Occupy Theaters

[StarCecil]

Now, forgive the pun, I think if any corporation deserves protesting, it's the movie theaters.

Prices are expensive everywhere, I know, but it's almost impossible for two people to see a movie at my local theater under fifty bucks - largely due to the expensive ass concessions. It's gotten to the point that I won't go to see a movie unless my buddy (who works at a theater) gets me in for free. In fact, the last time we went to see a movie we started to discuss pricing. The tickets were free since he works there and gets a pass for himself and a guest but I made the mistake of not eating lunch and so I had to buy a hotdog, nachos and a medium soda for about $15.

In the car we start talking about it and he tells me that the theaters don't make much off the ticket price and so they have to charge a lot for food to make up the difference. A quote from Obama came to mind; "Movie theaters don't have an inherent right to a certain amount of profit".

Now, I fully understand that a company has to make money somehow. But I don't have to be content with it, and I was a bit angry that he was actually trying to justify ("Well it's the production companies that get all the ticket money, so we have to charge a lot or else we don't make anything").

I mean, I'm the consumer; my job is to get everything I can for free. I don't have to respect a company's need to profit off of me.

Anyways...

/rant

 

[PureChaos]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

 

[Angerwing]

You're complaining about movie theaters charging a lot of money because they're not getting enough, then you say that you don't pay for movie tickets. If you don't like the pricing, don't go see movies. That's how capitalism works buddy. You don't blame corporations for trying to make money, it's like complaining that a scorpion is trying to sting people.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

This. It's not all that difficult of a concept. Also, it's worth pointing out that just about the only thing the theaters make a profit on is the concessions. The major studios have it set up so that the theaters take a pitiful percentage of the proceeds on ticket sales, which gets larger longer into the film's run. By the time the theater is actually making a profit on ticket sales, the movie has usually long since stopped running. It's why really, truly long lasting Blockbusters, such as Avatar and the 2009 Star Trek movie, are a godsend for theaters. If you want to bring down concession stand prices, you're going to need to talk Hollywood into giving the theater owners a more equitable cut of the proceeds.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Eh...don't go to movies?

Going to theatres is not a duty. It is not required to keep in good health. Unless you are a movie critic, you don't need to watch movies as part of your job.

They are totally unnecesary, and therefore are under no moral obligations to be cheap.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

This. It's not all that difficult of a concept. Also, it's worth pointing out that just about the only thing the theaters make a profit on is the concessions. The major studios have it set up so that the theaters take a pitiful percentage of the proceeds on ticket sales, which gets larger longer into the film's run. By the time the theater is actually making a profit on ticket sales, the movie has usually long since stopped running. It's why really, truly long lasting Blockbusters, such as Avatar and the 2009 Star Trek movie, are a godsend for theaters. If you want to bring down concession stand prices, you're going to need to talk Hollywood into giving the theater owners a more equitable cut of the proceeds.

This times two. Tell corporate Hollywood to share a piece of the pie and the prices should come down. As I have no faith in that happening anytime soon, deal with the price or just watch the movie without a snack. Or share. The only way I'm occupying a theater is in order to see the movie of my choice.

[sub]Eating Pizza or hot dogs in a movie? Well, I consider that like airline food pricing and you're paying for the convenience. Popcorn on the other hand is overpriced but I know why it is that way.[/sub]

 

[StarCecil]

I always wondered who the people were who bought meals at a theater.

Huh... neat.

Pro Tip: Don't do that.

It actually tastes pretty decent. The local mega-theater has a cantina where one can get all sorts of meals (although the $8 BLT isn't quite as good as you'd think), and there's another novel theater that serves you some really good meals during the picture (I still don't recommend the $13 personal pizza).

 

[StarCecil]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

This. It's not all that difficult of a concept. Also, it's worth pointing out that just about the only thing the theaters make a profit on is the concessions. The major studios have it set up so that the theaters take a pitiful percentage of the proceeds on ticket sales, which gets larger longer into the film's run. By the time the theater is actually making a profit on ticket sales, the movie has usually long since stopped running. It's why really, truly long lasting Blockbusters, such as Avatar and the 2009 Star Trek movie, are a godsend for theaters. If you want to bring down concession stand prices, you're going to need to talk Hollywood into giving the theater owners a more equitable cut of the proceeds.

It's not so much that I have a problem with the expensive pricing (I can make it up in other ways... like getting in on a guest pass) by I have a serious problem with the justification that I'm just expected to swallow (no pun intended). So what if you're getting boned by the production company? Not my problem. If anything it's just added insult for them to tell me that I can't bring in my own food.

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

DVD

If you can wait, you can watch the movie over and over again and get cheap snacks to eat. DONE

 

[Double A]

When I go to a theater, I buy a soda. I get all my candy at the conveniently nearby Target store It's not just one theater with Targets nearby - it's three.

They must be on to something.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Eh...don't go to movies?

Going to theatres is not a duty. It is not required to keep in good health. Unless you are a movie critic, you don't need to watch movies as part of your job.

They are totally unnecesary, and therefore are under no moral obligations to be cheap.

Also, I don't know what the theaters are like in your area, but in mine, you can get a better sound system in your living room than most of the local theaters have pretty cheaply; I was coming close to matching it with a $10 thrift shop stereo and a basic <link=http://kantack.com/surround/surround2.html>Hafler circuit. When I had a chance to upgrade, $200 got me a receiver that effectively blew away the crappy setups in the local cinemas. The big screen is harder to replicate[footnote]As a disclaimer, I do not have a projector. I will at some point in the future, though; honestly, it's a higher priority for me than a high end gaming PC -- which, those around here who know me know how big of a statement that is.[/footnote], but full blown projectors these days run in the same price range as a 32 inch TV did back in the twilight years of standard def; it's no longer out of reach of the common man, although it does have to be a pretty serious hobby for you to make it a worthwhile purchase.

 

[Signa]

When I go to a theater, I buy a soda. I get all my candy at the conveniently nearby Target store It's not just one theater with Targets nearby - it's three.

They must be on to something.

Now that you mention it, the local theater here also has a Target near it. Interesting...

OT: I totally feel for you OP, but waiting for the DVD or Netflix is just a much better idea in the end. It's not like you're going to need to see the movie within a certain time-frame. Just learn some patience, and you'll be fine. If money is such an issue, just remember that time equals money, so the more time you wait, the cheaper it is for you.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

This. It's not all that difficult of a concept. Also, it's worth pointing out that just about the only thing the theaters make a profit on is the concessions. The major studios have it set up so that the theaters take a pitiful percentage of the proceeds on ticket sales, which gets larger longer into the film's run. By the time the theater is actually making a profit on ticket sales, the movie has usually long since stopped running. It's why really, truly long lasting Blockbusters, such as Avatar and the 2009 Star Trek movie, are a godsend for theaters. If you want to bring down concession stand prices, you're going to need to talk Hollywood into giving the theater owners a more equitable cut of the proceeds.

It's not so much that I have a problem with the expensive pricing (I can make it up in other ways... like getting in on a guest pass) by I have a serious problem with the justification that I'm just expected to swallow (no pun intended). So what if you're getting boned by the production company? Not my problem. If anything it's just added insult for them to tell me that I can't bring in my own food.

It's actually been an unstated policy for quite a while now at most of the major chains that the ushers are supposed to turn a blind eye to people who (discreetly) bring in their own food, specifically because of what you're saying. As for complaining about the costs being Passed on to the consumer? Come on, man, that's economics 101. A company always charges slightly more than what they need to to break even. If they didn't, it wouldn't be possible to turn a profit. In the case of theater chains, "slightly more than needed to break even" boils down to astronomically priced concessions, since any increases they made to ticket price would still net them the same percentage of the ticket price. Personally, I'll take exorbitant prices on food that I don't actually have to buy (I usually eat dinner right before or right after leaving the theater, and at most get a box of candy and a drink at the concession stand) over paying $100 per ticket, before even looking at the concessions.

Granted, as I noted above, I have a kick ass home theater, so the only time I even bother to go to a cinema is if it's some kind of social event, if it's a limited engagement (for example, a live showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which has audience participation bits that don't work as well sitting in your livingroom), or if it's just some incredible blockbuster that needs to be seen on the big screen. Avatar is a very good example of the latter, since I'm not expecting to have room for a 3D TV in my budget for at least another 5-10 years.

 

[Braedan]

The problem is the outrageous percent of money the film industry takes from the theatres, not the theatres themselves. I agree on not liking the cost, and not buying food. I just hope any ill will is pointed in the right direction.

I share a large drink with my girlfriend and get free refills during the movie. Sure it takes time to leave and get more pop (if we need to), but it saves 6 bucks.

 

[thepyrethatburns]

I can't tell if the OP is taking a swipe at the Occupy movements/people on this site who protest videogame DLC through parody or not.

 

[Trivea]

Wow. Someone's got an entitlement complex, don't they? It's -expensive- to run a movie theater, and considering the fact that they don't make their money off of ticket sales, yeah, they have to charge astronomical prices for concessions. What else are they making money on? I'm sure concessions would go down if they started charging $20-$25 a ticket, but then people wouldn't go see movies at all, all the theaters would close, blah blah blah.

If you don't like the concessions prices, then don't buy concessions. If you forgot to eat lunch, suck it up for the two hours of the movie and go eat afterwards. You won't starve to death.

Seriously, your job as a consumer isn't to get everything that you can for free. It's to get the best quality for the best price that you can. Demanding that they give you everything for free, or stop making a profit, doesn't make you a customer. And, by the way, if you aren't buying tickets or concessions, you aren't a customer of the movie theater and forfeit all your rights to complain. (I think that, by getting in free, you forfeit your rights to complain anyway.)

 

[lacktheknack]

I mean, I'm the consumer; my job is to get everything I can for free. I don't have to respect a company's need to profit off of me.

No... the consumer's job is to place his money to whoever provides the service in a way that best suits him.

If you wish to watch a movie, a movie theater will let you see it sooner on a much better screen with better sound and comfy chairs, but a rental shop will give it to you to watch at home for cheaper, or a video store will let you keep it forever for a bit more money.

You can break it down further into "cheap theaters", which get movies later but allow big-screen viewings for cheaper.

"Free" never entered the equation, except for maybe goodwill purposes.

And no, you don't have to respect a company's need to profit, but if you don't, the theater goes under and you complain, you deserve to be punched through a wall, movie-style.

Also:

The tickets were free since he works there and gets a pass for himself and a guest but I made the mistake of not eating lunch and so I had to buy a hotdog, nachos and a medium soda for about $15.

Nope, that wasn't remotely necessary. I'd certainly rather go hungry for a couple hours rather than pay that much for that, and I have LESS respect for your complaints because you went for it.

Then again, people like you keep theaters alive, so you have that going for you, complaints or not.

 

[StarCecil]

then don't buy concessions. i used to get a few things but it got really expensive so i don't any more. sometimes i get something elsewhere to take in and as long as you don't take the piss (ie have bags filled with stuff) and don't make it obvious you have something, they won't take it off you.

This. It's not all that difficult of a concept. Also, it's worth pointing out that just about the only thing the theaters make a profit on is the concessions. The major studios have it set up so that the theaters take a pitiful percentage of the proceeds on ticket sales, which gets larger longer into the film's run. By the time the theater is actually making a profit on ticket sales, the movie has usually long since stopped running. It's why really, truly long lasting Blockbusters, such as Avatar and the 2009 Star Trek movie, are a godsend for theaters. If you want to bring down concession stand prices, you're going to need to talk Hollywood into giving the theater owners a more equitable cut of the proceeds.

It's not so much that I have a problem with the expensive pricing (I can make it up in other ways... like getting in on a guest pass) by I have a serious problem with the justification that I'm just expected to swallow (no pun intended). So what if you're getting boned by the production company? Not my problem. If anything it's just added insult for them to tell me that I can't bring in my own food.

It's actually been an unstated policy for quite a while now at most of the major chains that the ushers are supposed to turn a blind eye to people who (discreetly) bring in their own food, specifically because of what you're saying. As for complaining about the costs being Passed on to the consumer? Come on, man, that's economics 101. A company always charges slightly more than what they need to to break even. If they didn't, it wouldn't be possible to turn a profit. In the case of theater chains, "slightly more than needed to break even" boils down to astronomically priced concessions, since any increases they made to ticket price would still net them the same percentage of the ticket price. Personally, I'll take exorbitant prices on food that I don't actually have to buy (I usually eat dinner right before or right after leaving the theater, and at most get a box of candy and a drink at the concession stand) over paying $100 per ticket, before even looking at the concessions.

Granted, as I noted above, I have a kick ass home theater, so the only time I even bother to go to a cinema is if it's some kind of social event, if it's a limited engagement (for example, a live showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which has audience participation bits that don't work as well sitting in your livingroom), or if it's just some incredible blockbuster that needs to be seen on the big screen. Avatar is a very good example of the latter, since I'm not expecting to have room for a 3D TV in my budget for at least another 5-10 years.

I don't visit the movies anything approaching frequently any more. The last movie I saw was Sucker Punch. I never go see a movie alone either. The only time myself and my friend go watch movies is in the afternoon where it's not so crowded and we can get a matinee price if he's already used up a guest pass. I get that the movie theaters need to make a profit somehow - I don't like that idea that I'm supposed to just accept it on the basis that it's their only real way to make a profit. I'm not responsible to them and I don't have to see them make a profit.

 

[JaceArveduin]

Last time I went I basically bullied my mate into buyin me some popcorn. He didn't have his license, so he had to pay my way in as well. Yeah, I'm a shrewd businessman, and he didn't have truck payments.

 

[StarCecil]

Last time I went I basically bullied my mate into buyin me some popcorn. He didn't have his license, so he had to pay my way in as well. Yeah, I'm a shrewd businessman, and he didn't have truck payments.

See, that's why I only go if my friend has a guest pass to use up. Saves ~$10 off the cost.