Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[returnofthemack]

I thought one of the upsides to ordering from darkforce was faster shipping then the old code red cartel store. Not impressed with them so far. Ordered a week ago and all I have is a shipping label created. Code Red will never change. The only time I liked ordering code red titles was when roninflix and SAE were handling the orders. Bill has taken the whole no such thing as bad publicity too far. This label just can’t stay out of the gutter.

[delicreep]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Could add a vinegar syndrome-esque subscription model offer with new releases at big discount to help get him some upfront cash to grow the business right now while also giving his consumers a no-hassle way to get the new DF/CR movies at a good price, without the pressure of being swamped when the new pressing drops. I trust that DF would do right by the subscription, too. Dave is definitely unique and strange (not a bad thing at all), but seems a good Demon overall that would get the customers their subscription items.

That will only work if the release schedule is adhered to. It's one thing to be nebulous about when a given title is coming out or when an online store might be up and running when you don't have in real responsibility to do otherwise, but that will not fly once customers have paid. Vinegar Syndrome pulls it off because they set their monthly lineup and stick to it, and when there is an issue preventing a title from coming out, they replace it with something else when able, such as when Satan's Slave was delayed for March. That kind of consistency engenders trust gives people incentive to plunk down a good chunk of change up front, whether for the yearly package or monthly (outside of their excellent transfers, varied title choices and great customer service, of course).

This isn't to say that DF couldn't pull it off.

[AKNewbie]

Was with you up to the last line.

Nah, DF couldn't pull it off. When's the last time VS store was offline that wasn't related to their 2 big yearly sales?

EDIT: But a step in the right direction (maturing the business) would be to start taking pre-orders. Most of us are patient for pre-orders and understand valid delays. Yep, more unsolicited business advice...I know.

[Member-222782]

So far I've missed the two SOAWN order windows. How many copies were pressed? Didn't they say prices would be incrementally higher with each subsequent batch? Has that been the case?

I can't stress enough how terrible this cloak and dagger nonsense is for DF in terms of brand image. The adoption of the wrestling/circus atmosphere as a sales gimmick is bad enough but to make customers jump through hoops to buy this crap is just beyond ridiculous. And to top it off, shipping times are increasing by a large percentage. Six days for something to be sitting around with a label created isn't reasonable.

I'm going to make an exception and will try to glue myself to my computer in hopes of catching the next batch but if I miss this one I'm out 100%

[indravayu]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

And to top it off, shipping times are increasing by a large percentage. Six days for something to be sitting around with a label created isn't reasonable.

I'm jealous of anyone who has a label (whether it's shipped out, or not) - it's been 7 days since I placed my order and I don't have that!

[BuickSuper]

Originally Posted by indravayu

I'm jealous of anyone who has a label (whether it's shipped out, or not) - it's been 7 days since I placed my order and I don't have that!

They can send product or they can take vertical videos of an invalid. Can't do both. I think it's clear where their priorities lie.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

So far I've missed the two SOAWN order windows. How many copies were pressed? Didn't they say prices would be incrementally higher with each subsequent batch? Has that been the case?

Nope he announced that he changed his mind & they were not going that route. But each time the price was set at $26.99 + $5 ship if you don't buy $40 of blus ($40 is free ship threshold), which isn't particularly cheap; there were some well priced bundle deals tho like Chaos+SWOAN for $35, Shakma+SWOAN for $37, and Steel Arena+SWOAN for $40 if I recall. The last time around the individual copies sold out extremely fast (faster than the first time), but the bundles stuck around for a bit.

My understanding is 1000 copies were pressed and 500 have already been sold on the Dark Force Superstore.

The delay for taking more orders is a result of DF being overwhelmed in fulfilling the existing orders, and no other reason. Now that they have got some traction as a label they have to decide if they are going to invest in hiring some full time staff and expand, or stay the current course with lesser capacity for moving large quantities of product.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by delicreep

That will only work if the release schedule is adhered to. It's one thing to be nebulous about when a given title is coming out or when an online store might be up and running when you don't have in real responsibility to do otherwise, but that will not fly once customers have paid. Vinegar Syndrome pulls it off because they set their monthly lineup and stick to it, and when there is an issue preventing a title from coming out, they replace it with something else when able, such as when Satan's Slave was delayed for March. That kind of consistency engenders trust gives people incentive to plunk down a good chunk of change up front, whether for the yearly package or monthly (outside of their excellent transfers, varied title choices and great customer service, of course).

This isn't to say that DF couldn't pull it off.

Drafthouse Releasing, before the guy who started it moved to a new label, had a subscription program called "THE ALLIANCE." It was very simply, pay $150 upfront and get the next 10 releases automatically whenever they might come out. This is different than VS as there is no guesswork in how many releases you get per year or how much you end up paying per release. No matter what you end up paying $15 per release with this model. For a smaller label like Dark Force, something like this or similar (i.e. next 6 releases for $99) would fit better than the way VS does it as there would be no guesswork or tight deadlines involved. Plus it motivates the label, the faster the output the quicker you can collect the next round of subscription fees - assuming the customers like the output.

[AKNewbie]

Dark Force Insider (aka Ruined):

When is the store reopening?

[omenboy]

Well I have a unique nightmare with this release. I don't know what kind of labeling system Dark Force uses, but I purchased SOAWN during the first round and I still have yet to receive it. It has been sent all over Manhattan, to Kearny, NJ and back to Manhattan but not to my post office!

Luckily there is a tracking number and last week when it kept getting diverted I signed up for tracking alerts.

I spent two hours waiting on hold on the general USPS post office line this morning and was told it appeared the package was mis-scanned (ie, something is wrong with the labelling). I just got an alert that it was sent yet again to a post office that does not deliver to my area of Manhattan. After calling them I was again told there was something wrong with the scan and then I asked if they could hold it for pickup if it returns to them again.

Just a word of warning for anyone else who might be waiting for their copy to show up because this is beyond frustrating. I might have to try and buy another copy during the next round since the one I already paid for is in limbo making the rounds of every Manhattan post office (except mine) and might never arrive.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by AKNewbie

Dark Force Insider (aka Ruined):

When is the store reopening?

lol, you got me. My predictive indications based on the typical hidden clues in the FB postings were projecting yesterday PM, but that didn't happen - probably because Dark Force didn't get caught up as much as expected with shipping, likely due to all the stuff going on with Bill. It also sounds like he doesn't have many more copies in his possession to sell, again likely due to Bill being in the hosp.

So now there appears no ETA as still behind in shipping and trying to get product from CR.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by omenboy

Just a word of warning for anyone else who might be waiting for their copy to show up because this is beyond frustrating. I might have to try and buy another copy during the next round since the one I already paid for is in limbo making the rounds of every Manhattan post office (except mine) and might never arrive.

Are you in Manhattan? Try asking your carrier to take a look in the Relay box (those big green boxes on the sidewalk) nearest your location to see if another carrier stashed it in there. My regular carrier was on vacation a couple of weeks ago so his replacement(s) stuck a bunch of packages in the Relay box and didn't tell anyone. If I hadn't asked him to take a look, who knows how long I would've waited. The USPS is all screwed up these days.

[omenboy]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

Are you in Manhattan? Try asking your carrier to take a look in the Relay box (those big green boxes on the sidewalk) nearest your location to see if another carrier stashed it in there. My regular carrier was on vacation a couple of weeks ago so his replacement(s) stuck a bunch of packages in the Relay box and didn't tell anyone. If I hadn't asked him to take a look, who knows how long I would've waited. The USPS is all screwed up these days.

Thanks for that info. Yes, I am in Manhattan but I have gotten alerts regarding its movement, so it is not stuck in a Relay box (I wish it was because at least that would make sense). It is physically going from post office to post office but not to the one servicing my area! I have asked the supervisor at the Post office it was last scanned at to hold for pickup if it returns there (it has been sent there twice in the last week).

Yes the post office is definitely screwed up, and they wonder why no one wants to use them and they're going bankrupt!!!

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by omenboy

Thanks for that info. Yes, I am in Manhattan but I have gotten alerts regarding its movement, so it is not stuck in a Relay box (I wish it was because at least that would make sense). It is physically going from post office to post office but not to the one servicing my area! I have asked the supervisor at the Post office it was last scanned at to hold for pickup if it returns there (it has been sent there twice in the last week).

Yes the post office is definitely screwed up, and they wonder why no one wants to use them and they're going bankrupt!!!

Weird, out in my neck of the woods USPS is the best delivery service. Actually, everywhere I've lived they've been pretty good, except when I lived in Arcata, CA and stuff was often sent to Arcadia, on the other side of the state.

[Yuchira]

Apparently, I'm the only one amused by the Dark Force facebook posts. I find the haunted hospital gag to be funny...whatever..

Still waiting to buy the product in the meantime...

[slasherdisc]

My copy of Screams of a Winter Night arrived today from DF!
Relief washes over me in an awesome wave...

[Puffy]

Some of the shenanigans aren’t my favorite but my copy of Redeemer: Son of Satan arrived today. Grateful as it’s a long wanted title.

[jcs913]

Please Bill, just send the remaining 500 copies over to Diabolik so we can order this release from a professional...

[Jobla]

My copy of SOAWN arrived in my left coast mail box today.

[frakking toaster]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Please Bill, just send the remaining 500 copies over to Diabolik so we can order this release from a professional...

He's too busy dealing with exorcising ghosts from a hospital to send it out.