Ingram's Winner's program

[direct007]

Does anyone subscribe to Ingram's Winner's program?

They basically pick a handful of "b" titles/art movies/documentaries that seem to be highly rated and if you buy enough, they give you a small discount.

I was more concerned with the titles, do they rent well? What is your experience?

[Anonymous]

I will never do business with ingram again.
over 2 years ago I was doing a program with them on VHS, sent payment every month as the bill came in, one month a credit rep called on a Monday and wanting to know if I had sent payment yet, I told her yes, gave her the check number, the amount, and the date I sent it was 2 weeks before, that following week when my movies were to show up, UPS stopped by and dropped off a poster pack but no movies, so I called and was told that my orders were on hold until payment was received.
now I'm having a cow, no new movies on VHS and I can only get a few DVD's from Walmart.
wrote another check that was well over $5000.00 for the month of movies, sent it fed ex over night, went to the bank to cancel the first check and I was told that it was already deposited and the bank had it, the date on the check from their deposit was 4 days before the phone call.
now I'm back on the phone talking to the credit rep and she tells me that my account is not showing any payment at all, now it is back to the bank, got a copy of both sides of the check and faxed it to them, called her again to make sure she got the fax, she said it will be looked in too and that I should get a call back tonight or tomorrow morning.
next day, Tuesday morning no call 2 hours before store opens, I'm off to Walmart, picked up want I can and started working on the movies to get them ready to rent out, by 6 PM that day
I get a call, it is the credit rep thanking me for a prompt fast payment, I said good you confirmed when you deposited my first check sent, I was told no fed ex just dropped it off.
my order will now be released and sent to me, so I asked about the first check again, I was asked to hold on she was going to ask who ever was investigating it, 10 minutes later she gets on the phone and tells me that it was a mistake, they found it and that they were sorry for all the inconvenience, I said well sense you found it, and the error was on your end how about sending me back my check and reimburse me for the cost of fed ex,
I was told that the second check was already on it's way to accounting and will be apart of tomorrow mornings deposit, if it will make me happy I now have over $5000.00 of credit with ingram entertainment, this is when you could hear me scream at the top of my lungs.
after this every order that showed up from advanced orders was refused, every day I called and asked if my check had been sent yet, they don't give refunds, they only offer credit,
after one week I was doing business with VPD and movies were showing up,
 3 weeks later I had to hire a lawyer, it took over 4 months just to get my money back.
my lawyer said they sounded like a broken record, quoting company policy and they don't give refunds only account credit. it took him flying to Tennessee, filling the stuff needed for a court case, and having them served to cut me a check.

i feel a little better now blowing off some steam, sorry for bitiching.

[Ed]

Years ago, I too had a finicial problem with Ingram, thier accounting department must still be among one of the worst in any business.

I paid my invoices monthly, upon receipt of the invoice, never had a problem.  I got a letter in the mail stating that I owed Ingram a couple of hundred dollars from an invoice over a year old.  I looked through my books and could find no invoice for that amount or date.  Called and told them my findings but they sprouted the line "I have no idea what thet invoice was for but you owe for it". ??

Would anyone on this site pay for an invoice that they can't explain or produce....me neither

This went on for about six months before I was finally shown an invoice and the explanation of the events.

Seemed that Ingram billed another customer, COULD HAVE BEEN YOU,  for MY invoice AND that customer paid for it...even with the name of my store across the top???    Then someone opened their eyes and decided that a mistake had been made, Ingram or the other store, I don't know. But now Ingram wanted me to make it right and they expected me to do it without proof.  

I eventually was sent the documentation and paid the amount owed, but it made me switch my orders to a distributor with a more responsible accounting department.  I may play free and loose with my money but I won't let you do the same.

[rufusjack]

This is a good example of any business's eternal problem:  Unhappy customers relate bad experiences at a much higher rate that happy customers.

I have nothing but great things to say about Ingram.  In the end it matters who your inside sales rep is.  Mine is top notch (salesperson of the year last year and regional rep of the year this year and in 2003 I believe.)  A good rep makes all of the difference in the world.

Now to get back to the original question:

I find the winner's program titles to be very good for the rental business.  I do not do it for any discount as the amount of discount is not that signnificant.  It actually can't be b/c of the thin margins Ingram has.

[rjsnyder1@verizon.net]

guys I have to tell you that VPD is the way to go for cust service.  Call Dennis at 1 800 366 2111 and tell him Joe from IL sent you.  VPD doesnt ever bother you with bills or anything, I pay when I want to, I was behind 4000. they fired me off an email asking me if I had sent a payment thats all, never hold up orders or anything, I always just make payments whenever.  They are great about it.  I was told though to just never bounce a check and I would never have any problems, they even offered my 30 day terms or credit.  

Joe from IL

[rjsnyder1@verizon.net]

Update, Dennis retired.  I now work with Mike Sarsfield.  VPD is easy to get along with.  I have never had them give me a problem at all with my bill, I pay when I get to it.  I am working with vpd at this time to try and set up a sales account witch I will run as a sales rep.  I think I can get some of you a pretty good % discount on all orders.  If anyone is interested let me use that as leverage to get this started by sending an email with your interest at rjsnyder1@verizon.net.  This could be a great opp if you have never tried vpd before.  They are a very customer oriented company, the latest I can get you set up with an email system that is sent to your customers by vpd telling them the new releases out this week, only the ones you ordered ! and this is free !

Joe

[nerothehero]

wow, looks like joe is branching out a lot.