Stock and Season 14

Before I start, I want to say this post is not a dig or criticism aimed at BBC Studios or everyone who works on the Blu-Ray range.  The Blu-Ray range is fabulous and in my mind is the best Doctor Who product range of all time.  The love and care that goes into these releases is unparalleled.  No other TV series or franchise gets given this much love with its physical media releases.

Season 14 has become the first set to sell out in the UK before the release date.  In some ways this is fantastic news.  It shows how successful the range is and perhaps will give the BBC confidence in them going on recording new material for future sets.  However, this has left some people (including some of those who pre-ordered with reputable retailers months ago) unable to get hold of a set because retailers were unable to fulfil the demand.

Of course, there is a global pandemic at the moment.  As a result, businesses are often running with fewer staff to maintain social distancing and are perhaps finding themselves outstretched by demand for online orders due to the closure of physical shops.  Even the Royal Mail postal system is affected by the outbreak. 

 

It could be entirely possible that there are more Season 14 sets being manufactured to try and keep up with demand.  Maybe due to the pandemic 90% of orders were able to be fulfilled and the other 10% are coming later?  The truth is no one really knows what is going on.

I would hazard a guess that the Tom Baker sets (particularly those in the Philip Hinchcliffe era) will end up being the best-selling box sets of the entire range.  It is an era of the show that is so highly regarded by many with arguably the most popular Doctor-Companion combo of all time.  If some of the lesser liked seasons can end up selling out quickly, what chance do the popular ones have?

Another factor that might have pushed up demand for this set is the change in packaging from Season 18 onwards in Region 4.  Season 12 and 19 were originally released in Australia and New Zealand in identical packaging as the UK releases, so much so when Season 12 sold out in the UK many shipped over this release to fill the gap in their collection.  However, since Season 18 came out last year the Region 4 releases have used a cheaper, digipack style packaging which does not match the first two releases.  Many customers have now understandably opted to import the UK releases to have a nicer design on their shelves, leaving fewer sets available to the UK market.

Region 4 packaging of The Collection.  Photo © @TrundleWho on Twitter

Region 4 packaging of The Collection.  Photo © @TrundleWho on Twitter

There are some reports that retailers did receive the stock they ordered and that if customers’ orders could not be fulfilled then it is the retailers’ fault rather than BBC Studios.  Retailers need to make sure they have enough stock to meet demand.  If this is the case, then they should take some of the blame for the current stock situation.  It is not as though with Season 14 customers can just jump ship and order it with another company once their order is cancelled.  I do have some sympathies with retailers as I imagine many companies must find it difficult to adjust their practises to meet one product with such high demand.

Because of the high demand I have seen cases of people ordering more than one set for themselves.  Sometimes this is because they are worried of being let down by retailers, so they order two to make sure they get it.  Sometimes because they are worried one copy might end up arriving damaged and they cannot arrange a replacement.  Or sometimes people order these sets with the idea of making a profit by selling them on EBay. Whilst some good-natured fans do offer their second sets to another fan who have missed out, normally at the price they paid for the set.  If everyone ended up ordering two it takes away from the availability of the set for others, particularly those who are not on social media or frequent the forums.

In terms of selling The Collection online, it can be quite a money spinner.  As I type I can see copies of Season 14 going from around £90 – £115 new, at the lowest price that’s £50 profit just a week after the release.  Because there is currently no stock available at a reasonable price online, some fans have resorted to paying over the top to make sure they have release and do not miss out.  But this in turn causes genuine fans to miss out and it encourages scalpers to order copies to sell them for a large profit.  It is something that should not be encouraged. 

I personally believe BBC Studios need to review how limited edition these sets are and how they are distributed.  It is becoming stressful for customers to get hold of at an affordable price.  It should not be stressful.  I should be able to go onto Amazon, Zoom, Zavvi, HMV or another retailer, pre-order the set, have it arrive before or around release day and then if there is a problem they have enough stock to replace the product or if they do have to cancel it, I can order through another retailer for at least couple of weeks.   I have read cases of people who love The Collection but are giving up on the range because they are finding it too difficult to complete if they cannot afford or can find a box set on release day or before.

This is a deep shame.  Owning your favourite TV show in the best possible medium should be relatively straight forward.  The idea of The Collection is of completion.  If you cannot get all 26 (or 27 ;) then there will be an odd gap on your shelf.  

If the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on the distribution of Season 14 then BBC Studios should release a statement explaining more stock will become available.  Keeping customers informed what is going on is key as I am sure the BBC Enquiry Line has been inundated with emails from frustrated fans.

I do hope changes are made in the future.  Perhaps it might be worth considering holding off the release of next set until things are closer to normal so it can be fairly assessed as to what is going on.