Quote:
Originally Posted by bruceames
The model worked before because 3000 seemed like a low number, but the downside is that it shows your hand. We all think Criterion, Kino and the others are doing just fine because they are releasing the same number of titles as before and charging the same prices. But it's likely if not certain they reducing the print run to meet estimated demand, so they end up selling fewer titles anyway. Except that they don't have to have so many sales because they aren't tied to a fixed 3000 unit model that is outdated by now.
I think the LE model is fine as it attracts more collectors (which is what they wanted from the start obviously), many who hope the disc will retain a higher collector's value than the norm. But 3000 is just too high, I think they can continue to do just fine if they reduce it to 1500 like they were talking about...as long as they can get a appropriately reduced licensing deal from the studios they are dealing with. I don't see why not if the other labels have the same market constraints. I don't see why they would charge TT higher prices, with or without LE runs.
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I would only be okay with them reducing print runs to 1500 if, and this is a big IF, they went back to re-releasing titles and/or dumped the whole limited availability thing. Again, one of the biggest factors a lot of people hate is lack of availability. Whether it's 1500 or 3000 or 5000, people hate the idea that once a release is sold out that it's no longer available and they have to go the eBay / scalper route. Not everyone has the time and resources to buy every new release that comes down the pike, and sometimes certain titles have to sit on the back burner. I have several titles on my Amazon wishlist that I pick away at when I can. One of the biggest annoyances I had was when they said they were not doing encore editions anymore because people complained. I can only imagine that was the type of people who bought their product for investment purposes, in which case I say screw those guys. I want as many movie fans as possible to be able to have an opportunity to own a movie on blu-ray and not feel pressured into buying right now out of fear of missing out. I know of people who have purchased two copies of several TT releases simply out of fear that if one copy got damaged or something that they would never be able to replace it, so of course that means another potential viewer losing out on obtaining a copy.
From the very start, that whole aspect of their business model has stoked nothing but ill will from so many people.