Slipcover Question

[njordall]

Why do retailers after a certain amount of time get rid of the slipcover? I have always wondered that. thanks.

[starsteam]

The retailers don't get rid of them (though some do remove them on all of their releases, like Barnes and Nobles). Usually only the first few pressings would include a slipcover, so once the stock is replaced, it'll be with the slip-less versions. Companies stop including slipcovers to save money and lower the pricing on future pressings.

[njordall]

Hmmm I could have sworn I saw one day 6 copies of a certain movie have slips, then 2 days later they didnt. This was at a Best Buy. Anyway, thank you for the reply, what you said does make sense.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by njordall

Hmmm I could have sworn I saw one day 6 copies of a certain movie have slips, then 2 days later they didnt. This was at a Best Buy. Anyway, thank you for the reply, what you said does make sense.

Then they likely replaced the stock with the newer pressing. That's usually accompanied with a price change.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by starsteam

Then they likely replaced the stock with the newer pressing. That's usually accompanied with a price change.

Another thing I've noticed is when an offer is added (like movie-cash for a sequel or something else from the releasing studio), the slips don't come back. These often accompany price drops too.

[StingingVelvet]

I think more than saving money on repressings the bigger reason is to incentivize early purchases at full price. You want to get it early so you know you get a slip, if you care about such things. Or you just wait months and then bump an ancient thread on here asking "DOES THIS STILL COME WITH A SLIPCOVER???" like anyone could possibly tell you.

[thatguamguy]

I'm inclined to agree with Stinging Velvet, the slipcovers are like store-exclusive bonus discs; even when those don't sell out, the store stops selling them after a week or two, because their main purpose in the minds of the distributors is to drive early sales (not "full price", usually, if it's in store in the first few weeks, but certainly a higher price).

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I'm inclined to agree with Stinging Velvet, the slipcovers are like store-exclusive bonus discs; even when those don't sell out, the store stops selling them after a week or two, because their main purpose in the minds of the distributors is to drive early sales (not "full price", usually, if it's in store in the first few weeks, but certainly a higher price).

I don't think there is a set time stores go and pull the slips. It happens when they are sent back for not selling and the studio adds a promo item, or else they sit and collect dust. Some titles at Best Buy still have slips years after release (examples elude me right now, but I recall chuckling at something last week thinking how no one wants it cuz it still has slip), and some stop having slips then re-appear months later with them again (Grindhouse, Deadpool)).

The only thing true is you really want that slip, buying early is the only guarantee you will get it.

On a related note, Best Buy here has had more than a few titles come through without slips (Shallows, Snowden) that other stores have. Bummer cuz it used to the other way around.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I think more than saving money on repressings the bigger reason is to incentivize early purchases at full price. You want to get it early so you know you get a slip, if you care about such things. Or you just wait months and then bump an ancient thread on here asking "DOES THIS STILL COME WITH A SLIPCOVER???" like anyone could possibly tell you.

That's the point I didn't get to make. If you could buy the movie with slip at the cheaper price later on, people wouldn't be as tempted to buy it at release price.

I think Fox and Warner usually let stores sell their remaining stock with slips, but Universal and Sony always seems to replace the stock with slip-less versions once its time for the price-drop.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Yeah, I always wondered why Best Buy removes their slips after a certain time. I've literally walked into Best Buy many times to see multiple copies with slips and go back the next day and those same titles have the slips removed. Makes no sense.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Yeah, I always wondered why Best Buy removes their slips after a certain time. I've literally walked into Best Buy many times to see multiple copies with slips and go back the next day and those same titles have the slips removed. Makes no sense.

I've seen new releases without any slips on the release day in Best Buy. The Revenant and Up both come to mind.

[Monterey Jack]

I remember grabbing Zootopia on Black Friday and there was not a single slip to be found...and that was released on Blu, what, three weeks earlier?

[njordall]

Thanks for all the great replies everyone. When I posted the original topic I was worried i was the only one that this intrigued, clearly not

[Brandon K]

Just the other week I bought a not-particularly-popular Disney Channel DVD from Amazon.ca (sold by Amazon, not third party) that was originally released in 2009 and it arrived with a slipcover. So you just never know!

[grrrarg]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

I remember grabbing Zootopia on Black Friday and there was not a single slip to be found...and that was released on Blu, what, three weeks earlier?

Zootopia was released in June 2016 though, so not totally surprising. You would think there would be a couple strays still on the shelf though.

[bookcase]

I have to admit, I'm starting to lose my love of slipcovers unless they are lenticular (a must-have for me) or come with nice embossing and/or foil -- but most slips released today are plain as plain can be and don't add anything special to the package. I'll still go for copies with slips if given a choice, but I no longer get worked up if it comes without. It's a newfound freedom.

[JoeDeM]

Originally Posted by bookcase

I have to admit, I'm starting to lose my love of slipcovers unless they are lenticular (a must-have for me) or come with nice embossing and/or foil -- but most slips released today are plain as plain can be and don't add anything special to the package. I'll still go for copies with slips if given a choice, but I no longer get worked up if it comes without. It's a newfound freedom.

lenticular slips are the only ones I really like.

[Ray_Rogers]

Now I'm a slipcover fan but lately certain titles I couldn't give a toss if I buy the movie and it doesn't have one. Other times certain titles I'll go out of my way to get one. Falls into the categories of "Yes I'll get it with the slipcover now or later! i.e. Jerry Maguire 20th and Highlander 30th." and "I really don't care at all. i.e. T2 Skynet Edition and a handful of others." (Maybe I do or don't want Edge of Tomorrow with the Slipcover. Haven't decided yet.)
STAR TREK II: The Wrath of Khan - Director's Edition I have the slipcover for but I'd rather sell it. Absolutely crap artwork and I'm using Nissen's custom cover with it.
So yes, it's a YMMV aspect. Sometimes you get lucky if you really want to have it with the slipcover and sometimes it's whatever.

BUT, for many USA and CA slipcovers you can buy them from Blurays for Everyone. He even carries exclusive slips too.

[HD Goofnut]

I used to be really big with slipcovers, but most are just plain now. However, my love of steelbooks has not diminished. I have been collecting the 4K steelbooks lately as they have been things of beauty so far.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I used to be really big with slipcovers, but most are just plain now. However, my love of steelbooks has not diminished. I have been collecting the 4K steelbooks lately as they have been things of beauty so far.

I'm completely the opposite. There's only a handful of Steelbooks I want to own and the rest I'll just get with the Slipcover if I'm really interested. Don't really see the appeal of Steelbooks especially since I have quite a lot of empty multi-disc cases in various disc count solely for add-whatever customizing for my collection.
Everyones collection is different, obviously.