[stegboy]

Originally Posted by stegboy

I've been with lovefilm for over a year. Over the past week I've seen a vast improvement in their service. As soon as my films are returned, I seem to have another one allocated within hours and through the letterbox the next morning.

It hasn't always been like this but can't knock it at the mo!

Well I can knock them now! Sent back 4 films in a single envelope - the films never got checked back in. Reported them all missing and they said they'd send out a form for me to fill in. If I failed to fill the form in, they'd charge me. Well I've never received the form so I'll be very interested to see if they attempt to charge me for it.

And after 4 days of no films being sent out, they've decided to send me any old film thats not in my list. I've currently got "Paper Clips" - a documentary about kids collecting paper clips, winging its way to me. Great stuff.

Not good

Just off to add 'The Hole Punch and Stapler Mysteries' to my rental list

[dobobobo]

Originally Posted by stegboy

Well I can knock them now! Sent back 4 films in a single envelope - the films never got checked back in. Reported them all missing and they said they'd send out a form for me to fill in. If I failed to fill the form in, they'd charge me. Well I've never received the form so I'll be very interested to see if they attempt to charge me for it.

And after 4 days of no films being sent out, they've decided to send me any old film thats not in my list. I've currently got "Paper Clips" - a documentary about kids collecting paper clips, winging its way to me. Great stuff.

Not good

Just off to add 'The Hole Punch and Stapler Mysteries' to my rental list

Hehehe i got 'Paperclips' of LoveFilm today, though i requested it. Why on earth they sent you it i don't know. The film is old, but is new on DVD this week, so no one will want it (apart from me of course because i was intrigued by the trailer.) They must be giving you a free copy.

[dobobobo]

Originally Posted by DIPESH14

Sorry to go off topic here but just some advice needed, I've just got a copy of a film from Lovefilm but on viewing it comes up with the warning that its not a rental copy and I should phone the number and report it! Would it be really cheeky to report it...?

Yes, i would without hesitation.

[stegboy]

Originally Posted by dobobobo

Hehehe i got 'Paperclips' of LoveFilm today, though i requested it. Why on earth they sent you it i don't know. The film is old, but is new on DVD this week, so no one will want it (apart from me of course because i was intrigued by the trailer.) They must be giving you a free copy.

He he - just regretting paying for a year up front now!

I've tried to email them today to advise that they're sending me a film that wasn't on my list! And this is the response I got....

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your recent email.

Please be informed that you have a DVD "Paper Clips" allocated on your account which you will be receiving it shortly.

Should you have any more questions, please do let us know and we will be happy to assist you further.

Kind regards,
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brilliant, thats cleared it up. They seem to of ignored my original email stating that the film had been allocated to me when it wasn't even on my list in the first place!

Hope you enjoy the film dobobobo

lovefilm,hmmmmmmm i put the classic BBC Steptoe Series SIX on my list and they sent me the first disc (its a two disc set)...there site shows it as a ONE disc set and despite 5 emails and 3 phone calls they still cant seem to work out that theres a second disc in the box....

Also I put Londons Burning SEASON FOUR on my list,they sent me discs two and disc three but now it says disc one is NOT available for rental...

they will indeed be AWAITING ALLOCATION for my next payment next week

[zeogo]

I'm with moviemine now after getting fed up with love film, so far they're outstanding! DVD's are never scratched and I get exactly what's on my list. Prices are comparable as well.

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by mickmars

they will indeed be AWAITING ALLOCATION for my next payment next week

Originally Posted by zeogo

I'm with moviemine now after getting fed up with love film, so far they're outstanding! DVD's are never scratched and I get exactly what's on my list. Prices are comparable as well.

Sounds good - will have to look into them.

[dobobobo]

Originally Posted by zeogo

I'm with moviemine now after getting fed up with love film, so far they're outstanding! DVD's are never scratched and I get exactly what's on my list. Prices are comparable as well.

Thanks, have not heard of them. Though i'll see how LoveFilm go with Tesco's because moviemine's site looks a bit dodgy. They have a good informative review here though:

http://www.webuser.co.uk/sites/site_...hp?rev_id=2999

[zeogo]

That review is very accurate, great service, but boring packaging and the lack of individual envelopes, although this isn't really a problem for us as we watch all our DVDs on the weekend and mail them on monday, generally get our next 3 on the wednesday.

[Canary_Jules]

Sorry if I'm digressing from the OP here but just who is recommended for HD-DVD rental? I'm interested in renting now as I just can't keep on buying new HD-DVDs indefinitely. On this note I just phoned Blockbuster customer services to ask when they might be renting out HD-DVDs and they said it was something they were looking into. The guy I spoke to said that they were looking at the two high definition formats and decided which to make available - their decision would be based upon which format had the most users. I asked whether Blockbuster couldn't just supply both and let the consumer decide and he said that yes, that could be a third option! Anyway, I got the definite feeling that the guy I was speaking to was technically ignorant because he made silly comments like HD-DVD players could only output 720p max while Blu Ray could do 1080p! Then he commented that Blu-Ray was likely to be better PQ because it had much higher capacity discs. I pointed out that as far as watching movies was concerned there was no difference at all in current Blu-Ray and HD-DVD PQ. If my conversation was anything to go buy then I don't think we can hope much for Blockbusters renting out HD-DVDs. My local Blockbuster have just put up posters taking pre-orders for the PS3 which promote it as a Blu-Ray player. However, while they sell the X-Box and all kinds of accessories no similar info has been forthcoming from them re. the HD-DVD add-on.

[Greg]

Lovefilm rent HD-DVDs. They have a decent selection, but fairly limited supply, so it takes a little while before you get them.

[RPD_UK]

Well - i sent my third email in 3 weeks to have a bit of a moan and tell Lovefilm to generally 'pull their finger out'.

I also asked them to send me some of the TV Series discs that had suddenly stopped arriving half way through the Seasons (Spooks, X Files and Smallville).

To my suprise they have actually taken notice this time - and sent me the next discs in the series this week.

Miracles do happen !!

I guess the old adage 'you dont ask, you dont get' is often true.

If you are being messed a round by Lovefilm, then i suggest a firm but polite email to their 'customer service' might bring some results.

They often send you an extra disc too - especially if you mention you might be forced to leave their service if problems persist.

Worth a try imo.

[johnkay]

I cancelled my sub today, have seen 2 disks, of 24 series 5, 2 months ago and they still had not sent any more. I think I will buy the set which is approx the price of a months sub. The service has gone downhill.

[mrtbag]

They truely are cack. I have twice in the past week, clicked on the cancel option in my account, and it says please call a number to confirm. This happened last time, I called before and they roped me into another 3 months half price. Their T & C don't mention having to call a number. Today I got this:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your email regarding your LOVEFiLM account.

To cancel your subscription please log in, go to the 'My Account' page and follow the on-screen instructions.

Once your request for cancellation has been placed, you will receive a cancellation request confirmation email. All accounts must be cancelled by the account holder.

We will be sorry to see you go and if you should have any other questions please do let us know.

------------------------------------------------------------

So I then sent them this:

------------------------------------------------------------

I've gone to the web site logged in and selected cancel. It asks me to call
to confirm, I do not need to call.

Your terms and conditions do not specifically mention that cancellation must
be completed by telephone.

Any further money taken by lovefilm from my bank account will be classed as
an 'unauthorised' payment and relevant action then taken to retreive said
charges.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully the idiots will get the idea now.

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by johnkay

I cancelled my sub today, have seen 2 disks, of 24 series 5, 2 months ago and they still had not sent any more. I think I will buy the set which is approx the price of a months sub. The service has gone downhill.

Funny you should say that - i was forced to do the same thing this week - which kind of defeats the object of being a member in the first place.

24 is obviously a very popular choice - and i doubt Lovefilm have many 24 season 5 discs available to send out. I hate to think how long it would have been before i got to watch the entire season. 2008 ?? lol

Luckily it only cost me £17.50 to buy the entire boxset of 24 Season 5 - and i will then be able to trade it in (at CEX) for £16 - so it works out very cheap to watch it anyway.

I had to do the same thing with Battlestar Galatica Season 2 Box Set (where i actually made £5 when i sold it...lol)

Lovefilm should really get their act together - or at this rate they won't have any members left - although for those that are left that might not be such a bad thing...lol

[dobobobo]

Originally Posted by mrtbag

Hopefully the idiots will get the idea now.

Good on ya. Yep, you could drop the matter simply by phoning. But you didn't have to phone up to sign up, so why should you have to phone to sign off? It's only because they want to talk you into staying.

[dobobobo]

There is a notice on my Tesco DVD rental account to say that they will now mostly be sending out DVD's in the same envelope and that spare envelopes have to be ordered if you want to send one back sooner. This should be interesting to see if LoveFilm stick to their word.

"Does it affect the number of discs I get each month?

No, you can still send films back straight after you have finished with them. We will not delay a dispatch."

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by dobobobo

There is a notice on my Tesco DVD rental account to say that they will now mostly be sending out DVD's in the same envelope and that spare envelopes have to be ordered if you want to send one back sooner. This should be interesting to see if LoveFilm stick to their word.

"Does it affect the number of discs I get each month?

No, you can still send films back straight after you have finished with them. We will not delay a dispatch."

I'm afraid they are indeed 'delaying' a dispatch - thats why we are all starting to see 'awaiting allocation' so often these days.

Its also the reason they now wait '24 hrs' after receiving discs back before sending out any new ones - essentially holding back sending new discs out by a day - something they never used to do back in the 'good old days'.

I have also started to notice that lovefilm seem very reluctant to send out spare envelopes - as the ones i ordered in the last few months have taken weeks to arrive.

Back when their system worked properly (some time ago now i'm afraid) each time you ordered some spare envelopes they would usually arrive in the next delivery. This is no longer the case.

Hmmm. I wonder why ?

[fathazza]

lovefilm are wierd in that their performance goes in patches for me...

Right now im getting a 2-3 day turnaround. Which is all that one can ask for really....

That is when i send it from my work post which gets collected twice a day and taken straight to the local sorting office.

If i use a local post box it seems to take 3-5 days.

So i think some of this isnt entirely love films fault and the service is rather dependent on the lovely folk at the royal mail...

Have to admit they arent great for TV series. Tho they did manage to send me House of Cards and Over there in succession (although the last disc from over there came 1 month after the rest! which rather defeats the point...)

However the people who post on these boards are likely to be the ones who milk the service ( i have over 240 films on my list currently). I remember reading that those who don't use the service so much get priority treatment?

Is there anyone here who say just has about 20 recent releases on their list? And only exchanges them once a week or so.
What kind of service do you get then?

[satinder]

Originally Posted by fathazza

Right now im getting a 2-3 day turnaround. Which is all that one can ask for really....

That is when i send it from my work post which gets collected twice a day and taken straight to the local sorting office.

If i use a local post box it seems to take 3-5 days.

So i think some of this isnt entirely love films fault and the service is rather dependent on the lovely folk at the royal mail...

I think you hit the nail on the head there, i am also starting to be believe that Royal Mail is slowing down the whole process somewhat. As for not getting the recent re-leases quickly enough i think that's to be expected since the demand for them would be highest.

On a final note i think that Lovefilm are trying to help speed up delivery by using the new style envelopes, maybe that's why they are reluctant to send out any old style envelopes .

I have complained about Lovefilm but if you start using your main local Post Office to send back dvd's then the turnaround does quicken to 3 days

Sat

[dobobobo]

Originally Posted by fathazza

Is there anyone here who say just has about 20 recent releases on their list? And only exchanges them once a week or so.
What kind of service do you get then?

I rent three DVD's a week and usually have no more than 12 in my list and consists mainly of new releases. I only put in an old film when i need to keep my list above the minimum of ten. Why i do this? Because even when videoisland supplied Tesco, they would always send out the old films on my list of 30 straight away. Why? Because it means they know it's likely that the old film is in stock and so job done, move onto the next customer waiting. Where as new titles means they have to do a bit more work in terms of finding out what is available in a list of 10.

It would be best to have a big list so that everyone gets a fair chance of getting the new titles. But the suppliers have brought it on themselves. And even though i have a small list i still often wait 6 weeks on average for a new title since its release date. So i suggest you reduce your list to 20 at the most if you're not being sent your priority films often.

[malkit]

[QUOTE=dobobobo;4307982]I rent three DVD's a week and usually have no more than 12 in my list and consists mainly of new releases. I only put in an old film when i need to keep my list above the minimum of ten. Why i do this? Because even when videoisland supplied Tesco, they would always send out the old films on my list of 30 straight away. Why? Because it means they know it's likely that the old film is in stock and so job done, move onto the next customer waiting. Where as new titles means they have to do a bit more work in terms of finding out what is available in a list of 10.

I think you'll find that the computer system allocates the discs.I think they spend the morning booking in all the returned discs then the computer system decides who gets what. Priority is given to new members still on the trial period so all the new/recent releases go to them. The sad truth is the longer you are a member the further you slide down there priorities.As they take on more and more members and take over all these other rental services they are drawing on a pool of discs that isn't growing at anywhere near the rate there customer base is.
It's an interesting idea to remove all the old titles from your list and leave on new releases to see what happens.I may give it a try!

[mikeycubed]

Hi Guys,

I originally signed on with blockbuster about 2-3 years ago and the service was great at first then rapidly deteriorated soon after my trial period ended.
I switched to screenselect and everything was AOK. Soon after they merged with Lovefilm and i was concerned because of the horror stories i had heard but so far so good.
I generally have 15 - 20 mostly new releases on my list and we only watch at the weekend so get through about 3 a week. It's a bit hit and miss if we get top priority titles but usually it's pretty acceptable (this week we've got The Black Dahlia, Hoodwinked and Click all recent releases).
The way i look at it is for £14.99 a month i'm gettin on average 12 dvds a month, much cheaper than renting from Blockbuster.
Just my 2 cents

Mike

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by mikeycubed

Hi Guys,

The way i look at it is for £14.99 a month i'm gettin on average 12 dvds a month, much cheaper than renting from Blockbuster.
Just my 2 cents

Mike

Yes i suppose i get around the same number - and i admit its a much better deal than driving to Blockbuster three times a week !!

Its just that when i joined up last year Lovefilm was so much better.

I really feel the drop in service is solely because they are getting greedy and offering way too many '3 month Free' deals - which as noted in a previous post means less discs for us paying members.

Surely they know this will eventually lead to a mass exodus of (paying) members.

[jagdeepp]

I've been with Lovefilm for a couple of months now. 9.5/10 for me.. oh thats despite them claiming i havent returned a dvd despite it being sent back in teh same package as another which was acknowledged.

I've had some time on my hands recently and at one point was sending films back the day i'd received and watched them. To my surprise they were acknowledging receipt and sending out another the following day after sending them back.. cant complain, absolutely brilliant!!!
I'm taking around 12-14 films a month and have so far been pretty impressed. Blockbuster were 1/10 for me. Screen select really slowed down as did moviemine and sainsburys but this is 10/10 Of course u dont always get what u wanna watch on the night, we all have moods where we want to watch something specific thats the only downfall.. i live opposite a postbox so its as easy as anything for me plus it's better than paying sky 15 quid a month when i dont even watch a whole film at a time..

[philbam]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

I've been with Lovefilm for a couple of months now. 9.5/10 for me.. oh thats despite them claiming i havent returned a dvd despite it being sent back in teh same package as another which was acknowledged.

I've had some time on my hands recently and at one point was sending films back the day i'd received and watched them. To my surprise they were acknowledging receipt and sending out another the following day after sending them back.. cant complain, absolutely brilliant!!!

I too have been with Lovefilm for 2 months now (signed up at end of December) and have always sent the disc back the next day(over the counter at my local post office).The disc,without exception, has arrived next day and the new film dispatched the same day and received by me the following day-a three day turnaround, which is pretty remarkable.
So far I have received 28 dvd's, which,in just under 8 weeks is great value,especially on a 2 at a time basis.

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by philbam

I too have been with Lovefilm for 2 months now (signed up at end of December) and have always sent the disc back the next day(over the counter at my local post office).The disc,without exception, has arrived next day and the new film dispatched the same day and received by me the following day-a three day turnaround, which is pretty remarkable.
So far I have received 28 dvd's, which,in just under 8 weeks is great value,especially on a 2 at a time basis.

I find the above very hard to believe - unless you are on a 'trial period'.

It now clearly states on the Lovefilm web site that discs will not usually be dispatched until 24 hrs after old discs have been returned.

This is the kind of service i am receiving without exception every single week - even though i am receiving no more discs per month than yourself.

In fact they even include the weekend in this 'calculation' - so if you send discs back on a Friday they will not 'usually' dispatch new discs until the following Tuesday - meaning i don't receive them till the Wednesday at the earliest.

This means i quite often have no discs for 5 or 6 days at a time !!

This i find pretty un-remarkable.

So are you a paying member or are you on one of the numerous 'free period' deals ? If you are a paying member (like myself on the 3 disc deal) then i really do have something to complain about - as do many others on here.

[Goooner]

Well, I'm a paying member and I'm having no problems with their service. 24 hour turnaround for me too. Send disc back on Monday, they send next one out on Tues, which I receive Weds. Any returned over the weekend, they receive Monday and send new one out Monday, usually.

[philbam]

Originally Posted by RPD_UK

I find the above very hard to believe - unless you are on a 'trial period'.

So are you a paying member or are you on one of the numerous 'free period' deals ?

Your quite right, I am on the 3 month 'trial' period.
Looks as though my good fortune may decline if/when I start paying for my rentals.
In case this makes a difference I do only include older type movies or tv series - any new releases I get from my local dvd store on the day they come out.

[RPD_UK]

Originally Posted by philbam

Your quite right, I am on the 3 month 'trial' period.
Looks as though my good fortune may decline if/when I start paying for my rentals.
In case this makes a difference I do only include older type movies or tv series - any new releases I get from my local dvd store on the day they come out.

I thought as much.

Just to clarify - i was in no way having a dig at you.

Lovefilm used to be great - i remember in my trial period (last year) when i watched the entire first season of Battlestar Galactica within about a month - along with many great films.

Ahh - those were the days !!

Things are very different now.

Which was the point of this thread - to find out if lots of other 'old' members were having a similar experience - and it looks like some are.

Holding back deliveries is the most infuriating development - especially as they conveniently use the weekends to extend the delays.

They don't work weekends you see.

So they will receive my discs back today (Monday) - that i sent on Friday - and not send any new ones out till Tuesday. This extra '24 hr delay' is not for any reason - other than they think they can get away with it.

This never used to happen last year - even after i joined up they would send discs out the same day they received them back.

My patience are running thin though - so i will threaten to leave their service and cancel my account - as this is the only way (it seems) that they will sit up and listen and actually do something about it.

If i were you i would use the 3 month trial period - then cancel.

There are plenty of other online DVD suppliers - with much better customer service than this lot imo.

Pity - as it used to be so good.