I think CDNow has improved.
 

It may be just my opinion, but for the past month or two I gave CDNow a try *again* after abandoning them for about an year and a half.

You know what, I've ordered about 20 times with them over the past 2 months and they have been great with their shipping dvds. Good CS, great packaging, and on time schedule with the pre-orders.

If some of you had some bad experience in the past, like me, try them... with a coupon, of course. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

;)

CDNow has been great lately. However, from what I have read, it looks like their shipping policy has changed in recent weeks for the worse.

I order almost everything there.
Pre-orders(if ordered on time!)will ship on the friday before the official release date.

I had a bit of trouble with my Withnail and I and How to get ahead in advertising pre-order (it shipped 4 days AFTER release) but other than that, they've been great. Most DVDs have been arriving in three weeks (or less) to Australia - not bad (although not as good as some, either) but they've been coming in perfect nick, and at great prices (the 40.5% off preorder is alive and well at CDNow if you have a coupon).