Comments on: Sneaking Candy Into Movie Theaters: Frugal Or Cheap?

By: Falnur

Falnur — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:28:45 +0000

“Who cares what people think about bringing in snacks to the movie theatre. I don’t go very often and I don’t like many of the snacks the theatre has…so, I bring my own. You’re not going to stop me so …I’ll continue to do what’s best for me. Sorry, but that’s the way things are now. Deal with it.”

buxita, I wonder if you were the one trying to run a business and people ignored your posted policy’s and then told you to ” deal with it ” if you tried to enforce the policy how you would react. Would you simply let them ignore the policy or would you deny them entrance to your business?

Bottom line. If theaters do not make good money, and I mean REAL good money, at their snack bar they will close or be forced to shift to being a ” Discount Theater ” that can’t get a print for 5-10 weeks after the ” 1st Run ” theaters.

It is insanely expensive to operate a theater and most to the revenue from ticket sales goes to the studios. Your big urban multi-plex theater might, if their lucky, get to keep $2.50 out of the $12.00 they charge for their ticket. AND if they tried lowering their ticket prices the the studios would simple not give them the movie on the break and everyone would drive across town to see the film at the theater that has the ” New ” film. Most film goers simply will not wait.

Oh something in the news this week, two major theater chains, AMC and Regal I think, announced this week that they are going to be enforcing a strict ” No outside food or drink ” policy. This is not a “New” thing for them, they have had this policy for a long time, they are just making a point to alert people that they are going to be cracking down.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:45:35 +0000

I have absolutely no problem with bringing food into a movie theater. The prices they charge are ridiculous. If the prices were more “realistic” more people would buy food and drinks. It is really nice having a dollar store across the street from the theater. You can buy the large box of Hot Tamales or Dots for $1 as opposed to $4.00 or $4.50. Hey,how about this idea… The movie theater buys their candy at the dollar store for $1.00 and sells it for $2.00 at the theater. For $1.00 more, most people would not bother making an extra stop.

By: Mary Smith

Mary Smith — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:11:41 +0000

When I was a kid, going to the movies was a special treat. My mother always told us “You go to the movies to see the film not to eat.” So it always blows my mind to see people walk into the theatre and go directly to the concession stand to load up, even if they just left the dinner table.

By: kare

kare — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:53:42 +0000

You know, people would be more willing to buy snacks at the theater concession stands if they’d drop the prices a bit.

Even if they were higher than the store price, but not the crazy amount they are now.

Even with a lower price, the theaters would make more, because far more people would give in the the convience of buying on the spot.

By: tillmancisco

tillmancisco — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:31:58 +0000

LOL this is funny my cousin and I were just talking about this the other day……I say purchase you items prior to getting into the movies. It’s not being cheap it’s being smart !!There is a recession going on, bad enough we are paying way too much money for the tickets. so when you add the snacks into that total bill you almost spent around 30 to 50 bucks on one nights entertainment. I would rather keep that 50 bucks go buy some shoes and wait till the movies comes out on dvd and pay for a previously viewed copy from hollywood video for $5.00.

By: buxita

buxita — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:28:14 +0000

Who cares what people think about bringing in snacks to the movie theatre. I don’t go very often and I don’t like many of the snacks the theatre has…so, I bring my own. You’re not going to stop me so …I’ll continue to do what’s best for me. Sorry, but that’s the way things are now. Deal with it.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:46:25 +0000

It is definitel dishonest. Parents that sneak in snacks to a movie theater are teaching their kids that it is OK to break rules, and that it is OK to be dishonest. If you can’t pay for snacks, stay home and watch a movie or just don’t eat snacks during the movie.

By: Cilla

Cilla — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:40:00 +0000

You know it is bad enough that they expect you to pay 12 dollars to see a movie. Now they think they can force you to buy a candy bar for twice what it is worth, or watered down soda and stale popcorn. What a deal! Think I will stay home. Thats my last trip to the movies I will wait for the dvd!

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:03:02 +0000

Well…..where I live, this isn’t a problem. I see film at the Wilton T.H. Theater in Wilton, NH and you can see a new release film, get a drink and a popcorn…..with REAL melted butter (and it is soooo good!) all for ten dollars. Go ahead ….pick your jaw up off the floor…..it’s true and it’s wonderful.

By: Jaryd

Jaryd — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:55:40 +0000

I think there is a bit of misinformation about there about movie theaters. I didn’t get a clear picture of the revenue/cost structure until I started working at a movie theater, albeit a independently locally owned one.

How much do the typical movie theaters (Regal, AMC) make from one ticket? 10%. So when they charge you $9 for a ticket, they only make $.90. It’s no wonder they charge so much for concessions. If they didn’t they wouldn’t stay in business.

This Catch-22 of high prices for the theater industry is forced by production studios. They are the ones requiring 90% of ticket sales, which pretty much requires theaters to charge ridiculously for concessions.

I think the theaters should try to lower prices, which the studios only partially regulate, in order to ease the pain of buying tickets, and hopefully lowering concession prices as well. Then their supply/demand curve might be optimized, and hit a nice equilibrium.

Vote: Cheap. If you don’t like the rules of a business, don’t go there! You have plenty of options on how to watch movies.