Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

if you think this is making yourself look better, it isn’t.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by Coatchief

Maybe with your insight you could kindly provide me with the criteria that the team picking/packing orders is using to arbitrarily decide who gets what from their order. I had zero issues with getting refunded for titles that sold out, but to find out that an order 300 numbers down the line got a title I have supposedly been refunded for is a little upsetting.

Was is because my order was larger? Was it because I am a first time customer at TT, previously only buying from SAE. Was it because I am Canadian? Did they simply misplace product for half a day in the confusion? There is most definitely a reason. My money is as good as the next persons.

As far as I know, items are being distributed to orders as they came in. Orders are being assembled and held until complete and can be packed, invoiced, checked, labelled and mailed.

It may well take longer to assemble an order of 40 items than one of 2, but that doesn't necessarily mean a later order of 2 is being picked/assembled ahead of the 40 item order IF they include the same items. The problem with getting 6000+ orders with 40000 discs in a short period is the live inventory apparently couldn't keep up so for those items with 100 in stock, the orders were coming in so fast, they ended up selling 110-120. AGAIN as far as I know those 100 items are being distributed to the first 100 orders and 101-120 are getting cancelled. Later orders may be easier to get shipped earlier, but that mean they get priority on the actual items.


The logistics of doing with with 6000 boxes, 40000 discs of 170 different titles and trying to make sure items are distributed in the order they came it without making an error is daunting.

As an example -- I have absolutely no doubt that is far too simplistic way to actually run a warehouse, but I do know this is the way the old EAA Sale packers did things and hope TTM warehouse works on the same principle with a bit higher tech method of keeping track.

[Show spoiler]Order 1 (Sunday ) with Title A/B and 38 others
Order 5000 (from Monday) with Title A/B

Picker X with a box of 100 of Title A -- checks roster and gives Order 1 a unit of Title A, works his way down the the list of orders and gives out each unit of his title until he Loads Order 5000 with Title A and continues down his list in order it was received until all the Title A are gone

Picker Y with a box of 150 of Title B gives Order 1 a unit of Title B and similarly goes the list of orders until Order 5000 gets Title B and continues on until all his units are distributed. Order 5000 is now flagged complete and sent to the finishing area, where the invoice is content checked, packed, labelled and sent for shipping on Monday.

Order 1 has to not only wait for pickers C-BB to finishing distributing Titles c through HH his titles before his box is ready for the next step. His box may well be completed by Tuesday, but it might take 4-5 more days to get to the Check/Pack/Package/Label stage. Even though his shipped a week later, it's quite possible it's been sitting there packed with the 1st discs distributed from the shelves and as long as nobody is stealing items from that box those items were given 1st priority based on Order timing, but it may have been the 5000-8000 th box ready to go out the door.

ANd I realize in most automated factories, the pickers are often robot, the computer organizing all 160 items in the order they came im, send a list with order# and which item go in that 'box. Humans and robot pick up items from bins and check off each item as it's assembled --- but it's easier for me to think individual items and individual pickers being separated (different method, but same general idea).

In addition, from past orders International packages take long to get through the processing stage and ready go out the door even though they could be picked/packed/ready for several more days on the International Pallet.

[Coatchief]

Originally Posted by RBBrittain

I certainly don't know the criteria for TT moving some orders ahead of others. However, the fact that I had two later, single-title orders ship ahead of my earlier, four-title order suggests the size of the order may be a factor. (I bought one title previously at TT; most of my past buys were from SAE. I'm not Canadian, but that could be a factor as international orders in general require more customs paperwork.) Smaller orders probably can be fulfilled more quickly than larger ones; it's possible TT chose to fulfill smaller orders first to clear out the massive backlog faster.

I would think one order of 45 titles as one parcel with one shipping label would be quicker than 45 individual orders with 45 shipping labels and 45 cartons. I can appreciate that they've been overwhelmed with orders but something is certainly strange with my order and I'm willing to bet others as well.

[Coatchief]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

[Show spoiler]As far as I know, items are being distributed to orders as they came in. Orders are being assembled and held until complete and can be packed, invoiced, checked, labelled and mailed.

It may well take longer to assemble an order of 40 items than one of 2, but that doesn't necessarily mean a later order of 2 is being picked/assembled ahead of the 40 item order IF they include the same items. The problem with getting 6000+ orders with 40000 discs in a short period is the live inventory apparently couldn't keep up so for those items with 100 in stock, the orders were coming in so fast, they ended up selling 110-120. AGAIN as far as I know those 100 items are being distributed to the first 100 orders and 101-120 are getting cancelled. Later orders may be easier to get shipped earlier, but that mean they get priority on the actual items.


The logistics of doing with with 6000 boxes, 40000 discs of 120 different titles and trying to make sure items are distributed in the order they came it without making an error is daunting.

As an example -- I have absolutely no doubt that is far too simplistic way to actually run a warehouse, but I do know this is the way the old EAA Sale packers did things and hope TTM warehouse works on the same principle with a bit higher tech method of keeping track.

Order 1 (Sunday ) with Title A/B and 38 others
Order 5000 (from Monday) with Title A/B

Picker X with a box of 100 of Title A -- checks roster and gives Order 1 a unit of Title A, works his way down the the list of orders and gives out each unit of his title until he Loads Order 5000 with Title A and continues down his list in order it was received until all the Title A are gone

Picker Y with a box of 150 of Title B gives Order 1 a unit of Title B and similarly goes the list of orders until Order 5000 gets Title B and continues on until all his units are distributed. Order 5000 is now flagged complete and sent to the finishing area, where the invoice is content checked, packed, labelled and sent for shipping on Monday.

Order 1 has to not only wait for pickers C-BB to finishing distributing Titles c through HH his titles before his box is ready for the next step. His box may well be completed by Tuesday, but it might take 4-5 more days to get to the Check/Pack/Package/Label stage. Even though his shipped a week later, it's quite possible it's been sitting there packed with the 1st discs distributed from the shelves and as long as nobody is stealing items from that box those items were given 1st priority based on Order timing, but it may have been the 5000-8000 th box ready to go out the door.


In addition, from past orders International packages take long to get through the processing stage and ready go out the door even though they could be picked/packed/ready for several more days on the International Pallet

Thanks.

That sure makes it sound like they messed up my order, probably others too. I wonder what I'll get for $750. I hope for the most part I receive what I ordered.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by RBBrittain

However, the fact that I had two later, single-title orders ship ahead of my earlier, four-title order suggests the size of the order may be a factor. (I bought one title previously at TT; most of my past buys were from SAE. I'm not Canadian, but that could be a factor as international orders in general require more customs paperwork.)

None of this has any bearing on the matter whatsoever. I am in Canada, I put in an order of 14 titles the first day of the sale, they were shipped last Monday (the 11th) via FedEx and arrived at my door on Friday (the 15th). It's clear that they have so many orders that they are just processing them as best as they can.

It's getting really tiresome reading on every thread people clutching their pearls because their orders haven't shipped yet, even though they know full well everything is hectic and backed up due to the pandemic.

And lest anyone think that I am speaking from a position of privilege having already received my order, I also have two orders at Screen Archives and I'm not worried in the least because I know that (a) they will get here eventually, and (b) if something I have ordered is cancelled because there's no stock left, so be it... everything that I considered a "must-have" I already bought ages ago.

[Coatchief]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

None of this has any bearing on the matter whatsoever. I am in Canada, I put in an order of 14 titles the first day of the sale, they were shipped last Monday (the 11th) via FedEx and arrived at my door on Friday (the 15th). It's clear that they have so many orders that they are just processing them as best as they can.

It's getting really tiresome reading on every thread people clutching their pearls because their orders haven't shipped yet, even though they know full well everything is hectic and backed up due to the pandemic.

And lest anyone think that I am speaking from a position of privilege having already received my order, I also have two orders at Screen Archives and I'm not worried in the least because I know that (a) they will get here eventually, and (b) if something I have ordered is cancelled because there's no stock left, so be it... everything that I considered a "must-have" I already bought ages ago.

I am more concerned with the process of filling orders than I am about waiting. I have around 100 releases sitting in a closet in NY State waiting for the border to open. Waiting is not my issue.

Example using orders and items from this thread:
Order #70623 contains item A and B
Order #707xx contains item A
Order #7089x contains item B

70623 item A and B cancelled, issued refund along with items C, D & E
707xx item A processed and shipped
7089x item B processed and shipped

[kwr212]

I'm still waiting for my orders from TT and SAE to ship as well. It is disconcerting to think we're all waiting days just to find out orders have been cancelled, when if we were told earlier we might have been able to order from another retailer. I ordered from TT on 5/10, order #73--- and SAE on 5/12. Both have been charged to my bank account but both are in "pending" or "awaiting shipment" status. Both were large orders with 20+ titles.

I might not be so frustrated if I hadn't had a Target sale order completely ignored last month until it just disappeared off their site, with no way to get in touch with their company and any emails sent by me returned with "Did you view our FAQs?" form letters. I fully realize there are bigger problems and that TT is going out of business, but it is still frustrating nonetheless.

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

They had 2 months of a sale that wasn't advertised as a closeout sale

SAE still has that sale and most of the Disc Titles (and many the TT didn't have even in March).

I'd say they gave routine customers a LOT OF TIME to buy things. Now it's a fire sale and anybody with cash to spend is entitled.

I'd prefer they sell to us, but us didn't seem to want them (of course until somebody else did) and preferred to complain about $1-2 per disc S/H charges on $6 and $9 titles

That's not really fair. I purchased a few dozen titles simply because of the hype generated in the last days here for titles that on paper should please me but that I would have never purchased (ever). It's a combination of many factors, but should my orders be less "important" because of that?

[mmarczi]

Originally Posted by jw007

It's great Criterion isn't a monopoly in the niche video market.

If Criterion were a monopoly, it would be terrible for smaller labels like TT to survive.

I can even go out on a limb and say Criterion is part of the bigger market in terms of being a video distributor. I mean, look at their relationship with Barnes & Noble. Twice a year they offer a 50% off sale. I don't recall any other single video distributor getting special treatment like that, can you? Companies like Kino, Arrow, and Shout! Factory never had 50% off sales with any big box retailer. Criterion is in a league of their own.

Barnes & Noble literally has a 50% off Arrow sale as well.

[mja345]

People mention Criterion's relationship with Barnes and Noble, but everybody forgets to mention Code Red's far longer, more lucrative relationship with gourmet Italian eatery Sbarro.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by Coatchief

I would think one order of 45 titles as one parcel with one shipping label would be quicker than 45 individual orders with 45 shipping labels and 45 cartons. I can appreciate that they've been overwhelmed with orders but something is certainly strange with my order and I'm willing to bet others as well.

But it's still counted as ONE order. If they're inundated with orders they may think it easier to clear the books of 45 single-copy orders that need only envelopes first, then once relieved of the backlog take care of your 45-copy order that requires a bigger box and higher delivery costs.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

None of this has any bearing on the matter whatsoever. I am in Canada, I put in an order of 14 titles the first day of the sale, they were shipped last Monday (the 11th) via FedEx and arrived at my door on Friday (the 15th). It's clear that they have so many orders that they are just processing them as best as they can.

It's getting really tiresome reading on every thread people clutching their pearls because their orders haven't shipped yet, even though they know full well everything is hectic and backed up due to the pandemic.

And lest anyone think that I am speaking from a position of privilege having already received my order, I also have two orders at Screen Archives and I'm not worried in the least because I know that (a) they will get here eventually, and (b) if something I have ordered is cancelled because there's no stock left, so be it... everything that I considered a "must-have" I already bought ages ago.

You're actually making my point for me; I was responding to another Canadian who was clutching THEIR pearls over their 45-title order. My point was they could be prioritizing smaller orders to clear out the order backlog faster so they can handle the bigger ones in a more routine fashion; perhaps it's easier for them to expedite the smaller orders.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by Coatchief

I am more concerned with the process of filling orders than I am about waiting. I have around 100 releases sitting in a closet in NY State waiting for the border to open. Waiting is not my issue.

Example using orders and items from this thread:
Order #70623 contains item A and B
Order #707xx contains item A
Order #7089x contains item B

70623 item A and B cancelled, issued refund along with items C, D & E
707xx item A processed and shipped
7089x item B processed and shipped

Filling 707xx & 7089x before 70623 is only an availability issue if their sales & inventory records are incorrect and they run out completely while filling them -- and then it only decides who doesn't get what they wanted. If they have accurate records showing how many of their warehouse copies are needed to fulfill pending orders -- and critically, to STOP taking orders once those two numbers are equal -- then it doesn't matter which one is fulfilled first except for shipping times (which as you suggest don't matter to you).

[UnionJackMix]

Well it's always nice speaking from a place of privilege isn't it? Also just because some people bought their must haves earlier in the game does not mean they desire their last-minute purchases any less. I'm sure I'm not the only one who found out about movies I didn't even know existed during this whole sale and I now want them really bad?
We all know they are struggling with the unexpected amount of orders, but you won't appease anyone by saying everyone knew it would happen, especially when now we have first hand accounts of orders placed before others and yet being shipped later (or not even yet), which is the opposite of what they stated in their email. I'm just saying this because a lot of people use their email as a bible when we have proof it's not.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

That's not really fair. I purchased a few dozen titles simply because of the hype generated in the last days here for titles that on paper should please me but that I would have never purchased (ever). It's a combination of many factors, but should my orders be less "important" because of that?

I don't think you're being fair to hariseldon.

I think he was responding to 78deluxe, not to you.

[jmclick]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

Round 2 -- 12:30am ET
BOXCAR BERTHA (1972) -- 48 copies at SAE

Whew! My copy arrived yesterday, along with 8 other titles that seemed to be selling fast at SAE. I'm glad I didn't wait. Now I'm looking at my cart at SAE, which is filled with 13 titles I don't want to miss out on ...

Wish I knew if my other orders at Twilight Time are going to ship before I place my order.

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I don't think you're being fair to hariseldon.

I think he was responding to 78deluxe, not to you.

I know but I wanted to answer the topic at hand because I fall under the same group of last-minute purchasers
I hope he doesn't take offence, i'm just conversing

Question: does SAE send out confirmation emails when an order is placed? I placed three orders and I only received it once, only when they shipped my order.

[78deluxe]

Originally Posted by jayembee

That's not really fair. I realize it's maddening -- it is to me, too (or would be, if any of those titles are ones I missed out on) -- but...

(1) They are going out of business. They undoubtedly have debts that need to be paid off, so selling however many discs any given customer wants to buy is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, whether that customer is a scalper or not.

(2) It's not like people didn't have plenty of opportunity to buy these releases before the scalpers got to them. If you held off on buying any of these titles waiting for the price to drop, that's on you. They are all limited to 3000 copies, so there should be no expectation that they'll be around forever waiting for you to decide the price is right.

Issue has more to do with the fact these re-sellers magically recieved and are even able to fullfull orders before those of us that ordered first day of the sale have even seen a shipping notification. All the while, order cancellations went out for a number of users for the same titles.

That is what is lame. I fully understand liquidation.

[JasonMichael]

A lot of those eBay sellers will post their items before they have them in hand. I wouldn't read too much into seeing those listings.

[78deluxe]

Originally Posted by JasonMichael

A lot of those eBay sellers will post their items before they have them in hand. I wouldn't read too much into seeing those listings.

Well, other than people reporting shipping from them. Otherwise I'd agree with you.