4 New Quadio releases coming in June!

[GOS]

Gene, I recommend playing the disc. If it plays fine, then only the case need be replaced. Then, it will be resolved. Likely with a new case. Multiple possible solutions.

ALL: I agree that Rhino needs to refine their fulfillment process. Foraging Rhino alluded to that.

Low cost shipping vs. next day delivery for all? Would you be willing to pay double for ALL shipping worldwide? Then, EVERYONE could have it the next day. Financially and possibly logistically impossible. I'm NOT paying that except DHL from CD Japan.

This might have been pretty breezy IF the quantities were in line with projections. Happily for all, because it went "through the roof" and encourages more Quadio. Good problems.

I understand everyone's frustration over poor communications and the waiting game. I've resolved myself to dealing with that garbage as a necessary evil with the dearth/death of record stores. You pays yer $$, and you wait for something that you already expected and the jacket/case is mangled, cracked, or broken. Welcome to 21st century music retailing!!

Here's another perspective: after many years in retail, I was an outside salesperson calling on large and small electronics retailers. Later, I became Sales mgr and then did the same in computer business, calling on large corporation purchasing and IT mgrs.

In electronics, I gave up many evenings during Christmas season simply to keep our shipping timely. ALL our salespeople and mangers were required to work a shift or two. Yes, in addition to their usual duties.

Being inundated with orders and/or new customers is a massive challenge. They are GOOD problems, if there is such a thing. I'm not saying that Rhino should adopt that. They need to fine tune their process at an AFFORDABLE cost w/realistic expectations. In other words, it needs to work for EVERYONE logistically and cost wise. That isn't quick and easy, especially in a high volume environment. Quick can easily become like monkey bars, solving one problem and creating other(s). Do it methodically and it works. Do it quickly and the problems likely multiply like a litter of puppies.

Not saying anyone is wrong. The more we bitch and moan the more we lessen the possibility of future releases. Otherwise, we pay through the nose for OOP surround titles. I bought mine 50 years ago, but I'm anxious to rebuy them on modern digital disc formats.

Thanks for all your patience and understanding.

Good idea, Linda…about looking only for a replacement case. Obviously I’d be happy with that. Assuming the disc is fine. I’ll open it tonight and inspect it.

 

[stormchaser]

My discs arrived in two packages and all in fine form.

 

[The Rang]

“ we have become so "entitled" with shipping notices and tracking we have become high maintenance customers.”

I agree with this, and include myself in that group.

I really hope these shipping conversations don’t discourage Rhino from carrying on with the program

 

[jefe1]

Yes Clint but Rhino is not responding at all to customer enquiries.
If they hired someone just to send a generic email to all who bought the Quadios admitting there is a distribution problem and that they are working to resolve the problem we would relax.
We all realize that the product is fantastic.

 

[beerking]

Throughout this saga, the person I really feel sorry for is our Rhino Steve.

I bet he has read these posts from the beginning to now.

His enthusiasm in getting these quads released is to be applauded.

What else can he do to put everything right?

He has stated he's really sorry.

He's trying to get it resolved.

Without Steve, these and future releases would not have happened.

How may ears has he bent to convince colleagues that this a worthwhile business venture?

Yes, the distribution is a mess.

But I'm sure that Rhino is resolved in putting this right.

I feel for all of you who have had problems ( I'm in the waiting camp too)

But I fear our reactions will negatively affect future releases.

I fully agree with Quad Linda's and Clints comments.

I also understand that folk need to vent their frustration but maybe patience and a QQ kindred spirit will see us over the hiccups which have hampered these fantastic releases.

Peace and Love

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Yes Clint but Rhino is not responding at all to customer enquiries.
If they hired someone just to send a generic email to all who bought the Quadios admitting there is a distribution problem and that they are working to resolve the problem we would relax.
We all realize that the product is fantastic.

Did you notice those places I mentioned in my post....other music outlets...do you think they responded to my inquiries?...I either got a standard form listing the FAQ...or nothing at all....rarely did I get a email composed by a person...

The other thing I might mention is that just maybe it's not a widespread problem...my delivery was perfect...California to Florida...good time IMO...and as far as damage goes...that is going to happen with anywhere you order from..

 

[ss9001]

Not much to add, it's a "mess" but I do give ForagingRhino a lot of credit and appreciation to make this happen, even with the issues.

I've had issues with Amazon orders on occasion bu, a big but, Amazon is a giant technology based fulfillment company and talking with a real person is definitely possible to get help & resolution with a problem order. This is why I posted that if Rhino has made these available on Amazon, I would gladly buy them and all future Quadios from them.

For the record, I've had no issues with SDE, D-V, Amazon UK, or CDJapan. All deliveries on time, timely emails, no damages, nothing but a package arriving when tracking says it will be delivered. Maybe I got lucky. Who knows. I don't have much experience with ImportCD but they aren't my 1st choice as a vendor. No problems at all with Acoustic Sound, MusicDirect, Elusive Disc, Bullmoose.

I've got my 4 from Rhino, only a damaged case corner on 1, great music, happy Rhino released them.

Just feeling some empathy for others' situation, I guess

EDIT - Hope Rhino learned some things on order handling from this.

 

[sperezmore]

1 yesterday, 3 today

4 new Quadios in the House!!!

Regards,

 

[bgf1973]

1 yesterday, 3 today

4 new Quadios in the House!!!

Regards,

where are they? the trees do not let me see the forest

 

[Blackwood]

Yes Clint but Rhino is not responding at all to customer enquiries.
If they hired someone just to send a generic email to all who bought the Quadios admitting there is a distribution problem and that they are working to resolve the problem we would relax.
We all realize that the product is fantastic.

Some of this might be solved with a simple marketing/status update e-mail to their whole list if they’re not able to segment their list and only send to buyers of the quads:

"While we knew that the four Quadio titles we announced a couple of weeks ago would be popular, even we were surprised by the overwhelming response! If you haven’t purchased these titles yet, please do so quickly as already one is no longer available at the moment, and we suspect the rest soon will be unavailable as well.

For those of you who jumped on these fantastic titles and still waiting for your order to ship, we want to reassure you that your order is coming. With the 4th of July holiday and the incredible demand for these four titles, our team has been working overtime to get these titles packaged and mailed.

It’s taken longer than we’d like, but based on the initial reviews we’ve been seeing online, you’re going to love these albums. Even better news... we’re going to be announcing more titles in the Quadio program later this year!

Thank you for your support and patience. We appreciate it!

OK... doesn’t have to be word-for-word, but when I was doing more work in the marketing realm, something like this would have been standard when issues cropped up... address them in some way and then turn it into a positive in a marketing sense if possible. I know something like that takes time and isn’t as easy as I make it out to be, but it’s a nice gesture.

I, too, want to echo that I feel bad that Steve has to take the brunt of this after his amazing kindness to us with advanced word and overall support for quad. I think we all feel that we’re some of the luckiest buggers on the planet right now with these releases, that we want them to continue, and that we’ll continue to support whatever they have planned next in this series.

But lack of official word from Rhino to inquires has been a bit frustrating and so here we are filling time. Hopefully we’ll be able to switch to “Shipped!” posts again soon.

I’m going to do my part... no more posts from me about shipping issues with these titles.

 

[ctoelle]

Just received this email from Rhino. Doesn't really address the issue of the missing 2 discs.

 

[atrocity]

I've had issues with Amazon orders on occasion

Ask me how many phone calls to Amazon it took to FINALLY get them to stop threatening to charge my credit card for something I never returned because they only sent me an empty envelope.

My answer will be "I don't know" because the whole thing dragged on for MONTHS and I've literally forgotten how many emails, phone calls and web chats it took before they finally figured it out. Then again, I'm still not 100% certain that they really have figured it out because for a while a month or more would go by and then they'd start hounding me again.

In comparison, getting my 4 Quadios mysteriously broken up over two shipments is nothing.

 

[jefe1]

No it doesnt.

You like me purchased the bundle of four discs with one shipping charge
Yet we each received two shipping notices each only listing one Quadio

With the shipping of these the dstributer thinks it has fulfilled the order. Without a proactive email from Rhino directing them to ship the other two discs to us nothing is going to happen
That email looks like they are only charging shipping for two discs not four hence the refund.
We are waiting for Godot here.

 

[jefe1]

Oh I just got the same email from Rhino @ctoelle

 

[ctoelle]

I am NOT going to sit by passively hoping this situation works itself out on it's own. The fulfillment center that Rhino used for this release has been less that satisfactory for quite a few of us that ordered the bundle. I will keep trying to contact Rhino to let them know that receiving on 2 of the 4 discs (shipped separately) is not acceptable, with no information AT ALL about the status of the other 2 discs. I have not been mean in my messages, but have been firm that what has happened so far has been rather unacceptable. I really wish they were more transparent about what is actually going on.

 

[Bill Houston]

As always...you have provided the necessary insight into the situation...I think a lot of us don't really appreciate the uphill battle it was for Foraging Rhino to get these titles approved and to the market place...surround music has always been a niche segment of the music industry....and now physical discs are becoming the same thing...so going to your boss and trying to convince him to sign off on a project comprised of a failed(commercially)format(Quad)from the 70's...and a very small segment of the music industry(surround music) on a dwindling delivery system(physical discs)...IMO an uphill battle that he won!

What bothers me is members complaining to Steve for the distribution problems....that is like someone who has a defective part on his Ford emailing the CEO of Ford Motor Company to complain....Rhino is a good and RELIABLE company....they have a track record...if improvements are needed...address them with Rhino...
Speaking of problems with the release....a lot of what I read on here isn't a REAL problem YET....a lot of the complaints are things like "not knowing where my order is RIGHT NOW"....or complaining about dividing up the shipment....and of course the ultimate whine concerns notification....we have become so "entitled" with shipping notices and tracking we have become high maintenance customers...I understand the anticipation of getting these titles...but it hasn't been that long since we placed our orders...

If you have damaged discs or other "real" problems I'm sure that Rhino(not Foraging Rhino)will take care of this problem....and for those that think everything should have been perfect with this distribution....my experience with both Amazons...importcds...bullmoose...DeepDiscount...Music Direct...and even CDJapan....at one time I've had issues with all of them...if you buy very often...you could have issues...that is just where we are now...like Quad Linda said...that is the 21 Century music situation...

Well said. Too much talk on here about shipping notifications (how about we have ONE post that discs are now shipping and people could "like" that post?), where their discs are at in the shipping process (exciting for you, but not for the QQ reader), if there are cracks in their jewel cases (email Rhino). I get some of you are building anticipation, but post after post of it...I'm also not saying that all of these topics are frivolous (well, the first two are, sorry) and not nearly enough talk about:
1. Sonics
2. Mix
3. Packaging/Bonus Material
4. Suggestions for the next wave of releases

I've been a surround guy since DVD-A and SACD came out in the early 2000's. There have not been this many releases in years. Also, none of these titles are dynamically compressed, some lossy Dolby atrocity, or fake surround ("big stereo"). I've only listened to Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper (need to do a comparison with the DVD-A for fun). The Sabbath exceeded my expectations with the creativity in the mix and sonics. Also, these discs are reasonably priced. No CDJapan price-gouging!

Rhino hit this one out of the park...and now there's news there will be a second wave of releases-exciting! Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic? With Quadio and Atmos the future in surround is looking bright.

 

[n8nagel]

and now there's news there will be a second wave of releases-exciting! Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic? With Quadio and Atmos the future in surround is looking bright.

I'd be down for that, or really, any of their albums up to and including "Rocks".

 

[sjcorne]

I'd be down for that, or really, any of their albums up to and including "Rocks".

Aerosmith catalog was formerly Sony, Universal has it now.

 

[n8nagel]

Aerosmith catalog was formerly Sony, Universal has it now.

Please tell me the master tapes still exist...?

 

[GilWave]

we have become so "entitled" with shipping notices and tracking we have become high maintenance customers...I understand the anticipation of getting these titles...but it hasn't been that long since we placed our orders...

...that is the 21 Century music situation...

Sorry Clint, I don't subscribe to that narrative.

Customers are 'entitled' to customer service. For all the points you raise about physical media, dwindling sales, etc - that's all the more reason to provide premium customer service, since we are purchasing a premium product. CDs are $9.99 to $11.99 - how many people buy 4 CDs at once? These Quadaudio BluRays were $24.98 each. Rhino teased the release here and set our anticipation levels high to build demand and thus, sales. We had to wait over a month to find out what they were actually offering.

We live in an 'instant-on' society now, where TV Series are released in their entirety so they can be binge-watched on our schedule. Amazon has set the speed of business as 'everything in stock with two-day delivery', free shipping for Prime members. Waiting for anything these days is anathema.

The end-user customer experience starts with the packaging. Steve Jobs knew this and spent a ton of resources on cool, smart and efficient packaging. Granted, that's for high-ticket electronics but even their $19.99 accessories are packaged smartly and with great care.

In the 21st Century, great strides have been made in fulfillment services, automated electronic notifications (at every step of the shopping experience), packaging and delivery.

To pay a premium for premium content, we are happy (or willing) to do - but shouldn't the packaging denote the same premium experience as the content? What would it cost Rhino and their fulfillment house to double-box the 3 or 4 pack BluRays, or at the very least, wrap them in Kraft paper or bubble-wrap first.

It's like - first, they tease us and make us guess what the releases are. QQ racked up what, over two thousand comments on this thread before the release? Then we get doled out pixelated JPEGS and the guessing game goes up a notch. So anticipation is high, demand is pent up, the Quaddios are released and many of us jump right in and buy them - I would venture that most of us bought the entire set of 4.

Excitement builds along with the anticipation, while we wait for a shipment notice/acknowledgement that a good number of us never got.
Then the discs start showing up, and the excitement is at a fever pitch as we open them in order to finally experience and listen to them only to have that excitement and enthusiasm dampened by cracked and broken jewel cases. In 2023!!

It is easier and ultimately cheaper to provide better packaging to ensure the goods arrive in premium, pristine condition, whereby the only comments would be how great they sounded, how much we like the mixes, etc - instead of the first impression to be that someone made the decision to put customer satisfaction second to a desire to keep costs down to maximize profit.

Except, it costs more money to smooth over upset customers and replace damaged cases, than to just provide the proper packaging in the first place.
We deserve better in this 21st Century music situation.