Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[nathanashby]

Originally Posted by Tylur

Ive seen other people ask whats going on in a more reasonable manner. Yelling at them about "MY" sweet spot for buying a movie isn't helping the situation. Trick r' Treat and HOHH was up on amazon.ca for $25 CAD ($19 USD) so saying your only option is to pay $35+ was wrong.

My intention was to explain why i, a loyal customer for years, is having to slow down purchases from them. A few months ago I could purchase new releases in the $18-26 price range. They - for whatever reason they refuse to explain - now are asking around $35 for new releases. That’s a 30% price increase and a reasonable complaint from a fan of their label.

I didn’t realize Canada had them for cheaper but that seems asinine that I have to import an American product through a Canadian site to get the same deal I could previously get from 10+ American businesses a few months ago. And again, they refuse to explain why.

I’m sorry you read that as me “yelling.” I thought I was respectful. In fact my comment has more likes than Scream’s original post so I’m not alone in my frustration.

[CMNPlanet]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

I figured someone would have posted this already but in any case, posted 8 hours ago...

I'm frustrated like a lot people with them, especially when certain titles are showing up at physical retail before direct orders are shipped, but a lot of this seems to be their own making.

If they had said something like the above as little as three weeks ago and pumped the brakes a bit on releases, sales and announcements, goodwill might have been better -- instead we got silence... or brief posts saying "it's complicated"... or inconsistent compensation.

[rickah88]

Wow, I’ve been a big supporter of SF for many years, but their new pricepoint is way beyond what I’m willing to pay.
$30-$35 for a BD is not a reasonable price these days. Heck I don’t even pay that for a 4k/UHD exclsuvie steelbook!
Just going through my Amazon cart I’ve got over a dozen SF titles waiting to drop into the reasonable ~$20 range. If it doesn’t happen, I guess there they will sit.
I get that there are a lot of moving parts going on behind the scenes, and business costs increase, but jumping from sub $19.99 to ~$35 dollars inside a year is a little steep.
Not to mention small labels and even big studios have finally figured out that packaging moves the meter and everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. So SF is no longer the only game in town on that front.

[NeMo_ET]

I got House on Haunted Hill for $26 CAD, I watched it, I enjoyed it, I'm happy.

[Lacrimosa]

So far they’ve lost 7 sales from me. I normally would’ve preordered December-January titles by now.

There’s a strong possibility I won’t order directly from Shout again until their March Madness sale.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by nathanashby

I’m sorry you read that as me “yelling.” I thought I was respectful. In fact my comment has more likes than Scream’s original post so I’m not alone in my frustration.

Careful, ‘round these parts are hardcore Shout fans. I didn’t think your comment was “yelling”. The price locking is not a good practice; I don’t see how anybody can support it.

[trentdiesel]

Originally Posted by Lacrimosa

So far they’ve lost 7 sales from me. I normally would’ve preordered December-January titles by now.

There’s a strong possibility I won’t order directly from Shout again until their March Madness sale.

It's sad because I've been able to keep up with all of the scream releases 8ve wanted over the years but as others have said, my sweet spot is $18-24 for their releases and it's becoming harder and harder to preorder without worrying about getting stuck with a $34 charge.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

... The price locking is not a good practice; I don’t see how anybody can support it.

I've seen comments from people here saying they "don't mind" the higher prices, which is confusing as heck. Unless they only purchase 1-3 titles a year I don't see how paying upwards of $10 more than what we're used to paying is acceptable. Those of us who supported Shout by blind buying a bunch of stuff will no longer be able to do it at these inflated prices. As an example, I paid Criterion prices for The Seventh Sign and the transfer wasn't even that great. That was an $18 disc at best. How can anybody think these prices are OK?

[tek8080]

The higher prices are absolutely a deterrent for me. I've always thought Shout/Scream titles were a bit too high and that was BEFORE this hike.

If the CEs hovered around $20 and everything else $15, I would buy just about every single release they come out with. I can't imagine I am alone in that. I'd think they'd more than make up for it in additional product being moved.

[RedHarvest]

Originally Posted by critterdvd

I've been trying very very hard to look at everything going on with SF from the point of view of a small business owner, but to see that as their official response to people receiving damaged goods at premium pricing has really soured me on them as a whole.

That isn't just bad customer service, it's disrespectful to their clientele, who are ordering "new" products and trying to support their brand.

Once my current pre-orders are fulfilled with them directly I'm going to take a long hard look at ordering anything from them again, let alone directly....

I love Scream Factory, and have been buying directly from them for years. Not trying to bash them, as they've released some great films over the years, but the wheels have unfortunately fallen off the customer service department in a big way. Due to this, I've reevaluated how I order from them, basically cutting my purchases in half. I even cancelled several preorders, deciding I didn't really need them. I don't expect them to shine my shoes or anything, but if the customer service department treats you like a jackass for no reason, that's a problem.

[RedHarvest]

Originally Posted by trentdiesel

It's sad because I've been able to keep up with all of the scream releases 8ve wanted over the years but as others have said, my sweet spot is $18-24 for their releases and it's becoming harder and harder to preorder without worrying about getting stuck with a $34 charge.

Same here. The is the first time where I've just been unable to keep up.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

I've seen comments from people here saying they "don't mind" the higher prices, which is confusing as heck. Unless they only purchase 1-3 titles a year I don't see how paying upwards of $10 more than what we're used to paying is acceptable. Those of us who supported Shout by blind buying a bunch of stuff will no longer be able to do it at these inflated prices. As an example, I paid Criterion prices for The Seventh Sign and the transfer wasn't even that great. That was an $18 disc at best. How can anybody think these prices are OK?

I normally wouldn’t mind paying full price for a title I’m interested in or upgrading (If the old disc was bad) but 35-40 is certainly a stretch. Especially for mostly niche titles in the Scream line. I paid about the same price, of what Shout’s now asking for titles, for StudioCanal’s release of “The Deer Hunter”. I got a 4K disc, two Blu Rays (One dedicated entirely to features), the original soundtrack on CD, photographic stills, a booklet, and the original script/pitch “The Man Who Came to Play”. Absolutely worth the full price.

[Cutter_]

Originally Posted by BrianJoynt

I love Scream Factory, and have been buying directly from them for years. Not trying to bash them, as they've released some great films over the years, but the wheels have unfortunately fallen off the customer service department in a big way. Due to this, I've reevaluated how I order from them, basically cutting my purchases in half. I even cancelled several preorders, deciding I didn't really need them. I don't expect them to shine my shoes or anything, but if the customer service department treats you like a jackass for no reason, that's a problem.

The same with me. I had something like 6 to 8 titles from Shout pre-ordered just for October (It was going to be a great month), but I had to cut it down to two. I've been a Scream/Shout supporter since they started releasing blu-rays, but I can't keep up with these prices. They've lost a lot of sales from me. I can honestly say I've canceled eight SF titles over the next two months, because I can't afford it. Last year, and with their last year prices, I would have bought them all.

It's frustrating and sad, because I love buying SF movies. But, I also am cutting my purchases in half, or even more so.

[Spooked]

Originally Posted by BrianJoynt

I love Scream Factory, and have been buying directly from them for years. Not trying to bash them, as they've released some great films over the years, but the wheels have unfortunately fallen off the customer service department in a big way. Due to this, I've reevaluated how I order from them, basically cutting my purchases in half. I even cancelled several preorders, deciding I didn't really need them. I don't expect them to shine my shoes or anything, but if the customer service department treats you like a jackass for no reason, that's a problem.

I'm in the same boat as well. My Creepshow is apparently in 'processing land', but I've cancelled everything else and moved the orders to DiabolikDVD. They might or might not show up by the release date, but at least I'll get stellar customer service if I need it.

[RedHarvest]

Originally Posted by Spooked

I'm in the same boat as well. My Creepshow is apparently in 'processing land', but I've cancelled everything else and moved the orders to DiabolikDVD. They might or might not show up by the release date, but at least I'll get stellar customer service if I need it.

Jesse at DiabolikDVD is a sure bet for great customer service, no doubt.

[Member-222782]

I've never had to contact Shout's customer service until earlier this week when I notified them of a error I made with my shipping address on an order. There was a note saying I should receive a response within 24-48 hours but as of yet there's nothing. I don't really need a reply - just hope they send my order to the right address.

[Hedji]

If anything, it's a wake up call to every consumer to vote with your dollar. Support what you really like. Be patient when you can.

I've decided I don't need the Exorcist II double dip until it drops to a sale price somewhere like Hamilton Book. My old copy will do for now, and I think the desire to pay a fair price outweighs the hope to get an early slipcover.

[nathanashby]

Originally Posted by mrcoffee

My theory is that because they lost the option for in-country disc pressing, they had to cut distribution to certain retail ties because they were unable to meet supply/street date obligations. As a result, it created a price inflation that would help them recoup lost profits from less unit sales. I could be wrong?

Interesting theory.

I've been thinking of alternate theories on this sudden policy change:

• An partial exclusivity deal with Amazon ?

• Or are they truly trying to corner/monopolize the market and increase revenue by shutting out other pre-order sites who discount? Maybe that worked for them with an increase in direct sales/profit but eventually backfired because they don't have the staff on hand to adequately fulfill a sudden, large influx of new orders.

Whatever the case, I wish they would be more transparent about the change.

[kraven]

Originally Posted by mrcoffee

My theory is that because they lost the option for in-country disc pressing, they had to cut distribution to certain retail ties because they were unable to meet supply/street date obligations. As a result, it created a price inflation that would help them recoup lost profits from less unit sales. I could be wrong?

Yes and No...possibly.

The distribution would explain why everyone but Amazon are getting the copies later, but that reeks more of an exclusive window deal. As for the price inflation SF is forcing stores to sell at a certain price, it's why diabolik has the scream5 code for $5 off shipping, cause they can't lower the price of the blu.

[Tylur]

Originally Posted by nathanashby

My intention was to explain why i, a loyal customer for years, is having to slow down purchases from them. A few months ago I could purchase new releases in the $18-26 price range. They - for whatever reason they refuse to explain - now are asking around $35 for new releases. That’s a 30% price increase and a reasonable complaint from a fan of their label.

I didn’t realize Canada had them for cheaper but that seems asinine that I have to import an American product through a Canadian site to get the same deal I could previously get from 10+ American businesses a few months ago. And again, they refuse to explain why.

I’m sorry you read that as me “yelling.” I thought I was respectful. In fact my comment has more likes than Scream’s original post so I’m not alone in my frustration.

I can see your frustration and you have all the right to be. Importing an American product through Canada is pretty ridiculous but its still an option at this point.

Has anyone thought as to why Shout is doing this only to American retailers but not Canadian retailers? If we were having the same issues as Americans, Amazon.ca wouldn't be getting cheaper with price matches on new titles.