Author Topic: Why I buy my Region-Free Blu-ray Discs from Amazon.co.uk (Read 43259 times)

Nikkie · « **Reply #30 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 07:47 AM »

Anyone from Marikina na nakapagorder na dito?

Columbia · « **Reply #31 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 09:42 AM »

Quote from: edwn1220 on Nov 09, 2012 at 11:48 PM

You just need to register. You also need to pay via credit card but don't worry, it's relatively safe naman. Been a happy Amazon UK buyer since 2010 and at Amazon US since 2002. I also tried Amazon Canada and Japan before, but Amazon UK always give me the best blu ray shopping experience

I use a debit card. Whenever I want to purchase online, I just "unlock" the internet transaction tru my phone and 5~15 minutes later, I will receive a text about my purchase and how much had been deducted to my funds..

And the word "Shipped" had been replaced by "Dispatched"...

Frankthetank · « **Reply #32 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM »

Pwede ba debit card sa amazon uk?

TY

Nikkie · « **Reply #33 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 12:25 PM »

Quote from: Frankthetank on Nov 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Pwede ba debit card sa amazon uk?

TY

I think you need to get a card that can be used online. BPI is offering a card for online use (forgot what it's called) and also Unionbank has the EON. I believe those 2 will work.

Columbia · « **Reply #34 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 12:41 PM »

Quote from: Frankthetank on Nov 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Pwede ba debit card sa amazon uk?

TY

I use SmartMoney.. All my online transaction were done tru this card, including Amazon Canada for some BD Steelbook... Haven't tried it in Amazon Germany though. Even with Google Translate, I still cannot be sure if its region free..

Frankthetank · « **Reply #35 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 01:19 PM »

Quote from: Nikkie on Nov 11, 2012 at 12:25 PM

I think you need to get a card that can be used online. BPI is offering a card for online use (forgot what it's called) and also Unionbank has the EON. I believe those 2 will work.

nice! I have EON..

TY

oznola · « **Reply #36 on:** Nov 11, 2012 at 08:28 PM »

thanks edwn1220. i have a card from BDO specifically for online purchases.

Columbia · « **Reply #37 on:** Nov 17, 2012 at 10:10 AM »

Quote from: Mr. Hankey on Nov 08, 2012 at 05:11 PM

Most of the questions have been answered correctly by bartender, but for clarity, I'll summarize, from my point-of-view:

1. I use my home address, and I pick it up at the local post office. Fortunately I'm from QC, and the QCPO is mostly fair about customs duties, and still follows the unwritten "no tax on orders below $50" rule. About 2 years ago, I did have a customs officer notice my order was 50 in GBP (not USD), and he converted and I ended up paying about PHP 1400 in customs duties. Just as an example, even if you add 1400 to my order here, it would still be MUCH cheaper than buying these three boxed sets locally.

2. Shipping for this particular order was £6.56. This particular shipment took a VERY long time, though. I placed the order on September 25, Estimated Delivery date was October 8, and I only got the postal notice TODAY, November 8. Like I said, no rush on my part, since these particular titles are just replacing DVDs I already own in my collection.

3. Yeah, the postage handling fee is for storage at the post office, not by your postman, and is fixed at PHP 40.

4. Yes, the prices you see on the Amazon.co.uk website will still go DOWN after you get them shipped to a Philippine (or even a US) address, since as long as it's not sold in the UK, they remove the GST (or the VAT, as we know it.)

5. Let me reiterate: Kung may topak yung customs officer sa post office pagkuha mo ng package, you can still get charged for customs duties. There's no guarantee that you'll always get the item tax-free if it's under $50 (shipping INCLUDED in the $50). It's just usually the case for orders sent to QCPO.

6. Always remember: You need to be sure you're buying titles that specifically indicate they're Region Free. Don't blame this recommendation if you end up with a Blu-ray disc that won't play since you failed to make sure of that fact.

Happy online shopping.

A question Kapitan... When your items did not arrive on time, did Amazon UK refund the postage? I got a refund for postage when my item bought from Amazon US arrived late...

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #38 on:** Nov 17, 2012 at 10:28 AM »

Quote from: columbia on Nov 17, 2012 at 10:10 AM

A question Kapitan... When your items did not arrive on time, did Amazon UK refund the postage? I got a refund for postage when my item bought from Amazon US arrived late...

Nah. I don't mind the delay, and I've gotten used to it as being part and parcel of living in a Third World country.

I used to complain about it, and ended up with over a dozen duplicate orders (since they used to reship all items once the delivery was 2 weeks over their estimated delivery time), which I tried to return every time. They'd always say "As you live abroad, keep the item with our compliments or try to donate it to a public library."

Nahiya na ako, since I realized I have NEVER lost an order, and sometimes weird things happen and my order just arrives really, really late. Besides, there was a time when they started to blacklist people who would complain about the orders and end up with duplicates - one of our members here at PinoyDVD was complaining about it happening to him. Amazon really just cancelled his account. I suppose there was a some abuse to the system.

I've probably placed around 200 online orders at Amazon (US, UK, Germany and France), and not once have I had a problem of the item not arriving. But when I use standard shipping to the Philippines, I'd say only 20 of those arrived by the estimated due date.

=====

So, to make a long story short: NO, but they might if you ask them to.

The_Woodlands · « **Reply #39 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 08:53 PM »

If youre very patient in waiting... Amazon UK is the right place for region free blurays as well as those box sets. They are lots of stores here selling cheaper than amazon uk. Yesterday I ordered 2 boxsets classic films collection of Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone unbelievable price compared to US/amazon UK blurays.

ex: Robert De Niro Collection Amazon UK £39.99
'Once Upon a Time in America' (1984)
'Heat' (1995)
'Goodfellas' (1990)
'The Mission' (1986)

but able to get this to other shop to 7.99 here for 7.99

Sylvester Stallone Collection Amazon UK £11.75

'Assassins' (1995)
'The Specialist' (1994)
'Tango and Cash' (1989)
'Demolition Man' (1993)
'Cobra' (1986)

this one in Amazon is cheap already for the 5 films but still able to get a wee bit cheaper 7.99 here

Note: prices reflected above could change anytime.

Prolly i know some here it's not your cup of tea the classic films but for me as collector's it's a must especially if not so burden to your pocket.

Most online shops here selling DVD/Games/bluray free delivery within UK. Been living here for 7 years anyway.

Columbia · « **Reply #40 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 09:21 PM »

Quote from: The_Woodlands on Nov 27, 2012 at 08:53 PM

If youre very patient in waiting... Amazon UK is the right place for region free blurays as well as those box sets. They are lots of stores here selling cheaper than amazon uk. Yesterday I ordered 2 boxsets classic films collection of Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone unbelievable price compared to US/amazon UK blurays.

ex: Robert De Niro Collection Amazon UK £39.99
'Once Upon a Time in America' (1984)
'Heat' (1995)
'Goodfellas' (1990)
'The Mission' (1986)

but able to get this to other shop to 7.99 here for 7.99

Sylvester Stallone Collection Amazon UK £11.75

'Assassins' (1995)
'The Specialist' (1994)
'Tango and Cash' (1989)
'Demolition Man' (1993)
'Cobra' (1986)

this one in Amazon is cheap already for the 5 films but still able to get a wee bit cheaper 7.99 here

Prolly i know some here it's not your cup of tea the classic films but for me as collector's it's a must especially if not so burden to your pocket.

But those BD's are not Region-Free..

The_Woodlands · « **Reply #41 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 09:29 PM »

Quote from: columbia on Nov 27, 2012 at 09:21 PM

But those BD's are not Region-Free..

Robert De Niro Collection Region Free check here

but the Stallone collection the first 2 films isnt tested yet for A or C the rest its region free ill get back to you once I have the box sets at hand so its 50/50 the box set could be region free.

For me i didnt mind the coding able to purchase a region free bluray player.

edwn1220 · « **Reply #42 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 11:06 PM »

^ Could you also please verify the region code of "The Mission" from the Robert De Niro Collection? I want to know before I buy myself a set.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Robert-De-Niro-Collection-Blu-ray/56832/

Apparently, Blu-ray.com also identifies the set as region-free but upon closer inspection of the individual titles, the same webpage shows "The Mission" is the only movie in the set that is region B

The_Woodlands · « **Reply #43 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 11:32 PM »

Been searching to other shops no luck it always came up the one in available in US which is region free. Once I had the item ill get back to you as soon as possible.

Atticus · « **Reply #44 on:** Nov 27, 2012 at 11:40 PM »

Quote from: edwn1220 on Nov 08, 2012 at 06:13 PM

I agree the blu-ray discs are priced much cheaper in Amazon.UK -even the shipping charge is less expensive than its US counterpart so I get to purchase from them every now and then; the only downside that I noticed especially in their more popular titles is that the bonus features are somewhat lacking or worse, excluded from their discs. So if you're a special features junkie, Amazon.UK is not the way to go.

Which box set titles don't have the same special features as that of their US counterpart?

chrisbulog · « **Reply #45 on:** Nov 29, 2012 at 09:35 AM »

I used to order sa Amazon.com & ebay.com ng mga cd's ko & dvd's, halos bulk orders of $50 up.

First arrival sa Tondo Post office, I got a letter na may package ako.

I went there maaga, when I entered I noticed an old lady & a mid-30's woman on the same room who see me. They handed me the box, and ask me what was it. I told them 2nd hand cd's for my collection. The old lady told me that next time they would charge me tax for my package. Then I say thanks & bid them goodbye. I also asked if they have calling card para sa heads up kung may package ako in the future.

Me, not knowing na may isa pa palang package dun for me na galing HMV.UK naman. Then mga lunch time they texted me na may isa pa ako package. Sabi ko bukas ako ng umaga ulit punta.

Kinabukasan, before I went there, I went to Jollibee and got them a breakfast meal. Pag dating ko sa Tondo Post Office, diretso na ako sa room nila & handed over the foods. Sabi ko almusal po muna tayo. They were happy & they just gave me my packages na wala ng tax.

For 3-5 months ganun naging setup namin, (syempre iba ibang food naman) naging friends ko naman sila, chickahan if may time pa ako.

Well that solved my custom tax's duties hehe

And now....well....wala na ako credit card...so no more US orders for me

Columbia · « **Reply #46 on:** Dec 03, 2012 at 10:18 AM »

I ordered some BD's from Amazon UK last Nov. 16 and it arrived today. The postman says that it should have arrived last Friday had it not been a holiday... 17 days.. that was fast..

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #47 on:** Dec 03, 2012 at 05:38 PM »

Quote from: columbia on Dec 03, 2012 at 10:18 AM

I ordered some BD's from Amazon UK last Nov. 16 and it arrived today. The postman says that it should have arrived last Friday had it not been a holiday... 17 days.. that was fast..

I also placed an order on November 16th, but mine is nowhere in sight. I'm expecting this probably early next year due to the Christmas rush. Saan post office mo, Columbia? I used to get my Amazon-UK orders that fast, but not anymore.

Columbia · « **Reply #48 on:** Dec 03, 2012 at 06:01 PM »

Probinsya ang location ko sir... Mis. Or..

ronnel0918 · « **Reply #49 on:** Dec 07, 2012 at 10:56 AM »

May taga Las Pinas ba rito?

nerveblocker · « **Reply #50 on:** Jan 20, 2013 at 07:36 PM »

I ordered from amazon.co.uk 2 BDs (The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Returns) last December 20 and is scheduled to arrive last January 4. Until now, it hasn't arrived yet. I emailed amazon about it but no reply yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. More than 2 weeks delayed na.

Columbia · « **Reply #51 on:** Jan 20, 2013 at 09:03 PM »

Quote from: nerveblocker on Jan 20, 2013 at 07:36 PM

I ordered from amazon.co.uk 2 BDs (The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Returns) last December 20 and is scheduled to arrive last January 4. Until now, it hasn't arrived yet. I emailed amazon about it but no reply yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. More than 2 weeks delayed na.

I consider myself lucky. I ordered last Jan. 3 and Jan. 6... The Jan. 3 order had an ETA of Jan 15 (but did not yet arrive) and the Jan. 6 order (with Jan 17 ETA) arrived last Friday (Jan. 18)...

Try to wait for another week before asking for a refund...

mikz023 · « **Reply #52 on:** Jan 20, 2013 at 09:25 PM »

Quote from: nerveblocker on Jan 20, 2013 at 07:36 PM

I ordered from amazon.co.uk 2 BDs (The Amazing Spiderman, The Dark Knight Returns) last December 20 and is scheduled to arrive last January 4. Until now, it hasn't arrived yet. I emailed amazon about it but no reply yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. More than 2 weeks delayed na.

Where do is your shipping address sir? US or PHL?

nerveblocker · « **Reply #53 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 08:10 AM »

Got a quick response from amazon...

Quote

I've placed a new order for the same items to be sent to the same delivery address.

We'll send it to you as soon as possible. There'll be no additional charge for the replacement order

If the original parcel arrives before the replacement has been sent, please cancel your replacement order via the "Cancel item" button beside your order information in Your Account.

If the original parcel arrives afterwards, please refuse delivery of the parcel so it's returned to us by the carrier. If you've already received both the original order and the replacement please return one of them to us. Please visit our Returns Support Centre to be guided through our full policy and to get a printable personalised return label:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/css/returns/homepage.html

If you're returning the replacement because the original has arrived please select “Missed estimated delivery date" from the drop down list as a reason for return. Choose "refund" from the next page and write in the comments field "replacement not needed, original arrived". Please reply to this e-mail to let us know about any return delivery charges you incur so that we can refund them to you.

anya618 · « **Reply #54 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 08:18 AM »

Quote from: nerveblocker on Jan 21, 2013 at 08:10 AM

Got a quick response from amazon...

madalas late ang deliveries pag holiday season

edwn1220 · « **Reply #55 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 08:32 AM »

I placed an order last Dec. 7th, dispatched on the same day and got the blu ray discs a full week ahead of Amazon UK's estimated delivery date. Considering December is a peak season for online shopping and postal delivery, my package arrived pretty quick.

edwn1220 · « **Reply #56 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 08:38 AM »

Quote from: nerveblocker on Jan 21, 2013 at 08:10 AM

Got a quick response from amazon...

hula ko lang..both your original and replacement orders will arrive.

the_w0rks · « **Reply #57 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 09:06 AM »

haha pinapareturn pa. hassle yun. better pray that the one of those orders doesn't arrive para di ka mahassle sa pagreturn.

mikz023 · « **Reply #58 on:** Jan 21, 2013 at 03:40 PM »

Quote from: edwn1220 on Jan 21, 2013 at 08:38 AM

hula ko lang..both your original and replacement orders will arrive.

in my case, yes both my 1st order and the replacement orders arrived in PObox warehouse. I was lucky that my pobox account updated my items after amazon UK approved my request for refund. 4 BD's plus a refund of 20 pound.

this is why i love amazon..they were so generous to their customers.

nerveblocker · « **Reply #59 on:** Jan 25, 2013 at 04:55 AM »

My December 20 order finally arrived last January 22.

I already had a notification from the Post Office. When I got the package I just noticed that there is a January 15 stamp. Probably it arrived at the PO that date.