Cineworld over charging on unlimited cards?

harrypotter_2

Hi! I have membership to CINEWORLD unlimited since August 2007. I pay for it up front for a years subscription and have a signed contract. I Renewed in the second year by phone. Their unlimited package states any film any time.



With the increase of 3D films they have put a notice up saying unlimited customers will incur a surcharge of £1.50 with immediate effect. As a annual payer of subcription and the contract I have signed I do not think I should be liable to pay the surcharge as it is not stated in my contract. It says any film any time. No mention is made of extra surcharge and of course it wouldn't be cos what I was paying for is any film any time. From the film Coraline I begrudginly have had to pay the sur charge, before this I have been to 4 other 3D films and not had to pay any extra. There are 10 more 3D films this year.



As well as this surcharge they have also increased the unlimited fee to £13.50 a month when it was £11.99. I would like to dispute with the fee increase to new customers if this sur charge is valid for 3D films aswell surely that should have been factored into their price increase? To me it a double price increase.



I hope you can clarify this matter for me as I am seriously considering not renewing my subscription as it feels like a regime of extortion that flouts their T+C's.

facetheglue

T&Cs

3.5 Subject to availability and the other provisions of the Conditions, a valid Unlimited Card entitles you to access selected Cineworld cinemas every day of the week (subject to the Cineworld cinema being open), for all film screenings open to the general public (excluding premium screenings such as Delux and 3-D screenings) and entitles you to one seat (excluding VIP seats where available) for any performance.

DCFC79

harrypotter wrote: »

Hi! I have membership to CINEWORLD unlimited since August 2007. I pay for it up front for a years subscription and have a signed contract. I Renewed in the second year by phone. Their unlimited package states any film any time.

With the increase of 3D films they have put a notice up saying unlimited customers will incur a surcharge of £1.50 with immediate effect. As a annual payer of subcription and the contract I have signed I do not think I should be liable to pay the surcharge as it is not stated in my contract. It says any film any time. No mention is made of extra surcharge and of course it wouldn't be cos what I was paying for is any film any time. From the film Coraline I begrudginly have had to pay the sur charge, before this I have been to 4 other 3D films and not had to pay any extra. There are 10 more 3D films this year.

As well as this surcharge they have also increased the unlimited fee to £13.50 a month when it was £11.99. I would like to dispute with the fee increase to new customers if this sur charge is valid for 3D films aswell surely that should have been factored into their price increase? To me it a double price increase.

I hope you can clarify this matter for me as I am seriously considering not renewing my subscription as it feels like a regime of extortion that flouts their T+C's.

first thing i saw a 3D film a few months back and i wasnt charged the £1.50, the film i saw was my bloody valentine, but the fee may not be in place at that time plus its in the contract about the fee for 3D films, surely your told about the £1.50 charge when you buy teh tickets at the cinema

secondly, the fee increase for the unlimited just doesnt affect any new customers but old customers as well, they can change the pricing structure if they want, theyre a business

KennyVader

Even with the £1.50 Real-D tax (*), it's presumably still cheaper than paying per-film at either Cineworld or another cinema, so cancelling the card would seem an odd move on your part.

(*) Let's be clear, it's not entirely Cineworld's fault that Real-D and the film distributors have started playing hardball with the licensing fees.

jodastephen

Older T&Cs from 2007 don't have the 3D exclusion:

"3.6 Subject to availability and the other provisions of the Conditions, a valid Cineworld Unlimited Card entitles the Subscriber to access selected Cineworld cinemas every day of the week (subject to the Cineworld cinema being open),
for all films, and all presentations (excluding Delux screens, private hire occasions and events not open to the general public) and entitles the Subscriber to one seat (excluding VIP seats where available) for any performance subject to
availability. The Subscriber acknowledges that all film showings are subject to normal restrictions in terms of cinema age certifications, and that Cineworld’s General Terms and Conditions apply. The Subscriber acknowledges that he or
she has no preferential rights of access for any film or presentation. The Subscriber is not entitled to" - (can't provide link due to pesky forum rules)

The "Delux screens" reference is to premier screens where they give you an armchair and waitress service.

So, Cineworld have changed the T&Cs in a critical way without informing their customers in writing. (And if you call their complaint line on 08707 772 775, they'll claim that they haven't changed the T&Cs, which is a flat out lie)

Further, they are still selling the idea that 3D is included - "watch any film, any day, any time and at any Cineworld Cinema" - (can't provide link due to pesky forum rules) - and the web page even has a big image with 3D in the middle.

Thus (1) possible illegal change in T&Cs making it an "unfair contract" under the supply of goods and services act, (2) false advertising for new people signing up online.

Unfortunately however, I suspect that the only way to get a change is public humiliation of Cineworld by something like BBC Watchdog. So, if you're affected, then *please* contact Watchdog.

bap98189

KennyVader wrote: »

Even with the £1.50 Real-D tax (*), it's presumably still cheaper than paying per-film at either Cineworld or another cinema, so cancelling the card would seem an odd move on your part.

Yup. It costs what £7 or so to go to the cinema nowadays. Even at the increased rate of £13.50 a month you only have to go twice a month to save money.

Last time I visited some friends we went to a Cineworld and saw Monsters v's Aliens in 3D. It cost £3 more than the normal ticket, so if they are charging card holders an extra £1.50 that's still a saving.

I just wish I lived near a Cineworld. They are the only chain that seems to have one of these schemes.

Takoda

Is it anything to do with the 'free' glasses they give you? I got some for My Bloody Valentine. TBH I'm not that bothered with 3D and would rather go to a normal screening. I wouldn't give up being a Cineworld card holder just cos of £1.50 but it is cheeky.

DCFC79

Takoda wrote: »

Is it anything to do with the 'free' glasses they give you? I got some for My Bloody Valentine. TBH I'm not that bothered with 3D and would rather go to a normal screening. I wouldn't give up being a Cineworld card holder just cos of £1.50 but it is cheeky.

like i said i saw my bloody valentine and i wasnt charged the £1.50, the fgilm wasnt all that great in 3D anyway,

Tozer

jodastephen wrote: »

Thus (1) possible illegal change in T&Cs making it an "unfair contract" under the supply of goods and services act, (2) false advertising for new people signing up online.

.

Rubbish. It is not "illegal".

It may be unfair, but that entirely depends on the circumstances and the OFT's attitude to it. Not all changes of terms and conditions are unfair by any stretch of the imagination.

And the Supply of Goods and Services Act has absolutely nothing to do with this issue.

three1ne

I had an argument with the duty manager on the 13th after being informed that it would cost another £1.50 each to see films Coraline in 3D. I had actually got my ticket and glasses for no extra cost although my mates who arrived 10 minutes later were asked to pay the extra. They dont have much money and werent willing to pay. I completely back them.

I signed my contract early 07 where it doesnt mention 3D films. Ive read the new T&C which does mention 3D films although I havent been sent an update which I believe they legally have to do (please correct me if needed). There was also no sign up in the cinema (Ipswich) stating the change which came into effect 1st May.

The duty manager was rude, condecending and actually implied that its such a small amount it doesnt matter "everyone has a credit card".

Ive almost completed a letter that ill be posting. Their email form allows up to 250 words so thats no good. Does anyone know of any official proper email address I can contact them at?

N.B. There was no normal version of Coraline.

Jakg

three1ne wrote: »

I signed my contract early 07 where it doesnt mention 3D films. Ive read the new T&C which does mention 3D films although I havent been sent an update which I believe they legally have to do (please correct me if needed). There was also no sign up in the cinema (Ipswich) stating the change which came into effect 1st May.

To be honest it's a !!!! overpriced cinema with poor projection equipment.

If you contact Cineworld directly, they just tell you to talk the duty manager - the next rubbish quality film I see (QoS's blurry, choppy and with a wrong aspect ratio for the first 45 minutes got me going) there I was going to take it up with him but alas it seems like even that wont work!