Okay so I've approved the full charge...

[Guest]

...I was just wondering about the full charge in regard to international customers,
how they're going to go about charging for shipping. I'm under the impression that
international shipping charges will be calculated when the packaging is confirmed.

Will we be charged for the set now, and then when it comes time for shipment, we'll
be charged again just for shipping? Alas, my CC authorization will probably become
invalid during that time.

I sure hope they've noted that I get $6 off, since I ordered before 2/13.


Another Anonymous Guy.....in Australia

By the way Jason, you rock!

[richard]

What is all this about full charge? have I missed something? I pre-ordered but have not heard much since (apart from getting charged too much on my c/card

[Jason R]

Depending on your ISP, it may have been slowed by spam filters. Very few were bounce backs. I'd post it here but there are dynamic links in them including individual order numbers.

Yay automation! Boo filters!

If you don't get it this evening, I will ask them to shoot out another copy to everyone.

[Jason R]

You sure as heck will get the discount on shipping. And, yes, I think that is how shipping charges will be handled. We USA folks don't have to worry about shipping if we got it in before 3/1.

[Joanna]

We've all been sent an e-mail. If you haven't received it yet Richard I am happy to forward one to you :0) (I have received it twice....and yes, I DO mean the e-mail to all you Rayanne's out there!)

What do you think to all this?? (You're in the UK aren't you??) I am getting a little concerned.

"And dance by the light of the moon!"

[richard]

I have to say I don't really see what the fuss is about, since credit card rules are so tight in this country, if AU did go bust or try to screw us I believe it would be fully the Credit card companies problem.

I also think it is worth remembering that AU, as with most internet companies are not cash rich, they rely on a quick cash flow to stop going bust, if you imagine 2000 DVDs costing them $100 each, they need to pay out $200,000 to cover the costs, which is a lot of money, so I expect they are just trying to make sure their company is safe.

I definately wouldn't say that these problems are worth cancelling your order over, theyt are annoying but in the end it is really worth it to actually get these DVDs at last!!

[K-man]

Amen!

k-man

[Joanna]

Thank heavens for your calming affects.

Now people are actually talking 'to' each other and not 'at' each other I feel like I am not alone. Don't think I'll cancel afterall....

"And dance by the light of the moon!"

[Guest]

so ok, I approved the charging of my credit card

I understand that I'll get a snail mail soon

but: would it be possible to send out a confirmation e-mail too, so that I know that it technically worked and you've got my approval?

thanks for all your efforts

[Guest]

<blockquote>
I have to say I don't really see what the fuss is about, since credit card rules are so tight in this country, if AU did go bust or try to screw us I believe it would be fully the Credit card companies problem.
</blockquote>
No it would not. It would be the consumers problem. There is a limitation on how long you have to complain about a charge. That limit is probably 60 days and is certainly well under the expected ship date for the DVDs. If AU doesn't come through, the credit card company will do utterly nothing to help you.
<blockquote>
so I expect they are just trying to make sure their company is safe.
</blockquote>
And I am trying to make sure that my personal finances are safe. The best way to balance those two opposing interests is to make sure that each party still has a monetary interest in the deal. Once they have all our money, they no longer have a monetary incentive to complete the deal. I'm not trying to suggest that AU would intentionally try to rip us off: they certainly still have non-monetary incentives. I am simply reluctant to give up the monetary one.
<blockquote>
I definately wouldn't say that these problems are worth cancelling your order over, theyt are annoying but in the end it is really worth it to actually get these DVDs at last!!
</blockquote>
ARGH! That's the maddening thing about it. It is definitely worth the risk. I just wish I didn't have to take the risk, and I think AU could stand to be more reasonable about it. It almost seems like they are taking advantage of the fans, and I don't like that.

Anonymous Bill

[Jason R]

IMHO, charging a reasonable fee for something being done in an extremely limited number is not taking advantage of fans. For the trouble, the fans are getting a number of extras, and are paying $15 less than the retail price.

And there will be copies available upon release, but they will not be the pre-order version (this was done specifically to not screw fans who paid up front. What would be taking advantage, and it happens a lot in entertainment biz, is to make the fans pay more for the first copies and then to sell it at a steep discount afterward. For instance, I bought Brian Wilson's CD from his site for about $20, and then I bought a second copy at the store for $17.99 because it had two tracks not on the one sold directly to fans. Now that is taking advantage of loyal fans. In the case of the DVD set, such pains were taken as not forcing people to buy a second copy of disc one when people already owned it, even though those discs still have to be ordered.

WHen I was at BMG, my argument was that we should not put out all of the shows if it was going to get the budget-bin treatment. With TV shows, there are fans and there are FANS. And only FANS buy stuff. And FANS don't like to see their show direspected with cheapo packaging and little, as one customer once put it "love."

Your concerns are very reasonable, but a lot of thought has gone into creating something truly unique for FANS. I'd bet that if you didn't want to keep it, you could sell it used for at least what you paid for it. But that is besides the point. The purpose of this email is not to promote arbitrage.

Jason

[richard]

I am talking about in England where the laws are a bit different and the consumers contract is (I believe) with the credit card company, they then have the contract with the supply, so if the supplier goes down it is the credit card companies problem

[Jason R]

AU.com will be posting the shipping schedule on their site very soon. They simulated a box set (lunchbox, discs, inner holders, carboard box, packing materials) and it weighed in at about 2lbs. They are basing their price on USPS price, but I believe it is not going to be ground. So it is going to be sent at a decent class. Whatever the class, all of the payment for shipping is going to USPS. You will be able to predict your rate (and subtract the discount if you were overseas and got the order in for the $6.50 off shipping). If you live in the USA and got it in beforehand, you are not paying shipping. . I suppose you could refer to the USPS prices, but bear in mind that there will be a variety of classes.

[Joanna]

And probably packaging costs to think about too!

"And dance by the light of the moon!"

[Joanna]

I didn't know that - mind you, I have tried to abstain from using my credit card over the years and just stick to switch instead. It would be a definite relief if you view is the case.

"And dance by the light of the moon!"