DVD's on Amazon no longer available for pre-order? by Succatash

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DVD's on Amazon no longer available for pre-order?

POSTED BY: SUCCATASH
UPDATED: Saturday, August 9, 2003 05:54
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VIEWED: 11772
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Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:18 PM

As CCT posted in another thread, Amazon currently is not allowing any more pre-orders. All anyone can do now is add to their "Wish List."

"THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. If you would like to purchase this title, we recommend that you occasionally check this page to see if it has become available."

WTF?

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:34 PM

KASUO

Maybe they didn't anticipate this many copies being pre-ordered.

CHOKE ON THAT, FOX!

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:59 PM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

I sent them an email to ask why. Will let you all know when they respond.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 2:05 PM

SUCCATASH

Perhaps Amazon is renegotiating their purchase plan of the DVD. Maybe our incredible Browncoatness has made them aware that we are a good investment.

Maybe they will buy a hundred truckloads of Firefly DVD's and then market the hell out of it on their site. Right now I can picture Amazon's lawyers and Joss's lawyers and Fox lawyers are all sitting around arguing, because no one expected this much pre-order attention.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 3:09 PM

IAMJACKSUSERNAME

Well, I'm all right. - Mal

Do a search on amazon.com for "firefly", and it lists "Firefly: Complete Series DVD" as "Out of stock". That may be the reason you can't pre-order anymore.

http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/amazon.html

--
I am Jack's username
"Were there monkeys? Some terrifying space monkeys maybe got loose?" - Mal

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 3:22 PM

SHINY

The whole point of pre-ordering is so they can get a sense of what the demand will be before they fill up their warehouses with the stuff. There's no such thing as 'out of stock' for a pre-order. I smell something fishy here...perhaps some out of control fan wrote some script that kept pre-ordering the DVD from a lot of throwaway accounts or something?

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 3:33 PM

THECASSANDRA

aaww man!
last time i ordered some dvd's too early so i thought i would take my time this time and this is what i get :(
i mean i know it's not a huge deal and it's not like i can't get it now or anything but i was just getting ready to order

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 3:42 PM

SUCCATASH

I think a hack thing may have happened, or Amazon purchases, prices and sells product based on a projected volume.

Amazon: Excuse me, but at this volume, we want a better wholesale price.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 3:53 PM

SUCCATASH

Okay, here's what really happened, I think. The Amazon employee who entered this product into their database is required to enter the number of available units, which is totally arbitrary since this is a pre-order thing.

Still, I think it is a required field in the database and we Browncoats must have hit the limit, that's all.

I bet in 24-48 hours, someone from Amazon will raise the quantity of units available to a higher number, and the pre-order will continue.

If this is true, it means Browncoats totally kick ass and right now the Amazon marketing and purchasing depts. are scratching their heads.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 4:00 PM

SUCCATASH

Hey, I just noticed that you can still pre-order it on Amazon.ca.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 4:03 PM

JOHNNYREB

I can only hope that Amazon will not be the only place I can buy the Firefly DVD, in case we are all wrong. I haven't ordered it yet. I DON"T WANT THEM TO SELL OUT OF STOCK BEFORE I CAN GET MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Viva Firefly!

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 5:50 PM

SUCCATASH

For some reason, Buffy is also out of stock. I've seen it on the rise in the top ten. Hmm, this just has to be a glitch.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 6:28 PM

SHINY

hmmm...indications of an anti-Whedon conspiracy?

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 6:36 PM

SUCCATASH

Well, I contacted Amazon customer service, using my order number, and pretended to be trying to add more DVD's to my order. I asked them why it is out of stock and on "Wish List" status instead of available for pre-order.

They have to answer me out of customer service obligations, this is not some fan letter that can be ignored.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 6:52 PM

NOOCYTE

Way to go, 'Tash!

I didn't think to link my letter to my order number. Do let us know what you hear (as will I if I do hear anything back from them).

BTW, your "DB required field" hypothesis has a strong ring of truth.

No power in the 'verse can stop us!

Department of Redundancy Department

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 7:06 PM

SUCCATASH

It's almost funny, because Amazon is getting lots of emails right now from Firefly fans, customers, and affiliates.

I bet all this activity is costing Amazon extra money and they are saying, "Good God! What bit these fans in the ass?"

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 11:34 PM

DRAKON

Or, their initial pre order just got snapped up in record time, and they did not expect nearly the demand that they got.

This is actually shiny news in the extreme. They did sell out their entire pre order in what, 2 days? For a DVD set that does not come out for 6 months, of a show that has only produced 13 episodes, and was cancelled.

What this means is that the suits are going to look at this and think, "Hmm... we better get Joss over here and finalize that movie deal. Maybe we should not have cancelled it.... Maybe it might be a good idea to bring the show back."

"my kind of stupid."

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Friday, July 25, 2003 3:37 AM

SHINY

Quote:
Originally posted by Noocyte:
BTW, your "DB required field" hypothesis has a strong ring of truth.

Agreed. I hope it is that simple. Although even if it is, it's entirely possible that changing this field will require so many management approvals that it will take 2 weeks before the DBA is allowed to spend the 2 minutes it takes to fix it.

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:07 AM

JAVIDRHO

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
It's almost funny, because Amazon is getting lots of emails right now from Firefly fans, customers, and affiliates.

I bet all this activity is costing Amazon extra money and they are saying, "Good God! What bit these fans in the ass?"

I am a long-time affiliate of Amazon.com and I also sent them an email asking what happened to the Firefly DVD. I politely added that it is currently available at Bestbuy. Hopefully, they will get many such emails and stir some interest at higher levels.

----------------
SIMON: What happens if they board us?
ZOE: If they take the ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skins into their clothing
and if we're very very lucky, they'll do it in that order.

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:09 AM

SUCCATASH

Well, here's the official response I received from Amazon:

"Thank you for contacting us at Amazon.com.

Unfortunately, as our web site indicates, we're currently out of stock of "Firefly: Complete Series" and we are not able to guarantee when or if this item will be available for purchase on our web site.
For this reason, the item is currently listed as out of stock.

Please note that our supply of popular items is often limited and some products sell out quickly. We are very sorry that you were not able to place your order before our supply ran out.

I would suggest checking our web site from time to time to see if this item has come back in stock or if it is available from a third-party seller through Amazon Marketplace.

I'd also recommend searching our Auctions or zShops sites to see if anyone is selling the item there."

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:33 AM

BARNEYT

Hmm... why does the phrase "stock response" come to mind?

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:42 AM

JOHNNYREB

How do I reach them to ask, "How can you no longer have in stock what you never had in stock to begin with? What is the purpose of 'pre-ordering'"?

Viva Firefly!

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:49 AM

STILLSHINY

huh.

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:53 AM

SIMONF

Out of interest, how many copies of the Firefly DVD do you think Fox have made available for sale?

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Friday, July 25, 2003 4:54 AM

JOHNNYREB

That's what scares me.

Viva Firefly!

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Friday, July 25, 2003 5:41 AM

FRV

scares me, too - which is why I opted to pre-order through Best Buy (and will recommend this option to my friends).

I have the sneaky suspicion that Fox is only preparing to make X numbers of these (to see how they sell - and then, it wouldn't surprise me if they turn around and say 'well, we only sold X number, there is no support for the show out there at all.' I suppose it is much easier for executives with egos bigger than their purposes to admit they might have made a mistake.)

My guess is that all the outlets have been allotted a fraction of that X to hawk.

Are there OTHER online pre-order locations? Let's buy them ALL out now.

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Friday, July 25, 2003 6:09 AM

DARTHDEATH

After reading all these post (and only being able to put the DVD on a wish list at Amazon) I've also pre-ordered thru BestBuy (thanks for letting us know they have it)
Does anyone know if the DVD will have the 2 Episodes not aired by Fox?

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Friday, July 25, 2003 6:43 AM

JOHNNYREB

Three episodes! Yes, it will. Will the DVD only be available on line? Could one purchase it at, say, Strawberry's or Sun Coast Video?

Viva Firefly!

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Monday, July 28, 2003 7:31 AM

SUCCATASH

Well, after about 4 or 5 replies to the lame Amazon customer service, I finally received a response that wasn't total bullshit.

"Greetings from Amazon.com.

First please allow me to apologize for any misunderstanding.

It appears that the demand for this item is greater than the supply that we will be getting from the manufacturers when it is released. In order to fill all of the open orders customers have placed with us, on the release date, we have changed the availability of this item so no additional pre-orders can be placed, at this time.

Once we have confirmed that we will be receiving more copies of Firefly (2002), than what has already been pre-ordered, we will change the availability listing on our web site."

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Monday, July 28, 2003 7:33 AM

TRAGICSTORY

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:
Well, after about 4 or 5 replies to the lame Amazon customer service, I finally received a response that wasn't total bullshit.

"Greetings from Amazon.com.

First please allow me to apologize for any misunderstanding.

It appears that the demand for this item is greater than the supply that we will be getting from the manufacturers when it is released. In order to fill all of the open orders customers have placed with us, on the release date, we have changed the availability of this item so no additional pre-orders can be placed, at this time.

Once we have confirmed that we will be receiving more copies of Firefly (2002), than what has already been pre-ordered, we will change the availability listing on our web site."

I Just e-mailed that to Fux Networks! I hope to god the begining of their special hell is being fired for SUPREME INCOMPETANCE!

-----------
"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger

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Monday, July 28, 2003 8:21 AM

BRTICK

Quote:

I Just e-mailed that to Fux Networks! I hope to god the begining of their special hell is being fired for SUPREME INCOMPETANCE!

I guess you could do that, but it's worth pointing out that fox netowrks has nothing to do with anything regarding the dvds....

Keep Flying!

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Monday, July 28, 2003 8:25 AM

TRAGICSTORY

They are responsible for cancelling a show that knocked LORDS OF THE RINGS TWO TOWERS DVD out of the second slot on Amazon. Amazon has run out because DEMAND far out paced SUPPLY. And FUX cancelled the show less than 1/2 season. THAT is why it should be brought tho their attention. They FUCKED UP royaly!

*PS sorry for the language.

-----------
"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger

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Monday, July 28, 2003 9:02 AM

FRV

Best Buy still had them two days ago - try pre-ordering there - I did - just to make sure. Don't know of any other online pre-order vendors. Does anyone else?

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Monday, July 28, 2003 1:54 PM

PHOSPHORUS

Hey, did anyone notice where Firefly is located on BestBuy.com?

Best Buy > Movies > Horror > General Horror > Product Info

This one was way off their radar. They don't have a picture yet, either.

"Dear Diary: Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy.... Today we were kidnapped by hillfolk never to be seen again. It was the best day ever."

Polonius

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Monday, July 28, 2003 9:07 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Horror! Horror? Who is responsible for that ridiculous mistake? Let me at 'em. Smack! OOOf! Pow! Ziff!

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Monday, July 28, 2003 9:32 PM

CAPTBAGGYTROUSERS

I dunno... Book with his hair down?

A little scary.

History repeats the old conceits

http://topshelftvshow.com
Updated! Improved! Shiny!

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Monday, July 28, 2003 9:49 PM

GORRAMFEDS

Ya'll are hi-larious!

I have not pre-ordered, I plan to buy it at Best Buy or Wally World when it comes out. But looking at some of the prices....wow. $50 for a half season?????!!!!

I'm waiting to get it a wee bit cheaper when it comes out.

But fox gets the

for being stupid and cancelling this great show. Gorram panty waist idgit hwoon dahns!

With Firefly, it's all good, all de time!

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 4:01 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

It's too bad Amazon sold out. Their price was much more favorable.

--Anthony

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 5:12 AM

PHYSICSCHICK

If you go on amazon.ca, it's $50 Canadian... I think about $35 American. But you might have to pay shipping then. They do still have them for pre-order though!

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:44 AM

SHEPHERDOFHERMAS

Underestimating Firefly and the fans seems to be a character defect of any company named Fox -- whether the studio or the broadcast network.

Oh fox

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:49 AM

BRTICK

this sounds like a problem with amazon, not fox studios (who you can be sure want to sell as many copies of the dvd as possible. they likes the money, i'm sure)...

Keep Flying!

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:55 AM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

The BestBuy site is not taking inof for some reason, and the "customer disservice" line had me on indefinite hold.

Thank God for Canadians! Their website works and your USA amazon account works there too. You DO have to pay the shipping if you're shipping to the USA.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 9:18 AM

SUCCATASH

So BestBuy is sold out too?

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 9:25 AM

SEANMACROS

I ordered mine earlier today from Bestbuy as a safety precaution. I can't imagine Fox not just stamping these out to meet demand. One thing to consider, most of the DVD sites aren't even listing Firefly yet nor Buffy Season 5. Also Amazon lists Buffy Season 5 as sold out too. Perhaps Fox is changing something to these sets?

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Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:25 PM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

nah- just temporarily screwed up. It was down loading blank pages and then telling me it was "done"!

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Monday, August 4, 2003 4:38 PM

THEVERSE

I thank the 'verse that I found this site, then got wish list'd by amazon,,,now headed to best buy, but --- what is the canadian site that you talk about?

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Monday, August 4, 2003 6:38 PM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

www.amazon.ca

Even their website is polite!

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Monday, August 4, 2003 8:44 PM

northamericandvd usually has cheaper prices, especially if you're in the US, though they don't have Firefly listed yet. I didn't find any Canadian sites besides amazon.ca listing it either.

I pre-ordered from amazon, but am still hoping to find it cheaper somewhere. It's been an expensive (but thoroughly satisfying) week for me, what with the dvd's, ebay, and my newly ordered Naked Boys Singing soundtrack. And please, allow me this off-topic moment to say what a hi-larious musical that was to see and hear!

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Friday, August 8, 2003 7:20 PM

THEVERSE

I also had to go the Best Buy way....although their automated response tells me that they are trying to understand why they are priced higher than Amazon............

Is there any way I'm going to get out of this with honor and dignity?
You're pretty much down to ritual suicide, lambie-toes.

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Saturday, August 9, 2003 5:54 AM

SUZZIE

i just wanted to let you guys know that know amazon.com is doing one of those "give us your e-mail and we'll let you know when it's available."

The purpose of it, I believe, is to let the producing company know there is a high demand for the dvd so they can make more.

They did the exact same thing when I went to pre-order The Lord of the Rings extended version (the first one). I gave them my e-mail about 6 months before it was supposed to be released, and I still got to pre-order it... I think it was a few months before the release that they e-mailed me.

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