Suncoast new release prices too high?

Suncoasts are typically found in malls, where prices are almost always higher than stores that aren't mall-based. Also, places that typically sell DVDs for way below MSRP (Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart) rely on other products for profit. Suncoast relies soley on DVD sales for profit, whereas Best Buy relies on DVD players and other pieces of hardware for profit. The DVDs are priced the way they are at Best Buy in order to get people in the door.

If you're looking for good deals, you can occasionaly find them at Suncoast, but otherwise, stay away from the mall.

Suncoast is a joke. No place has worse prices. In my experience, the worst are:

Suncoast
Sam Goody
Barnes & Noble
Blockbuster/Hollywood (new DVD prices -- can still find great deals on used)

I used to use Suncoast many about 10 years ago for VHS tapes before the internet and when it was very difficult to find movies.

Now with DVD, the internet, and so many stores that carry the titles I am looking for, I no longer see any reason to purchase from Suncoast.

Only thing I have bought from Suncoast is collectible items they sell.

I believe Sam Goody owns Suncoast so that explains that. I don't see how these places make money where there a plently of stores that sell DVDs for a significantly lower price

The only way to purchase from Suncoast (and Sam Goody) is to "play their game."

You have to:

1. Purchase a REPLAY card.
2. Pre-order everything you want for the best prices. (You will also simultaneously accumulate points on your REPLAY card.)
3. Purchase in-stock items *only* on "REPLAY Triple Point Weekends."

For example, let's say you want that ST:TNG Season 6 box that you missed out on the first time around. Currently, the price is say, $149.95. Purchase it on a Triple Replay day and you get replay points for the equivalent of a $450.00 purchase.

The nice thing about the REPLAY coupons that you will receive back in the mail is that they can be used just like money at Suncoast and Sam Goody.

Let's say that they have "Star Trek:Nemesis" on sale for $14.95. If you try to use a regular coupon on that title, they'll tell you that you can't because the title is already on sale. However, they *will* accept the REPLAY coupons. If you have a $10.00 REPLAY Coupon, the title will only cost you $4.95!

I've checked on this. I've been a REPLAY member for about 3 years and have compared the overall price that I pay at Suncoast with Best Buy and have found the prices to be about same. (Or in some cases better. For example, I got "The Lord of the Rings:TT four-disc Extended Edition" for just $19.99 at Suncoast (via a pre-order) AND got 3000 bonus Replay points to boot!)

You just have to "Play their game".

With my nearby Best Buy, Amazon US & UK, and BN.com, I find great deals on any CD & DVD I want, and without having to buy memberships, get member cards, etc. Back in the early 1990's, I remember making my weekly trek to Sam Goody after school on Friday for the latest singles and albums (before internet and places like Best Buy existed), while now I refuse to pay $18.99 for a CD that I can buy at Best Buy for $11.99 or $12.99.

JODEph if you buy the same season 6 somewere else for $99 and the same nemisis somewere else for $20, that is only $120 not the $155 you payed while "playing their game".

Tony:

I was just throwing out "hypothetical situations".

The pre-order price on the ST:TNG boxes were $89.95 last year (same prices as this year's DS9 boxes). They typically go up to around $127-$145 the next week.

I was simply stating that *if* you missed out on the pre-order prices the "Triple Play Replay Card" days help to somewhat mediate the higher prices.

In actual point of fact, I, of course, pre-ordered both those titles.

As with most mall stores, you're paying for convenience. It's not the lowest price, but you can do it while doing your other shopping. Also, until the "e-tail" boom, Suncoast was one of the few places you could go in and browse for catalog, foreign, cult, or otherwise less-popular movies, though more and more mainstream retailers such as Best Buy have better selection.

As to how they make money... Well, they're not right now. Suncoast/Sam Goody has shut down a lot of stores over the past few years and given over more space to things which aren't being sold as loss-leaders at other stores - manga at Suncoast, video games at Goody, action figures at both. Not sure how that's working out for them.

Vote with your dollars, if sales drop prices will drop as well.

Since when was a trip to the mall convenient?
You do have a point about Suncoast being valuable years ago before the DVD explosion and the internet

Hey, it's more convenient for me than trying to get to the UPS delivery office because my Amazon order never comes when I'm home. Or if you're a teenager who doesn't have a credit card. Or if you need new clothes and want to browse.

FYE at the malls have the worst prices on most releases.

However, every once in a while they surprise you with a title or two.

Maybe so, but the reason why I stay FAR away from them is because I don't like having to "play games" in order to get a DVD at a moderate price. Also, you may be playing their game to get prices "about" what Best Buy is, but the effort involved and the loss of time watching the product (i.e. waiting for triple bonus weekends) is not worth it to me. If in the final analysis, it is "about the same", then I go to the place that doesn't make me jump through hoops to get it (and pay a yearly fee to boot!). DVDs are to me considered a commodity product, and I will go to whoever has the cheapest price at the moment I decide to buy. I don't have to have it in hand the instant that I decide to purchase (i.e. walk into a store and buy it), but I know that it is on its way. All I need is competency in getting my item to me in a timely fashion, and competency in dealing with damaged products and in a timely fashion as well (as I have never returned a DVD because I when I buy, I KNOW I want it... otherwise, I simply sell it on ebay...). Other than than, my requirements from the seller are minimal.

But, as long as one feels like it is for them, I won't discourage you...

Hey, I only started playing their game because I got a free Excel Saga shirt for signing up.

They do have occasional good deals, and I mostly buy stuff that is on sale on triple points weekends. To be honest, the mass majority I buy is online anyways.

But, since you mentioned Best Buy, it is starting to become a bad deal to buy anime there, since they are going pretty close to MSRP nowadays.

Jason

Generally, I just buy from Amazon.com or a similar online retailer, whoever has the best price at the time. I order from a small number of places that has always been reliable. The Best Buys and other huge stores are always out of my way, and the local stores (FYE, Blockbuster, etc) charge ridiculously high prices.

Though I like the *idea* of having something as soon as it comes out, I can't remember the last time I actually had the time to open up a brand new DVD on a Tuesday and watch it all the way through. I'm backlogged anyway - so if I can save a few bucks by waiting a few extra days for Amazon's free shipping to arrive, that's what I'll do.

In browsing a couple stores yesterday to do some last minute shopping, I was reminded how much I've saved for being patient. I'm seeing DVDs I bought at Amazon or Deep Discount DVD (without any coupons, though with free shipping and no tax), that were anywhere from 25% to 50% in stores. Is it really worth paying $60 to get the same West Wing box set in a store that I got from Amazon for $35? To me it's not.

Of couse if Sam Goody is the ONLY game in town then you have no choice, unless you want to drive 60+ miles to Best Buy. I hate sam goodys' prices but I just don't have the time to always drive to best buy( I wish this town would get one though!)

Does anyone find the salespeople at Suncoast to be exceedingly pushy in "offering" you their supposedly fantastic deals?

I used to be a replay club member but let the membership expire for a few reasons. First, like everybody else here, I got sick of jumping through hoops to get a price that even came close to Best Buy's off-the-shelf prices. Secondly, I discovered on-line retailers had better pricing than BOTH these places. And third, and perhaps most importantly, I became disgruntled with the kinds of people this particular store constantly hired.

I hadn't been in a Suncoast for nearly a year and a half when I popped back into this same store back in the summer and discovered absolutely NOTHING had changed.

From the moment I walked through the gates, they were on me. Not just one, but two salesthingies approached me, then awkwardly attempted to engage in witty repartee with each other to account for the gaffe, then BOTH handed me the “latest issue of their sales circular,” before attempting more forced jocularity in a attempt to laugh off the fact that they had just BOTH said virtually the same thing to me.

Then we went through the usual dog and pony show that made me dump Suncoast in the first place:

“Any thing you’re looking for in particular?”

“No. just browsing.”

“Anything I could help you find?”

“No. I’m just seeing what’s new.”

“Might I recommend a couple of titles?”

“No. I kinda know what I’m after.”

“Perhaps I could help you locate a copy. We’ve got over 50,000 titles in stock.”

“No. I’m just browsing. But thanks.”

“Are you a member of our replay club?”

“Used to be.” (Big mistake on my part)

“Used to be? You mean you’re not anymore? How come? I mean we’ve got even better deals than we used - - “

“Your prices were always about five dollars too high. I got tired of beggin’ you to match Best Buy”

“Well, now we’ve got triple point weekends and extra points for signing up and even more points if you don’t punch us out for annoying you, and I’ll personally give you extra points if you can indulge me in social interaction, which is difficult for me on the best of days...” (okay, I’m embellishing here, but still...)

“Well, let me browse for awhile and maybe I’ll think about it. I don’t really have a lot of money on me this weekend.” (I had tonnes, actually, and I spent it all at Best Buy)

“Alrighty then. Is there a title in particular you’re after?”

Weren’t we here already?, I thought.

“No. Just gonna look around for a few minutes.”

“Are you a fan of action movies?”

“I like a little bit of everything, but I’m just gonna snoop around for awhile. I’ll let you know if I need anything?”

“Alrighty then (TWICE for heaven’s sake!!). My name’s Whatever and do not hesitate to yell if you need anything at all.”

“Will do.”

Sometimes, my ability to contain rage actually shocks me.

Of course, within about two minutes, probably less, the OTHER guy comes up and starts doing the same thing! I kid you not! Only HE talks like Agent Smith in the Matrix movies for the duration. All I could do was answer in a tired, dead voice and shoot him a irritated look, but it bought me some silence.

Funnier still, I find out a couple months later that some dude in this store was slavishly hitting on my girlfriend when she went in to do a little browsing. Of course, it was this pony-tailed Matrix turkey, and she played himlike a chump.

See, she’s Asian, she’s quite attractive, and was looking at anime, which is probably a rare sight for these folks to see, so he immediately comes to her rescue, helpfully pointing out titles, quizzing her about what she’s seen and dropping little “thank-you’s” and “I’m sorry’s” and “forgive me’s” in Japanese as he coyly fumbles with the product, all in a rather greasy effort to impress her.

My girlfriend is Korean. English is her first, and for the most part only, language.

I had to laugh when she told me this later. She laughed too.

She wisely didn’t bring up their gross pricing on anime DVD’s, which she did feel they were far too expensive. Otherwise, this weenie might have followed her home trying to indoctrinate her into the Suncoast Way of Being.

We were both in this same mall a few days ago and, while waiting for my gal to finish up a little Christmas shopping, I decided to kill time in Suncoast. I actually bought a $5.99 cheapie Alpha title and got harangued about the expiration of my Replay membership ad nauseum by this strange chick at the counter. Within seconds, another guy, who remembered me from the days I actually used to shop there and is now some kind of management something-or-other, chimes in with even more reasons why I should join.

Just then, somebody swipes something, runs through the alarm gate, and sets it off. Another smart Suncoast shopper, I’m thinking, but THEY’RE thinking “It’s Takedown Time.” Manager-thingy yells off-counter to go and catch the guy and out comes “brush cut cadet guy in clothes two sizes two small” to apprehend the perp. He literally leaps into the mall, bounces a bit in both directions before running off to make the collar. Man, what a show! And, if nothing else, it gave me an opportunity to slip out quietly.

I know these all may represent isolated incidents at one particular store, and forgive me, Suncoast, is it’s the only location where you don’t have quality control. But I have been in another branch about an hour south of this place and I tell ya, the folks working there seemed a little on the funny side, too.

I wonder how many other folks have had experiences like this. While the staff of any business rarely influences my purchase, I DO prefer to be left alone until I specifically ask for assistance. I’ve NOT bought automobilies simply because the salesguy wouldn’t let me test drive the car alone. A store with good product selection and decent prices should have little reason to harass you. My local Suncoast could learn a thing or twenty about customer satisfaction.

I stopped there for convenience sake last week while Xmas shopping. I needed one more gift - a copy of Sleeping Beauty on DVD. I found the item and was amazed to see the pricetag - $29.99.

Luckily, that particular title had a sign on the shelf - "On Sale" for $19.99. Still a bit steep but doable. But $29.99? Who the hell pays that? If I paid $30 for every movie, I'd have about 20. And ONLY the absolute FAVORITES.

Suncoast exists by gouging the consumer. Even the clueless consumer that actually "orders" stuff through them rather then going online and "ordering" it themselves.

The Suncoast near my dad's house still has Halloween H20 for 42 bucks. It's dropped in price a couple of times, online stores have it for like 9 bucks...most retailers have it for as low as fifteen...

I only enter a mall video store as a source of entertainment or to shop for titles that I intend to buy elsewhere.

The prices are hilarious!

Edit: I do accasionally buy a title or two that are cleanced at $7.99-$9.99, but everything else is a joke.

I consider these 'teaser bait' which are placed by the front entrance to lure you in and hope you buy more at full+extra prices.

You can buy a bottle of Captain Morgan and a couple bottles of Coke for a total of about $15 and make yourself dozens and dozens of drinks, yet people still go to bars and will pay over $20 for a few tiny mixed drinks that are full of ice.

OK, but overpaying for a DVD doesn't make your HT rig at home any better.

I don't see the upside.

You will pay more to drink in public, but there are many fringe benefits to that equation...

I buy my cds at a local music shop called Dimple and buy some DVDs at Target or Costco. I shop at a Suncoast sometimes. I am a replay member and I occasionally pre-order. I have a couple close friends who work there and I live right by the mall.

One reason I shop there is thsat I cant stand Best Buy or Circut City. They have the worst customer service and have complete morons working there. I would rather pay more for a DVD than give any of my cash to those dicks.

Suncoast used to more pushy than they are now. One thing being is that they are no longer under the Best buy umbrella which is one reason they would ask you if you wanted 15 different items before letting you out the door.
SC does hire some morons and weirdos but not as bad as CC and BB as far as im concerned.

As someone mentioned, it's all about convenience.

There's a 'Coconuts' near me that sells "overpriced" DVD's. I've bought DVD's there because they almost always have the 'odd' DVD's (that Jason Seaver elluded to) that Circuit City doesn't have. Circuit City is great when you want new releases, but finding stuff like "The Ultimate Wayne Gretzky" DVD or the "Sammy Hagar Birthday Bash" DVD are usually hard to find at most B&M's. The Suncoasts and Coconuts usually have these DVD's. Granted, they are more $$, but the convenience of them being available is worth the price (to me).

I think of them like Comic Book stores (or any other specialty store). Sure, I can buy the toys elsewhere for less money, but Toy-R-Us always has the same crappy figures and it's virtually impossible to find a store that has the figures you want. The comic stores are the ones that have virtually every figure to choose from (at a mark-up)

Most are comparing the differences between Suncoast and (for example) Best Buy by what they have in common. It's what they DON'T have in common is the reason for the higher prices. Best Buy just can't compete with a store that devotes itself almost completely to movies.

Suncoast is on my list of "only shop there if you are desparately looking for a title you can't find anywhere else" stores. Every blue moon they actually have a good price on something, but that's rare (and often it's on a music DVD or a markdown item or something like that).

For their "Replay" thing I simply say "no, I don't buy from you guys often enough to make it worth it"; if they ask why then I respond either (quick and easy) "I live too far away" or (me spoiling for a fight) "Your prices are the worst in town, and the Replay card can't begin to bring you into the value range of a Target or a Wal-Mart".

If they jump on me too much, I look them straight in the eye and say "I'm just browsing; tell the rest of the staff I'm not a secret shopper and to leave me alone and let me shop in peace".


Moral of the story: these guys only bug you because that's what they are paid to do, by management who employs secret shoppers (fake customers hired to test how the staff acts around customers) to make sure they are bugging all the patrons a lot. Management wants to be sure that the customers aren't getting ignored, so they encourage the staff to be proactive. Once they know that you aren't part of that game, and you give them excuses to leave you alone, then they will do so with no problem. It's not like they WANT to do all that work of interacting with the people.

As for the prices...yep, it's a mall-based store trying to pay mall rent. I don't expect good prices from them...just good selection, and - when I WANT it - the availability of good service.

And, yep, these places are for convenience or for gotta-have-it-now instant-gratification buyers (like me). If you want the best price on the best selection, click here.

I guess my tastes must run to the mainstream, I can't recall a single time I resorted to Mall prices for a hard-to-find item.

That's what I use second-hand DVD/CD stores for.

Mainstream OOP stuff is usually cheaper in the second-hand market, rather than resorting to the guy who still has a copy of Amastad because he wants $29.99 for it.

Some of these 'high-end' stores actually think that charging more is valid strategy.

During the TT DVD release, I made the mistake of mentioning to a clerk that $39.99 was ridiculous.

He responded "when everyone else is sold out, then they'll all have to come here".

Yea, right.

You know, Dave, I never even thought about that secret shopper angle. Shit, now I OUGHTA start screwing with them just for fun. Maybe I'm too serious when I go in, and they're assuming that a poker face is some indication of my secret identity. Truth is, I wouldn't waste the effort messing with their heads, because they're just stooges doing what the manual says. You'd think certain chains would appreciate the customer service reps who actually take the gentle approach with customers, but then again, the powers-that-be at Suncoast probably realize their prices are ridiculous. so they wanna be sure their salesthingies are out there in force.

I've yet to find anything at Suncoast that wasn't at Best Buy, and generally cheaper. As you mention, though, Mark, I've gone to little specialty shops up here in Canada that have the really, really offbeat stuff, but it is almost always priced higher. I used to fork over for that stuff on a regular basis, until I discovered online shops that not only had the prices, but beat just about everybody on price.

Matt, I have to admit that my local Best Buy has its share of weirdos, too, but I'm generally safe in assuming they know little or nothing about the products they sell, especially the DVDs, and they almost never push after I tell them I'm fine. It would appear, however, that the folks at my local Suncoast, who one would think MIGHT actually know something about movies but so often don't, must still think they're under the Best Buy umbrella, 'cause they still don't when to give it a rest.

And their stunted social hygiene scares me.

I'm always a little irritated/amused at the "Suncoast shoppers are idiots"-flavored threads that emerge. Maybe mainstream blockbuster movies can be found for $15-$20 on release week at Walmart or Target - I haven't bought a movie at either since I bought Xmen 1.5.


I agree with the comment about playing the game. Seasons of B5 pre-ordered on a triple points weekend amount to about $71 with tax included (almost $15 in GCs). I can get it cheaper (like about $68 or so on Amazon w/ STL), shipped media mail (arriving anywhere from 2-7 days after release date), and perhaps with a 'floater' (loose disc), common to the packaging.

Or I can play the game and get it for an extra $3-$6 ($71 compared to $67-68 or so), in hand, on release morning, and a quick, easy return if there is a problem (Suncoast is generally flawless when it comes to returns.

With Suncoast/Media Play, it's all about catching stuff on pre-order, or on release day. And a good hunk of anime releases (Pioneer, Bandai) can't really be found for much cheaper than $20-$21 online - they come to about $21-$22 instore on a pre-order. As far as Best Buy being cheaper, they cranked up their anime prices in past months (I was doing a little buying there). Pioneer/Bandai releases have been cranked up (catalog titles have mostly been re-marked too) to full MSRP of $29.99 a disc (up $7), ADV stuff has gone up $3-$5 (from $19.99 or $22.99 to $22.99 or $26.99 if I recall), etc.


Suncoast doesn't really exist for blockbuster sales - more for catalog, niche, and anime titles. I think the sales of mainstream stuff is only the impulse mall-buying traffic.

I haven't done much Suncoast shopping lately, but that's only because of the massive deepdiscount sale they were running earlier this month.