, and I don't see where that volume is in this case.

NoirFan

^
Plus, the likelihood of any repeat customers lessens with each passing day, as a month later most of us are still waiting on our orders.

Undeadcow

Edit: Got my complete second Blue Underground, placed 12/19/11, order today that included Inferno and Deep Red blus shipped from Horror Movie Empire. Still waiting on my first order from 12/19/11 and 2 items from 01/08/12 (got 1 already).

I'd like to follow the site and would prefer to repeat business but like most I'm on this thread because of good deals, the like not normally offered.

It is kind of sad that we live in a world where indie/local video places are not viable and online botique stores are crushed by Amazon. At this point I think it's important people vote for spirited specialty stores with their wallet or we'll all just end up at the whim of lightening deals and $5 bargain bins. Aside from the shady lack of communication and delays there's potential for this guy to shape up and offer a nice niche marketplace.

clckworang

I can overlook a lot, but the thing that bothers me the most is when a store promises things that they aren't able to deliver. In the beginning of the sale, the website had the guarantee about how soon orders are sent out. Obviously that didn't happen, though I get that there were a number of factors that caused that. But don't promise people that they will have their tracking information within 48 hours if you think there's any possible way you won't be able to get it done. To me, that look worse than all these things being backordered. It's not like I asked for tracking information; that was something that was volunteered.

I think the bolded is what is the biggest problem. I don't think most of us care *that* much how long it takes the order to be fulfilled, we just don't like feeling ignored or misled. Plus, it's hard to muster up much spirit for a spirited specialty store when one describes its communication as shady. These places live and die by customer service. Aside from the massive sale here and there, the prices on most items will be cheaper at places like Amazon. You need to make people feel like they want to order from you, like they want to give you some of their money.

I never ordered too much from Xploited, but that guy seemed to set the gold standard in that regard. I can think of many people around here who would say that if given the choice, they would order from Xploited even though it was a little more expensive. That's what this guy needs to cultivate, and the BU sale gave him a massive audience to potentially do just that. Unfortunately, he's falling down in that regard. My verdict is still out about the store. A lot will depend on whether I receive a package in the next week. I'll freely admit that I will likely change my tune if I receive something soon.

davidlynchfan

Lol@ you guys fighting tooth and nail with the guy trying to get the orders fulfilled and shipped and following his every tweet moves. Is all this effort even worth the discount? Personally I'ved moved on after getting my refund but best of luck to everyone and I hope you guys do "finally" get your stuff.

asianxcore

Xploited Cinema was amazing. I was happy to give Tony the extra money for the amazing customer service he offered. Packages were always well packed, communication was fast, site was always updated and packages always came quick. On top of that he always ordered lots of really great stuff for that site.

Even DiabolikDVD is fantastic. If I'm not mistaken that company is only run by 2 people and I've never had issues with them. Yes, their shipping is a little expensive (UPS) but again the customer service is always fantastic. A week ago I had a question about a re-stock on a particular DVD, and it was answered on their Facebook page in a couple hours with information on when the re-stocks were coming in. Once in, DiabolikDVD went back to my original post and told me they were in and ready to order. I also appreciate all the updates via their Facebook (constantly) and their newsletter.

I didn't order anything from this sale, but again I hope everyone eventually gets their stuff!

SethDLH

^ This.

Xploited Cinema was great (and still is on the rare chance I order something from Tony thru eBay), and Diabolik has basically taken over where XC left off. I have no problem supporting the little guy (who often has stuff the big stores don't, even from 3rd party sellers) but the way HME has handled their business since the start of the Blue Underground sale is unacceptable. The waits and delays are one thing and probably out of his control to a certain extent but there is a reasonable and honest way to deal with your customers about it.

Phibes

Last Hard Men/Sky Riders was delivered today. No gift receipt, but it came from Amazon.

TomOpus

I am one of those who ordered from Tony. I never had an issue with any of my orders with him so never had to see first hand how he would handle things but other people have said nothing but good things. Other companies could learn a thing or two about customer service from Tony.

I did not order anything from this sale. But I'm curious is others will continue to order from this guy.

joe_b

Not for me. I received an order from him in the past, but all this blatant misinformation isn't worth it. I won't support a business that knowingly passes BS to it's customers. He went from being a week behind on orders, to 14 days, to a month. You shouldn't give false timeframes and dodge questions if you want to be successful. At this point, I wish I skipped his sales all together.

One man or not, I've never had to wait this long for something I've already been charged for -- even in the days of mail order.

stroszeck

Another victim apparently, right here. Ordered from the site on December 21st, haven't heard back from him since first week of January. Sent DSK another email 3 days ago...no response. I really don't know what to do at this point, call my credit card company? I spent almost $100 on the sale and its vanished somewhere out in cyberspace.

davidlynchfan

Not me for sure. Not even if he was offering Criterions for 99 cents.

sirbrady

Never again for me, not worth it imo. The 20th is one month.

dino88

Liar.

junglalien

I've received 5 BUs so far. In 10 -15 days I'm dropping claims for what I haven't received.

riotinmyskull

glad i only ordered 1 title from this sale....

maxfisher

My timeline:
12/19 - placed first order for 2 movies
12/23 - placed second order for 5 movies
1/3 - sent email inquiry to address my order confirmations came from
1/6 - submitted inquiry via 'contact us' page on website
1/7 - received response to 'contact us' inquiry claiming my orders would ship that day and tracking numbers would be sent soon after
1/14 - received response to email inquiry stating all orders had shipped and tracking numbers would be sent within a couple days

Not a thing in the mail so far and never received any shipment confirmations. Tomorrow, I'll do another submission on his contact us page asking for tracking numbers. If he doesn't send those by early next week, I'll be asking for a refund. I know he was slammed and didn't mind waiting, but sending out blatantly false information to customers is where I draw the line.

junglalien

On facebook he said there is a new e-mail to check orders.
[email protected]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Horror...m/240743788449

SethDLH

I'm thinking if anyone ordered Salon Kitty (like I did) we are getting the shit end of the stick just a little bit more since Amazon doesn't stock it.

The Man with the Golden Doujinshi

You pretty much have to go through Twitter. Then he'd tell you something that would end up not being true. I've been told it would be shipped out weeks ago, that I'd get a tracking number last week and that I'd have the package last weekend or Tuesday. Apparently asking a few times doesn't get your order done any faster.

So there really isn't a point to asking anything. Just need to play the waiting game. I think the only way he'd really get the point that he needs to start giving accurate info is if enough people started doing chargebacks instead of asking for a refund through him. Then merchant services would start asking questions and possibly cancel his account.

I'm just playing the waiting game for now, especially since some orders seem to be showing up.

tecHouse

those people who received any orders.. did you get a tracking number a few days before the order arrived?... or did the packages just appear without notice? thanks.