Mr Feedback

There is so much talk about Hollywood and cinema companies being greedy, and wanting to make more money. Most of this is related to the illegal downloading of their movies, months before their release. I guess they have a point. However there is tremendous opportunity to exploit file sharing networks to generate publicity about a movie, particularly for low budget film makers. Similarly, the music industry has its gripes, but here’s an interesting article about it.

I was hoping to catch the new movie Iron Man, at the Century City Village Cinemas, near The Glen Shopping Centre. Everything was going well, until the car I borrowed broke down en route. This was on a Sunday, so there was no hope of getting it fixed quickly.

So I rang up Village customer service, and explained my situation. In fact, in the haste, I also emailed them to see if they respond quickly. The lady in customer service said, if I presented myself within 30 minutes of the movie starting, then they can initiate an immediate refund onto my credit card (since I bought it online).

First of all, I think it’s a bit silly to ask someone to physically present for an immediate refund. If someone’s car broke down, then obviously transportation is a problem. Anyway, I borrowed another car and the manager was more than happy to refund the money. That was kind of surprising to me. I was expecting a verbal onslaught, and requests to document my experience so their “finance department” can assess my situation. It was pretty easy (although I still haven’t received the refund on my CC, but I hear it can take up to a week). If I had not gone within 30 minutes, then all “sorts of paperwork” will required to be filled before I see any dime.

The service
The telephone service was prompt (waited about 1 minute on hold), and the desk service was alright. But, no one at the desk really knew what to do until the manager rocked up. Fair enough, not many people get refunds from movie tickets. From their perspective, a refund need not have been given. It wasn’t their car that broke down, so I appreciate their efforts to satisfy their customers. When I came back home, I even got a reply to the email I had sent. Wow!!

Inside tips
* Purchasing tickets is so much easier online, and you don’t wait in line.
* You need access to a printer
* You can select the seats in some cinemas when you make an online booking.

Suggestions
* When someone asks for a refund, then obviously they cannot make it to the movie nor the premises. So asking someone to present physically within 30 minutes for a refund, otherwise condemning them to fill out paperwork is not the most efficient way of handling it. Refunds can easily be handled via the phone, or even online.
* I was told tickets may not be transferred to another session. Why not? I could have easily seen the movie on another day, at another time. This should be allowed, because you will maintain your customers. Now, once I get my refund, potentially I could not watch the movie at all (although I will be going next weekend).

Rating - 8/10 (annoying rules, but thanks for the refund)
I hope to see the movie this weekend. Heard lots of good comments. Don’t ruin it for me.

Gold Class
I am looking for Village Cinemas Gold Class service reviews from people who have used this service before. Contact me.

If you haven’t been to the Eureka Skydeck / The Edge, and you live in Melbourne - get your clothes on, and go now! (notice I just assumed you were naked). It produces one of the most spectacular views you will ever see of Melbourne. If you are visiting Melbourne - I cannot see why you wouldn’t want to visit Eureka Skydeck. They currently have a Mothers Day Special!

I visited it at night time to get the glimmering view, and to get the best experience - choose a day with clear skies. If you go around 9pm, you can get an aerial view of Crown’s fire display.

The ad
Here is the ad for the sky deck on YouTube.

The view
The view is awe inspiring from the sky deck, but The Edge is something you have to experience. 360 degree views of Melbourne, and you are standing in “mid-air” 300 metres above the streets of Melbourne. I won’t ruin the experience for you by describing what actually happens, but it is something you will not forget for a long time. Similarly, The Grand Canyon has similar experience in the United States (but at much higher heights) - but the view there is of baron land.

The window walls are great, if want to lie across them while your loved one takes a quick snap spot before you “hear the cracks” of the window.

Let’s face it, Melbourne is the best city in the world - even if Vancouver won it last year! (just thought I might chuck that statement in, LOL!)

The value
The prices are reasonable, but I think having two prices for the Sky deck and The Edge is a bit annoying. You want to go into something expecting to experience the whole deal, so it would be advantageous to have one price for the whole experience rather than different ones.

The service
The whole process was streamlined, and there weren’t many people when I went - which made that much more personal. The lady in charge of The Edge must have thought I was such a wuss. She was really supportive, and talked me through the whole thing without giving away any surprises. Still, I ended up standing on the “solid” linings in between the glass panels for “extra security” as dumb as that sounds.

I purchased a souvenir photo of the experience. Everyone gets a photo, and if you like how it turns out - you can buy it. Until then, it is displayed on the large plasma at the main counter.

Inside tips
* I think it’s better at night than during the day.
* Friday or Saturday night is the best, because of more activity in the city - therefore more to see. If you can go during a MCG game, I imagine it will be much better.

Suggestions
* Have just one price structure, rather than a split pricing structure. Makes things easier.

Rating - 9/10 (sorry, I think it should be one price rather than two)
I think it was totally worth it. Total entrance cost per person: $16.50 + $12.00 = $28.50.