Are screw-ups the norm for Bensonsworld?
 

I recently placed my 1st 2 orders at Bensonsworld and they've managed to screw up both orders. The wrong quantity was shipped both times and my 1st dvd arrived loose in the case and scratched, they haven't replied to my emails so far. Do these guys suck or have I been incredibly unlucky?

...you've been incredibly unlucky!... (I've ordered DVDs from Benson's World for the past couple of years, at the rate of 4 to 10 per month - zero problems)...

...your first DVD arriving "loose in the case and scratched" is hardly Benson's fault - it's something that happens quite frequently, regardless of which type of case a disc comes in ('snapper', Alpha, Amaray, Scanavo, Super-Jewel box, etc.) and regardless of which e-tailer in which country shipped the discs (I've ordered DVDs from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Holland, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the USA - trust me, the blame should rightfully go to the 'designers' of these cases, who apparently are unable to come up with a non-accident-prone model)...

Q.E.D.

. . . :o . . .

I would also say you are unlucky... I have placed 5 orders with them over the last month and a half and all have arrived promptly and without any problems.

You're not alone
 

Guess I was "unlucky" too.

The first (and only) order I received from them contained a DVD that was obviously USED. There were fingerprints and dirty smudges on both the disc surface and the outer case.

Although I did receive an email from them in response to my complaint, they simply denied sending me USED product -- claiming instead that sometimes they opened up the cases to replace the discs on their spindles. I thought that was awfully noble of them -- except that it hardly explained the smudges on the disc surface. Unless their staff has exceedingly dirty fingers. -rolleyes-

I haven't ordered from them since.

Actually, Benson can easily avoid sending discs that are lose in the case if they would onlydo a shake test while packaging. they do NOT do this. Most DVD's that arrive lose in the case were that way from the moment they were packaged. It's rarely because of the shipping.

I have never received a DVD lose in the case from Blackstar. Not once. But with Benson, nearly every time.

I don't bother with them either....I ordered from them once....The disc was on backorder for about five months---said their was distribution problems everywhere with the disc...Right, went to dvdstreet and got it within a week....They didn't answer emails, I had to fight to get my CC credited and then that was a few bucks off---they are not worth the hassel in my opinion....

Blackstar or dvdstreet, a little more, but worth it.

Bensons is my favorite UK etailer. I've ordered from them several times in the past year without incident. They've answered all my email inquiries in a very reasonable amount of time as well.

I've ordered from Benson's three or four times recently. I did have one disc loose in the case, but it was a sealed case, obviously not their fault (keep in mind that it did travel from the UK to the US). I have found their customer service exceptional. They seem to be a small, family-run business, as I have been contacted by two different people with the last name of Benson. One email I received after placing my first order was to make sure I realized that I wouldn't be able to play their products without a converting DVD player - quite nice, I thought. Another time was to inquire as to whether I had meant to pre-order a disc which I had already placed a pre-order for. I didn't, and their considerate email saved me from a duplicate purchase. I have never tried to email them first, so can't speak to how well they respond, but it seems to me like they are quite active at maintaining good customer contact.

I ordered from them for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The customer service was really nice, emailing me asking me prior to shipment if I was aware that the DVDs I ordered (Armour of God and Iron Monkey) were R2 and PAL. The shipment took 10 days from time of shipment to get to California. The packing came in a DVD mailer, nothing fancy about the packaging. I'm reasonably satisfied with Bensonworld.

I just placed an order with them- They were kind enough to contact me and make sure I was all region capable before charging or shipping my DVDs. Only thing is, after I assured them I was okay, they seem to be charging my card one movie at a time and also have a strange charge for $1.47? I dont know if that is a conversion charge or what?

I just placed, for the first time, a rather large order with them. They e-mailed me asking if I knew that these were region 4. They also asked me if I would like to ship these out altogether by courier instead of the free shipping option. It seems that they can only send out $40 worth of DVDs at one time using the free shipping option, since that is all that it can be insured in the U.S. By Courier, they can be shipped altogether and be fully insured. They also said that they can hold my order until the last pre-order comes in.

So far I've been happy with the customer service. Hopefuly everything else will turn out fine.

Just wanted to add my two cents worth in support of Bensonsworld. I've ordered from them five or six times, never had a single problem and always found their customer service fast, friendly and altogether exceptional.

Thanks for all the info, this would explain my 2 orders, one was for 3 dvds the other 4. I wish they had emailed me rather than shipping only 1 dvd from each order, I will try them again but place smaller orders and see if they get it right.

I had a 4 DVD order arrive in 3 packages. With free shipping, I actually appreciate it that they ship orders as available instead of waiting for all to be in stock. I'm satisfied with them so far.

I now use Bensonsworld exclusively for British titles after two other British sites I had used commited the ultimate sin and shipped PAL VHS tapes instead of DVDs. Blackstar made good on their mistake, but Amazon.co.uk still hasn't made good after I returned the tape to them in November. Bensons has good prices and service. They also have the fastest shipping; the Three Colors Trillogy arrived 2 days after release date in California. At this time I have four titles on pre-order from Bensons. I've had loose discs a couple times, but the scuffs always clean up OK using a Scotch Brite soft cloth and play fine.

I haven't had a problem with them. I placed a rather large order with a one use credit card. Apparently this was an issue. When they authorize your card they sorta guesstimate what the cost should be. than after the exchange and what day they ship it on they will adjust the price and try to re-auth the card. One use cards are exactly that one authorization only. So they emailed me about them unable to authorize the card I explain the situation and they cancelled the other order and i placed again with a new cc number. My order was split and i took about 15 days to get all my dvds. All dvds were factory sealed and no floaters. One dvd was defective and they said they would exchange or refund me. So far so good...

Benson's
 

I have ordered twice from them so far. Both times they have given prompt replies to any emails/questions I sent. I had asked several questions in a few emails before I ever ordered from them and got prompt, informative replies.

Both times I rec'd my DVDs within two weeks (I am in the US) and they were in perfect condition.

I have placed at least 6 orders with Bensonsworld with only one loose disc in a sealed case (it played fine). They are my favorite UK DVD site. Sorry you had problems but I am very happy with them.
Mike

Update- Out of the three titles I ordered, only one is in stock, Police Story (HKL SE), and was shipped. They said the others, Shogun Assassin and Encounters of the Spooky Kind (HKL SE), will be available "shortly".

In response to Slumbering Fist:

That extra $1.42 was probably a fee your credit card company issues for currency conversion. I know because I used a chase mastercard a few times on some overseas orders, and I was charged a fee for them. I stopped using the Chase card and instead used my Fleet Visa, which doesn't charge a fee for converting, and that's the way it should be.

Placed my 1st order on 02.09
 

After numerous floaters from under18, I tried bensonsworld because of the free shipping, I ordered 12 HKL dvd's, I got all of them 09.16 with all of them sealed except for game of death that comes on a case and a slipbox, and just one floater.

I'm impressed with the service via e-mail and the sale price you cannot beat. Also, I notice that before HKL dvd's hit street date, they usually have them onsale for $15.99 so way to jump on it and save a couple of bucks before it comes out.

Thumbs up and all good things>>

Thanks Jay G., thats what I figured... oh, and Shogun Assassin shipped, so now I'm only waitng on Encounters...

UPDATE- Encounter shipped out today, so within a week- I placed an order- they (double) checked with me to make sure I was PAL and Reg 2 capable before sending/charging my DVDs- shipped one movie right away- the other took an extra day or two- and the final one shipped out today, one week after I placed my order.

I'll update further when my DVDs arrive, see how well they were packed or any loose ones...

And don't forget play !

They too have free shipping, sell R1 and R2 DVD's and most of the time cheaper then Bensonsworld!!
I've ordered many many discs from them, they're very good.

They do appear to be cheaper, but it seems that they don't ship to the U.S.. Or am I wrong?

I'm pretty sure you're right.

This if from play.com