Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[Kenneth M]

Originally Posted by Slasherfilm

That’s a great idea I will defo look into this!!

And yea crazy to go when it’s so humid but we are stopping for a few days before heading to Mexico for Christmas and New Year!
Looking forward to it!!

Oops! I didn't see the "winter" part. Sorry!

That's the perfect time for Mexico travel and the heat won't be bad at all in New Orleans. In fact it may just be slightly the opposite. You chose wisely! You're going to have the time of your life!

The casinos in New Orleans are great if you're into the gambling scene. And of course Bourbon Street is one grandiose party 24/7. If you're out partying super late at night though, try to walk more in the street and less on the sidewalks, as people on the balconies above the sidewalks might have consumed so much alcohol that all inhibitions have been lost and decide to pee pee on the unsupecting crowd beneath. Don't let that dissuade you from partying on Bourbon, if partying is your jam though. It's still as outlandish as ever and about the only thing to compare it with is Carnivale in Rio. Also the cajun food is to die for. Would recommend some places but been burned before because they weren't as solid for others as they were for me. But yeah, if you dig spicy seafood, etc, you'll be in heaven.

Super jealous of your plans and hope your time visiting the Americas rewards you with an unforgettable experience!

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

We don't really know what, if anything, they're planning. I know some were complaining that SF had no loyalty rewards program like Arrow does, so maybe they'll be creating something like that.

You can't be reasonable on this forum. Don't you know it's only here for complaining.

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

We don't really know what, if anything, they're planning. I know some were complaining that SF had no loyalty rewards program like Arrow does, so maybe they'll be creating something like that.

Yeah. Based on Scream Factory and their endless scratched discs, expensive site exclusives and trying to charge extra for receiving items in the condition you should expect as standard, people would be crazy to not be reasonably optimistic that this new program is going to be amazing and not another cash grab!

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by bergman864

You can't be reasonable on this forum. Don't you know it's only here for complaining.

When it comes to SF, they deserve the jabs they get.

While I can admit, I personally feel like the scratches have gotten better, they are still a consistent problem. You don't hear these issues as much in Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow, Severin (have their own issues), Terror Vision, Radiance threads for a reason.

While it might be boring to hear and see, we complain because it's tiresome. We, the customers are the only reason they are employed. Folks like us are keeping the medium alive and also keeping Shout's lights on. Do you think Joe Scmoe is buying 30-40 dollar B movies from 40 years ago? No, it's the Physical Media collectors. And when Shout continually adds to the frustration by pretending the problem doesn't exist, refuses replacements without insane amounts of proof, and has the balls to try to get MORE money out of their customers is pretty laughable.

Any company with respect for the folks putting food on their table would have addressed these issues. They don't because they are either lazy, or too cheap to want to improve. And it's sad because they hold the rights to some incredible titles.

[dubhousing]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

Now that Best Buy no longer carries movies, one of the only US retailers left that would carry Scream titles in stores would be FYE. You generally find them in malls, and I have no idea if there is one in New Orleans. Barnes & Noble might carry select titles as well.

Barnes and Noble definitely sells Scream Factory titles in-store, and Arrow titles, as well. One of my local stores currently has a couple of copies of Arrow's limited-edition Patrick 4K sets on the shelves. The B&N app can tell you if a local store has a copy of a title on their shelves.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

When it comes to SF, they deserve the jabs they get.

While I can admit, I personally feel like the scratches have gotten better, they are still a consistent problem. You don't hear these issues as much in Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow, Severin (have their own issues), Terror Vision, Radiance threads for a reason.

While it might be boring to hear and see, we complain because it's tiresome. We, the customers are the only reason they are employed. Folks like us are keeping the medium alive and also keeping Shout's lights on. Do you think Joe Scmoe is buying 30-40 dollar B movies from 40 years ago? No, it's the Physical Media collectors. And when Shout continually adds to the frustration by pretending the problem doesn't exist, refuses replacements without insane amounts of proof, and has the balls to try to get MORE money out of their customers is pretty laughable.

Any company with respect for the folks putting food on their table would have addressed these issues. They don't because they are either lazy, or too cheap to want to improve. And it's sad because they hold the rights to some incredible titles.

I have a different perspective since I haven't had an issue with scratches. I'm also speaking of the fact that there exists a customer base outside of blu-ray.com. There's more things to consider than just what is being posted in this thread. It doesn't have to be Joe Schmoe buying these discs for someone to realize a company couldn't stay afloat if only the people who frequent this forum was buying discs.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by bergman864

I have a different perspective since I haven't had an issue with scratches. I'm also speaking of the fact that there exists a customer base outside of blu-ray.com. There's more things to consider than just what is being posted in this thread. It doesn't have to be Joe Schmoe buying these discs for someone to realize a company couldn't stay afloat if only the people who frequent this forum was buying discs.

There does exist a consumer base outside of blu-ray.com, and unfortunately we can't ever know if they are having the same issues, as they aren't here. So that goes both ways, they might be sending in complaints as well. And also, I said "folks like us" as in the collectors of physical media.

The fact of the matter is, we'd be complaining if this was ANY company, not just SF.

I love Arrow for example. I have LOTS of titles, and I have never had a single scratched disc from them. But they have had issues with errors on their discs. Wanna know why it's not as bad? They put out a statement taking ownership of the problem, and almost always, rectifying this issue at a great cost to themselves.

We as consumers of ANY product should make our voices here both to the company involved, and with each other. Times are really tough for a lot of people out there, why should we settle for mediocrity when we are spending good money and expect a product in the condition described. If all the other companies I mentioned above can do it, why can't Shout?

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

There does exist a consumer base outside of blu-ray.com, and unfortunately we can't ever know if they are having the same issues, as they aren't here. So that goes both ways, they might be sending in complaints as well. And also, I said "folks like us" as in the collectors of physical media.

The fact of the matter is, we'd be complaining if this was ANY company, not just SF.

I love Arrow for example. I have LOTS of titles, and I have never had a single scratched disc from them. But they have had issues with errors on their discs. Wanna know why it's not as bad? They put out a statement taking ownership of the problem, and almost always, rectifying this issue at a great cost to themselves.

We as consumers of ANY product should make our voices here both to the company involved, and with each other. Times are really tough for a lot of people out there, why should we settle for mediocrity when we are spending good money and expect a product in the condition described. If all the other companies I mentioned above can do it, why can't Shout?

I thought it was pretty clear from my reply that I wasn't speaking of just positive experiences with customers outside of the forum. There are countless people who abuse the system that make it difficult for all customers. But also, there may be plenty of people who've enquired Shout Factory about a loyalty program/subscription. I'm just asking for some perspective from the people around here.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by bergman864

I thought it was pretty clear from my reply that I wasn't speaking of just positive experiences with customers outside of the forum. There are countless people who abuse the system that make it difficult for all customers. But also, there may be plenty of people who've enquired Shout Factory about a loyalty program/subscription. I'm just asking for some perspective from the people around here.

I get you, A FREE loyalty program would be great. But judging from the questions in the survey, this will be a paid membership.

So we have an expensive product.
That is more expensive than other retailers.
Who have a bad reputation with a chunk of their customer base.
Wants them to (potentially) pay more money for access to the same issues we've gone over.

If they finally announce it, and it's a free loyalty program with benefits other than 5% off MSRP, I will happily come back and admit I'm wrong. The world we live in is already so paid-membership saturated, I cannot see many going for it if so.

[JoelGoodsen]

Nothing wrong with perspective at all, but as RevolverOcelScott said above, it really is hard to have any kind of positive perspective with SF on all known experiences and facts. That is on the company too, not us. We have done our part in the past by spending money with them. They need to hold up their end of the deal.

[bergman864]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I get you, A FREE loyalty program would be great. But judging from the questions in the survey, this will be a paid membership.

So we have an expensive product.
That is more expensive than other retailers.
Who have a bad reputation with a chunk of their customer base.
Wants them to (potentially) pay more money for access to the same issues we've gone over.

If they finally announce it, and it's a free loyalty program with benefits other than 5% off MSRP, I will happily come back and admit I'm wrong. The world we live in is already so paid-membership saturated, I cannot see many going for it if so.

This could be a subscription program that allows the customer to get all of their site exclusives at a cost that's lower than advertised on their website. Or all of their releases for the discount. That would be no different than any other subscription program.

They're just enquiring from their customers. Probably because customers have asked about this on their social media posts.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I get you, A FREE loyalty program would be great. But judging from the questions in the survey, this will be a paid membership.

So we have an expensive product.
That is more expensive than other retailers.
Who have a bad reputation with a chunk of their customer base.
Wants them to (potentially) pay more money for access to the same issues we've gone over.

If they finally announce it, and it's a free loyalty program with benefits other than 5% off MSRP, I will happily come back and admit I'm wrong. The world we live in is already so paid-membership saturated, I cannot see many going for it if so.

Remember when the posters were “free”? This company is an eye roll.

Shout Factory would pick you up by the feet and shake all the change out of your pockets if they could get away with it. Route package protection remains their shittiest, most blatant attempt.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by dissention

Route package protection remains their shittiest, most blatant attempt.

They aren't the only ones throwing that on there. iam8bit and rightstuff added that to their orders. I always disable it. If you don't stand by your packaging and don't make it right, I'll have no problem talking to my credit card company and having it taken care of.

Yeah, it's "only a buck", but if a package is properly packed, that shouldn't be needed. They probably get .25 for every one they sell from Route.

The nickel and diming of literally every product and service has gotten insane. That and "Round up for charity" "25%, 30%, 35% Tip" options at every transaction.

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

They aren't the only ones throwing that on there. iam8bit and rightstuff added that to their orders. I always disable it. If you don't stand by your packaging and don't make it right, I'll have no problem talking to my credit card company and having it taken care of.

Yeah, it's "only a buck", but if a package is properly packed, that shouldn't be needed. They probably get .25 for every one they sell from Route.

The nickel and diming of literally every product and service has gotten insane. That and "Round up for charity" "25%, 30%, 35% Tip" options at every transaction.

Which is why I always say something when I see shitty customer service or business practices.

Do you know what has got insane? How many people defend poor customer services/practices. It is no wonder why things have gotten so bad from certain labels or business's in general.

[Rayjg]

LOL, a paid membership? No doubt they see VinSyn's success and think "us too!" but there are major differences. VinSyn treats their customers with respect and that breeds loyalty. Telling people to **** off over damaged slipcovers, posters, discs, the very things they sell, won't encourage people to join. I'm sure VinSyn would love to boot some of their customers to the curb too but they actually care about their reputation. A happy customer is a quiet customer

[Flex_MythoMass]

The funny thing to me is, receiving scratched discs just encourages me to use Amazon because they don't give a crap what your reason for wanting a replacement is. And judging by the Shout employees who post on their product pages, they really hate when you admit you'll just buy it from Amazon.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by Flex_MythoMass

The funny thing to me is, receiving scratched discs just encourages me to use Amazon because they don't give a crap what your reason for wanting a replacement is. And judging by the Shout employees who post on their product pages, they really hate when you admit you'll just buy it from Amazon.

To be honest the best way to buy Shout releases is used. That way you can inspect the disc or at least ask the person selling about its condition. I like buying new but at this point it's no longer worth it.

[Flex_MythoMass]

Originally Posted by Rayjg

To be honest the best way to buy Shout releases is used. That way you can inspect the disc or at least ask the person selling about its condition. I like buying new but at this point it's no longer worth it.

I wish I had a used movie place around me but alas, the closest one is over an hour away.

[Rayjg]

Originally Posted by Flex_MythoMass

I wish I had a used movie place around me but alas, the closest one is over an hour away.

Best bet is Ebay. Ask the seller if it has any scratches. If they don't respond, assume the worst.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

And it's sad because they hold the rights to some incredible titles.

Bottom line for me is Revolvers quote above. If this wasn't the case, I would never buy another item from these guys again. But frankly, we are held hostage by their BS because of this. I genuinely hope that the new Shout Studios will sell off all their physical media rights to someone that gives a sh#t. I know, wishful thinking. All the complaints before me are VERY valid and anyone that thinks a scratched disc is acceptable as new condition, EVEN THOUGH IT STILL PLAYS, needs their fuc#in head examined. All the BS Shout has put people through over this is beyond ridiculous. Again, hopefully one day they will sell off all their physical media rights.

I'm not going to throw more gas on this Shout dumpster fire scratch issue, as I have had a bunch in the past and at this point, expect it, which is SAD. That's just the tip of the iceberg though. I'm gonna touch lightly on this new trend with retailers, paid memberships. Costco set the bar many years ago IMO and they do a great job with it. And VS is the standard in the game we play. Now Shout has some balls to even THINK about this. There are many 'problems' that would need to be fixed before they even contemplate this. The msrp on their site is a joke at $36 for CE. Even at 10% off, they are more than everyone else. How does a 'membership' discount help that, let alone the audacity to charge $30 for a garbage bare bones 'Exclusive' release. Severin doesn't even charge that much for their turds. Their packaging, let alone the insurance BS is mediocre at best. That's 3 strikes already and I'm sure others can pile on more. Shout would have to come to the table with a golden goose for me to even think twice about a 'membership' from them.