Complaint Review: TheDVDPlanet - UNIVERSAL GIFT VENTURES MISSISSAUGA - Toronto Ontario

Now I just feel silly...here I am trying to let everyone know that maybe they will get their items after all (naively believing that maybe it really does have to do with computer problems and slow Holiday shipping). And when I finally sat down to actually watch the DVDs that I received from DVDCollections.tv, I find that they ARE in fact bootlegged copies. Looks like some were taped off of TBS and some from NBC. I will be contacting my credit card company since I know there is no way I will get a response from Universal Gift Ventures. These websites really need to be shut down for good!

Now I just feel silly...here I am trying to let everyone know that maybe they will get their items after all (naively believing that maybe it really does have to do with computer problems and slow Holiday shipping). And when I finally sat down to actually watch the DVDs that I received from DVDCollections.tv, I find that they ARE in fact bootlegged copies. Looks like some were taped off of TBS and some from NBC. I will be contacting my credit card company since I know there is no way I will get a response from Universal Gift Ventures. These websites really need to be shut down for good!

Now I just feel silly...here I am trying to let everyone know that maybe they will get their items after all (naively believing that maybe it really does have to do with computer problems and slow Holiday shipping). And when I finally sat down to actually watch the DVDs that I received from DVDCollections.tv, I find that they ARE in fact bootlegged copies. Looks like some were taped off of TBS and some from NBC. I will be contacting my credit card company since I know there is no way I will get a response from Universal Gift Ventures. These websites really need to be shut down for good!

I worked for owner Paul Jacobs at TheDvdPlanet.org and realized that they do not in fact intend to or do ship merchandise to anyone. He put his investment into creating a website that LOOKED legitimate. His girlfriend answers the "emails" and they have a set number of generic responses to all questions from consumers. The 100% satisfaction guarantee was NEVER HONORED. He kept all the money and paud us hourly (no benefits). Come to find the owner has been in trouble before. I quit after realizing that they were pretending to sell but just kept the money. If you are concerned, contact the Ontario Police Department and the Better Business Bureau of Canada and urge them to begin an investigation. Check this post area to see where you can call. If anyone gets any names or phone numbers or email addresses of the appropriate CANADIAN AUTHORITIES, POST IT HERE SO THE HUNDREDS OF AMERICANS WHO ARE BEING RIPPED OFF BY THEDVDPLANET.ORG CAN FILE OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS. I am also pursuing my own reports to the Canadian government. Thank goodness for websites like this one that help people who have been cheated a chance to communicate our experiences and the truth. THEDVDPLANET.ORG should not be allowed to steal people's money especially during Christmas when many of the orders came in. Another user of Ripoffreport.com shared the following: I actually have an address which seems to be one consistent over a couple of years for this company - listed as 250 East Mall - Suite 1248 - Toronto - at Canadian Postal Code LIM2R4. Also several contact numbers now. I am sure that owner 'Paul Jacobs' doesn't really care about copyright - as long as those of us willing to spend the time to make his life uncomfortable just go away. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I would call my credit card company and explain that the product received was ILLEGAL (copyrighted) and that you want a full refund (charge back.) Explain to your CC company that you had no idea that this was bootleg product, that you thought you were purchasing legitimate products. This type of bootleg copyrighted product is ILLEGAL in Canada and the US. Also ask them who else you should report the bootleggers to and explain that you have the product in your posession and you'll be glad to make the product available to any law enforcement agency as EVIDENCE. That should get you your money back and it will alert your CC company to their illegal games. Be prepared to turn the DVDs over to law enforcement is asked. Good luck.

Interesting - I actually have an address which seems to be one consistent over a couple of years for this company - listed as 250 East Mall - Suite 1248 - Toronto - at Canadian Postal Code LIM2R4. Also several contact numbers now. I am sure that owner "Paul Jacobs" doesn't really care about copyright - as long as those of us willing to spend the time to make his life uncomfortable just go away. I'll let you know how it turns out.

My sincere apologies to any "Universal Ventures Limited" that might exist. The cut and paste didn't seem to work correctly. Very Sorry. I should have typed UNIVERSAL GIFT VENTURES

It violates both US and Canadian copyright laws. Further it violates IMPORT laws of both nations. I would suggest you report the matter to Canadian authorities, perhaps the Ontario Provincial Police or the RCMP. Oh, they have a third site: www.dvdway.net it's the same outfit Universal Ventures Limited (their billing company this month.) In a few months, these sights will be gone, just like TVBOXSET.COM and new websites, hosting services and billing companies will be doing the exact same "business." I'm still waiting for this "paul" jacob to explain that one. These companies move around very quickly. They change their company names, websites, and hosting companies to keep one step ahead of customer complaints and law enforcement. There is a reason that they don't want their customers to know what legal jurisdiction they are in. At least SOME customers have actually received product, illegal product, but product nonetheless.

After reporting this outfit on the Ripoff Report, The Better Business Bureau of Mid-Western and Central Ontario, filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and contacting TrustWave (Visa secure transaction certification provider) - I heard from yet another "manager" at theDVDPlanet.org via telephone call to my home, and ultimately got my money back via a Canadian Postal Money Order - and miraculously - my DVD's arrived - too little to late. The specific product purchased was a Collectors set of the Carol Burnett Show - from all 11 seasons. It appears to be a recording from TVLAND's rebroadcast of the original shows with labelmaker quality stick-on CD labels. Especially since all episodes I've reviewed so far carry the TVLAND logo in the bottom right! Amazing. I haven't seen any commercials yet - but I still have 7 discs to review. I can't wait. So does this product violate federal copyright laws?

I have seen other reports that the DVDs are taped off the TV and have commercials. Did you view them yet?

I was reading your report yesterday and couldn't believe it. It was like you were writing about my experience with this very same company. Although I ordered under a different website (dvdcollections.tv), the charge on my credit card was by Universal Gift Ventures. I ordered a DVD set on 11/8/07 (my credit card was billed right away) and got a tracking number that didn't track beyond the Canadian postal service. Then, after a couple of weeks, I was notified that it was delivered to the wrong address and would be reshipped express. However, they wouldn't be able to give me a tracking number because they were having computer problems and needed to ship it manually. They said it was reshipped on 11/30/07 and I was given a delivery date of 12/6 - 12/8. When it didn't arrive by 12/14, I emailed (the only way to contact them because there is no address or phone # on the website) and was told it was on its way, but delayed a bit by the busy holiday shipping season. I was offered a coupon for future use as a consolation. At this point I began to suspect that I would never receive the item, so I googled Universal Gift Venture and found identical reports as mine on this website. Preparing myself for the worst, I emailed them to let them know I wanted a refund or I would report the charge as fraudulent (this was yesterday afternoon). When I got home last night the DVD set was in my mailbox. And the ship date on it was 11/30 (just as they had said). I was shocked, because I was as sure as you are that I had just been scammed. Obviously I can't make any promises, but I just wanted to share my experience with you to let you know that in my case it was NOT A RIP OFF. Granted, I had to wait almost 6 weeks to get my item, but in the end I did infact get it. Hopefully, you will have the same experience and receive your item(s) shortly.

dvdcollections.tv and tvboxset.com for us. thanks

Domain ID:D148923449-LROR Domain Name:THEDVDPLANET.ORG Created On:21-Aug-2007 13:28:07 UTC Last Updated On:29-Oct-2007 10:26:58 UTC Expiration Date:21-Aug-2009 13:28:07 UTC Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, Inc. (R91-LROR)

Dear Customer and Readers, My name is Paul Jacob and I am the Owner/President of TheDVDPlanet.org I am responding to the many issues/complaints we have received on behalf of ALL of the Management and Employees here at TheDVDPlanet.org It has come to our attention that there have been several complaints regarding a couple important issues (I will cover these issues in Detail below). First of all, let me clearly state that we have been in business for over 5 years and have received and fulfilled over 120,000 orders since 2002. We are in NO regard a "scam" or "fraudulent" company and 99% of our customers receive their order ON TIME and are happy with the DVD's. However, as in all business, you simply cannot please EVERYONE. (Even though all 23 employees here at TheDVDPlanet.org give 110% effort and do their very best to make sure 100% of our customers are completely satisfied) Please keep in mind we are a very large volume company with a huge customer base and turnover. We ship over 500 orders/packages per day (4000 orders per week), and with this type of volume there will occasionally be: a) lost, delayed or late orders b) communication/contact issues and delays We ask ALL customers to be patient with us, ESPECIALLY during the Holiday Seasons. Your order is in Good hands, WILL be processed and shipped and WILL arrive at your location. And if during this ENTIRE PROCESS you are not 100% satisfied with the Service you have received from TheDVDPlanet.org, we are always more then happy to provide you with a FULL REFUND of your order. Our business has always been based on Customer Service and we truly do our best to keep the customer happy...even though it is difficult to do this 100% of the time. We simply ask that you do not assume the worst and give us a chance to rectify any problems or issues you may have. I am personally sure that if you give us a chance, you will end up satisfied with your experience. Thank you for your time, cooperation and continued patronage. We are definitely not perfect however we will ALWAYS strive to go the extra mile, learn from our mistakes, and provide the customer with a better experience. Warmest Regards and Happy Holidays, Paul Jacob Owner/President TheDVDPlanet.org [email protected] 24/7 Customer Service - [email protected] Now, let me please cover and address the main concerns we have received in detail: ISSUE #1 - LATE/LOST/DELAYED ORDERS This seems to be the main issue and cause for MOST concern. As stated earlier, when shipping over 4000 packages per WEEK, there will always been issues with packages being lost/delayed or late. Especially when each package is shipped from our Toronto,Canada warehouse and must clear USA Customs to reach our USA customers. (and as I am sure everyone is aware of, USA Customs has increased/changed their regulations and inspection policies since 9/11 and delays/issues are quite common) This is why we do our best to communicate with our customers and inform them of all the specific shipping dates and issues AS SOON as an order is placed. We provide all customers with DATES their order will be shipped and TRACKING #'s once their order is shipped. Yes, sometimes the tracking system is not the most accurate or speedy (due to the fact Canadapost drops the packages off with USPS (Post Office) when the parcel arrives in the USA) However, we are always available via email or the CONTACT US form on our website. Please also keep in mind of one VERY IMPORTANT fact and policy of TheDVDPlanet.org.... If your order is late or does not arrive on time, we are more then happy to RESHIP a second package (via EXPRESSPOST) FREE of charge OR Provide you with a FULL refund of your order. Even though we cannot always guarantee the Canadapost/USPS Postal System or Customs Inspectors, we always back our Shipping Guarantees and if for ANY reason the order does not arrive on time, the RESHIPMENT or REFUND is available to the customer. ISSUE #2 - EMAIL ISSUES/DELAYS There also seem to be several customers that have trouble contacting us via email or receiving responses from us. Please keep in mind we have dedicated staff answering OVER 2200 emails PER DAY from our customer service center in Toronto, Canada. There are 2 main causes for email issues: 1. Our emails go to your SPAM/BULK Mail folders - ALL emails are responded to within 12-24 hours. We actually have 6 FULL time Customer Service staff that simply sit and answer emails all day. Therefore, your emails are ALL received and responded to. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please check your BULK or SPAM mail folders. 95% of the time, our response will be sitting there. 2. Emails Blocked by your ISP - Many times, your local Internet Provider will have their own SPAM filters that block emails from arriving in your Inbox. This also causes some of our automatic ORDER CONFIRMATION emails and SHIPPING emails to be blocked. Therefore, if you do not receive a CONFIRMATION email or SHIPPING CONFIRMATION email, please be patient and email us and we can manually re-email those Automatic Order Confirmation emails. Once again, we ask customer be patient and not immediately assume the worst. We have successfully answered over 2.6 MILLION emails in the past 5 years and can assure you someone is always here reviewing and responding to your emails. ISSUE #3 - NO TELEPHONE #/TELEPHONE SUPPORT One question we get quite often is regarding a Telephone # and why we do not have an accessible Telephone #. Even though this may not be very convenient to our customers, our response is very simple: When we started this company in 2002, we received 2-3 orders per day and had a 1-800# available for customer questions and inquiries. However, as we grew and expanded, it simply became too difficult to hire enough staff and provide enough 800#'s to support the call volume. At one point in 2004, we actually were receiving over 5 Telephone Calls PER MINUTE from our customers. It simply came to a point where we were unable to answer our customer phone calls effectively (customers were put on hold for 10-15 minutes). This caused a huge amount of upset and frustrated customers. At that point in the business, we decided to go to an EMAIL SUPPORT SYSTEM (which nearly ALL of the Major Online Retailers use) which allowed us to answer emails quickly & efficiently and serve our customers better. We understand some customers prefer to make contact via the Telephone and feel that this provides them with a quicker/more effective response...however in our case and factoring in the volume of customers/potential calls, you will ACTUALLY receive a much more detailed and effective response via our EMAIL SUPPORT SYSTEM. One final note... After being in business for over 5 years, shipping and fulfilling over 120,000 orders, answering 2.6 Million emails, and issuing over 1900 refunds (to cover damaged, lost, delayed or any other issues with orders) we have really seen it all. We continue to grow and provide the customer with a more effective and more satisfying experience....even though there are some issues occasionally. We are here to serve our customers and regardless of what the small percentage of customers may try to communicate, we will continue to operate our business with the customer in mind and do everything we can to satisfy 100% of our DVD Customers. Thank you ONCE AGAIN for your time during this Holiday Season and we look forward to another 5 years of shipping you your favorite DVD Collections. Merry Christmas from the entire Staff at TheDVDPlanet.org