Lovefilm

Todd Tomorrow · 18-08-2009, 9:11 PM

Lovefilm has just reached a new nadir in customer service as far as I'm concerned. I returned a DVD of Fritz Lang's film noir classic The Big Heat, because it only played half way though. Annoying enough when you are introducing someone to one of your favourite films and you can't watch it to the end.

The disc was in pretty bad shape, scratched all over like it had been scraped over gravel, with a distinctive scratch on one side. They supposedly send out a replacement disc on the day they receive the complaint via their website, but the disc arrived three days after it apparently had been sent out first class. Turns out it was exactly the same damaged DVD again. I even recognized the scratch pattern.

I always suspected this but it's quite clear now that they don't stick to their rule of sending new discs within 48 hours. They tell you so, but they often take up to four days, lie about the date they send out discs and let you think it's Royal Mail's fault. Not happy ! Isn't this some sort of breach of contract ? They got into trouble with the Advertising Standarts Authority before for using the word "unlimited" with their subscription packages, because they use throttling and they are still lying to their customers.

Big_Si_Owen · 18-08-2009, 9:26 PM

I've not had any such problem with the 2 scratched discs I've had over the last 90 rentals. New discs almost always arrive within a couple of days of them receiving my watched ones too... Shame you haven't had the same experience. I'd be a bit hacked off if I got returned the damaged disc again too... :-/

24 P · 18-08-2009, 9:27 PM

Try movietronix, even though they stuffed up my 1 and only order, they gave me 6 free movies and 6 day delivery from the US to OZ...

Todd Tomorrow · 18-08-2009, 9:32 PM

Thanks, I'm looking for an alternative now. It's not even this one slip up of resending the same disc, I'm more annoyed that this is proof that they constantly lie about their dispatch dates. Obviously they didn't send a replacement on the day I sent the comlpaint as they said they did, because I had only dispatched the disc on that very day and they had not received it yet.

I watch a DVD every evening I'm in, so I send back at least one disc the day after I receive it and they are obviously throttling my service.

24 P · 18-08-2009, 10:02 PM

I am having issues with Inetvideo ATM, they have not sent out a $200 AUD order placed 21/07, I was told it was still pending and refunded with their online speak to service agent chat..
That was 5 days ago, and still no money or email to confirm this..
You think I am happy??
Looks like a charge back is in order...

blaster9999 · 19-08-2009, 8:38 PM

I been running a lovefilm membership along side a blockbuster one for the last few months. I've also been a member of lovefilm on and off for several years. I've found as a paying member blockbuster to be better. Quicker turn around, more newer films sent,also because of their connection with distributers, they do get a no. of releases out before lovefilm. (if love film gets them at all.) No signs of holding back (which has appeared to happen with Lovefilm in the past).

24 P · 19-08-2009, 9:21 PM

Sorry guys, my bad, I misread the whole context, not knowing that Love My Films was an online rental company..
I have also used a similar company in the past, actually 3 of them, I was throttled down as well, but I did get very obscure titles and was worth it in the end..

I won't ever use them again, that's what Bitorrents is for...

Todd Tomorrow · 19-08-2009, 9:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaster9999

I been running a lovefilm membership along side a blockbuster one for the last few months. I've also been a member of lovefilm on and off for several years. I've found as a paying member blockbuster to be better. Quicker turn around, more newer films sent,also because of their connection with distributers, they do get a no. of releases out before lovefilm. (if love film gets them at all.) No signs of holding back (which has appeared to happen with Lovefilm in the past).

Cheers, I'll give them a try. I'd left Lovefilm before due to poor service for a company I liked, which has since been bought up by Lovefilm like almost any other rental company. The only thing is that I often rent older and quite obscure films and I always assumed that Blockbuster has less choice.

vader100 · 19-08-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24 P

Sorry guys, my bad, I misread the whole context, not knowing that Love My Films was an online rental company..
I have also used a similar company in the past, actually 3 of them, I was throttled down as well, but I did get very obscure titles and was worth it in the end..

I won't ever use them again, that's what Bitorrents is for...

No, they are for watching crappy standard pirate copies of films.

24 P · 19-08-2009, 10:54 PM

IYO, I only download TV series as a rule of thumb, Like the 100s of million out there, If I want a movie, I will buy it, thats why I own over 1000..

blaster9999 · 20-08-2009, 6:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Cheers, I'll give them a try. I'd left Lovefilm before due to poor service for a company I liked, which has since been bought up by Lovefilm like almost any other rental company. The only thing is that I often rent older and quite obscure films and I always assumed that Blockbuster has less choice.

if you go there remember they are a quidco merchant.

confused88 · 15-09-2009, 1:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Cheers, I'll give them a try. I'd left Lovefilm before due to poor service for a company I liked, which has since been bought up by Lovefilm like almost any other rental company. The only thing is that I often rent older and quite obscure films and I always assumed that Blockbuster has less choice.

I think Blockbuster offers a wide choice of films these days, comparable to that of Lovefilm as their online customer base is quite different from their in-store one. The fairly obscure Detour is available both on Lovefilm and BB. I think the search engine employed by Lovefilm is somewhat better but Blockbuster might have a slight edge in latest releases: The BLURAY version of the Reader is not available on Lovefilm. Even if you subscribe to both you still pay less than having a SKY movies membership and can enjoy a wider choice of classics and international tiles.

BD Ashby · 15-09-2009, 1:59 PM

Ive been a lovefilm member for nearly 2 years

I have had a few unplayable scratched discs but they always send a realy over the top email begging you to forgive them. Im sure they dont replace and check the dvds.

Ive had the entire 8 seasons of csi vegas from them r and loads of discs cames damaged.

They do send out replacments very quick.

Goooner · 15-09-2009, 8:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confused88

I think the search engine employed by Lovefilm is somewhat better but Blockbuster might have a slight edge in latest releases: The BLURAY version of the Reader is not available on Lovefilm. Even if you subscribe to both you still pay less than having a SKY movies membership and can enjoy a wider choice of classics and international tiles.

The reason Lovefilm don't do The Reader on Blu, is because it's an Entertainment In Video release and they don't do rental versions of their BDs, so unless Blockbuster has a special deal with them (which I suppose is quite possible) they shouldn't be renting it out either.

confused88 · 15-09-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goooner

The reason Lovefilm don't do The Reader on Blu, is because it's an Entertainment In Video release and they don't do rental versions of their BDs, so unless Blockbuster has a special deal with them (which I suppose is quite possible) they shouldn't be renting it out either.

That's very interesting. I checked a few more titles(deception,city of ember) also Entertainment In Video releases and Lovefilm don't rent the blu version there either but it seems that Blockbuster do.

Goooner · 16-09-2009, 10:44 AM

It'd certainly be interesting to know if anyone has rented EIV BDs from Blockbuster, if they've got "Not for rental" on them.

*andythescientis* · 29-09-2009, 2:33 PM

I looked into this a while ago.. EIV is owned/related to Blockbusters parent viacom, that's how they get them and lovefilm don't.

It's never been a problem before but they seem to distribute a hell of alot of Blurays.. I can think of about 5 i've wanted to rent this year but could not from lovefilm because of this.

My problem is i don't like the idea of a monthly cost, as for me rental numbers fluctuate as stuff comes out, which means i can't see me using the 4 per month every month without fail. So i used the pay as you go version Easycinema (which is love film)... Shame Blockbusters online don't seem to do a PAYG tarrif

blaster9999 · 03-10-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andythescientis

I looked into this a while ago.. EIV is owned/related to Blockbusters parent viacom, that's how they get them and lovefilm don't.

It's never been a problem before but they seem to distribute a hell of alot of Blurays.. I can think of about 5 i've wanted to rent this year but could not from lovefilm because of this.

My problem is i don't like the idea of a monthly cost, as for me rental numbers fluctuate as stuff comes out, which means i can't see me using the 4 per month every month without fail. So i used the pay as you go version Easycinema (which is love film)... Shame Blockbusters online don't seem to do a PAYG tarrif

they do its called err pay as you go