The Criterion Collection

[mmarczi]

Originally Posted by dvining

One reason I prefer the Criterion flash sale is that they don't charge my state sales tax. I go through B&N or Amazon, and they do charge that tax.

That, plus the effective 10% loyalty bonus every $500, and it makes the flash sale the obvious place for me to get my Criterions. I just need to plan for it.

Same, except Criterion did start charging sales tax for my state a few flash sales back. But like you said, the gift certificates are a big perk. And this is a very minor thing, but the discs automatically get entered into your Criterion 'collection' on the site when you purchase direct, and I also like to see all of my orders. I almost try not to participate in the B&N sales anymore and rely on the flash sales, but of course it never quite works out that way, though my B&N purchases have grown smaller and my flash sales larger. But I think I'm going to try to sit this sale out. It's not like I don't have plenty to watch. I can wait until February for the 4Ks, especially since I just rewatched Citizen Kane earlier this year.

[blurayisnice]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

1) Not as much anymore other than many people like to pick their items out in person. Barnes and Noble are just about the only nationwide chain that stocks Criterions. There are a handful of regional independents Movie Stores that do carry some (Bullmoose in new Hampshire/Maine, Zia Records in Arizona/Nevada) They are just about the last of the "Giant Big Box Bookstores every city needs at least one " left

The BN yearly membership used to give extra 10% off for in-store purchases -- d/c last year. BN used to have extra coupons that could be used (not allowed over last 3 years?).

BN still has some discounted Gift Cards that allows various saving -- 5/10/20+ %

2) 4-5 week sale - if nothing else those extra 7-10 releases b/w the end of Flash sale and end of Nov are now eligible. Especially important this year with the UHD rollouts in NOV.

3) European living in the US -- good time to visit a store just to check it out
European in Europe - not so helpful since BN no longer ships to EU (or hasn't most of the last few sales). Be aware that not all store carry Movies and even those that still do have cut shelf stock by 75% or more, but so far the Criterion Shelves have stayed mostly intact at most

Thanks, this is very helpful. Especially the new releases reminder. Does this mean "Menace 2 Society" and several others will be part of the sale, even though they are released late November?

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by dvining

One reason I prefer the Criterion flash sale is that they don't charge my state sales tax. I go through B&N or Amazon, and they do charge that tax.

That, plus the effective 10% loyalty bonus every $500, and it makes the flash sale the obvious place for me to get my Criterions. I just need to plan for it.

I get charged sales tax whether it's B&N, Arrow, or Criterion. The $50 bonus on Criterion.com is great. But the poster was asking why people chose B&N over Criterion. That was what I was responding to.

[blurayisnice]

One way around sales taxes would be having your orders shipped to an Oregon freight forwarder, and from there to you. However, their services aren't cheap so I am not sure if the savings would be worth it. Except maybe if you purchase big-ticket items.



I use a freight forwarder because I am based in Europe, so I am not sure if this would work (or is even legal) if you are US-based.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Thanks, this is very helpful. Especially the new releases reminder. Does this mean "Menace 2 Society" and several others will be part of the sale, even though they are released late November?

B&N's sale usually applies to any Criterion title that's released during the sale dates. Just for example, if the sale is Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, on Nov. 1 you should be able to pre-order a title being released on Nov. 15 at the 50% off price.

[dvining]

Originally Posted by bergman864

I get charged sales tax whether it's B&N, Arrow, or Criterion. The $50 bonus on Criterion.com is great. But the poster was asking why people chose B&N over Criterion. That was what I was responding to.

Just adding to the conversation.

It happens.

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Thanks, this is very helpful. Especially the new releases reminder. Does this mean "Menace 2 Society" and several others will be part of the sale, even though they are released late November?

Yes. Prices will be reflected from the start of the sale, not just starting at release date. The sale is for online and in-store inventory

Since this a new thing, there is a bit of an assumption/presumption that the new 4K will be handled like BD in terms of the sale, but I'd be fairly shocked if they are excluded

Originally Posted by regeyer

I think B&N is just trying to become more consistent. It's clear from the terms of the 50% off sale that no other discounts apply. And some stores consistently stick to the rules. Others do not. It's always been a matter of luck when one could find a store or an associate that would allow further discounting over and above the 50% off.

Except there was never any lack of consistency on the part of B&N and their Computer system before -- scan the item, scan the Member, scan the coupon. Allowed discounts were automatically applied or rejected just as Corporate apparently intended. A few rogue managers who decided corporate was wrong were the main issue and refused to let clerks to scan the coupons

I don't think any store ever said the member discount should be rejected until the new ownership too over -- it was actually a major selling point at the counter and BN Produced signs touted it.

[chocolat]

my local B&N the person working said the 4k releases will not be part of the sale or have sale prices. They got the request direct from Criterion

[hariseldon]

Originally Posted by chocolat

my local B&N the person working said the 4k releases will not be part of the sale or have sale prices. They got the request direct from Criterion

Now that will be a major issue. I guess we'll know for sure in a few days adn if Criterion will stick to their guns after I suspect a backlash happens.

[blurayisnice]

I won't be upset if the 4Ks are excluded. I understand where Criterion is coming from. The 4Ks won't be released until late November; if they were released a week later, they wouldn't be part of the sale anyway, is that correct?

With Christmas around the corner, Criterion probably expects people will be willing to pay full retail anyway.

[hariseldon]

If they released after Nov 30 (or the sale end date) they wouldn't normally be part of teh sale. They've never had an exclusion on a Brand new release in the past including Fellini, Bergman, Zatoichi expensive boxsets. OTOH, new format -- new rules I guess.

Just means waiting until February and seeing what happens then

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by chocolat

my local B&N the person working said the 4k releases will not be part of the sale or have sale prices. They got the request direct from Criterion

IF this happens to be true this is some serious BS by criterion.

[mmarczi]

Yeah I'll have to see that first before I believe it. But I wouldn't mind at all, speaking personally, since it'll just better help me ensure that I skip the sale altogether.

[IPreferPi]

Originally Posted by chocolat

my local B&N the person working said the 4k releases will not be part of the sale or have sale prices. They got the request direct from Criterion

Yeah, if Criterion tells B&N to exclude the 4Ks, I'm skipping out on the November sale entirely. Ugh.

[Mushi Minion]

Originally Posted by Snicket

IF this happens to be true this is some serious BS by criterion.

Considering no other label discounts new releases like Criterion usually does, that seems like a bit of an overreaction. I hate to pull a Louie C.K, but that comes across as a "Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" situation.

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by Mushi Minion

Considering no other label discounts new releases like Criterion usually does, that seems like a bit of an overreaction. I hate to pull a Louie C.K, but that comes across as a "Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" situation.

*burns all criterions and blocks mushy onion

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by Mushi Minion

Considering no other label discounts new releases like Criterion usually does, that seems like a bit of an overreaction. I hate to pull a Louie C.K, but that comes across as a "Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" situation.

I don’t know what “pulling a Louie CK” is other than pleasuring yourself in front of me despite my objections, but who is the unhappy person when 4K’s are on sale?

[jmilo61]

Originally Posted by Mushi Minion

Considering no other label discounts new releases like Criterion usually does, that seems like a bit of an overreaction. I hate to pull a Louie C.K, but that comes across as a "Everything is amazing and nobody is happy" situation.

I don't care one bit if Criterion starts putting a hold on recent releases being discounted on sales, makes sense.

But must point out when Full Moon does a sale (they are right now) everything is included. They have blu rays with release dates in December and January included in their current 40% off sale with full discount.

This obviously proves Full Moon>Criterion.

[Show spoiler]Save your Full Moon disc/movie quality jokes, we all know.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Snicket

I don’t know what “pulling a Louie CK” is other than pleasuring yourself in front of me despite my objections, but who is the unhappy person when 4K’s are on sale?

Louis CK Everything is amazing & Nobody is happy - YouTube

[Mushi Minion]

Coincidentally I was also pleasuring myself while I typed that response. Good thing this is the internet!