From: bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Getting the Best Deal from Columbia LD
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:28:28 GMT
Organization: W. J. Vermillion - Winter Park, FL

In article <1992Aug25.170821.21640@uhura.neoucom.edu> wlrc@uhura.neoucom.edu (William R. Cruce) writes:
>In article <1992Aug25.042454.4159@bilver.uucp> bill@bilver.uucp (Bill Vermillion) writes:

>>I've been an CH memember for about 18 months.
...
>>RED TAG SALE is what it is called.  ...
....
>>They include "Aliens" Specail LBX edition, $69.95, Golden Age
>>of Looney Tunes, Vols I & II for $69.95.  The Al Jolson
>>collection (list of $149.95) for $99.95..

>Cost, including shipping (and tax for CHLDC) was about a $1 more
>for each of the Looney Tunes sets for me vs. the S&S summer sale
>price, but CHLDC lets these count towards "dividend dollars" so
>I deemed it worthwhile.

My LT set were pre-ordered at S&S so they came in at $79+ - 20%
discount.  The Red Tags appear to be a 30% for the most part.
Those are bargains.

>Some of those $19.95 and $14.95 prices may be in error.  I ordered
>SILENCE OF THE LAMBS for $19.95 (page five of red tag sale catalog)
>and was told it was in the computer at $29.95 - however if I called
>back on the customer service number they would honor the price error
>(the regular order clerk could not change the price in the computer).
>I did and they did.  A bit of a hassle - they process it at full price
>and then issue a credit.  Best thing is this one $19.95 purchase was
>my ticket to the red tag sale!

They are good about correcting things.

Last month one of the readers of the net asked if I wanted to
sponsor him, so I sent him the full catalog and my check for
the bonus disk.   Disk was wrong when it arrived, and there was
a bill for $2.65.  When I called they said they would ship out
the correct bonus disk and send me a return mailer.  Being able
to put the disk in the mailbox is a plus.

On the money owed they ship the disks on the order but don't
process the checks until the next day.  They checked and I owed
nothing.   Actually the computer said I owed $0.15 because I
sent $2.50 and didn't put in the state tax.  She said since
it's only .15 forget it.

I've found them courteous and helpful.


>The biggest problem with CHLDC is that they are appealing to naive and
>new LD customers.  If you know your discs and prices you can get 
>incredible bargains.  But you have to be careful.  It would help a
> LOT if they just listed standard disc catalog numbers in addition to
>their own.


Absolutely true!   I have a hard time finding something I
really want because I am a long time LD user, but have saved
money filling in holes in my collection at good prices.

Since so much of their advertising is in mass media, it
actually is good for the customers who know nothing of S&S,
Tewksburry, JR Frog, and the others mentioned prominently on
the net.

On the use of their own catalog numbers, this appears what may
have happened on me getting the wrong disk.   It usually pays
to use MFRs numbers, as it eliminates one more chance for
error.

-- 
Bill Vermillion - bill@bilver.oau.org  bill.vermillion@oau.org
                - bill@bilver.uucp 
                - ..!{peora|ge-dab|tous|tarpit}!bilver!bill