The Criterion Collection

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Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Question; why is the BN sale so important/hyped?

I purchased a few things during the last sale (on bn.com, I don't live in the US), and I expected lower prices.

Everything was $20 each, and a lot of titles (popular ones) weren't even available.

The blu-ray Criterion prices are standard between $24 and $30 on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service, plus there are WAY more titles and there is a lot more competition (which means you usually get to buy new CC titles for less via martket place sellers).

So why all the excitement? Overhyped sale, it's just a few $ off compared to other sites.

Because you could get 30% off the order total with coupons.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Question; why is the BN sale so important/hyped?

I purchased a few things during the last sale (on bn.com, I don't live in the US), and I expected lower prices.

Everything was $20 each, and a lot of titles (popular ones) weren't even available.

The blu-ray Criterion prices are standard between $24 and $30 on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service, plus there are WAY more titles and there is a lot more competition (which means you usually get to buy new CC titles for less via martket place sellers).

So why all the excitement? Overhyped sale, it's just a few $ off compared to other sites.

a few things to consider...

there are probably "WAY more titles" because at $24 to $30, that isn't a sale, nor is it much of a good price, so people aren't buying as much.

market place sellers on Amazon will cost you $4 USD shipping for each title even if you buy a dozen from one seller.

most people who participate in the B&N sales bring home titles from anywhere between $14 and $18 after coupons.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Question; why is the BN sale so important/hyped?

I purchased a few things during the last sale (on bn.com, I don't live in the US), and I expected lower prices.

Everything was $20 each, and a lot of titles (popular ones) weren't even available.

The blu-ray Criterion prices are standard between $24 and $30 on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service, plus there are WAY more titles and there is a lot more competition (which means you usually get to buy new CC titles for less via martket place sellers).

So why all the excitement? Overhyped sale, it's just a few $ off compared to other sites.

I generally do my B&N sale shopping in-store and I've amazingly never had a title I wanted not be in stock sometime during the sale. So, shipping times don't matter that much to me. Buying 3-5 titles during the sale, as I usually do, makes the savings add up, especially with member discount and coupons.

So, no, I don't think it's overhyped at all.

Edit: Of course, my feelings may change if they start enforcing the no coupons on Criterions restriction.

[Bandit Tajomaru]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service

Maybe those that pay their $100 a year bribe do.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Bandit Tajomaru

Maybe those that pay their $100 a year bribe do.

Yes indeed. Their non prime service is dreadful.

[Will G]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Anyone else pick up Woman in the Dunes ? Amazing film. Still running through my mind after watching it last night. Strange, suspenseful, haunting and utterly engrossing. The minimalist soundtrack was exceptional as well as the great cinematography. Nothing in the film would make you think it was a low budget production.

Yes, absolutely outstanding film. For me it would easily rank in my top 10 Criterion titles & maybe even top 10 films of all time.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Question; why is the BN sale so important/hyped?

I purchased a few things during the last sale (on bn.com, I don't live in the US), and I expected lower prices.

Everything was $20 each, and a lot of titles (popular ones) weren't even available.

The blu-ray Criterion prices are standard between $24 and $30 on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service, plus there are WAY more titles and there is a lot more competition (which means you usually get to buy new CC titles for less via martket place sellers).

So why all the excitement? Overhyped sale, it's just a few $ off compared to other sites.

Well, there's a brick and mortar B&N 15 minutes away from me, and I have a membership that gives me an extra 10% off. So for just a small amount of gas, I can pick up as many titles as I want for $18 a pop. That's nothing to sneeze at.

[Banned User]

Most of the titles I want go for 27.99 on amazon so with the B&N sale I save 8 bucks a title. That's not even counting coupons and if you have a B&N membership. Plus since I buy from my local B&N I get to see the title I'm purchasing physically instead of hoping I don't get damaged goods in the mail.

Really wish all Criterion titles were just $20.00 year around. I'd buy a lot more. I wish Criterion would have some special deal where you could pay them a discount price to receive all of their titles every year. Like some kind of membership as long as the price was right. Would be nice having their titles show up at my doorstep automatically every release.

[Joshitaka]

Okay, so there is another sale coming up in November… Where on Earth does one get these 30% off coupons you guys are always talking about???

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by oildude

That's odd. I see it in your mouth all the time.

[theater dreamer]

The sale was not over-hyped. You lacked a lot of information, information that, had you checked this topic before the sale started, would have helped you to save a lot of money.

You said "everything was $20". If you just bought at the reduced price on the website, yes, you got exactly half off MSRP. But you could have done better.

Take any single-film release, The New World, for example. You paid $20. I paid $15.58 for mine, after taxes. That's 39% of MSRP. How?

$39.95 MSRP
$19.99 after 50% reduction
$17.99 after 10% member discount (in store only)
$14.39 after 20% off coupon
$15.58 after 8.125% Texas sales tax is added. I paid roughly $4.50 less than you did.


Of course, not only individual films are sold. Here's what I paid for the John Cassavetes: Five Films collection at my local store.

$124.95 MSRP
$62.48 after 50% off reduction. This is what you would have paid.
$56.23 after 10% member discount (in store only)
$48.23 after $8 off $40 single DVD/Blu-ray
$52.22 total after 8.125% Texas sales tax added. I saved an extra $10 + with coupons and discounts.

I bought three boxed sets (John Cassavetes: Five Films, The Apu Trilogy, 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman) and twenty-six individual releases. The total MSRP of what I bought was $1,363.55. I got everything for $541.25. I paid 40% of MSRP, overall. After deducting for the $25 Barnes & Noble membership, I saved an additional $115.53 beyond the 50% markdown.

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

Question; why is the BN sale so important/hyped?

I purchased a few things during the last sale (on bn.com, I don't live in the US), and I expected lower prices.

Everything was $20 each, and a lot of titles (popular ones) weren't even available.

The blu-ray Criterion prices are standard between $24 and $30 on Amazon, and you get faster shipping and much better customer service, plus there are WAY more titles and there is a lot more competition (which means you usually get to buy new CC titles for less via martket place sellers).

So why all the excitement? Overhyped sale, it's just a few $ off compared to other sites.

[theater dreamer]

The only 30% coupon is a one-time, one item only coupon on Black Friday. The best coupon that was available this last sale was a 25% off $100 online, but that was nerfed the day after it went live (they changed the coupon to excluded Criterions). 15% off single item coupons are plentiful; $20 coupons are sent to members via e-mail drop.

Subscribe to the Barnes & Noble Coupon Request/Drop thread that Hariseldon maintains. When codes become available, he posts instructions on how they work, and for how long they're good.

Originally Posted by Joshitaka

Okay, so there is another sale coming up in November… Where on Earth does one get these 30% off coupons you guys are always talking about???

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Anyone else pick up Woman in the Dunes ? Amazing film. Still running through my mind after watching it last night. Strange, suspenseful, haunting and utterly engrossing. The minimalist soundtrack was exceptional as well as the great cinematography. Nothing in the film would make you think it was a low budget production.

you just sold me on my 'need' to see this film. thank you. it sounds like a winner.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Anyone else pick up Woman in the Dunes ? Amazing film. Still running through my mind after watching it last night. Strange, suspenseful, haunting and utterly engrossing. The minimalist soundtrack was exceptional as well as the great cinematography. Nothing in the film would make you think it was a low budget production.

I have the dvd set but might upgrade anyway as this is one of my favorites. First saw it in college after recently reading Camus' "The Myth of Sysiphus". Wrote my paper for the class on that topic as it really resonated. Of course Teshigahara also has ample style and substance isn't sacrificed. It's a great film.

[jw007]

Regarding coupon savings for the B&N sales, its a great deal, but the one major concern of mine is that pretty soon in future sales these extra coupons won't be allowed during Criterion 50% off sales for in-store purchases. I experienced this already during the last sale. I don't think any of us should take these extra savings for granted. The days for huge savings are numbered I envision.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jw007

Regarding coupon savings for the B&N sales, its a great deal, but the one major concern of mine is that pretty soon in future sales these extra coupons won't be allowed during Criterion 50% off sales. I experienced this already during the last sale. I don't think any of us should take these extra savings for granted. The days for huge savings are numbered I envision.

I never had taken them for granted. I know I can get a Criterion title for 50% off plus an extra 10% because of the membership. Everything else is gravy, and not accounted for when I drop into the local store to buy.

[Sifox211]

As an overseas buyer the big attractions are the basic price and the so-far-for-me customs free shipping. Even if Amazon prices come close their import fees deposit makes it very expensive. I usually manage one coupon per order which pretty much cancels out shipping, so if customs free I am paying $20 per title. From Amazon I'd be lucky to get anything under twice that.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I never had taken them for granted. I know I can get a Criterion title for 50% off plus an extra 10% because of the membership. Everything else is gravy, and not accounted for when I drop into the local store to buy.

Yes, and if you don't have sales tax in your state, then the total purchase is only $17.99 for a $39.99 title. For those with sales tax like my state, then it comes out to around $19 and change. That's good savings but not "big savings" like theaterdreamer stated when you use the 25% or 30% coupons in addition to the member discount. YMMV is something we both believe in, but I'm not sure that will be the case when B&N finally bans all other coupons aside from the standard 10% member discount.

Buying a $20 Criterion from Amazon, esp. for international customers is a great deal, esp. if you can get free shipping too. It evens itself out I think.

[C. Anton]

You CC folks take your 30% coupon serious.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by jw007

Buying a $20 Criterion from Amazon, esp. for international customers is a great deal, esp. if you can get free shipping too. It evens itself out I think.

Does Amazon ever have $20 Criterions? Do they have free international shipping?