Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[trentdiesel]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

The posters are another example of unforced errors by Shout. They charge extra for pre-orders with the poster without offering people the option of ordering without the poster, and then they ship the posters in a way that will almost guarantee damage. Of course people are going to complain if the poster that you require them to pay extra for arrives damaged! But they created the problem themselves -- nobody complains that the other labels don't tack on non-free stuff as a requirement for a pre-order. And they hide the extra charge so well that a lot of people still think the posters are free, and therefore think that anybody who is complaining about them is being a cheapskate.

Exactly, it's at the point where we need a damaged posters complaining thread. They would save everyone alot of pain by not offering them

[Worship.my.wreck]

Originally Posted by trentdiesel

Exactly, it's at the point where we need a damaged posters complaining thread. They would save everyone alot of pain by not offering them

So instead of fixing the problem, the solution is to just stop offering them?

SMH. Good luck trying to get anyone to pre-order directly after that. Cause I guarantee you most only do so for the posters. Especially since we don't even get 2 week early shipment anymore.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

There’s been pictures posted here and elsewhere of posters being ripped and crumpled because some primate shoved them into a shipping tube. The pics I saw weren’t little bends.

Blu-ray.com: "Shout Factory.. you've just been accused of price manipulation on your products, lackluster customer service, breaking sales agreements, and in general letting your fans and those that have supported you for the past 6 years down. Care to respond?"

Shout Factory:

[Show spoiler]

[thatguamguy]

I'm sure people will dismiss me as a hater, but I am genuinely asking this question -- why is Shout so obsessed with direct pre-orders? That seems to be the explanation behind multiple bad decisions -- the posters that they can't ship undamaged, the MAP pricing that everybody hates, the early ship dates that they can't meet... they'll try anything except the one thing that is guaranteed to increase pre-orders (lower prices).

Other labels will have their slipcovers, or sometimes Twilight Time has an autograph sale, but they seem to be largely content with whatever pre-orders they naturally generate. Shout is the only label that seems to be treating pre-orders on catalog titles the way studios treat opening weekends for new theatrical releases.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

I'm sure people will dismiss me as a hater, but I am genuinely asking this question -- why is Shout so obsessed with direct pre-orders? That seems to be the explanation behind multiple bad decisions -- the posters that they can't ship undamaged, the MAP pricing that everybody hates, the early ship dates that they can't meet... they'll try anything except the one thing that is guaranteed to increase pre-orders (lower prices).

Other labels will have their slipcovers, or sometimes Twilight Time has an autograph sale, but they seem to be largely content with whatever pre-orders they naturally generate. Shout is the only label that seems to be treating pre-orders on catalog titles the way studios treat opening weekends for new theatrical releases.

I honestly feel like this is a market stress test to see what fans of the label will tolerate. Change in management may or may not have had anything to do with it, but I feel like given the explosion of smaller and smaller distributor labels that the the sales of these "niche" titles are generating a lot more money than folks probably realize and now that Shout Factory has established itself as a power player and has access to titles that many want, they are testing just how far they can push things in order to maximize profit.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Walmart has the Poison Ivy Collection listed at $44.06, which Amazon matched. Let’s see how long this lasts....

[Jay Mammoth]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Walmart has the Poison Ivy Collection listed at $44.06, which Amazon matched. Let’s see how long this lasts....

If it’s like Critters at least 15 hours.

[CreepyThinMan]

I'm starting to see the entire seven season box of Tales from the Crypt being pushed. Wal-mart had one and the prices are dropping on Amazon. Bluray release soon?

[Rosco Marryweather]

Yes. I have damaged posters too...

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by CreepyThinMan

Bluray release soon?

That would be shocking...

[Antemasque]

When there's rips, tears, etc then obviously that needs to get taken care of. I'm talking about the people who abuse their system. I haven't seen much in this form but there's so much on facebook. People cry and complain about little shit and then around and sell the "damaged" poster for 20 bucks after getting the replacement. Also, shouts/screams Facebook page is just filled with people crying. Some of its justified and I understand that but a lot of it is not.

I know that I'm probably alone on this island but enough is enough. We gotta get this wheel moving and make a change.

[ghoulies]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

Walmart has the Poison Ivy Collection listed at $44.06, which Amazon matched. Let’s see how long this lasts....

I though Shout titles were now only available through Shout's website, Amazon, and a few other online retailers? Doesn't make sense Walmart having The Poison Ivy Collection, but not other major retailers like Best Buy.

[thatguamguy]

Best Buy wouldn't go along with the price MAPing. Any retailer *can* carry Shout titles, if they agree to that.

[ghoulies]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

Best Buy wouldn't go along with the price MAPing. Any retailer *can* carry Shout titles, if they agree to that.

Thanks for the explanation.

[Tylur]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

I'm starting to wonder if some of these folks actually work for the labels.

Yep thats me! Shout opened up a 1 man team warehouse here in Canada. Were so understaffed that I only have half a second each day to get your posters in the tubes...

[thatguamguy]

You should pay attention to other threads, then you'd know that Shout is more expensive than any other label. Oh, sure, their MSRP might be a few bucks cheaper than Criterion's, but Criterions are on sale for $20 at regular intervals throughout the year.

[Tylur]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

You should pay attention to other threads, then you'd know that Shout is more expensive than any other label. Oh, sure, their MSRP might be a few bucks cheaper than Criterion's, but Criterions are on sale for $20 at regular intervals throughout the year.

From what I know, most boutique labels are American so everything is imported and its quite costly for shipping and especially exchange on online ordering. It wouldn't be worth it unless I purchased in store or amazon.ca.

Once HMV closed down here where I live ive yet to find a decent store except one place downtown that charges a good 5-10$ extra on boutique label blu rays.

[Tylur]

Heres an example for you: All on Amazon.ca

Waterworld from Arrow Video is 47.53 MSRP 54.98 right now and its still a pre order.

10 to Midnight from SF is 26.41 MSRP 36.99 right now and its still a pre order.

In the Heat of the Night from Criterion is 39.18 MSRP 52.98 right now and its still a pre order aswell.

Most SF collectors editions are hitting 28.99 max on amazon.ca *if you pre order

You guys are complaining about 30 bucks but I sure as hell am not paying 40- 50$ a movie myself!

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by Tylur

Heres an example for you: All on Amazon.ca

Waterworld from Arrow Video is 47.53 MSRP 54.98 right now and its still a pre order.

10 to Midnight from SF is 26.41 MSRP 36.99 right now and its still a pre order.

In the Heat of the Night from Criterion is 39.18 MSRP 52.98 right now and its still a pre order aswell.

Most SF collectors editions are hitting 28.99 max on amazon.ca *if you pre order

You guys are complaining about 30 bucks but I sure as hell am not paying 40- 50$ a movie myself!

Waterworld is a limited edition. It'll also be on sale for half that in no time. Just sit back, wait a few months, and snag it from an Arrow UK sale.

In the Heat of the Night will be half price at $20 four months a year. It'll be typically sold on Amazon between $22-27.

10 to Midnight will always be $30+ until a sale gives a great discount to $29.50.

[Tylur]

Originally Posted by KJones77

Waterworld is a limited edition. It'll also be on sale for half that in no time. Just sit back, wait a few months, and snag it from an Arrow UK sale.

In the Heat of the Night will be half price at $20 four months a year. It'll be typically sold on Amazon between $22-27.

10 to Midnight will always be $30+ until a sale gives a great discount to $29.50.

Not on Amazon.ca maybe .com though. I don't bother buying from sales online because shipping and exchange rate for the US websites screw us over!