Video Business reports that prices of new releases on Blu-ray disc have dropped 12% since July 2008, to an average of $23.47. Prices of catalog titles have dropped 33%, to an average of $17.23.
David T. Barker, vice-president of e-commerce marketing at DeepDiscount.com, told the publication “Studios are making these moves to drive some additional sales with Blu-ray. I definitely think that cost is still a factor, because getting a dollar from a customer isn’t easy.”
Blu-ray still accounts for only a fraction of overall home video sales. But that fraction is slowly growing.Last week, total Blu-ray sales grossed $13.2 million, which accounted for only 7% of total packaged-media sales revenue. But that number is an improvement of 143% over the same sale period in 2008.
DVD sales hit $154.8 million last week, which was down 6.8% from last year.
I still haven't bought The Dark Knight or Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist on Blu-ray, even though I really want them, because they're always priced around $25-$30 when I see them in the store. That's an impulse-buy killer. I know discs are cheaper online, and that great sales are plentiful. But I tend to be a brick-and-mortar shopper. When I want a Blu-ray, I want it now. But at the right price.
Stores don't do themselves any favors by mispricing their own product, either. I was at the new Best Buy on South Beach last weekend and picked up a few catalog titles I noticed were on sale on BestBuy.com. But the store had them stickered at full retail price and they rang up that way at the cash register. A manager had to come over and scan each title to confirm I wasn't making it up and that the prices really were 40-50% less than marked.
Studios need to cool it with the Blu-ray mark-ups, too. The new Blu-ray of Miramax Films' terrific Adventureland is fantastic, but the MSRP is an absurd $45. That's more than it would have cost on laserdisc. I know no one will actually sell it for that price, but still.
That's why I don't buy my discs in the store anymore, though they (Best Buy) usually equals the online price the first week it's out. I used to be the same. I had to have the disc the moment it came or I wanted it. While I'll still make the rare exception, I've become accustomed to waiting the extra few days to get it in the mail and save a few bucks. Amazon also has frequent Blu-ray specials which is a good way to get those catalog titles you might want. Dark Knight is currently $20, and both Nick and Norah and Adventureland are both $25 on Amazon. I think I got Nick and Norah on one of their special deal packages for less though. You can also probably get free shipping and no taxes so there you go.
The Dark Knight is a must though. You shouldn't skimp on that one. I refuse to watch it in standard definition. It also had the single greatest BD-Live offering I've seen yet: a live viewing of the film with Chris Nolan answering your questions throughout. I'll have to check if they archived it.
Posted by: Justin | August 31, 2009 at 03:48 PM
do yourself a favor and buy them used on Amazon.com. I have been buying used Blu-rays and DVD's from there for months and have never been sold a damaged disc or cover sleeve. You can save $10-20 buying from that website.
Posted by: Eric | August 31, 2009 at 06:50 PM
amazon.com is definately the place to go for blu-rays. Constant sales, good prices, reliable place. Best Buy is a piece of crap. I hardly ever buy a blu-ray from there.
Posted by: Juan | September 02, 2009 at 12:33 AM