What do you think of Columbia House?

[scrumptious]

I was thinking of joining but then I read this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_House

[Sammy]

I got suckered into them way back with black vinyl. I'd never even consider them as a place to do business with ever again.

[dandeeswish]

I have never been a fan of CH.

[Travis]

I tried to sell some CDs once and the store wouldn't take them, because on the back of the case it said Columbia House. Columbia House=Inferior quality?

I have 2 copies of Holly Cole Trio - Don't Smoke in Bed and the non-Columbia House sounds a lot better. Do they press their own CDs? DVDs? Blu-rays?

Someone said that was why their CDs were cheap, at least for the signing up part. Never joined the DVD club, used to get VHS from them, never a problem with quality.

Thinking abut joing and sending it to my address in the states. Gotta know the quality is the same and the discs are exactly the same as the ones I'd buy in stores. Not manufactured by Columbia House.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Travis

I tried to sell some CDs once and the store wouldn't take them, because on the back of the case it said Columbia House. Columbia House=Inferior quality?

I have 2 copies of Holly Cole Trio - Don't Smoke in Bed and the non-Columbia House sounds a lot better. Do they press their own CDs? DVDs? Blu-rays?

Someone said that was why their CDs were cheap, at least for the signing up part. Never joined the DVD club, used to get VHS from them, never a problem with quality.

Thinking abut joing and sending it to my address in the states. Gotta know the quality is the same and the discs are exactly the same as the ones I'd buy in stores. Not manufactured by Columbia House.

CH does not make their own stuff, they take normal stuff that you can get in a retail store and sell it just like every other retailer, you can't tell the difference at 99.9% of columbiahouse stuff once the wrapper is off. every once in a while they have some exclusive packaging but the discs are always the same.

[walruswarrior]

I don't understand the hate towards CH. I have never had a problem with them, and they are way better than Amazon in terms of pricing for their blu-rays (They are the only place that offers BOGO on BD's). I love CH and I haven't bought a BD from Amazon in months.

[phlydude]

I had a sweet deal with ch.com (not to be confused with ColumbiaHouse.com) which is a part of columbia house but was a rebound place for cancelled members to be directed to for DVD deals. It was free shipping on any purchase on there and they ran good deals around the holidays.

Once the membership is up on the DVD club, it isn't worth staying with it. The best way to get the agreement finalized is to take as much as you can when you sign up.

[Blu-Benny]

once they start letting you use their funcash on blu's, then it'll be awesome....i've been a member for about 7 years or something like that and only buy when they have a BOGO offer on blu's. other than that, i really don't bother w/them.

but every time they have a BOGO, i get an email and check if there's anything that i have a screaming need for, otherwise, it sits there.

really don't see why people have a problem w/them, sign up, get your 5 for $.50 or whatever, buy 4 or 5 @ regular price and get sweet deals after your commitment is met...

[phlydude]

I just got an email from them switching from ch.com to columbiahouse.com - 2 DVDs for $2.99 ea with free shipping - no other purchasing commitments

But then there is that stupid respond every 21 days commitment or we will ship you a $28 movie

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by phlydude

I just got an email from them switching from ch.com to columbiahouse.com - 2 DVDs for $2.99 ea with free shipping - no other purchasing commitments

But then there is that stupid respond every 21 days commitment or we will ship you a $28 movie

i had an option to go paperless w/my mailings and to also only get the "director's selection" if i request it, otherwise they don't bother sending it to me.

[digitalbabe]

Originally Posted by scrumptious

I was thinking of joining but then I read this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_House

Hi Scrumpt-I had been a member for years, many years ago. I then fulfilled my requirements and cancelled, as this was before the ability to respond online to director selections.

However, I became a member again,after I heard they had awesome BOGO's for Blu-Rays. I signed up with a few SD's that were not yet on Blu, and that I would have wanted anywhere. I have now, after several Blu-Ray BOGOS fulfilled my requirements,and regularly receive special offers, and take advantage of the codes posted here, at dvdtalk.com etc. I typically pay under $15 for new releases, especially when they have their free shipping codes (not recently but still very good deals).

I can't complain-I respond to the director selection online and never get unwanted discs. It's worked well for me, and I would recommend it, if you're a frequent media buyer. I own 350+ domestic & import BD's, 350+ HD DVD's, and close to 800 SD's, and have not had any issues. Good luck with your review!

[Coqui2k]

Originally Posted by digitalbabe

Hi Scrumpt-I had been a member for years, many years ago. I then fulfilled my requirements and cancelled, as this was before the ability to respond online to director selections.

However, I became a member again,after I heard they had awesome BOGO's for Blu-Rays. I signed up with a few SD's that were not yet on Blu, and that I would have wanted anywhere. I have now, after several Blu-Ray BOGOS fulfilled my requirements,and regularly receive special offers, and take advantage of the codes posted here, at dvdtalk.com etc. I typically pay under $15 for new releases, especially when they have their free shipping codes (not recently but still very good deals).

I can't complain-I respond to the director selection online and never get unwanted discs. It's worked well for me, and I would recommend it, if you're a frequent media buyer. I own 350+ domestic & import BD's, 350+ HD DVD's, and close to 800 SD's, and have not had any issues. Good luck with your review!

ch.com is no longer accepting new members

[phlydude]

ch.com is closing
BUT
columbiahouse.com is still open for business

[Coqui2k]

Originally Posted by phlydude

ch.com is closing
BUT
columbiahouse.com is still open for business

I wish columbiahouse would respect their customers

[phlydude]

how so? CH.com has sent me numerous emails asking me to join columbiahouse.com for 2 movies (DVD only) for $2.99 each and no shipping with no commitment - I think that is more than fair

[Coqui2k]

They screwed by charging my account without my consent. Then when I try to get a refund is very difficult and they said they have no record of this order. Columbia house is not worth the hassle.

[John Tabone]

I got those free DVDs expecting some BOGOs for Blus, but I haven't gotten any yet. My credit card was cancelled so if I don't fulfill my account, I won't get charged right?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by John Tabone

I got those free DVDs expecting some BOGOs for Blus, but I haven't gotten any yet. My credit card was cancelled so if I don't fulfill my account, I won't get charged right?

They won't be able to charge a cancelled card, but they'll continue to send you bills and will eventually send your account to a collections company.

[MountainBlu]

I have been a Columbia House member about five times over the years. I'd fulfill my obligation and quit. Then they would send me a great offer to join them again and the cycle would start all over. I always received excellent service and the quality of the dvds was fine. I did notice that when I tried to sell off some of their dvds to an online dealer, the SKU numbers didn't match and they would not buy them. No big deal, I just yard sale them.

I may join again if their Blu-ray deals look promising...

[singalongjonl]

Originally Posted by Coqui2k

They screwed by charging my account without my consent. Then when I try to get a refund is very difficult and they said they have no record of this order. Columbia house is not worth the hassle.

Yes, same here. I contacted them and talked to them nicely and they allowed me to return them for full refund. You just have to watch out for the "director select" which is where they email you about a new release and if you dont see the email or dont click the "I don't want button" they will charge you for it, without your consent. Usually their director select is $25-30 when the dvds are normally $15 on the main page. They are sneaky. Im trying to buy as many dvds as i can so i can get out of their commitment.