Normally CDNow ships up to 3 titles for a flat rate $7.20. I just placed an order for 2 titles and was charged $9.60!!

...to check this out I then went through the process of another order, again for just 2 titles, and this time was quoted a shipping charge of $16.80!!!!!

...anyone else notice a change?

...I've e-mailed them to explain, will let you know what they say.

I just checked an order of three DVDs I placed on October 7, and the shipping costs are still $7.20.

ADDED: Just placed three copies of a DVD in the shopping cart to see if the shipping costs would be higher, and sure enough, the total amount was $9.60. Goddamnit!

A lot of Canadian and American online stores have upped their shipping prices the last couple of months and some of them with a much higher percentage than CDNOW.

This is screwy!

I just tested their shipping again...

I put 'Moulin Rouge', 'Tales from Europe Combo' and 'World at War Collection' in my shopping cart, a total of 3 titles containing 11 discs. The shipping came to $9.60!

I then put 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Tomb Raider' in my cart, a total of 2 titles containing 3 discs. The shipping came to $16.80!!!

...anyone make the slightest bit of sense out of this?

It seems they've now changed it back. Shipping for three DVDs is $7.20 again. Hope it lasts...

Try 'Moulin Rouge' + 'Lara Croft:Tomb Raider'. It still gives me $16.80 shipping charge!!!

...what 3 titles gave you $7.20 Tyler?

Apparently, shipping costs for two disc sets are higher. It seems that 3 single disc DVDs still go for $7.20, but two two disc sets (or: one two disc set and one single disc) are $9.60 + $7.20 = $16.80. Where's the logic in that?

Something is definitely wrong with CDNOW's shipping charges.
For 2 dvd's they were charging 15,92 $.
I called their Helpdesk, a girl asked me to contact the manager with an e-mail.
I sen him a copy of the order with the charges!
If this goes on, I will say goodbye to CDNOW!!

Yes, it seems that CDNow is no longer competitive for international orders, esp. as some pre-orders are only 20% off... Suggest you use the GiftCertificates to get 20% discount on Amazon GCs or shop elsewhere.

...it seems like logic has gone out of the window here:

X_Files season #2 + X-Files season #3 + X-Files season #4 (3 titles, 21 discs) = $9.60 shipping!!!

...detect a pattern here? ...me neither!

...oh, and it seems Tomb Raider + 'anything at all' gives you shipping of $16.80!!!

I have not received an answer yet to the e-mail I sent them.
Maybe we should all mail them and complain.
Tell them that we take our bizniz elsewhere if the shipping rates stay this high.

Lies, again! I've asked you numerous times to back up this "pre-orders are 20% off" nonsense, but yet you never do...probably because you know you are wrong? I understand that you probably work for Amazon or some other inferior competetor, and want to try and snatch away any business that you can, but dishonesty is not the way to do it.

Another try at CDNOW:
made a new account, put some titles in my shopping cart, used the 15% off link (Bargain forum), 4 titles:
Drowned world tour- Madonna
Final Fantasy
Dirty Harry/Eastwood Collection 1 dvd
Apocalypse Now-Redux 2-pk

Shipping 12.91 !!!

It used to be 14.40 for 4-6 titles, only now the chances of paying import taxes are getting higher because of the total amount!

Thank you for shopping at CDNOW.
This email is to confirm your order number

You will receive your order in 2 separate shipments because these items
are shipped from different locations.

You have ordered the following items:

Madonna : Drowned World Tour (DVD)
*** Advance Order: Expected Release Date Nov. 13, 2001

Shipment 1: This will ship via FedEx World Mail.

Final Fantasy / Special Edition : Final Fantasy / Special Edition (DVD)
*** Advance Order: Expected Release Date Oct. 23, 2001
Dirty Harry / Eastwood Collection : Dirty Harry / Eastwood Collection (DVD)
*** Advance Order: Expected Release Date Nov. 20, 2001
Apocalypse Now - Redux (2 Pk) : Apocalypse Now - Redux (2 Pk) (DVD)
*** Advance Order: Expected Release Date Nov. 20, 2001

Shipment 2: This will ship via DHL WorldMail.

This might explain the increase in shipping costs!

FedEx, huh? I'd rather have a chance to choose the shipping methor myself and avoid the extra cost...

I don't think their shipping charges have changed but I noticed that their system freaks out with some titles. For example, Reindeer Games DC DVD and Queen We Will Rock You DTS DVD (while both title are normal no boxset titles) are responsible for a dramatic increase in shipping costs while other titles are 'normal'. I am able to order 3 DVD's for $7.20 at this moment (October 23) so I guess it's trial and error if you see an increase in shipping costs.

One of the funny things mentioned earlier is the location where the item is in stock: if it's not in stock in the 'central' warehouse you get additional shipping charges too...

Mark

It seems dvd's with musical content (Madonna/Janet Jackson/Queen) seem to increase the shipping.
Also they seem to be shipped from different locations than the movie dvd's!

I've looked over all these posts, and compared to the price it quoted me, they all look rather plausible.

I tried to order a 6 DVD boxset and have it shipped to Canada, and the thing quoted me a shipping charge of $23 ! What the hell !!

Here's a snippet of the email I got back from their CS department :

I love how they tell you that their shipping charges vary by location and by shipping method, and then tell you that you can't change the shipping method.

Patrick

I'm lost now. Every item that I (pre)order, from Rush Hour 2 to Mad Max SE gives an initial shipping charge of $5.98 and $1.99 for each additional item. Maybe they did raise their shipment costs now. Can anyone confirm this?

Mark

PS. I have a store credit of $5; hopefully that doesn't cause this problem

Anyone else noticed the increase????

Have CDNow changed their shipping charges...

Non-U.S. shipping & handling charges and available shipping methods are determined by destination, type and weight of merchandise ordered, and the shipping method(s) you choose. Due to the complexities of shipping outside the U.S. and because CDNOW is always working to improve our shipping efficiency and rates, it is not possible to view your available shipping methods or calculate your exact shipping & handling charges until you sign in to your account (or create an account).

For the purpose of calculating shipping charges, the number of items in a multi-CD box set is determined based on the price of the unit. Music videos, DVDs, and T-shirts may count as 2 or 3 items each....(they never used to )

The actual total will appear in your Shopping Cart before you place your order...

Video (VHS, DVD, LD)

Costs for shipping VHS tapes and DVDs internationally will vary depending on destination and shipping method. Your exact shipping charges will be calculated during Checkout.

When ordering VHS tapes and DVDs from CDNOW, you are considered the importer and must comply with all laws and regulations of the country to which the DVDs are shipped. CDNOW is not responsible for misdirected or confiscated product.

Upgraded shipping is available for both domestic and international orders. Shipping costs will be based upon your delivery address.

...well, as it used to be a flat rate of $7.20 for up to 3 titles, it seems they most certainly have! If they would just state "$5.99 + $1.99 per added item", then we would all know where we are.

...by the way, in all the e-mail responses I have received from them concerning this, they have always denied ANY change in shipping charges!!

So, CDNow = big fat liars!!!! ...well that's encouraging isn't it?!

All I can say is.......... goodbye CDNow!!

I must have ordered at least 40 DVDs from them over the last 6 months because of the 15% off coupons and 30% off pre-orders AND $7.20 shipping for 3 DVDs

I even had several double disc sets counted as single titles.

Their shipping and service has been very good. If not the fastest in the world.

I will not be ordering anymore from them as their shipping charges are now too high.

I'm back to absound.

Fortunately I have about another 20 DVDs pre-ordered well into December.

Mark

mrowley, I must agree with you there.

It was great while it lasted - 20% and 30% off, 15% coupons, $7.20 shipping and a loyalty program (scored three almost free DVDs). However, 10% off (plus coupon) and $6.50 plus $2.50 shipping (to Australia) is just no longer competitive against the likes of Deep Discount and ABSound.

just like most of you I think it sucks too but if you think about: for 3 DVD's you only pay app. $2.80 more so it's not sucks a big deal AND they ship partly (at least I hope)... If they also stopped shipping partly it might be the end for me too. But at this moment I don't mind eating those few bucks.

I also noticed that they don't have the stupid 'shipping centrum' differences for certain DVD's and I think they don't charge extra for boxsets so I guess there are some positive aspects...

How about this one, I'd check your pre-orders if I was you, they have changed my shipping amount for 3 Movies, 2 of them have 2/3 Discs but they have not advised me. An increase of $3.98, I know its not alot but its the principle.

I will now be reviewing all my CDNOW orders and checking the shipment amount.

It seems to me I will not be using CDNOW very much longer.