The deception... the fraud... the missing lunchbox. This isn't any movie, this is the real-life drama many customers like me are going through because of pre-ordering the My So-Called Life DVD box set from AnotherUniverse.com.

Quick recap: in February 2002 the online retailer announced that they had secured an exclusive deal to release the cult drama onto DVD. In addition to offering a standard version, a $100 limited edition "lunchbox" version also was available that would include a real MSCL lunchbox and bonus disc of new cast interviews and other supplements. After an intolerably long wait, the box sets did indeed ship (and then became available to every other retailer on Earth, but that's another story), but no lunchbox or bonus disc ever materialized.

Ever vigilant in trying to remedy this situation is Jason Rosenfeld of Dry Grass Partners - the guy who actually spearheaded this box set's existence. Jason has dogged AnotherUniverse.com ceaselessly to either deliver the bonus items or refund the difference in cost between the collectors edition and the regular retail version of the DVD box set. Amazingly though, AU.com claims that the lunchboxes and bonus discs shipped in December (they absolutely didn't - I, for one, never got them). If you are fed up with the run-around, please file a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.ifccfbi.gov. According to Mr. Rosenfeld, our IFCC complaints will make a difference. Until then, consider brown-bagging your lunch.