November Criterion Sale
11-06-10, 12:50 AM
#401
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11-06-10, 10:49 AM
#402
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I bought:
Bicycle Thieves
Darjeeling Limited (Blu)
Charade (Blu)
The Red Shoes (Blu)
Kagemusha (Blu)
What are people's feelings about Paris, Texas? It would be a blind buy so I'm not quite sure.
Also, I bought them from the Mall of Georgia BN. The lady was very kind but she did not let me use multiple $5 coupons. I don't really mind too much because it specifically says on the coupon that you can only use it one time. It sucks that I couldn't get $5 off but I understand why. I used one $5 coupon and one $5 of $50 coupon.
Despite not being able to use the coupons, the people at the Mall of Georgia BN are great and super friendly. They know their store policies and did not even attempt to reject my coupons because of some kind of BS their manager made up.
Bicycle Thieves
Darjeeling Limited (Blu)
Charade (Blu)
The Red Shoes (Blu)
Kagemusha (Blu)
What are people's feelings about Paris, Texas? It would be a blind buy so I'm not quite sure.
Also, I bought them from the Mall of Georgia BN. The lady was very kind but she did not let me use multiple $5 coupons. I don't really mind too much because it specifically says on the coupon that you can only use it one time. It sucks that I couldn't get $5 off but I understand why. I used one $5 coupon and one $5 of $50 coupon.
Despite not being able to use the coupons, the people at the Mall of Georgia BN are great and super friendly. They know their store policies and did not even attempt to reject my coupons because of some kind of BS their manager made up.
Last edited by Spunkymonkey; 11-06-10 at 11:26 AM.
11-06-10, 11:02 AM
#403
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I've been using the $5 coupons as much if not more than anyone here since the very first sale without ever having a single problem using them before and not even understanding why so many people here were posting problems. Until today, where for the very first time a women said they were told from "corporate" this week that they were no longer allowed to use these $5 off coupons, she then called over the manager, who told me they had a call this week that the coupons were no longer allowed to be used due to the "ambiguous" wording of the terms.
After talking to them for a while, they then proceeded to let me use the $5 coupone on all 4 of my purchases
After talking to them for a while, they then proceeded to let me use the $5 coupone on all 4 of my purchases
11-06-10, 11:23 AM
#404
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Re: November Criterion Sale
11-06-10, 01:25 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I've been using the $5 coupons as much if not more than anyone here since the very first sale without ever having a single problem using them before and not even understanding why so many people here were posting problems. Until today, where for the very first time a women said they were told from "corporate" this week that they were no longer allowed to use these $5 off coupons, she then called over the manager, who told me they had a call this week that the coupons were no longer allowed to be used due to the "ambiguous" wording of the terms.
After talking to them for a while, they then proceeded to let me use the $5 coupone on all 4 of my purchases
After talking to them for a while, they then proceeded to let me use the $5 coupone on all 4 of my purchases
11-06-10, 01:39 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I think if the company was smart, they re-word the coupons, but alas that won't happen. As I said before, you be nice to them, 9 time out of 10 they will help you out.
11-06-10, 01:52 PM
#408
Re: November Criterion Sale
Used both $5 off and 15% off at Springfield NJ
11-06-10, 02:06 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I've probably used over 50 of these coupons at this B&N since the very first sale. And have never had a single problem, this lady even rung me up before. So it must have been legit that the manager got involved and said they had a call with corporate over these coupons. But then again, how serious could it have been if they let me use my coupons anyway.
11-06-10, 02:44 PM
#410
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: November Criterion Sale
So I had a remarkable second experience down there today. After being told my coupon dates were wrong last time, I grabbed one of the new raft of coupons and went down there again...only to be told this time that the coupon doesn't work on trial memberships, only paid memberships. Clerk made superfluous mentions of how he was telling me this AGAIN, i.e. we remember you from last time. You cannot fool our crack team of video clerks.
Miffed, I asked to speak to a manager. When I did, I found out why this store's clerks are so anti-coupon: it comes from the top. Management essentially thinks all coupon use is some kind of shady Internet fraud they haven't figured out yet, and have instructed staff to look for any excuse to deny them.
"You can't have got this coupon yet!" she said triumphantly. "They don't mail it out until after your free trial ends." I told her the coupons were always available on the B&N website, not just via email. "Yes, people on the Web are always copying them and changing dates and things," she said vaguely, so I pulled out my phone and showed her where the coupons were located on her chain's own site. No dice. "I think you should talk to website customer service then. THAT COUPON ISN'T FOR YOU."
She kept saying this over and over, like a mantra. THAT COUPON ISN'T FOR YOU. I understand there's a case to be made that the $5 coupon shouldn't work with trial memberships...the fine print does use the word "purchased," after all. But I spent $150 on bn.com last week in the transaction that got me the trial membership...I sure consider it a purchase. My "welcome!" email told me I'd be getting the same benefits as paid members, including "exclusive coupons."
Finally I told her, "Look, if I were running a Barnes & Noble, my FAVORITE customers would be the ones who followed our deals and sales closely and were knowledgeable. I'd cater to those people. I wouldn't look for excuses to derail their purchases." She gave me the $5 off to get rid of me and kept repeating that this was a one-time thing only, you're on our list now, don't try any of the other stores, we know your name, we'll be watching, etc. etc. After hearing this routine for the fifth time, I got pretty annoyed. "That sounds vaguely threatening," I told her. "I'm not being threatening. It's just a statement. We know who you are now." Shit, Barnes and/or Noble might be watching me RIGHT NOW!!! Better close my blinds.
Look, I'm almost always sympathetic to people working retail, because customers are jerks. And I've definitely used the $5 off coupon more than once in past sales, so it's not like I am the world's most perfect example of Barnes & Noble integrity. But I feel like I totally failed to get through to Ms. Manager on the most important point: customers don't like it when you assume they are criminals and counterfeiters and treat them accordingly! Some of them might be gaming the system in silly ways, but many are just going to be people like me who heard about an awesome deal online and made a good-faith attempt to take advantage of it. When the manager asked me if I'd been to other B&Ns in the area, I gave some noncommittal "Oh, I think I've been to your store in the mall before..." answer, and the clerk just starting smirking into his register. He might as well have waved a sign saying "I THINK YOU ARE A LIAR." Yeah, keep laughing there, $8.50-an-hour.
Long story short: don't try it at the downtown Seattle store.
Miffed, I asked to speak to a manager. When I did, I found out why this store's clerks are so anti-coupon: it comes from the top. Management essentially thinks all coupon use is some kind of shady Internet fraud they haven't figured out yet, and have instructed staff to look for any excuse to deny them.
"You can't have got this coupon yet!" she said triumphantly. "They don't mail it out until after your free trial ends." I told her the coupons were always available on the B&N website, not just via email. "Yes, people on the Web are always copying them and changing dates and things," she said vaguely, so I pulled out my phone and showed her where the coupons were located on her chain's own site. No dice. "I think you should talk to website customer service then. THAT COUPON ISN'T FOR YOU."
She kept saying this over and over, like a mantra. THAT COUPON ISN'T FOR YOU. I understand there's a case to be made that the $5 coupon shouldn't work with trial memberships...the fine print does use the word "purchased," after all. But I spent $150 on bn.com last week in the transaction that got me the trial membership...I sure consider it a purchase. My "welcome!" email told me I'd be getting the same benefits as paid members, including "exclusive coupons."
Finally I told her, "Look, if I were running a Barnes & Noble, my FAVORITE customers would be the ones who followed our deals and sales closely and were knowledgeable. I'd cater to those people. I wouldn't look for excuses to derail their purchases." She gave me the $5 off to get rid of me and kept repeating that this was a one-time thing only, you're on our list now, don't try any of the other stores, we know your name, we'll be watching, etc. etc. After hearing this routine for the fifth time, I got pretty annoyed. "That sounds vaguely threatening," I told her. "I'm not being threatening. It's just a statement. We know who you are now." Shit, Barnes and/or Noble might be watching me RIGHT NOW!!! Better close my blinds.
Look, I'm almost always sympathetic to people working retail, because customers are jerks. And I've definitely used the $5 off coupon more than once in past sales, so it's not like I am the world's most perfect example of Barnes & Noble integrity. But I feel like I totally failed to get through to Ms. Manager on the most important point: customers don't like it when you assume they are criminals and counterfeiters and treat them accordingly! Some of them might be gaming the system in silly ways, but many are just going to be people like me who heard about an awesome deal online and made a good-faith attempt to take advantage of it. When the manager asked me if I'd been to other B&Ns in the area, I gave some noncommittal "Oh, I think I've been to your store in the mall before..." answer, and the clerk just starting smirking into his register. He might as well have waved a sign saying "I THINK YOU ARE A LIAR." Yeah, keep laughing there, $8.50-an-hour.
Long story short: don't try it at the downtown Seattle store.
I'm just curious how far this post would get you if you sent it into the B&N customer service via the website. Might be worth a shot.
11-06-10, 03:03 PM
#411
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: November Criterion Sale
Unbelievable experiences people are relating on here....Hall Monitor now being followed by the B&N Gestapo!
As he stated, they don't seem to realize that WE are their best customers. We buy in bulk, and should be afforded courtesy accordingly. I can understand cutting down on multiple use/abuse, but their twisted logic in denying coupons is baffling.
Let's not forget, Criterion titles aren't exactly big sellers throughout the year, and these semi-annual sales draw in much foot traffic, often resulting in additional purchases. Several times, I have purchased non-CC Blus, books, etc. just because I was in-store for Criterions. In fact, the $5 I save on a Criterion is often blown before I even leave the store on a venti latte at....$5.
As he stated, they don't seem to realize that WE are their best customers. We buy in bulk, and should be afforded courtesy accordingly. I can understand cutting down on multiple use/abuse, but their twisted logic in denying coupons is baffling.
Let's not forget, Criterion titles aren't exactly big sellers throughout the year, and these semi-annual sales draw in much foot traffic, often resulting in additional purchases. Several times, I have purchased non-CC Blus, books, etc. just because I was in-store for Criterions. In fact, the $5 I save on a Criterion is often blown before I even leave the store on a venti latte at....$5.
11-06-10, 03:14 PM
#412
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: November Criterion Sale
What do you do - walk in, recognize the clerk, then immediately spin around and walk out, while trying to act casual about it?
I'm not being sarcastic, by the way. There are a couple of cashiers I'd like to avoid as well! The problem is that, as with all retail jobs, employee hours are different from day to day.
I'm not being sarcastic, by the way. There are a couple of cashiers I'd like to avoid as well! The problem is that, as with all retail jobs, employee hours are different from day to day.
If they patch me through and he answers, I ask if they have a certain title, or if he could reserve X title for me. Then I play dumb and ask if I need to ask for him when I come in, what time is he there until, does he work tomorrow, etc.
11-06-10, 03:17 PM
#413
DVD Talk Legend
11-06-10, 03:22 PM
#414
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: November Criterion Sale
Ooooh, that is rough. I have 3 within 30 min., and 5 within 45.
Oh, I think I was in that store! Are you this guy?
Yea, it's pretty ridiculous. If it's that much of a hassle, you might be better off just ordering online. Saves time, gas, aggravation.
Yea, it's pretty ridiculous. If it's that much of a hassle, you might be better off just ordering online. Saves time, gas, aggravation.
11-06-10, 03:51 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
Gotcha...my area has been great with the coupons so far (Morris Plains and Livingston specifically...going to try Roxbury later today).
I think if the company was smart, they re-word the coupons, but alas that won't happen. As I said before, you be nice to them, 9 time out of 10 they will help you out.
I think if the company was smart, they re-word the coupons, but alas that won't happen. As I said before, you be nice to them, 9 time out of 10 they will help you out.
11-06-10, 04:12 PM
#417
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11-06-10, 04:22 PM
#418
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I was able to use it thrice last night and could possibly have used it more times. Got a lovely old lady who complimented me on how good I was at saving money!!!
Bought Days of Heaven, Howards End and Everlasting Moments on Blu-ray. Might have to get The Thin Red Line and Modern Times. Unfortunately, Thin Red Line was not available at this store.
Bought Days of Heaven, Howards End and Everlasting Moments on Blu-ray. Might have to get The Thin Red Line and Modern Times. Unfortunately, Thin Red Line was not available at this store.
11-06-10, 05:13 PM
#419
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Re: November Criterion Sale
Well, B&N has cancelled another one of my items, despite the fact that it is still available. I sent an email yesterday, asking why my items had not shipped and I got a response saying they'd ship ASAP... then they cancelled another item and haven't shipped anything. What the hell?
11-06-10, 05:30 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
I had a great day hitting a couple of stores with coupons. Mostly ship to home pre-orders but they still allowed me to use the coupons with no questions asked. First store got Les Enfants Terribles, Darjeeling Limited, and America Lost and Found for about $67. Second store pre-ordered Modern Times and Night of the Hunter for about $35. I have a feeling these are going to be hard to find and decided to get them now and have them shipped. Didn't get the member discount but figure the gas and time saved will make up for it.
Also have a question for anyone who ordered Chungking Express online and received a copy. What type of case did you receive? I was interested in picking a copy up at a store but they seem to only have the old digipak cases. I know you can get replacement cases from Criterion but I don't want to buy anymore. I already replaced five cases on other titles.
Also have a question for anyone who ordered Chungking Express online and received a copy. What type of case did you receive? I was interested in picking a copy up at a store but they seem to only have the old digipak cases. I know you can get replacement cases from Criterion but I don't want to buy anymore. I already replaced five cases on other titles.
11-06-10, 05:42 PM
#421
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Re: November Criterion Sale
Also have a question for anyone who ordered Chungking Express online and received a copy. What type of case did you receive? I was interested in picking a copy up at a store but they seem to only have the old digipak cases. I know you can get replacement cases from Criterion but I don't want to buy anymore. I already replaced five cases on other titles.
However, the B&M store I went to earlier this week still had digipack copies of Bottle Rocket, The Last Metro, El Norte, Last Year at Marienbad and The Last Emperor.
I think at this point, online inventory has turned over enough, but because a lot these titles don't move at retail (outside these sales) thus they're still around on a store-to-store basis.
Question, what did they charge you for America Lost & Found -- and how did they knock it down to a 50% off price? It's still $92.XX on the website.
Last edited by Adboy151; 11-06-10 at 05:53 PM.
11-06-10, 05:56 PM
#422
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Re: November Criterion Sale
However, the B&M store I went to earlier this week still had digipack copies of Bottle Rocket, The Last Metro, El Norte, Last Year at Marienbad and The Last Emperor.
Question, what did they charge you for America Lost & Found -- and how did knock it down to 50% off price? It's still $92.XX on the website.
I got America Lost and Found for $43. I asked about ordering it for the sale and they allowed me to get it. They over rode the web site price. I used 4 coupons on the transaction along with 2 other titles I purchased at the store. Definitely it is a huge ymmv if a store will let you do this. This particular store has been very flexible with coupons in the past and thought they might allow me to get it for the sale price.
11-06-10, 06:13 PM
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Re: November Criterion Sale
Right?
11-06-10, 06:43 PM
#424
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Re: November Criterion Sale
However, the B&M store I went to earlier this week still had digipack copies of Bottle Rocket, The Last Metro, El Norte, Last Year at Marienbad and The Last Emperor.
I think at this point, online inventory has turned over enough, but because a lot these titles don't move at retail (outside these sales) thus they're still around on a store-to-store basis.
I think at this point, online inventory has turned over enough, but because a lot these titles don't move at retail (outside these sales) thus they're still around on a store-to-store basis.
11-06-10, 07:32 PM
#425
DVD Talk Legend
Re: November Criterion Sale
Does anybody want to recommend some Melville?
Le cercle rouge
Army of Shadows
Bob le flambeur
Le Samouraï
Les enfants terribles
Le deuxième souffle
The one I am sure I am going to pick up is Le Samourai. I have seen none of them, but have watched some clips and trailers and can tell that they are in my wheel house.
Le cercle rouge
Army of Shadows
Bob le flambeur
Le Samouraï
Les enfants terribles
Le deuxième souffle
The one I am sure I am going to pick up is Le Samourai. I have seen none of them, but have watched some clips and trailers and can tell that they are in my wheel house.
If you can find Bob...it's OOP so get it - but you won't find it in a store. Army is getting a blu ray in January, so hold off there. but get the blu ray in the next sale!
