Walmart Downsizing Blu-ray Selection!!

[Pulido69]

I've asked at SEVERAL walmarts througout my area (travel for work)...EVERY SINGLE WALMART has cut their selection by MORE than 1/2!!! WTH? Oh, and they added a few more blu-ray players? I thought a few months ago they were on board for a huge Blu-Ray push this year? This is BS!! Thank god for a decent selection at Blockbuster, Best Buy & Target! (Some good ones in used too.) Anyway, I hate walmart!! This just affirms that they don't care about their flippin customers, they just want to make a buck! FuXtards!!

[Rik1138]

Well, in the area I live in, the primary clientele of Wal-Mart aren't the kind of people that are going to be spending money on Blu-Ray, so that's probably why many stores would cut back. Wal-Mart caters to people on the low-end of the pay-scale, they generally can't afford things like Blu-Ray players, HD TVs and then the discs that go with them.

They also don't make Blu-Ray full-screen, so that probably turns off most of the 'families' that shop there...

And where did you get the delusion that Wal-Mart actually cares about their customers?

[LeonardMcGill]

Yea seems to make sense to me. Blu Ray is still a "high tech" technology. Wallyworld isn't exactly the highest of high tech audiences (generally).

[BluBrown]

The Wal-Mart that I occasionally stop at has recently remodeled their electronics department....yet they have 1/4 of the Blu-ray selection they used to have. There are still a few good deals to be had but it seems they are taking a giant step in the wrong direction. They've cut back on their movie selection yet they have probably the best prices on entry level players of any B&M. Makes sense!

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by LeonardMcGill

Yea seems to make sense to me. Blu Ray is still a "high tech" technology. Wallyworld isn't exactly the highest of high tech audiences (generally).

Then why did they make the section so BIG in the first place ?

[jc480]

Not sure what you guys are talking about with respect to Walmart customers. They are the #2 retailer in the country for BDs....more than Amazon.

Might want to read that CNET article the guy posted earlier.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by Rik1138

Well, in the area I live in, the primary clientele of Wal-Mart aren't the kind of people that are going to be spending money on Blu-Ray, so that's probably why many stores would cut back. Wal-Mart caters to people on the low-end of the pay-scale, they generally can't afford things like Blu-Ray players, HD TVs and then the discs that go with them.

They also don't make Blu-Ray full-screen, so that probably turns off most of the 'families' that shop there...

And where did you get the delusion that Wal-Mart actually cares about their customers?

I would almost agree with you but there are now several blu ray players under $200 and they have about 20 titles at $15 or less so I am not sure if they could not make a run for it, at least give it a chance and see if it is profitable. I live in a fairly upscale town in Florida on the coast the we have 1 supercenter, 3 months ago they tripled the blu ray section by adding 2 large double door glass cases to go with the one case they already had. A few days ago I went in and they were back to just one so they are not even giving it a realistic chance. It doesn't matter to me as I buy almost all my movies from Amazon and since I am a prime member 2 day shipping is always free.

[jwblu]

I'm seeing the same thing at the store in my area. Went from a end cap and self spot to just a end cap for new releases and none that I'm interested in.

[dragon2777]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

I would almost agree with you but there are now several blu ray players under $200 and they have about 20 titles at $15 or less so I am not sure if they could not make a run for it, at least give it a chance and see if it is profitable. I live in a fairly upscale town in Florida on the coast the we have 1 supercenter, 3 months ago they tripled the blu ray section by adding 2 large double door glass cases to go with the one case they already had. A few days ago I went in and they were back to just one so they are not even giving it a realistic chance. It doesn't matter to me as I buy almost all my movies from Amazon and since I am a prime member 2 day shipping is always free.

You forgot about one thing....while there are relatively cheap players and movies you also have to spend money on an HDTV. I know that Walmart has their Visio brand the 30" is still about $450. And the accessories.

So it is $200 for the player $450 for the TV $15 for a movie at least $20 for an HDMI cable and I am going to assume that they have somewhere to put the TV or just on the floor for this example. So that is $685 out of pocket just to watch the first movie. That is a bit pricey for the intended clientele of Walmart.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by dragon2777

You forgot about one thing....while there are relatively cheap players and movies you also have to spend money on an HDTV. I know that Walmart has their Visio brand the 30" is still about $450. And the accessories.

So it is $200 for the player $450 for the TV $15 for a movie at least $20 for an HDMI cable and I am going to assume that they have somewhere to put the TV or just on the floor for this example. So that is $685 out of pocket just to watch the first movie. That is a bit pricey for the intended clientele of Walmart.

Yeah maybe, but isn't that what super high rate credit cards are for? That is also the clientele of Walmart.

[dragon2777]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

Yeah maybe, but isn't that what super high rate credit cards are for? That is also the clientele of Walmart.

In all fairness I think that even the credit card ignorant people are learning that in these times if you do not have the money especially for blu-ray stuff and non essentials not to get it just yet. They are overwhelmed with just normal payments that I can not see them buying stuff like that now.

But you are right if they offered a deal for the TV Cable Player and Movie if you sign up for their credit card or use one of theirs that they already have I can see a lot of people taking the offer.

[aggienader08]

I've never purchased a blu-ray from Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart where I used to live didn't even have a blu section, and that's been within the past 6 months. I would have to agree that blu is still the least affordable high-end technology out there and Wal-Mart isn't a place to shop for a high-end HD format. So if you live in a town that doesn't have a quality video store or a Best Buy, you'd be better off ordering almost everything online. Amazon is usually cheaper anyway, and anything over $25 is free shipping!

[FindYourWay]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

I would almost agree with you but there are now several blu ray players under $200 and they have about 20 titles at $15 or less so I am not sure if they could not make a run for it, at least give it a chance and see if it is profitable.

But you can get a new DVD Player for $50 bucks and under now.
So for low income, even a $200 BD Player is not an option.

[dragon2777]

I have just started with blu-ray but from what I have seen my 2 places to go are Amazon and Best Buy hands down.

I am a member of B&N and did not know that you can stack coupons so I may take a look at them too

[sbjork]

My local Wal-Mart still has all of their Blu-Rays in the locked cabinet -- including all of the $10 Lionsgate titles. And they make you check out those $10 titles at the register in the electronics section; they will not let you carry them up to the front of the store.

Not the way to grow the market . . .

[Valkyr47]

wow

apparently everyone that shops at walmart is a poor, low-tech redneck type

guess i should stop shopping there

in all honesty i bought my Sony Bravia there because it was $1249 instead of $1299 at best buy, plus i would rather support walmart (always hated best buy staff)

ive also bought most of my movies there because on release day they at least knock them down a few bucks

[SonGokuGT]

Wal*mart has been nothing but a disappointment when it comes to Blu-ray, not to mention that the staff in my local one is completely incompetent. When I saw that my local store downsized their BD section by a little over 2/3 I was very disappointed. With those two factors in mind I'd rather go the extra 10 miles to Best Buy and have it be a one-stop shopping trip.

[wafi]

Originally Posted by Valkyr47

wow

apparently everyone that shops at walmart is a poor, low-tech redneck type

guess i should stop shopping there

in all honesty i bought my Sony Bravia there because it was $1249 instead of $1299 at best buy, plus i would rather support walmart (always hated best buy staff)

ive also bought most of my movies there because on release day they at least knock them down a few bucks

Dang! Ah reckon I'm a double low tech redneck then, since I'm from Arkansas and I shop at Walmart! Its all good!

[Blu-Benny]

i was in our local wal-mart last night and they are just finishing up w/their revamp....looked like they were finally adding to their selection.

[[1080-p]]

Originally Posted by Pulido69

I've asked at SEVERAL walmarts througout my area (travel for work)...EVERY SINGLE WALMART has cut their selection by MORE than 1/2!!! WTH? Oh, and they added a few more blu-ray players? I thought a few months ago they were on board for a huge Blu-Ray push this year? This is BS!! Thank god for a decent selection at Blockbuster, Best Buy & Target! (Some good ones in used too.) Anyway, I hate walmart!! This just affirms that they don't care about their flippin customers, they just want to make a buck! FuXtards!!

yeah i noticed they keep blu-ray behind glass