ADV Valentine's Day sale

[touma]

Another holiday sale (http://www.advfilms.com/sales.asp) from ADV.

It says up to 75% off, and most of the older releases, that I noticed, are that cheap. But the newer titles are 40% off, at best.
I will be waiting for a Right Stuf ADV studio sale because I do not need any of the older disks. But if you need to fill in some holes in a collection, or just do not shop at Right Stuf, this is worth a look.
And most of the music CD's seem to be 75% off.

AS usual ADV has everything on one huge web page that can take a long time to download, even with DSL. If you have a slow connection I suggest that you turn off the graphics in your browser.

[Trey-Trey]

Even if this is another "Attack of the Slasher" sale, I wonder how the boxes fare in all this. Are they marked up in anyway?

[something]

Even if this is another "Attack of the Slasher" sale, I wonder how the boxes fare in all this. Are they marked up in anyway?
I have the Kino's Journey box+1 and they put such a light slash through the UPC that I didn't even notice it at first. The Vol. 1 inside it was untouched.
Your mileage certainly may vary, but I expect by this point damage would be minimal.

[JimmyG]

Where the Nightmare began...

I remember the first Valentine Sale, it was a heart breaking experience for most. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim said:
Where the Nightmare began...

I remember the first Valentine Sale, it was a heart breaking experience for most. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah I got holes/slashes in my HEART...err.. upc codes /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Bibulb]

Aaaand here's my chance to get all the EA BGC 2040 and polish off both Kaleido Star and Mezzo...

(For this kind of purchase, even with shipping AND tax I come out ahead...)

There are a few things on that list I would love to get but honestly after all the horror stories about buying stuff from ADV direct I am going to pass. I just hope to see some of the stuff I want in the Bargain bin at RS or other places.

[perigee]

I decided to compare this sale against a potential TRSI studio sale for titles I'm interested in. Here's how it stacks up - <font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>
Title ADV TRSI
Colorful 1+2 12.00 18.34
Diamond Daydreams, V1 18.00 16.19
Kaleido Star, Amazing 30.00 26.98
Princess Tutu, V3 18.00 16.19
Sister Princess, V1+box 8.00 21.59
Sister Princess, V2 7.00 16.19
Sister Princess, V3-7 @18.00 16.19
Yumeria, V3 18.00 16.19</pre><hr />
Prices are based on the following assumptions:<ul type="square"> ADV shipping is $11.00 for 8 items or less, based on previous orders [EDIT: $8.00 on actual order]
ADV bonus discs don't count /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif
TRSI discount is 46% (studio+GA discount, no tax/shipping)
ADV titles will be eligible for next TRSI studio sale - a big assumption, I know[/list]
Looks like I may order [b]Colorful and Sister Princess, V1-2 from ADV. The rest can wait for the next TRSI sale.

[chotto]

Colorful is in the TRSI bargain bin for $8.99 right now.

[Dagger]

Also... isn't it just one volume, but with two different editions?

[sawmill]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim said:
Where the Nightmare began...

I remember the first Valentine Sale, it was a heart breaking experience for most. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]The one year anniversary of the ADV Slasher and the ADV Valentine's Day Massacre. Already? Time sure flies by fast.

[chotto]

Yep, the original is the black panties version and the newer edition is the pink panties one. From what I understand there aren't any differences, though looking at the release information below the black is listed at 110 minutes while the pink is at 120 /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif I've got the black one, I really hope there aren't any differences.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=4414
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=1050

[JasonSolaris]

Hmm. Well, their sales terms on the checkout page sorta worries me:

"Products offered through this sale are clearance and close-out items. As such, product bar codes will be reconfigured, replaced or physically altered (including by means of cutting, punching or drilling). Some products may be open box. Some products may be delivered without full retail packaging. Except as expressly provided otherwise, products are sold as-is."

But ordering normal DVD in regular armory case should be fine?
Thanks

[vegeta768]

yeah, all the physically altered part means is that there will be a tiny slash through the upc. apparently nowadays you hardly even notice it, but last year when these sales started, the peoples at their warehouse just went nuts with the razor and severely carved up a whole bunch of people's orders. The worst part is that they were doing it even before they put up that disclaimer you mentioned.

[JasonSolaris]

Ok. So even normal DVD cases would most likely be slashed? Does it cut deep enough to get into the actual cover, so you can just replace the case?
Thanks

[dunno001]

[ QUOTE ]
JasonSolaris said:
Ok. So even normal DVD cases would most likely be slashed? Does it cut deep enough to get into the actual cover, so you can just replace the case?
Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, they're now drilling, and yes, it will go through the cover in most cases. Sometimes, you will also get a damaged insert from the drilling. (And be very careful if you have a floater; I had 1 disk which had a slight mar from the drill, but after playing it with no problems, I shrugged it off.)

[dunno001]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
AS usual ADV has everything on one huge web page that can take a long time to download, even with DSL. If you have a slow connection I suggest that you turn off the graphics in your browser.

[/ QUOTE ]

This isn't the case anymore. I kept wondering why my listing stopped at D, and now I see that they have broken it up, and navigation is via the left box.

[battra92]

I'm tempted to get Aura Battler Dunbine but it means I'd have to hunt down disc 8 and that's the kind of crap mess I got into with Lost Universe. /images/graemlins/relief1.gif

I still have yet to find one volume of that so I haven't bothered watching it.

As for stuff I am considering, well I will probably get Dai Guard Complete since it's just $10. Happy Lesson is cheap enough so I might give that a shot.

I might also get my sister all the Hello Kitty DVDs. I know she has all of Paradise but the two other series, I'm not sure. Cheap presents Banzai!

[Jimmie M]

I decided to go with three Essential Anime titles that I've been meaning to get for a long while:
Slayers-The Motion Picture
Slayers-The Book Of Spells
Plastic Little-The Adventures Of Captain Tita

I might do a little more later this week.

[Azumangaman]

For me, I can never tell with ADV's sales. I've ordered lots of sale items before, and they all were fine, of course they all had a stupid hole through the barcode. I really want to finish off Kaleido Star with vol.6, and at THAT price, i think it's worth the risk. But I still have to think about it. I mean, It's only $6.00!

[ejw]

[ QUOTE ]
Azumangaman said:I really want to finish off Kaleido Star with vol.6, and at THAT price, i think it's worth the risk. But I still have to think about it. I mean, It's only $6.00!

[/ QUOTE ]

$6 plus crazy stupid shipping.

[slrcosmos]

So how is Dai-Guard. It's pretty good for $10 plus shipping for the whole collection. I remember seeing the first disc and kinda liking it. Does it get better or worse with the later episodes?

[jecca-neko]

I was surprised to see Kaleido Star New Wings volume 1 on there...

I'm not buying anything from the sale. There's only like 2 things I want and that's not worth the cost of having Mr. UPS come to my house.

[Azumangaman]

[ QUOTE ]
slrcosmos said:
So how is Dai-Guard. It's pretty good for $10 plus shipping for the whole collection. I remember seeing the first disc and kinda liking it. Does it get better or worse with the later episodes?

[/ QUOTE ]

I got that at an earlier sale, and I've only seen the first 2 discs. I wouldn't say it gets THAT much better, and I don't know if it will start to drag on, but you can't really go wrong at $10.

[Hunter Sopko]

Dai-Guard is an awesome series. Watch the dub though. The Japanese actors are remarkably stale.

[Japschin]

I would really like to get Kaleido star #6 to finished off my collection but I'm moving in a month's time. The last time I ordered, it took me 2 mths to receive ADV's dvds.

[scorsesefan]

What about artboxes and thinpack collections? Do those just get really fucked up in the whole "altering" of the UPC code deal? I really wanna get the first volume of Gilgamesh with the box, but don't know if I will through this sale if the box is half destroyed in the process.

[touma]

[ QUOTE ]
SkullLeaderOne said:
What about artboxes and thinpack collections?

[/ QUOTE ]
Everything that I have received from the ADV sales had just one small hole in the UPC. That includes art boxes.
If you are a collector that might decrease the value of the box. Other than that there is no harm done because the hole does not touch the artwork at all. On all of my art boxes the UPC is on the bottom where I never see it, or the hole. Also the holes in mine did not even go completely through the box, so any DVD cases, or anything else, inside the box were not touched at all.
But that is just my experience.

[Steve_the_Talking_Pie]

Why don't people like buying from ADV? What are the shipping rates like?

[slrcosmos]

[ QUOTE ]
Steve_Man said:
Why don't people like buying from ADV? What are the shipping rates like?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I placed an order for the Dai-Guard collection which is $10 and it cost $5 for shipping. Yes it's FedEx but you don't even get a choice. They charge your card immediately (which I didn't think they were allowed to do, but whatever) and normally the UPC code is lightly disfigured in some way.

[battra92]

[ QUOTE ]
Hui said:
I would really like to get Kaleido star #6 to finished off my collection but I'm moving in a month's time. The last time I ordered, it took me 2 mths to receive ADV's dvds.

[/ QUOTE ]

You could always have it shipped to a friend/relative's house or something (with their permission of course)

[Japschin]

I'm an international student, hence no relatives here. The closest belongs to my bf. I don't trust them because of previous experiences. Not gonna elaborate since it still pisses me off whenever I think about it.
Guess will just wait till next time round.

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Battra92 said:
As for stuff I am considering, well I will probably get Dai Guard Complete since it's just $10.

[/ QUOTE ]

A wise choice. It's a bargain at thrice the price.

[Vicserr]

Here's my damage:
DLR/005 Rune Soldier Volume 5: Fists of Folly 1 $5.00
DMA/001 MAPS 1 $7.00
DMF/002 Mezzo Shell Two 1 $7.00
DMF/003 Mezzo Shell Three 1 $7.00
DPRD/001 Parasite Dolls 1 $7.00
DOU/001 Once Upon a Time 1 $4.00
DRH/002 Casshan: Robot Hunter Special Edition 1 $5.00
DGTM/BX5 Gatchaman Collector's Box 5 1 $21.00
DGY/002 Galaxy Fraulein Yuna 1 $5.00

SubTotal: $68.00
Shipping (FedEx): $13.00 &lt;--- Ouch!
Tax (0%): $0.00
Total: $81.00

breakdown: $81/10(technically Gatchaman counts as 2) = $8.10 per title, not to bad, even if Gatchaman throws the equation out of whack /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Question: did you guys get a "Under review by Fraud Service" screen after you placed your orders?

[jeditictac]

i can't see past the d's... weird.

oh well.

[Leon_Belmont]

[ QUOTE ]
jeditictac said:
i can't see past the d's... weird.

oh well.

[/ QUOTE ]

That actually got me for 5 minutes too. Click DVD on the menu on the left side of the page. Voila, now you have choices.

[scorsesefan]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
[ QUOTE ]
SkullLeaderOne said:
What about artboxes and thinpack collections?

[/ QUOTE ]
Everything that I have received from the ADV sales had just one small hole in the UPC. That includes art boxes.
If you are a collector that might decrease the value of the box. Other than that there is no harm done because the hole does not touch the artwork at all. On all of my art boxes the UPC is on the bottom where I never see it, or the hole. Also the holes in mine did not even go completely through the box, so any DVD cases, or anything else, inside the box were not touched at all.
But that is just my experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. Makes my decision on the Devil Lady Collection easier. 16.00!!! I'm pretty stoked about that. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Dmiller]

Ordered my stuff Friday and got it yesterday. I've always had good service from them and don't care about the cuts or drill holes as long as the discs play.

[kusanagi-sama]

[ QUOTE ]
dkmiller said:
Ordered my stuff Friday and got it yesterday. I've always had good service from them and don't care about the cuts or drill holes as long as the discs play.

[/ QUOTE ]

I went ahead and ordered Aura Battler Dunbine vols. 5, 9 and 10 because of how quickly you recieved your items.

I now own all of box 1, which is vols. 1-6 and of box 2 I have vols. 7, 9 and 10 of Aura Battler Dunbine.

[slrcosmos]

So how do you know if they've shipped yet? I placed my order on Saturday and nothing so far. Does it just show up at your doorstep? I really hope I'm not waiting 6 weeks for Dai-Guard.

[sedorna]

[ QUOTE ]
slrcosmos said:
So how do you know if they've shipped yet? I placed my order on Saturday and nothing so far. Does it just show up at your doorstep? I really hope I'm not waiting 6 weeks for Dai-Guard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much, yes. It does just show up on your doorstep. You could call them, but don't expect anything. I've never actually called myself, but, IIRC, those that did were told to wait until about 4 weeks after their order was placed to actually get a status update.

[battra92]

[ QUOTE ]
Sedorna said:
[ QUOTE ]
slrcosmos said:
So how do you know if they've shipped yet? I placed my order on Saturday and nothing so far. Does it just show up at your doorstep? I really hope I'm not waiting 6 weeks for Dai-Guard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty much, yes. It does just show up on your doorstep. You could call them, but don't expect anything. I've never actually called myself, but, IIRC, those that did were told to wait until about 4 weeks after their order was placed to actually get a status update.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but they charge your CC immediately. /images/graemlins/relief1.gif

I really am not waiting up for these but ordering from them is like ordering from a company set up by a middle school kid.

[Japschin]

I waited 8 weeks for my last order. I emailed 4 times, called 3 times. No answers to anything till I filed a complaint with BBB, then did I get a shipping notice in the email. I was ready to file a chargeback on the last day or the 8th week when the package finally turned up.

[Hunter Sopko]

Longest I waited for an order was 4 weeks. I usually get it within 2 if I ordered on the first day of the sale and more towards 4 if I ordered near the end of the sale.

[battra92]

[ QUOTE ]
Hui said:
No answers to anything till I filed a complaint with BBB, then did I get a shipping notice in the email.

[/ QUOTE ]

IT makes me wonder just how many of these BBB claims are against ADV. I mean, you'd think it would prompt them to change their policies or something.

[Japschin]

Actually, it's only after 2 weeks I filed the complaint then did I get a shipping notice.
Before that I called BBB, the cust rep said that they are still waiting for a reply from ADV. I would be notified via email through BBB if ADV responded. I never did get that ADV response. I guess ADV didn't bother to respond. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[ligerzerodeath]

You can read the BBB Reliability Report at BBB Report (http://search.bbb.org/viewreport.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.data.bbb.org%2 Fhouston.asp%3Fyid%3D22003405&amp;recordid=22003405.09 15&amp;type=name)

[Japschin]

ADV's not a member of BBB? I never did notice.
Makes me wonder why........... /images/graemlins/anger200.gif /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[ejw]

[ QUOTE ]
Hui said:
ADV's not a member of BBB? I never did notice.
Makes me wonder why........... /images/graemlins/anger200.gif /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't mean much - the BBB is a scam. As usual, follow the money... They are 100% funded by member companies. The benefit of becoming a member is that it is easier to have your "record" wiped clean sooner than non-members.

Basically, if a company *IS* a member of the BBB, you have no clue as to how good a company they are. But if they are not a member, and they have no complaints on file, that is a good sign. Even if they are not a member with complaints, you can be reasonably confident that the list of complaints is complete with nothing wiped off.

[starbruin]

wow i didnt know about the horror stories

the only time i've bought anything from them before was for nadesico complete collection, kino v1, ariav1-3 and some other stuff and i received everything okay

i am on a budget lately, i try at least e_e;, so i only got the complete collection of kino and magical play but i was able to get a couple friends to purchase as well including the dunbine on sale, bubblegum crisis and some others.

hopefully they at least get their things on time as i've already dealt with adv. lots of things i passed up like asumanga but there's always next time

[battra92]

Well everything came in today and the destruction was minimal. The only complaint I have was my fault anyway (I forgot the MSRP of a certain title and paid more than I would have)

[Jimmie M]

[ QUOTE ]
Jimmie M said:
I decided to go with three Essential Anime titles that I've been meaning to get for a long while:
Slayers-The Motion Picture
Slayers-The Book Of Spells
Plastic Little-The Adventures Of Captain Tita


[/ QUOTE ]

All arrived at my home this past Saturday in good shape &amp; in a fairly quick amount of time considering that my last order from ADV took about 6 weeks to get to me. I'm a patient guy so it didn't bother me all that much. I did place one last order for Bubblegum Crisis-Tokyo 2040 EA Edition Vol. 1 on the last day of the sale.

[slrcosmos]

I got my order today. No shipping notice it just showed up. There's a little impression on the plastic over the UPC but it didn't go through the plastic. The brick is larger than I expected it to be.

[sedorna]

[ QUOTE ]
slrcosmos said:
I got my order today. No shipping notice it just showed up. There's a little impression on the plastic over the UPC but it didn't go through the plastic. The brick is larger than I expected it to be.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, the ADV Slasher isn't quite as zealous as he or she used to be. Apparently the machete was replaced by a sewing needle. But, it's cool. I just got my package and am really quite pleased. Now, to put it on my backlog shelf with the stuff from previous ADV sales! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[dunno001]

*looks at box from ADV* It looks like I ordered on a good day, namely, our driller's day off. There's nary a mark on any of my items; manga, DVDs, or those NTUSA issues... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif It'd be nice if they actually do stop the process...

[perigee]

My three items all had fairly deep holes. The box set had a hole that went clean through the bottom, though fortunately it came out inside the spacer. /images/graemlins/relief1.gif