Why Are Some Apprehensive To Blind Buy?

[molson1138]

To be fair to my local theater the are cool with people bringing their own snacks and drinks. I usually stop by Target before and grab something. Most of the time it's healthier too.

[recS-12]

Originally Posted by progers13

This is an argument I've been making for years. I blind buy much more regularly than I go to the theater. Occasionally it bites me, but even in those instances I still have a tangible item in hand that I can sell to recover some of my losses.

Totally Agree +1

[Lepidopterous]

I've been getting more apprehensive lately about my blind-buying... I used to be so good at it.

[ungood]

when i go to the movie theaters, i do not spend anywhere near $25.

[NAOQ]

In my region ticket prices are around $8 a ticket. Kid prices are a little less, but for our family of 6 a single movie comes in at around $42 a movie. Certain movies we will all go see but they are very few and far between. The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and others were blind buys that all made sense because we knew they would be liked in our household. The last movie we all saw in the theatres was Twilight New Moon and between tickets and snacks it came in at over $70. The kids had fun, so it's all good but doing this can't be the norm for our family. Unless it's a catalog title that we know we want almost all of our movies will be a blind buy. We mostly rent first but we have a pretty good idea of when to buy.

[RAZGRIZ-1]

I rarely go to the theater unless its a movie I really can't wait to see. The last movie I saw in theaters was Avatar. Luckily I have a very wide range of tastes so I like many different types of movies. Which means I can blind buy with little worry. That applies to a lot of things as well, music, games, books, food etc.

I like to have a open mind.

[720pDude]

[QUOTE=s2mikey;2924805]I dont see why people blind buy at all? There are just WAY too many letdowns out there to lose money like that. Maybe with $10 dollar titles you can be a little more loose with your own rules, but overall, you will lose money selling used or trading in titles.

Netflix makes it so easy to rent with both discs and streaming that I cant imagine any valid reason to blind-buy other than you have money to burn. And I know that streaming quality cant touch blu-ray but you can use streaming tjust to see if you like the movie and then buy the blu-ray if you do.[/QUOTE

I totally agree cuz this is logical. When a movie on dvd retails for $10 then I MAY consider blind buying cuz then it would fit the approach to going to a show..these other comparisons about blind buying at $25 - 29 dollars being the same as going to a theater are not logical.

[csdot]

Originally Posted by ungood

when i go to the movie theaters, i do not spend anywhere near $25.

when i buy a blu-ray, i do not spend anywhere near $25.
ive never regretted a blind buy. as long as its under $15 and i im interested in checking it out i dont give it a second thought.
heres my pros and cons of blind buying vs going to the movies
pro:
no loud mouths yelling at the screen.
no ridiculously priced snacks.
no uncomfortable seats.
the movie can paused if you need to use the bathroom.
you can watch if with multiple people for the price of one.
you can watch it over and over for the rest of your life.
if you dont like it, you can get at least SOME of your money back.

con:
uhh....

[XXXsdesdeXXX]

Originally Posted by molson1138

To be fair to my local theater the are cool with people bringing their own snacks and drinks. I usually stop by Target before and grab something. Most of the time it's healthier too.

Yeah, there's a Pat & Oscars right next to the theater here in San Diego; good place to eat just before. Bring in the water and candy from outside and you're good. Usually, but not always, the usher checking your tickets is someone under 21; most often, they want to avoid being confrontational which allows you to pass through with your goodies -- I would recommend trying to avoid blatantly walking through with arms full of goodies do it nonchalantly.

[Sgtpepper27]

I try to get to the cinema around once a month so have to be selective at some times of year, I blind buy on films I would have definately gone to the cinema to see. My last blind buys were Star Trek & Terminator:Salvation, If i'd had the time and money I would have seen them and with the benefit of reviews and friends opinions blind buying them was a no brainer.

Other blind buys would have to be special offers and I'd do a bit of research and dont think I've had a major disappointment, think the only BB i was a little let down with is Vantage Point, but even saying that it's not a total disappointment.

Anything I'm not sure on tends to go on my rental list before any decision is made. I've not bought a couple of films based on this, Wanted and Knowing spring to mind.

Next planned Blind Buys: 2012 & Sherlock Holmes.

[Sponge-worthy]

Originally Posted by molson1138

I was thinking about blind buying a couple of movies a few weeks ago then it hit me. Why was I putting so much thought into it when I don't if I see a movie in the theater? Movie tickets are $10-$15 add a drink and/or food and it easily comes out to $20-$25 and I only get to watch the movie once! Dunno, just seems odd that we think twice about blind buying a movie but easily go to a movie which is not as good a value.

I think there's a psychological component at work. If you drop some cash a movie ticket, and the movie turns out to be not very good, well that misadventure just gets filed away in your memory as a less than pleasant experience, or one that failed your internal cost-benefit analysis.

However, if you blind by a BD, and turns out you have a bad movie, then unless you can unload the title onto somebody, you always have that reminder sitting on your shelf of money that could have been spent elsewhere.

Also, at least for me, a trip to a movie theater is often a social thing with friends, family, or whatever. Like, when you go out with friends some Friday and you have to pay to park your car, or pay a cover to get into a bar/club--even though there's no guarantee your evening will be a good one.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by molson1138

I was thinking about blind buying a couple of movies a few weeks ago then it hit me. Why was I putting so much thought into it when I don't if I see a movie in the theater? Movie tickets are $10-$15 add a drink and/or food and it easily comes out to $20-$25 and I only get to watch the movie once! Dunno, just seems odd that we think twice about blind buying a movie but easily go to a movie which is not as good a value.

I'm with you 100%... the whole arguement seems absurd to me. It's a better value than going to the theatre... period.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I'm with you 100%... the whole arguement seems absurd to me. It's a better value than going to the theatre... period.

But if I'm not sure about a movie, renting is a better value than a blind buy.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

But if I'm not sure about a movie, renting is a better value than a blind buy.

no arguement from me there-- I like to collect though as well so I still go with the buying route. I haven't been burned enough to go any other way (I'd say maybe 5 or 6 regrets out of nearly 500 titles)

[XXXsdesdeXXX]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

But if I'm not sure about a movie, renting is a better value than a blind buy.

Agreed. +1

[42041]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I'm with you 100%... the whole arguement seems absurd to me. It's a better value than going to the theatre... period.

i don't see every movie at the theater.
i rented near 100 films last year via netflix and paid slightly above $200 during that time period... do the math.

[HDMe]

Movies, last I checked, around here are $8-$10 per ticket and I don't buy the snacks... though sometimes I'll splurge for a drink IF I go... but I haven't been to a movie theater in years myself.

Since it's just me... I can't justify a blind-buy @ $20 for a movie unless I know I want it.

There are lots that are "blind" buys because I know enough about the movie from online, trailers, talking to someone else, etc... but the truly blind buys I wait for a price drop OR a chance to rent via PPV or show up on a pay channel I already subscribe to so I can "rent" that way first.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by 42041

i don't see every movie at the theater.
i rented near 100 films last year via netflix and paid slightly above $200 during that time period... do the math.

I have but you have to understand that it depends on your personal situation.
First of all I rarely pay even $20.00 for a blu-ray, it's usually $14.95 or less.
Second-- I'm married with kids so when I see a movie in the theatre it's the
ticket amount x2 at the very least and x4 at the most.
3rd--with the exception of "event" movies like AVATAR for example, I usually enjoy the "experience" more in the privacy of my own home theatre..

[shawnmchorse]

As long as my Netflix subscription is active, it seems pointless to blind buy anything. I blind bought plenty of DVDs, and there were quite a few I watched once and never again. Between watching movies in the theater and getting them through Netflix, I don't see any real reason to blind buy a single Blu-Ray ever.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by molson1138

I was thinking about blind buying a couple of movies a few weeks ago then it hit me. Why was I putting so much thought into it when I don't if I see a movie in the theater? Movie tickets are $10-$15 add a drink and/or food and it easily comes out to $20-$25 and I only get to watch the movie once! Dunno, just seems odd that we think twice about blind buying a movie but easily go to a movie which is not as good a value.

Because renting gets you the exact same experience for a fraction of the cost, and considering there really are not that many movies worth re-watching, renting is the no brainer choice most of the time IMO. All just my opinion of course and from my perspective and I fully respect that some view it differently, but I have just realized over the years that I dont watch most of my collection enough to justify a purchase when renting is available for a fraction of the cost.

I still do some blind buys during the year, but they are becoming fewer and fewer. I dont consider not seeing the film at the theater a legitamate reason to spend more money than I need to in order to experience a BR which is why I rent.

Also, for the few BRs I do rent and ARE worth buying, I wait for a deal and grab it, but this does not happen that often for me since most these films are good for one viewing IMO.