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Post by tuigirl on Nov 1, 2022 10:08:09 GMT
Catching up with yesterday's events..and wondering yet again how a company that produces dozens of hours of quality audio product a year and can be so good on one on one customer service can be so unbelievably ham-fisted when it comes to the bigger picture. Sympathies to those affected by the overseas price change with 24 hours notice, and those who spent a fortune preordering to beat a price increase thats now happening on an ad hoc basis.. Well, it is a bit unfair calling it a "24 hour notice"- it was more of a 3 year notice. (I spoke to Jason personally at the convention in 2019 about this, and what he told me would happen is pretty much exactly what did happen, and so I definitely knew it was coming)
However, I totally agree that this was the most non-transparent move by BF in a long time, strangely enough, every time something like this happens, BF manage to do a worse job than they did before.
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Post by mark687 on Nov 1, 2022 10:10:21 GMT
Canada's DL prices are now literally in the wrong hemisphere now roughly the same as Australia and New Zealand.
Regards
mark687
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Post by mark687 on Nov 1, 2022 10:26:32 GMT
Discount Code for the 10% Off if you spend 50 in whatever currency (Excludes Vinyl, Pre-Orders, Bundles. Catch Up Subscriptions and already Discounted Sale items)
Type it in the Discount Code Box on the Check Out Screen before Payment
Regards
mark687
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Post by The Brigadier on Nov 1, 2022 10:29:28 GMT
Catching up with yesterday's events..and wondering yet again how a company that produces dozens of hours of quality audio product a year and can be so good on one on one customer service can be so unbelievably ham-fisted when it comes to the bigger picture. Sympathies to those affected by the overseas price change with 24 hours notice, and those who spent a fortune preordering to beat a price increase thats now happening on an ad hoc basis.. Well, it is a bit unfair calling it a "24 hour notice"- it was more of a 3 year notice. (I spoke to Jason personally at the convention in 2019 about this, and what he told me would happen is pretty much exactly what did happen, and so I definitely knew it was coming)
However, I totally agree that this was the most non-transparent move by BF in a long time, strangely enough, every time something like this happens, BF manage to do a worse job than they did before.
Hahaha! OK I'll give you that! That said, I'm sure you'll agree there is a bit of a difference between knowing something is going to happen eventually and finding out it's going to happen the very next day. It just seems really unfair, especially as we're all feeling the constraints on our budgets at the moment. Why couldn't they give you all more time to prepare for the price adjustment now it's finally official?
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Post by tuigirl on Nov 1, 2022 10:49:58 GMT
Well, it is a bit unfair calling it a "24 hour notice"- it was more of a 3 year notice. (I spoke to Jason personally at the convention in 2019 about this, and what he told me would happen is pretty much exactly what did happen, and so I definitely knew it was coming)
However, I totally agree that this was the most non-transparent move by BF in a long time, strangely enough, every time something like this happens, BF manage to do a worse job than they did before.
Hahaha! OK I'll give you that! That said, I'm sure you'll agree there is a bit of a difference between knowing something is going to happen eventually and finding out it's going to happen the very next day. It just seems really unfair, especially as we're all feeling the constraints on our budgets at the moment. Why couldn't they give you all more time to prepare for the price adjustment now it's finally official? No argument from me there- totally agree that it could have been handled better.
However, most of the things I had been interested in I had already pre-ordered previously, so last minute purchases were just a few Colin audios (like "Power Play" ) which I had not yet gotten for unknown reasons.
I am certainly going to cut down on my BF spending and will only be buying most things if they are received favorably.
Sadly, several pre-ordered recent releases left me completely cold (best example "War Doctor Begins", I still have not finished the first set, I just could not get into it; sadly I have pre-ordered the whole bundle!), so I will make the sensible financial decision to wait for reviews before I buy.
So I have basically only pre-ordered things for the next 12 months of ranges which I have enjoyed continuously- like the Robots, 3rd Doctor, Sixie, 8th Doctor and 9th Doctor.
I am will try to keep away from any spontaneous "gimmick" buys. Only thing I definitely will also get as soon as it is announced will be the anniversary release.
I feel the financial constrains as much as everyone else on here, and one also needs to eat.
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Post by kipperserver on Nov 1, 2022 11:46:26 GMT
Reads to me like they were going to do exchange rate update AND box st price change at the same time but bottled the latter.
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Post by jacobz40 on Nov 1, 2022 12:14:01 GMT
Glad to have the 10% discount now apply everywhere, and as an American, the price increase isn't as big as some of you (much sympathy to the Aussie/NZ fans especially), but there's one thing I'm not getting. If the 10% discount doesn't apply to pre-orders, what's my incentive to pre-order? I'll just buy my whole month's worth at the end of the month and get the discount.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,819
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Post by lidar2 on Nov 1, 2022 12:43:44 GMT
Worth noting that the £ is quite weak at the minute in historic terms, so by doing it now the impact of moving away from the 1:1 exchange rate is minimised for a lot of overseas customers.
Overseas customers will feel it more when the £ strengthens and their own currency weakens
Whatever else one can say about BF pricing/ marketing strategies, their timing has been good on this occasion, at least in terms of FX rates for most currencies.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Nov 1, 2022 13:07:26 GMT
A couple quotes that stand out to me :
"We have also become aware of an increasing minority of UK Big Finish customer accounts using false overseas details to purchase downloads." Overall wouldn't that cost you extra- double posting?
"The issue of pricing products for different markets throughout the world is a difficult and sensitive one, because of the variations in currency values, cost of living and inflation rates in local, national markets. Consumers in different parts of the world have different expectations about how much certain products should cost. Put simply, what seems cheap, just right or too expensive in one country might not seem so in another, because of a number of complex factors, not least tradition."
This ^ a couple weeks ago a head of lettuce cost AUST $12.80.. ouch.. Australia is also at the bottom end of the world so natch everything costs so much more to get here- that's an absolute given.
"This discount (previously available only to UK customers) will now apply worldwide. Enter the code 10peroff50 at checkout to apply it to your order. Please note that it does not apply to items added from offer pages, pre-discounted items, vinyl, subscriptions, bundles or pre-orders."
In all seriousness, the above now is better suited to newbies that have just started on their collections. The ones like most of us who have been collecting forever.. Simply already have them so no need..
<shrugs shoulders> oh well.. I will continue to bulk order, I cannot stress how much $$ the postage & handling is on top of already above expen$ive cds. Not a criticism as such, I choose to purchase them as I can afford them.
There, I have aired my concerns- case closed for me. Next bulk order will be interesting on my end.
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Post by theillusiveman on Nov 1, 2022 13:18:20 GMT
So a glimpse at how the price increase has happened
The war Doctor begins Vol 4 on Download Before November 1st: $16.99 After November 1st: $30.60
Atleast the cd prices haven’t changed….yet
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Nov 1, 2022 13:22:45 GMT
Canada's DL prices are now literally in the wrong hemisphere now roughly the same as Australia and New Zealand. Regards mark687 US download prices have jumped $2.00 to $4.00 and change depending on the title. Biggest jump seems to be UNIT. Again, that isn’t a deal breaker for me, especially with the 10% off after $50.00. What it does do is probably curtail any urges I might have had for an impulse buy.
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Post by Audio Watchdog on Nov 1, 2022 13:27:26 GMT
I wonder when the panic alarm starts blaring in BF towers. They have to expect a drop-off in certain markets as this change really starts to take hold.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2022 13:47:36 GMT
A couple quotes that stand out to me : "We have also become aware of an increasing minority of UK Big Finish customer accounts using false overseas details to purchase downloads." Overall wouldn't that cost you extra- double posting? "The issue of pricing products for different markets throughout the world is a difficult and sensitive one, because of the variations in currency values, cost of living and inflation rates in local, national markets. Consumers in different parts of the world have different expectations about how much certain products should cost . Put simply, what seems cheap, just right or too expensive in one country might not seem so in another, because of a number of complex factors, not least tradition." This ^ a couple weeks ago a head of lettuce cost AUST $12.80.. ouch.. Australia is also at the bottom end of the world so natch everything costs so much more to get here- that's an absolute given. "This discount (previously available only to UK customers) will now apply worldwide. Enter the code 10peroff50 at checkout to apply it to your order. Please note that it does not apply to items added from offer pages, pre-discounted items, vinyl, subscriptions, bundles or pre-orders." In all seriousness, the above now is better suited to newbies that have just started on their collections. The ones like most of us who have been collecting forever.. Simply already have them so no need.. <shrugs shoulders> oh well.. I will continue to bulk order, I cannot stress how much $$ the postage & handling is on top of already above expen$ive cds. Not a criticism as such, I choose to purchase them as I can afford them. There, I have aired my concerns- case closed for me. Next bulk order will be interesting on my end. That is just hogwash from BF. If I order a bluray from Australia, as I do from Imprint Films and Umbrella, I pay the Aus price directly converted. They don't take into account "tradition" and give me a discount. It's the price. I either choose to pay it or not. And shipping is expensive but it's literally the other side of the world with a rather...unusual Australian postal service when it comes to import and export costs. so it is what it is. Even a major company like Amazon doesn't operate with a moronic principle like that. If I order from Amazon US, it converts the currency from dollar to pound exactly. It doesn't alter the price.
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Post by coreywt on Nov 1, 2022 14:11:27 GMT
A couple quotes that stand out to me : "We have also become aware of an increasing minority of UK Big Finish customer accounts using false overseas details to purchase downloads." Overall wouldn't that cost you extra- double posting? No posting on digital downloads.
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lidar2
Castellan
You know, now that you mention it, I actually do rather like Attack of the Cybermen ...
Likes: 5,819
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Post by lidar2 on Nov 1, 2022 14:36:19 GMT
A couple quotes that stand out to me : "We have also become aware of an increasing minority of UK Big Finish customer accounts using false overseas details to purchase downloads." Overall wouldn't that cost you extra- double posting? "The issue of pricing products for different markets throughout the world is a difficult and sensitive one, because of the variations in currency values, cost of living and inflation rates in local, national markets. Consumers in different parts of the world have different expectations about how much certain products should cost . Put simply, what seems cheap, just right or too expensive in one country might not seem so in another, because of a number of complex factors, not least tradition." This ^ a couple weeks ago a head of lettuce cost AUST $12.80.. ouch.. Australia is also at the bottom end of the world so natch everything costs so much more to get here- that's an absolute given. "This discount (previously available only to UK customers) will now apply worldwide. Enter the code 10peroff50 at checkout to apply it to your order. Please note that it does not apply to items added from offer pages, pre-discounted items, vinyl, subscriptions, bundles or pre-orders." In all seriousness, the above now is better suited to newbies that have just started on their collections. The ones like most of us who have been collecting forever.. Simply already have them so no need.. <shrugs shoulders> oh well.. I will continue to bulk order, I cannot stress how much $$ the postage & handling is on top of already above expen$ive cds. Not a criticism as such, I choose to purchase them as I can afford them. There, I have aired my concerns- case closed for me. Next bulk order will be interesting on my end. That is just hogwash from BF. If I order a bluray from Australia, as I do from Imprint Films and Umbrella, I pay the Aus price directly converted. They don't take into account "tradition" and give me a discount. It's the price. I either choose to pay it or not. And shipping is expensive but it's literally the other side of the world with a rather...unusual Australian postal service when it comes to import and export costs. so it is what it is. Even a major company like Amazon doesn't operate with a moronic principle like that. If I order from Amazon US, it converts the currency from dollar to pound exactly. It doesn't alter the price. Would it not be simpler for BF to price downloads in £ only and let customers' credit cards / paypal handle the currency conversion? I have bought stuff in other currencies using my UK credit card and the card converts it to the £ price I see on my bill. From a website development/maintenance point of view I'd have thought that would be simpler too
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Post by cjr on Nov 1, 2022 14:46:34 GMT
Simply put, Big Finish became twice as expensive in a day, with the promise of worse to come as the pound improves. Great. For the sake of having no space, I’m a download only customer, and usually adverse to buying things to sell on immediately. It seems it makes more sense to buy the cd + download and try selling the CD on to recoup some money 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
I’d love to know how many customers in Australia there are of BF (Download vs CD + Download) and the spread of series they’d buy. I think that’s likely to take a bit of a dip over the next few years. Heck, I’d love to know how many from the UK we’re using OS-based accounts to drop their prices!
There’s now little incentive to pre-order. So buying after release will be the best way to get 10% off for orders over 50£. And probably only if the reviews are great. If 2022 is an example of what’s to come, my spending may be curtailed quite a bit! 😂
And, all of this was supposed to be about increased pre-order prices.
To misquote a commercial from Australia: “BF… you’ve done it again!”
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Post by coffeeaddict on Nov 1, 2022 15:20:55 GMT
Okay, I just took a look at the price on some stuff I ordered a while back - download had until today been $19.99 Canadian. Today it is 46.87. A jump of over 50% is not something that will encourage me to buy audio's going forward.
Can I afford the increase, sure, but frankly that means taking money away from other interests and frankly the BF product has been largely uninspiring over the past few years and I don't see myself wanting to order something that might not hold my interest when it is going to cost so much.
I may just squirrel away the money I would have normally spent on BF and put it into getting another custom guitar.
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Post by timleschild on Nov 1, 2022 15:22:00 GMT
It seems it makes more sense to buy the cd + download and try selling the CD on to recoup some money 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ That is a good idea. I just buy downloads but may switch to CD even though I don't have a CD player(!) in order to get some cash back.
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Post by Digi on Nov 1, 2022 16:38:49 GMT
Okay, I just took a look at the price on some stuff I ordered a while back - download had until today been $19.99 Canadian. Today it is 46.87. A jump of over 50% is not something that will encourage me to buy audio's going forward. Can I afford the increase, sure, but frankly that means taking money away from other interests and frankly the BF product has been largely uninspiring over the past few years and I don't see myself wanting to order something that might not hold my interest when it is going to cost so much. I may just squirrel away the money I would have normally spent on BF and put it into getting another custom guitar. As with three years ago, it seems they didn't spend any time thinking this through. If there is a way to completely lose your foreign market, this is it.
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Post by Kestrel on Nov 1, 2022 17:17:27 GMT
Jesus.
Thankfully things aren't so bad stateside -- it's a jump of about 20% or so, which is -theoretically- mitigated, at least in part, by that discount code for 10% off all orders of £50 or more. IF we buy that much at once and IF we remember to use the code and IF we can find the code (I've already forgotten what it was and where I last saw it).
My worst case scenario here was ceasing to buy new releases altogether, so I'm glad to have avoided that, BUT I'm certainly going to be buying a whole heckuva lot less... if I can't find £50 worth of stuff I'm willing to buy, I'm gonna settle for £0. Which means far, far fewer impulse buys (like last week's 'Kaleidoscope').
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