Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[NightKing]

Cancelled all of my Amazon pre-orders. This is pretty ridiculous, I guess they want more people ordering straight from them. This just benefits Amazon as most people pre-order from there to get the price match. Now Amazon is going to reap the rewards from people forgetting to cancel their pre-order.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by dantexaiver

Exclusivity really is anti consumer and does nothing but fragment the market a lot like how content producers fragment the market with streaming services and exclusive rights.

We've seen numerous examples of exclusivity over the last decade so that in itself is nothing new, nor is it really a problem in my eyes when it's communicated as such. If Amazon were to pay for a window of exclusivity i'd say good for Scream Factory. But unlike what happens with say Best Buy and their Universal timed exclusives, this was never communicated as such. It's also particularly frustrating that retailers are being prevented from posting pre-order links despite the fact that they are already being told that they won't get the title until weeks later. What's the harm in allowing someone like diabolik taking pre-orders for films that they won't be receiving until September if Amazon and shout are shipping them right now?

Shout Factory has this all backwards. If the goal is to drive direct sales then you don't spit in the face of your most loyal customers by limiting pre-orders up front. No, for pre-orders Scream Factory should just provide one initial allotment to everyone that places an order allowing for folks that pre-order to get it from whomever they want. Once those initial allotments are gone, simply don't provide any further stock to stores and state that all future purchases can only be made direct. This not only provides consumers a choice in where they purchase/pre-order, but also encourages people to buy early. Fence sitters or people content on waiting will then have the option of ordering direct later.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by tek8080

Has anyone had a chance to check out the new Lifeforce transfer on the steelbook yet?

In the thread for it, people are saying that it’s a noticeable upgrade. I’m waiting for screencaps.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

We've seen numerous examples of exclusivity over the last decade so that in itself is nothing new, nor is it really a problem in my eyes when it's communicated as such. If Amazon were to pay for a window of exclusivity i'd say good for Scream Factory.

I don’t think Amazon paid for exclusivity. I’m thinking SF just wants preorders all to themselves, but Amazon is in the “too big to piss off” category, so they have to let them also take preorders. Since Amazon’s preorder prices are high, they figure most people will just preorder direct from SF anyway, so they still get what they want.

[t_rav]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I don’t think Amazon paid for exclusivity. I’m thinking SF just wants preorders all to themselves, but Amazon is in the “too big to piss off” category, so they have to let them also take preorders. Since Amazon’s preorder prices are high, they figure most people will just preorder direct from SF anyway, so they still get what they want.

This post is more on the right track than most. I’ve been lurking wondering if I should chime in but decided against it. Now I think I should just say it.

This move from SF has nothing to do with punishing early shippers (with the exception of Diabolik, BB and Bull Moose would be rec’d by customers the Saturday before release date - a whopping 3 days is no big deal and nowhere close to being as early as ordering direct from SF), Amazon exclusivity, disdain for the customers or any other wild conspiracy theories.

This move is solely an attempt to maximize profits. That’s it. They paid a huge chunk of money in these new deals with WB, Sony, Hammer & Corman. It had to be done to continue on because their well was running dry. Distributors get pretty big discounts from SF in order to sell their products and still achieve a profit margin. If SF cuts out the middle man, they are getting a MUCH higher GP on each unit sold. Amazon was too large of market share to cut out completely, so they were allowed on the condition of all pre-orders being full MSRP to still incentivize customers to order direct from them. It’s that simple.

Do I agree with this strategy or think it will work? No. But I understand why they’re trying it. No need for all this vitriol toward them. Speak with your wallet. Be patient and order from Bull Moose and BB once they’re available. Calls for SF to go under because of this is just silly. Without SF, we would not be getting physical releases of most of these films. I don’t fault them for trying to recoup some of the significant financial losses they just endured. It is vital we continue to support them by buying their products, regardless of which distributor you choose.

That is all. Rant over.

[DenOfEarth]

Originally Posted by tek8080

Has anyone had a chance to check out the new Lifeforce transfer on the steelbook yet?

Yup and the 4K on both cuts is fantastic.

[jmat91]

Low act from shout.

EVERYONE if your order has shipped, contacted customer support. The rep is issuing me a partial refund to the current price.

This is a joke. This has backfired big time on shout!

[rocknblues81]

Scream tries to get more money for their items and I try to pay less for their items. It's about as simple as that to me. Yeah, I don't like what they've done with pre-orders, but I've adjusted accordingly.

[Braktastic]

Originally Posted by t_rav

Without SF, we would not be getting physical releases of most of these films.

If SF hadn't secured the rights, some other boutique label would have.

Hopefully, the catalog horror titles coming to 4K this fall sell well. I would much rather pay the studios directly 22.99 and up for 4K than SF anyway.

[darkness2918]

If their goal is to get more people to order direct, it's worked at least in my case. Fortunately I wanted enough movies to qualify for free shipping from SF. I only pre ordered the titles I really wanted though, everything else I can wait till the price comes down on Amazon eventually.

[surfinhank]

Originally Posted by surfinhank

Unborn is also up on Best Buy for 22.99. It has the release date for tomorrow, but a shipping estimate of mid-September. I just placed an order and if it ships any sooner I'll report back.

So... my order just shipped. As long as it's not the wrong movie maybe the September estimate is just a precaution.

[jim1985]

As I live outside the US Amazon is my only choice . I don't mind paying a bit more for some titles especially Creepshow I need that in my collection ..

[prkchopexpress]

remember when this thread used to be about movies and not people pissing and moaning? those were good times.

[jim1985]

The good times will come again when all this boils over .

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

remember when this thread used to be about movies and not people pissing and moaning? those were good times.

You mean all those conversations about people pissing and moaning about the movies?

-"I don't like this artwork"
-"This release is encoded poorly"
-"This release has color I don't like"
-"I didn't get a slip cover"
-"This release is too bright/dark"
-"Ugh, another steelbook?"
-"Ugh, another double dip?"
-"Ugh, another bottom of the barrel title?"

Yeah I remember those too. All folks do for the most part around here is complain about titles they've recently purchased, complain about titles not yet announced, or speculate on titles they wish Scream Factory would release. Where have you been?

Despite all that I'd wager that most of the folks complaining own a substantial amount of Scream Factory titles.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

remember when this thread used to be about movies and not people pissing and moaning? those were good times.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by prkchopexpress

remember when this thread used to be about movies and not people pissing and moaning?

Not at all.

[Tylur]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

You mean all those conversations about people pissing and moaning about the movies?

-"I don't like this artwork"
-"This release is encoded poorly"
-"This release has color I don't like"
-"I didn't get a slip cover"
-"This release is too bright/dark"
-"Ugh, another steelbook?"
-"Ugh, another double dip?"
-"Ugh, another bottom of the barrel title?"

Yeah I remember those too. All folks do for the most part around here is complain about titles they've recently purchased, complain about titles not yet announced, or speculate on titles they wish Scream Factory would release. Where have you been?

Despite all that I'd wager that most of the folks complaining own a substantial amount of Scream Factory titles.

Its a forum, well always seeing this kind of *****ing but I do believe the positive outweighs the negative at times. Seeing some users here genuinely excited for the comic con announcements was a lot of fun this summer!

[jarrod_inf]

They can’t be faulted for trying to get profit in a dying industry and consumers can’t be faulted for trying to get the best value for their money.

[ryanmj1993]

Well just got a refund for the price drop of ROTLD 2 on Amazon.