[Greg]

I bet Yodel pay their drivers minimum wage or give them so many parcels to deliver during the day that they have no hope in doing it. So you can sort of understand the drivers claiming lots of people were out. Obviously it's a Management issue, but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Seeing your post nero I keep forgetting to tell Amazon to do the same for me. Nothing has been successfully delivered that came via HDNL/Yodel (except perhaps one item that came about 9pm one night).

[Richard]

Well I never, the disc they tried to deliver on the 28th (4 cards later) was waiting for me next door when I got home from work.

[Home PC Nut]

I'm dropping HMV now after many years I noticed recently their service is getting worse. Eversince the Jersey operation had to close & they moved it to a warehouse in Birmingham I believe.

Amazon are getting all my business unless HMV undercut them a lot (on some Blurays they are right now so must be struggling to survive). I noticed however Amazon price match HMV on most pre-orders. You might see it cheaper on HMV then give it a day or so Amazon are the same or slightly less!

[SuperAshcroft]

Originally Posted by Greg

I bet Yodel pay their drivers minimum wage or give them so many parcels to deliver during the day that they have no hope in doing it. So you can sort of understand the drivers claiming lots of people were out. Obviously it's a Management issue, but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

Last I heard it was a per-parcel rate, and it was something stupidly low like 50 pence.

[Doctor Hades]

I sent an email to HMV three days ago about the lousy packaging they used for my Batman steelbook but I've yet to receive a reply (this is the fourth day now). So it looks like it's more than just the quality of their delivery service that has dropped...

May well drop them myself for Amazon if they continue to use couriers and sub-standard jiffy/plastic bags for steelbooks and cardboard enclosed boxsets. Didn't realise they'd moved from Guernsey back to the UK mainland though.

[KirkSi]

Anyone noticed that the HMV website now has a 'click and collect' option just below the 'add to basket' button? I've not ordered anything through it yet, but went through the process just short of buying and it asks for a post code then finds the nearest store and indicates stock. I'm guessing this is a way of getting website prices instore. Handy for those that have a store near them and don't want the hassle of yodel etc.

[Doctor Hades]

Originally Posted by KirkSi

Anyone noticed that the HMV website now has a 'click and collect' option just below the 'add to basket' button? I've not ordered anything through it yet, but went through the process just short of buying and it asks for a post code then finds the nearest store and indicates stock. I'm guessing this is a way of getting website prices instore. Handy for those that have a store near them and don't want the hassle of yodel etc.

I've not used it yet but I believe you would have to pay in the store and pay their prices which means it's no better than just going to the shop in the first place (except you know you'll get the item you want, I suppose). I'm not 100% sure though.

*EDIT*
Looks like I'm wrong and you pay the online prices but just collect and pay in the store. I think.

[irascian]

Originally Posted by Doctor Hades

I sent an email to HMV three days ago about the lousy packaging they used for my Batman steelbook but I've yet to receive a reply (this is the fourth day now). So it looks like it's more than just the quality of their delivery service that has dropped...

May well drop them myself for Amazon if they continue to use couriers and sub-standard jiffy/plastic bags for steelbooks and cardboard enclosed boxsets. Didn't realise they'd moved from Guernsey back to the UK mainland though.

I emailed them too saying that for years I've ordered two to five titles a week but that if they can't guarantee that none of my orders will be sent using Yodel or Home Delivery Network then they will get no further orders from me and I will switch to Amazon or The Hutt group (both of which are pretty bad too :-( ). Not had a reply where before they'd be pretty prompt on replying to emails.

It's a sign of the times I guess - cutbacks and poor financial results mean that customer service goes out the window. Same thing happened with sendit.com as soon as The Hutt took them over and I had to move to HMV after years of good service suddenly became terrible.

[Todd Tomorrow]

I received a new vacuum cleaner from Amazon yesterday and it was delivered by Yodel. They just left it outside my door the whole day which is accessible to anybody and living in the middle of London that's not very safe. I'm also often away for several days, so it would have just stood there, getting soaked in the rain.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by KirkSi

Anyone noticed that the HMV website now has a 'click and collect' option just below the 'add to basket' button? I've not ordered anything through it yet, but went through the process just short of buying and it asks for a post code then finds the nearest store and indicates stock. I'm guessing this is a way of getting website prices instore. Handy for those that have a store near them and don't want the hassle of yodel etc.

I live very close to my local branch so that'd be an excellent option if they had it in. As it's quite a small branch though and I can see that they might want me to go to Newcastle or the Metrocentre as they would be more likely to have my choice.

Bri

[CJPowers81]

Someone over at Blu-ray.com received this reply from HMV regarding their packaging:

"Thanks for your email.

Please note, we are currently in the middle of moving from Guernsey to Merlin Park, therefore we are currently using different packaging, this will however change once we have moved.

Any questions? Visit the 'Help'section on http://www.hmv.com; reply to this email, or give us a ring instead on 0845 603 8576. We're open Monday to Friday, from 9am - 6pm."

[jammyone]

Originally Posted by CJPowers81

Someone over at Blu-ray.com received this reply from HMV regarding their packaging:

That makes sense, when The Hut group recently switched warehouses from the Channel Islands to Warrington the orders from them was taking an eternity to arrive, now most of my stuff from them arrives in 4 or 5 days.

[kwebbotaurus]

In theory HMV moving to the UK should mean even quicker delivery (with Royal Mail), although Play already moved their warehouse to the UK & delivery seems the same as when they were in Jersey.

[Doctor Hades]

Originally Posted by kwebbotaurus

In theory HMV moving to the UK should mean even quicker delivery (with Royal Mail), although Play already moved their warehouse to the UK & delivery seems the same as when they were in Jersey.

Yeah, I've noticed that. I think Play.com use third-class post!

[pixelpixel]

I place an order for Pulp Fiction on the 22/06. Its not arrived but my other order that was sent a week later by HMV has. I have never ever had a single item go missing on me.

This will be my last order with HMV. I will rather take my luck with the likes of Play or Amazon.

[PoochJD]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Greg

...but if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

To be frank, I'd think a handful of simians would probably do a better job, than the majority of Yodel staff ever could!

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

I place an order for Pulp Fiction on the 22/07. Its not arrived but my other order that was sent a week later by HMV has. I have never ever had a single item go missing on me.

This will be my last order with HMV. I will rather take my luck with the likes of Play or Amazon.

Pixelpixel - I'm confused. First you appear to say that a parcel from HMV has arrived, yet you are no longer going to order from HMV because you'd "rather take my luck with the likes of Play or Amazon". Sorry, but who was your PULP FICTION order with?

The fact this is your first order to have ever gone missing, suggests it's not a fault of HMV (or Play, or Amazon). If stuff of yours had regularly been going AWOl from one company, then maybe you might have a point, but at the minute, I get the impression you're just slating HMV for no real purpose, other than to be an HMV-basher. Apologies if that's not correct, but maybe you can clarify what you mean.


Pooch

[captainarchive]

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

I place an order for Pulp Fiction on the 22/07. Its not arrived...

Some people have no patience whatsoever. It's not even been a year yet.

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Hi,

Pixelpixel - I'm confused. First you appear to say that a parcel from HMV has arrived, yet you are no longer going to order from HMV because you'd "rather take my luck with the likes of Play or Amazon". Sorry, but who was your PULP FICTION order with?

The fact this is your first order to have ever gone missing, suggests it's not a fault of HMV (or Play, or Amazon). If stuff of yours had regularly been going AWOl from one company, then maybe you might have a point, but at the minute, I get the impression you're just slating HMV for no real purpose, other than to be an HMV-basher. Apologies if that's not correct, but maybe you can clarify what you mean.


Pooch

I made one order from HMV. It was for 2 items. The order was split and 1 item out of the 2 has arrived. So Back to the Future has arrived and Pulp Fiction is missing. I contacted HMV this morning and the loss prevention department are currently dealing with it.

My email from HMV states that they despatched both items via the Royal Mail.

I ordered some other items with Play and Amazon at the same time and they have all arrived.

Normally anything via Royal Mail is fine. This is my first ever order from any online company that has went missing.

Originally Posted by captainarchive

Some people have no patience whatsoever. It's not even been a year yet.

Good things come to those who wait.

[pixelpixel]

Just an update regarding my missing item. My item has been refunded and reordered. It should arrive by the end of the week. Maybe before the bank holiday.

[irascian]

Only vaguely related to the title of this thread but it looks like the "switch to the UK" is now complete. Just got 3 titles all with badly printed "TNT" labels on (lucky the Blu's all arrived given how poor quality the address label is printed) and they're vacuum sealed instead of the sturdy cardboard boxes they used to use.

First opened was "Contraband" with a slipcase, seemingly damaged by the overly tight vacuum packaging.

Still had no reply to my HMV Customer Service request saying I'd order no titles if they used Yodel. Sent over a week ago. So even the customer service has gone downhill as well as the packaging since the move from Jersey.

I can see this turning into another Blackstar/Sendit.com (where a good, reliable service became absolute crap when The Hut took it over), if it hasn't already. Trouble is I can't see anybody decent left that I can move to :-(

[Doctor Hades]

@ irascian - Amazon are still good IMO - they have by far the best customer support anyway - and ship stuff in cardboard so long as they're not coming from their (awful) reseller, Indigostarfish.

I'm still waiting for my two BDs which were sent last Wednesday, one of which is a steelbook. If that arrives "vacuum sealed" then I will not be using HMV for future orders as that is unacceptable. I've already had one steelbook from them sent in a jiffy bag but I knew about it, thanks to these forums, so was able to place a cushion under my letterbox which prevented it from being damaged.

[brian s]

Originally Posted by irascian

Still had no reply to my HMV Customer Service request saying I'd order no titles if they used Yodel. Sent over a week ago. So even the customer service has gone downhill as well as the packaging since the move from Jersey.

(

Maybe they're being swamped with complaints since they started using Yodel and can't handle the sheer volume.

Bri

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by irascian

Trouble is I can't see anybody decent left that I can move to :-(

I have found both Tesco Entertainment and Sainsburys Entertainment ship in decent packaging and the majority of items arrive on or before release day plus the discount codes they keep putting out are very welcome

Saying that I am keeping a few of my HMV pre-orders as some of the prices are just too good to miss.

[gitsurfer]

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread. I've the Jaws and Lady Snowblood steelbooks pre-ordered with them because of the cardboard mailers they use(d?). They only marginally had the best price (during that 20% off weekend) so I may yet swap back to Amazon unless this is a blip.

[Nezben]

I ordered a 5 disc music album and a bottle of perfume from amazon 2 weeks ago. Missed the delivery and had a dreaded Yodel card through the door (i was in at the time too )

So i rescheduled for a week later, knowing i wasnt going to be in (i was on holiday) and subsequently missed the delivery again (better than driving a nearly 40 mile round trip to pick it up myself) so i rescheduled again for a thursday.

On the monday i had the dreaded card again but written on it was that my parcel was 'on top of your back gate'

I went out and there it was, wedged between my gate and the house. Opened it up, the perfume box (which was a present) was crushed and battered and the CD case was smashed inside.

Another succesful delivery by those Yodel morons.

[legendarymatt92]

I recently had a package delivered from HMV by these jokers Yodel, and the steelbook inside was dented - mainly because it was just posted in a Jiffy bag with no other protection for it. I rang HMV to complain and, apparantly, they're currently moving to another warehouse (I can only assume because of the recent changes in charges when shipping from Guernsey) inland. They are using temporary delivery companies for certain products, but not all - hence why some people have received their packages with Royal Mail and others with Yodel. They'll be set up in their new warehouse by the end of this month, and then they will go back to using Royal Mail for every delivery - and will be using better packaging, apparantly.

So, here's hoping that HMV sort everything out soon! Sorry that was a bit long

[Greg]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

I recently had a package delivered from HMV by these jokers Yodel, and the steelbook inside was dented - mainly because it was just posted in a Jiffy bag with no other protection for it.

Did it arrive when it should have done? To be fair to Yodel given the description of the packaging, I don't think it would have arrived undamaged by any carrier.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by Greg

Did it arrive when it should have done? To be fair to Yodel given the description of the packaging, I don't think it would have arrived undamaged by any carrier.

No, it was 4 days late - I know that isn't much, and I'm not one to complain about late delivery unless it's a stupid amount of time, but the 4 days coupled with the dented steelbook just annoyed me. I know that a Jiffy bag is not adequate protection for any physical media, and that is HMV's fault not Yodel's, but you should have seen the way the guy who delivered it was treating his post bag - he dragged it out of his van and let it drop onto the floor, began to sorting through it to find the post that I needed, and then threw the bag back into the van and came to deliver it. Given that, with a delivery service like Yodel, the majority of the packages in that bag would have been breakable or at least damaged easily, he really shouldn't have treated the post like that. Royal Mail probably would have dented my steelbook also, but at least the posties around here treat the post they have with some respect.

Anyway, I'm rambling on here and it's not getting us anywhere or helping anything. I just hope that HMV get sorted soon, before they lose too much custom and have to close or something...

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by gitsurfer

I'll have to keep an eye on this thread. I've the Jaws and Lady Snowblood steelbooks pre-ordered with them because of the cardboard mailers they use(d?). They only marginally had the best price (during that 20% off weekend) so I may yet swap back to Amazon unless this is a blip.

It depends when those are being delivered - if they're either at the end of this month or the beginning of next, chances are your packages will be delivered in the new cardboard packaging HMV have announced, and will be delivered by Royal Mail. I don't want to keep putting Yodel down because I'm sure they must do some good jobs at delivering, but from what I've had first-hand experience at, they're not very good around here.

[gitsurfer]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

It depends when those are being delivered - if they're either at the end of this month or the beginning of next, chances are your packages will be delivered in the new cardboard packaging HMV have announced, and will be delivered by Royal Mail. I don't want to keep putting Yodel down because I'm sure they must do some good jobs at delivering, but from what I've had first-hand experience at, they're not very good around here.

Both are September so should be fine. Hope they get sorted out soon as I don't want to see them fold. Have been very happy with the online version of HMV. Have only ever had great packaging and swift delivery. Most of my pre-orders end up with them.