Man sues over price of movie popcorn

[Owain Taggart]

With some companies I suspect that there's contacts and stuff on what prices to set for items. But I can speak from personal, hands-on, experience that at work no one tells me what price I can set for stuff.

You mean like the Manufacturer Sale Price? (MSRP?) Yeah, I suspect it's there for a reason. It's the bar they expect it to be sold at, with retailers being allowed to sell lower and higher than it. Depending on the product, it will depend how much more someone is willing to pay for something above that price.

And in turn, the prices of the tickets themselves would rise. The fact is the theater needs to make a certain amount of money to continue being profitable, if they can't get it from food, they will have to get it from somewhere else, and people won't be any happier.

Yep, just wait until some newfangled gimmick comes along to give them some reason to raise the ticket prices after 3D has faded away. They'll sell it as a newer better way to see movies and a better experience for moviegoers. They'll find a way.

 

[Trekker4747]

With some companies I suspect that there's contacts and stuff on what prices to set for items. But I can speak from personal, hands-on, experience that at work no one tells me what price I can set for stuff.

You mean like the Manufacturer Sale Price? (MSRP?) Yeah, I suspect it's there for a reason. It's the bar they expect it to be sold at, with retailers being allowed to sell lower and higher than it. Depending on the product, it will depend how much more someone is willing to pay for something above that price.

Well, there's some things I'm "locked into" as far as the price is concerned but this by the manufacturer -a lot of Kraft items are like this. The biggest thing is when there's an "MSRP" printed on the packaging it pretty much ties my hands on how much I can charge which sucks because this price is usually pretty close to the retail meaning I make almost nothing off of it. Some Kraft items with a "Suggested Price" on it I make like 10% off of. I theoretically could charge more but I'd hear countless complaints from customers seeing two different prices -one on the packaging and then one on the shelf labeling/receipt.

But, in the end, there's no authority that tells me what I can and cannot charge, the market controls that. Food is not a commodity at least not like precious metals or fuel.

If someone doesn't like my prices they don't buy and they move on. If someone doesn't like the prices of concessions at the movie theater they just don't buy them.

No one is forcing them to buy concessions. If you want to rant about the mark-up the concessions have over what you can get in a store then how about we talk about the price of the movie itself? A movie ticket costs around $10 (depending on the time of day and your age group, though) About 10x what that movie will cost out of a RedBox in a few months.

Is that price gouging?

Movie theaters have to turn a profit and they don't make any money off of the movie ticket. And they're sure as hell not going to cover wages, utility costs, taxes, and a all of that by charging 50c for a bag of M&Ms.

 

[Owain Taggart]

With some companies I suspect that there's contacts and stuff on what prices to set for items. But I can speak from personal, hands-on, experience that at work no one tells me what price I can set for stuff.

You mean like the Manufacturer Sale Price? (MSRP?) Yeah, I suspect it's there for a reason. It's the bar they expect it to be sold at, with retailers being allowed to sell lower and higher than it. Depending on the product, it will depend how much more someone is willing to pay for something above that price.

Well, there's some things I'm "locked into" as far as the price is concerned but this by the manufacturer -a lot of Kraft items are like this. The biggest thing is when there's an "MSRP" printed on the packaging it pretty much ties my hands on how much I can charge which sucks because this price is usually pretty close to the retail meaning I make almost nothing off of it. Some Kraft items with a "Suggested Price" on it I make like 10% off of. I theoretically could charge more but I'd hear countless complaints from customers seeing two different prices -one on the packaging and then one on the shelf labeling/receipt.

But, in the end, there's no authority that tells me what I can and cannot charge, the market controls that. Food is not a commodity at least not like precious metals or fuel.

If someone doesn't like my prices they don't buy and they move on. If someone doesn't like the prices of concessions at the movie theater they just don't buy them.

No one is forcing them to buy concessions. If you want to rant about the mark-up the concessions have over what you can get in a store then how about we talk about the price of the movie itself? A movie ticket costs around $10 (depending on the time of day and your age group, though) About 10x what that movie will cost out of a RedBox in a few months.

Is that price gouging?

Movie theaters have to turn a profit and they don't make any money off of the movie ticket. And they're sure as hell not going to cover wages, utility costs, taxes, and a all of that by charging 50c for a bag of M&Ms.

I think I see what you mean now in regards to prices and MSRP, and I agree.

As for the concessions, I agree. I wasn't arguing against them as I know the money has to come from somewhere. I just don't buy anything while I'm there though. I've weened myself off of that because it can be so expensive. As for the price of the ticket, yeah, exactly. They're not making any money off the price of a ticket, and even less so when it's an independent theatre where tickets can cost from $2 to $4. So yeah, never disagreed with you

 

[Trekker4747]

Usually when I go to the movies I try to get something from the concession stand out of an ounce or two of "respect" for the system and not wanting to be a leach on the system. (Being a "deadbeat customer" (one who comes in, benefits from things, but you make no money off of them.)

No judgments on you of course, people are welcome to do whatever they want when they buy a ticket to a movie or go into a store.

I just know that on my end of retail we don't think too favorably of those customers who come in and regularly buy sale items we don't make any money on, or otherwise get from us without any return.

A couple of years ago we used to help this woman out when she was involved in local BBQ contests and give her great deals on meat. We sold it to her pretty much at cost, until we discovered her a)shopping at a competitor and b)at her booth at a contest she was displaying advertising for yet another competitor.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Nowadays I just spill my drink and popcorn all over the place inside the movie theater stadium and leave the trash for the employees to clean up, which is what they get paid for. That more than makes up for the price of popcorn and other refreshments.

 

[zakkrusz]

Our family started bringing our own junk food and drinks as an f*** you to the theaters, because the theater's had been annexed by a certain corporation that instead of selling multiple kinds of soda like they used to, only sold Pepsi products. Now when I go myself I do the same thing, though this time for the additional reason that it saves me money too.

 

[rochelle]

There are few things which individuals whine about more than high movie theater prices. There isn't really a person on earth that hasn't heard it or said it by now and it's a tired old saw. That said, what most people can't appreciate is that the prices have to be high otherwise the theaters could not keep their doors open. You may read further: Good reason exists for movie theater concession prices

Indeed, Joshua Thompson is brave enough to take a stand but he must understand that there is a good reason behind every prices he pays.

 

[Tribble puncher]

Actually, it's not totally the theaters fault. Most theaters only get a small percentage of the films net profit (like 5 or 10%) the opening weekend. depending on whatever contract Hollywood shoves on them. The percentages go up on subsequent weekends, but by then, ticket sales tend to drop off quite abit as the masses are already going to see the next movie opening. Add to that often having to upgrade their equipment just to have the privilege of showing the latest Micheal Bay cgi effects fest, and I can actually understand why theaters charge so much. It still sucks though. Hollywood's the problem. not the Theaters.

 

[Agent Richard07]

I just bring a bottle of water and no one says anything. Once in a blue moon though, I'll get a big pretzel it I'm hungry enough. I wouldn't try to sneak anything in. I'd be really embarassed if I got caught and it was clear that I was trying to hide something. I mean what if they did decide to look under those books or whatever? Why take the chance? The last time I brought food to the movies, I just walked up to the ticket guy with a Subway sandwich and he said I couldn't bring it in. Fortunately I was able to go and put it in the trunk of the car.

 

[FPAlpha]

And the age old saying still applies: "No one is forcing you to buy it"

 

[nightwind1]

Nowadays I just spill my drink and popcorn all over the place inside the movie theater stadium and leave the trash for the employees to clean up, which is what they get paid for. That more than makes up for the price of popcorn and other refreshments.

I hope your joking that you want to punish the minimum wage workers for something they have no control over.

If you're not joking, you're more Slythern than Gryffindor.

 

[JimTheBuilder]

Happily, our local theater here has run a deal where for $10 you can purchase a gallon bucket on January 1st, 1st fill-up is on the house, and for the rest of the year (heaping) refills are just $2!! Real butter too! Candy prices are similar to what one would expect to find at the super market...maybe 20 cents more....Tickets: $7 adults, $5 kids 12 and under...So, with a family of four, I can live with that.

Drink prices are another story (I always ask for very light ice)...but with what I'm saving on popcorn, I figure it all evens out.

 

[Amaris]

I've never been hassled for bringing in a bottle of water or anything. I have to have it on hand anyway, but no one's ever given me grief over it. It also helps that I'm usually carrying a big bucket of popcorn, or possibly nachos. Maybe a big pretzel. I'm sorry, I don't get to go to the movies much, so I really try to make it an event.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

The last time I went to the movies was a couple of weeks ago. My cousin paid for the tickets (b-day present) and I paid for the treats. A bit pricey, but considering I don't go much at all... it was worth it.

 

[the G-man]

Our family started bringing our own junk food and drinks as an f*** you to the theaters, because the theater's had been annexed by a certain corporation that instead of selling multiple kinds of soda like they used to, only sold Pepsi products...

Those fiends.

 

[Captain_Nick]

How would movie theatres police a ban on customers bring their own food and drink

They can ask to check your bag or backpack when you give them your ticket. I think all movie theaters can refund your money then ask you to leave if you don't follow the rules.

Pretty sure they can't .. or that you can refuse to allow the inspection, or something. In any event, just do a runner

 

[Trekker4747]

They can ask but they have no real "right" to do it, you can refuse. But, in turn, they have the right to deny you entry for not letting them inspect.

 

[Dream]

They can ask to check your bag or backpack when you give them your ticket. I think all movie theaters can refund your money then ask you to leave if you don't follow the rules.

Pretty sure they can't .. or that you can refuse to allow the inspection, or something. In any event, just do a runner

Movie theaters are private property. Of course they can tell you to leave.

 

[Captain_Nick]

IN ANY EVENT, JUST DO A RUNNER

But make sure you can outrun them!

I tried it on a fat, middleaged security guard at the MCG last year. Boy did I overestimate my ability to run.

 

[Warped9]

I think we have all secretly wanted to sue the theaters for how much they charge for their food.

Agreed. For years I've bristled over the rising and exorbitant prices of stuff from the confectionary. It's now often more expensive by almost a third to buy yourself goodies then to buy a ticket. And to make it worse movie popcorn (which used to be about the best popcorn you could have) is now mostly crap. You are indeed better off to bring in your own drink and a bag of chips or whatever suits your fancy.