does anyone use Collage Video any more? - Page 2

Eibhinn · 01-06-17, 10:01 AM

I only ordered from Collage a few times before they changed hands - it was only toward the very end that shipping to Canada was low enough that I could justify it to myself. I was glad when they finally dropped their very high shipping costs because I used their website a lot, and wanted to patronize them, but just couldn't afford to.

The new Collage just isn't the same. I was hopeful they would have the same level of information to help make informed purchases, but they don't. Some of it migrated, but I found that whenever they have an interesting off-the-beaten-path workout that I'm interested in, there is never a clip for it. And I just won't buy something without seeing a clip for it anymore - there is no reason for doing so. But also, with the increased USPS international costs, their shipping to Canada is once again very high, although I understand it reflects actual costs.

But my lack of patronage of Collage is in part reflective of my workout purchasing more generally. Since US shipping costs went up (a lot), my purchases have plummeted. That's including buying from Mary, although I do still get things from her. At the same time, almost everyone seems to be getting out of using concrete media like DVDs, and switching to streaming. As a result, there are fewer new releases and - more importantly - I've found thrift stores to be increasingly loaded with discarded fitness videos. It used to be I could only find junk, and now I've been finding interesting releases I've been curious about for years. So these days my purchases are almost entirely second-hand.

muggle · 01-06-17, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

I shop around and they never seem to have the products I want, or the best price. At some point I gave up including them in my searches.

Ditto!!

marki64 · 01-06-17, 01:05 PM

I don't order many dvds, but I haven't had problems with them at all and sometimes their prices are better. I miss the old Collage, but it is what it is. Just glad you can still purchase dvds.

Jennifer P. · 01-06-17, 05:35 PM

I only order from Mary now, unless I can't find what I want at her site. Then, I get it from Amazon or Ebay. I tried placing an order with the new Collage when they had a "scratch & dent" sale a few years ago, & a few days later they cancelled my order saying they didn't have the items. When I placed the order, I noticed I was charged shipping even though I ordered 2 items. I called to ask about the cancellation & being charged for shipping, & the woman I talked with was very abrupt with me about the order being cancelled & didn't pay attention to me when I said I was charged shipping even though I ordered 2 items. She just said shipping was free when you ordered 2 items. I was glad my order got cancelled. A little later on, I ended up getting the items I wanted from Mary for the same price or lower--& for brand new items, not "scratch & dent."

I really loved the old Collage. I had been a customer since 1988. Their catalogs were the bomb. Even though I'm finding their time graphs weren't always accurate, I love the fact that they put forth the effort into that aspect of workout videos, along with the detailed descriptions. Their representatives (at least in the old days) were very helpful & informative. All that saved me from buying stuff I would have not been interested in at all. I do miss them, but Mary is pretty good in her own right.

Softshoe · 01-07-17, 12:36 AM

I buy from Mary. I like her sales. They come so quick. Never a problem.

I do miss the old Collage Video.

Terri1222 · 01-07-17, 10:40 AM

I remember getting so excited whenever I used to get their catalogue in the mail!!! (or am I dating myself here? LOL)

Terri

Carol K · 01-07-17, 11:11 AM

Yes, and me too.

Fitstick · 01-07-17, 02:21 PM

I don't like the website design, it takes forever to load on my iPad and doesn't seem as informative as the old site (which used to really tell you what level etc). They do have good sales but I use Mary most of the time now.

Karen Beckwith · 01-07-17, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri1222

I remember getting so excited whenever I used to get their catalogue in the mail!!! (or am I dating myself here? LOL)

Terri

Me too! (I am old so not too worried about dating myself

)

Joni O · 01-07-17, 04:24 PM

I follow Collage on Facebook, but I can't even remember the last time I bought from them. I used to like driving down the highway to pick up my workouts from them. I buy from Mary, unless it's from Jessica on Amazon or Ellen/Classical Stretch direct.

I remember going to the new site once and being unable to find the clips. I never went back.

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01-06-17, 10:01 AM
Eibhinn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlantic Canada	I only ordered from Collage a few times before they changed hands - it was only toward the very end that shipping to Canada was low enough that I could justify it to myself. I was glad when they finally dropped their very high shipping costs because I used their website a lot, and wanted to patronize them, but just couldn't afford to. The new Collage just isn't the same. I was hopeful they would have the same level of information to help make informed purchases, but they don't. Some of it migrated, but I found that whenever they have an interesting off-the-beaten-path workout that I'm interested in, there is never a clip for it. And I just won't buy something without seeing a clip for it anymore - there is no reason for doing so. But also, with the increased USPS international costs, their shipping to Canada is once again very high, although I understand it reflects actual costs. But my lack of patronage of Collage is in part reflective of my workout purchasing more generally. Since US shipping costs went up (a lot), my purchases have plummeted. That's including buying from Mary, although I do still get things from her. At the same time, almost everyone seems to be getting out of using concrete media like DVDs, and switching to streaming. As a result, there are fewer new releases and - more importantly - I've found thrift stores to be increasingly loaded with discarded fitness videos. It used to be I could only find junk, and now I've been finding interesting releases I've been curious about for years. So these days my purchases are almost entirely second-hand.

01-06-17, 01:05 PM
marki64 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Wisconsin	I don't order many dvds, but I haven't had problems with them at all and sometimes their prices are better. I miss the old Collage, but it is what it is. Just glad you can still purchase dvds.

01-06-17, 05:35 PM
Jennifer P. VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Va. Beach, VA	I only order from Mary now, unless I can't find what I want at her site. Then, I get it from Amazon or Ebay. I tried placing an order with the new Collage when they had a "scratch & dent" sale a few years ago, & a few days later they cancelled my order saying they didn't have the items. When I placed the order, I noticed I was charged shipping even though I ordered 2 items. I called to ask about the cancellation & being charged for shipping, & the woman I talked with was very abrupt with me about the order being cancelled & didn't pay attention to me when I said I was charged shipping even though I ordered 2 items. She just said shipping was free when you ordered 2 items. I was glad my order got cancelled. A little later on, I ended up getting the items I wanted from Mary for the same price or lower--& for brand new items, not "scratch & dent." I really loved the old Collage. I had been a customer since 1988. Their catalogs were the bomb. Even though I'm finding their time graphs weren't always accurate, I love the fact that they put forth the effort into that aspect of workout videos, along with the detailed descriptions. Their representatives (at least in the old days) were very helpful & informative. All that saved me from buying stuff I would have not been interested in at all. I do miss them, but Mary is pretty good in her own right. __________________ Jennifer P. Let's keep this beautiful planet & all its wonderful creatures alive!

01-07-17, 12:36 AM
Softshoe VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003	I buy from Mary. I like her sales. They come so quick. Never a problem. I do miss the old Collage Video.

01-07-17, 10:40 AM
Terri1222 VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida	I remember getting so excited whenever I used to get their catalogue in the mail!!! (or am I dating myself here? LOL) Terri __________________ Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Crap happens in bunches - Beth Just 'cuz I want to be a hermit doesn't mean I don't get lonely - DonnaB What the head makes cloudy, the heart makes very clear - Eagles

01-07-17, 11:11 AM
Carol K Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Chicago, IL	Yes, and me too. __________________ Carol

01-07-17, 02:21 PM
Fitstick Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CA	I don't like the website design, it takes forever to load on my iPad and doesn't seem as informative as the old site (which used to really tell you what level etc). They do have good sales but I use Mary most of the time now.

01-07-17, 04:24 PM
Joni O VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities, MN	I follow Collage on Facebook, but I can't even remember the last time I bought from them. I used to like driving down the highway to pick up my workouts from them. I buy from Mary, unless it's from Jessica on Amazon or Ellen/Classical Stretch direct. I remember going to the new site once and being unable to find the clips. I never went back.