Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[charnier]

So, Twilight Time is supposed to get a pass, is it? And people are not allowed to get upset?

It's all very well saying "you should have kept up-to-date/followed the website etc." But not everyone has the time and some may be even relatively new to this. An email the day before is better than one on the day itself - what's wrong with being upset over that?

Let's face it - is Twilight Time producing product for genuine collectors or for people looking to make a quick buck? If it's the former, then 3000 copies should = 3000 people owning this, and none of this "let's limit it to 10, then 2" crap. One person only needs one copy and that's that.

And for those critcizing those who did not get it and are now complaining, consider this: if it had been limited to one copy per person, would it have sold out in as fast as 7 hours? We'll never know, but more people would have had more of a chance in owning it.

[HotRats]

Originally Posted by Vw Driver

THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943) BLU-RAY - March 26th
MAJOR DUNDEE (1965) BLU-RAY (2-disc set) - April 9th
AT LONG LAST LOVE (1975) BLU-RAY - April 9th (NOTE: Not on the TT label, but exclusively handled by TT for Twentieth Century Fox)
PHILADELPHIA (1993) BLU-RAY - May 14th
LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1945) BLU-RAY - May 14th
HARD TIMES (1975) BLU-RAY - June 11th
THE DRIVER (1978) BLU-RAY - June 11th
THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN (1970) BLU-RAY - June 11th

The only ones I see selling well is Leave Her To Heaven and The Driver. Other than that it's gonna be a slow and steady half a year for TT. I will be picking up most of these besides Phildelphia.

That was very useful. Just Major Dundee and The Driver for me

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by Anthony Marose

When is the pre-order going up for Philadelphia?

Around 2 months from yesterday. Preorders are one month before release date on a Friday, usually the middle Friday of the month, at 4pm Eastern time in US so 9pm in UK.

[Anthony Marose]

Originally Posted by malcy30

Around 2 months from yesterday. Preorders are one month before release date on a Friday, usually the middle Friday of the month, at 4pm CET so 9pm in UK.

Thank you.

[MrClarke]

Originally Posted by malcy30

I agree that if anyone really wanted Christine and are even an infrequent reader here you knew when it was going up for preorder and the buzz meant that it would be advisable to order the day it went on sale.

I got back from work at 11pm UK time (6pm EST) so 2 hours after it went on sale, went to SAE and preordered. then came here to see the discussion and was shocked to see reports here that there were only 1,000 copies left.

Leaving until the next morning UK time was a massive risk.

What I really think is indefensible is SAE / TT allowing people to buy 10 copies. But then they don't care as they have got their cash and it is easier and quicker for them to package 10 unit orders than singles like mine. I can see why people bought multiple copies as all the hype here and elsewhere before it went on sale clearly indicated a rapid sellout and then premium prices on resale.
Luckily I have a well paid job so got my copy to watch and don't need to worry about profits on trading. I buy BD I enjoy and keep them. However I can see why others who have the time to sell on ebay etc would be happy to trade this and make good profits.

Honestly I don't even see anything wrong with their 10 limit. If you knew about the preorder and when it went active, you could've logged on when it went active and gotten it. How many people do you think actually bought 10? I'd guess a small few. And I hate scalping prices too. But it is what it is. If someone has $300 just laying around, they're entitled to spend it should they choose to. People sell OOP titles for tons of money all the time, but for these limited editions its a much bigger deal. OOP is OOP. And like i said, the information was here. Yes, I HATE that some that wanted it didn't get it. But again, the info was here. I was on the site at 4:00, refreshing through their crash until it came back up. It's limited. I knew it wouldn't last long.

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Kristian Idol

ROCK rocks.

Thanks Idol, but I'm still a bit baffled by all the Monday morning quarterbacking going on right now. While I agree that this pre-order had a pretty narrow window of availability - even the most optimistic predictions pegged as lasting at least the weekend, including me, and I could have easily come up empty-handed too had I gone with my Plan A for yesterday - anyone who was paying even the slightest attention did not need to miss out on this Blu-ray. Heck, at the 5 hour mark, Christine accidentally oversold its 2 per limit and read sold out despite 244 copies remaining. But then came back online for another full 2 hours!

As for the intial order limits, in retrospect, 10 per to start might have been on the high side for this particular title, although no other TT title has had any limit like this out of the gate, a precedent by itself. But for at least 5 hours of its pre-order window, Christine was limited to 2 per, which was another unprecedented move by TT and SAE. So it was clear they were monitoring the situation to keep it as fair as possible after firing their starting pistol. I mean, let's face it, in a weird way a too quick sellout can be just as bad for business in the long run as a too soft landing which lingers for years. You might recover your investment in record time, but if that happens too often, 'core collectors could get discouraged and resist day one buying because they don't want to completely re-arrange their life just to struggle for access to the site, then thrash frantically as they fight their way through waters roiling with blood-hungry pro-reseller sharks.

So this sales model is always a delicate balance and trade-off, and I don't envy the choices TT and SAE must make in situations like this. What happened with this particular release provided all of us with a cold shower preview what can happen with any limited collectible in such high demand...available only via the 'Net...in competition with the entire world.

[Seymour]

Originally Posted by Belloche

It's hard to determine what titles will be in demand. I would rather have The Blob than Fright Night, Christine, or Night of the Living Dead 90. I also like The Fury more than all of them, but there's still plenty of copies of that available. Maybe I just have bad taste in movies .

I actually brought this up in another TT thread. Looking at the horror selection from Sony and Fox, there really isn't that much left that could possibly move the way Christine did.

These are the titles that I think would move quickly: The Blob '88, Candyman, John Carpenter's Vampires, Lake Placid, The Mothman Prophecies. The sales potential for Candyman and Vampires might be hindered by existing international releases.

These ones aren't as likely to move that fast: Body Double, The Fly II, 976-EVIL, The Bride, Without Warning, Silent Rage. Any others?

Other than horror, there doesn't seem to be a sure-fire genre. I would've guessed maybe sci-fi, but Enemy Mine put the kibosh on that.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

- anyone who was paying even the slightest attention did not need to miss out on this Blu-ray...

Not everyone has constant access to a computer at all hours.

The couple living next door to me are both shift workers at a local firm and are away from early afternoon until after midnight. I used to work the late shift for an aviation services company that had me out of the house by 3:00PM and rolling back into the driveway at 1:00AM.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

Not everyone has constant access to a computer at all hours.

Quite right. I managed to buy a copy but that was just luck - it simply wouldn't be possible on most days due to work commitments. I can understand why some are very disappointed and feel thoroughly exasperated by the release. Self-righteous lectures from some members are unwelcome. Personally I think that TT should consider limiting orders to just 2 copies as a standard, purely as a decent business gesture towards their own fan base.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by LucasM2012

I could see a limit of five copies across the board. Two simply isn't enough if people are buying not only for themselves, but for friends who - as so many have discussed - might not have access to a computer as they may be at work during release time. [A parallel: Disney Movie Club has a 'lifetime limit' of three copies of any film via their site, which actually isn't enough to get some things from them for gifts for the number of nephews and nieces I have.]

But, as others have mentioned, this may be one of the last films (at least horror) to have this degree of feeding frenzy for its purchase.

I've gotten over 5 copies of the same titles in my time with DMC using different accounts

[ROclockCK]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

Not everyone has constant access to a computer at all hours.

The couple living next door to me are both shift workers at a local firm and are away from early afternoon until after midnight. I used to work the late shift for an aviation services company that had me out of the house by 3:00PM and rolling back into the driveway at 1:00AM.

But surely these Luddite folks without 'Net access or any awareness of new Blu-ray releases who you always seem so concerned about whenever this subject comes up, in fact, do have friends, family, and even good neighbours like you who would be willing to help them order something they really really want, and don't dare miss. People do that all the time for hot concert and sports tickets. I mean, not all multiple ticket purchases go to StubHub.com. Same basic thing here.

In fact, I did precisely that yesterday for 4 other (now very grateful) Christine fans and collectors who either don't have SAE accounts, couldn't be online at 2:00 pm MST, or just wanted to piggy-back on my order to save on the shipping. Total profit for me: a few Guiness over some Blues in the local watering hole. But I was glad to help them out - in fact, offered that help - because it's just good karma. I mean, there might be some point when I can't get online myself for one of these firecrackers (almost happened yesterday), and I would be equally grateful to anyone else willing to step in to cover my butt. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of any limited and timeboxed product like this...there...is...no...entitlement. You just take your best stab at securring one for yourself, and trade any favours you need to among others facing the same challenge of high demand vs. low supply. It's not rocket surgery.

So I think your chronic hand wringing over Joe and Jane Average being denied Wal*Mart-style access to such limited collector product is as misplaced as it is unnecessary. Heck, if you truly are that concerned about what they might be missing out on, why not just damn well help them get it?

[MrClarke]

Originally Posted by roclockck

there...is...no...entitlement

this.

[kngtmat]

I would rather get it from Christine herself and you get a cool bonus item from her store.

http://christinemoviecar.com/

Originally Posted by LucasM2012

By the way... anyone wanting a 'companion' to watch Christine with, look no further. Funny the mailing for this arrived just tonight.


It's 1/18th scale, die-cast, $80, and it's here: http://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/spaceships-vehicles-item-list-a-e-c-13_191/1958-plymouth-fury-christine-1-18-scale-die-cast-p-18090

[dsman71]

I dont like the 10 limit, its too many..someone buys 10 which prevents someone from buying one. And if someone is buying 10, probably 8-10 of them are going on ebay where some collector who really wants this film, wasnt able to get it , now would have to spend 50.00+ to get it. There are serious collectors who want this film for their collection and not to scalp them at higher prices...

[lcummins]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

But surely these Luddite folks without 'Net access or any awareness of new Blu-ray releases who you always seem so concerned about whenever this subject comes up, in fact, do have friends, family, and even good neighbours like you who would be willing to help them order something they really really want, and don't dare miss. People do that all the time for hot concert and sports tickets. I mean, not all multiple ticket purchases go to StubHub.com. Same basic thing here.

In fact, I did precisely that yesterday for 4 other (now very grateful) Christine fans and collectors who either don't have SAE accounts, couldn't be online at 2:00 pm MST, or just wanted to piggy-back on my order to save on the shipping. Total profit for me: a few Guiness over some Blues in the local watering hole. But I was glad to help them out - in fact, offered that help - because it's just good karma. I mean, there might be some point when I can't get online myself for one of these firecrackers (almost happened yesterday), and I would be equally grateful to anyone else willing to step in to cover my butt. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of any limited and timeboxed product like this...there...is...no...entitlement. You just take your best stab at securring one for yourself, and trade any favours you need to among others facing the same challenge of high demand vs. low supply. It's not rocket surgery.

So I think your chronic hand wringing over Joe and Jane Average being denied Wal*Mart-style access to such limited collector product is as misplaced as it is unnecessary. Heck, if you truly are that concerned about what they might be missing out on, why not just damn well help them get it?

I agree with ROCK... also, for those that had to work, do you not get breaks or a lunch where you could order on a phone or go somewhere with a computer? I just don't understand how anyone could have missed this, even with the 7 hour sellout. Between this site, SAE site and TT Facebook page, how could anyone honestly not know when it went up for sale if they really wanted it?

[Scooter1836]

Getting a little worried

I ordered Chrstine, got the order confirmation page. I used PayPal and it was charged. But no order onfirmation e-mail and when I look at My Orders it is not there.

[HorrorBlu]

A little break from the Christine discussion, but does anyone know how many copies of Blue Lagoon and Steel Magnolias are still available? The shopping cart trick doesn't seem to work.

[ParticleDan]

Originally Posted by dsman71

I dont like the 10 limit, its too many..someone buys 10 which prevents someone from buying one. And if someone is buying 10, probably 8-10 of them are going on ebay where some collector who really wants this film, wasnt able to get it , now would have to spend 50.00+ to get it. There are serious collectors who want this film for their collection and not to scalp them at higher prices...

People moan about TT's regular prices, and then when titles sell out, they moan about 'inflated' scalper prices. In both cases, a potential buyer decides whether he/she is willing to pay the asking price for a desired product and either purchases or doesn't, and that's really all that need be said.

[lcummins]

Originally Posted by Scooter1836

Getting a little worried

I ordered Chrstine, got the order confirmation page. I used PayPal and it was charged. But no order onfirmation e-mail and when I look at My Orders it is not there.

That happened to me as well; I called them (yesterday) and they looked up my PayPal payment and along with my order number (I took a screen shot) they said they would get the order straightened out, probably by Monday. I would give them a call first thing Monday.

[AUS1969]

I've been a regular supporter of Twilight Time's program, and I'm more than a little annoyed by this title being made unavailable bevause a bunch of internet "entrepreneurs" buying ten at a time.

Does anybody know who owns the rights in Europe snd the UK?